I’ll tell you the truth, as an angler I tend to be a little slow adapting to new tools. I know that sounds odd given the fact that introducing readers to “new tools” for success is pretty much the hallmark of what we do. But like many anglers with plug bags over-stuffed with enough “must have” lures, finding an empty slot or two often requires a bit of ‘hands on’ analysis first. But the proof is in the putting; as in putting fish at your feet!
Released in the fall of 2022, the 6-inch Yo-Zuri Hydro Twitchbait quickly earned converts in the surfcasting world for its castability (2-7/8 ounces), durability (through-wire construction and 4X strength saltwater grade trebles) and overall action (wobbles and darts just like a live bunker). This slow-sinking lipless bait has an enticing side-to-side roll on a straight retrieve, with quick darting action on the twitch and pause. It’s a unique lure that can be worked fast or slow, giving it a good dose of versatility.
But I didn’t realize just how versatile of a lure this Yo-Zuri Hydro Twitchbait was until I got a chance to test the new 7-1/2-inch version this past spring while striper fishing with Yo-Zuri’s Chris Bishop on the Raritan Bay with Capt. Rob Radlof of Waterman Charters. At just under 5 ounces, this new Hydro Twitchbait can be cast from a good distance away to help avoid spooking stripers by boat, and it should be a monster in the fall surf when stripers are just across the other side of the bar.
“You know, glide baits are the rage right now in this fishery…this is a different style bait,” Bishop told me during a break in the spring striper action back in May. “It’s a solid twitch bait and not a jointed glide bait, but it has a similar type action,” he said, adding “But the bigger thing is this bait’s a bait you can throw a hundred yards without a problem. You put this on a surf rod, you can fish it from the surf, it’s got the right profile of an in-between (bunker), between a full adult and a peanut, but it’s a really versatile bait.”
What I found when throwing the 7-1/2-inch Yo-Zuri Hydro Twitchbait is that it really is a multi-purpose lure. Yes, you can retrieve fast or slow, providing more of a twitch and pause, or even less; it all depends on how your target species (striped bass, mahi or tuna for that matter) are feeding at the time. But onboard Radlof’s Conch 27 this spring, it also shined when quick-drifting along gnarly structure while barely cranking the reel; as a slow-sinking lure, the Hydro Twitchbait provides a good tool in the arsenal for keeping tight to jetty rocks, boulders or fixed structure. On more than one occasion we hooked up with solid striped bass on the drift by just imparting a subtle twitch every now, reeling just enough to keep the lure from hitting bottom.
A unique aspect to the entire Yo-Zuri line is that Bishop himself does a heavy load of product testing with a variety of gamefish, notably striped bass. “They’re quickly becoming one of my favorite fish in the world,” Bishop told me during the final product test of Yo-Zuri’s newest hard bait, noting how the new 7-1/2-inch Hydro Twitchbait from Yo-Zuri will be in tackle shops at the end of September. It’s available in eight different colors, including Northeast favorites like Bone, Silver Black, Bronze, Green Mackerel, Red Head and Black Purple (blurple).
For tips and tactics on how to fish Yo-Zuri’s 7-1/2-inch Hydro Twitchbait, join Chris Bishop and I on the Striper Coast proving grounds in an exclusive video coming out on The Fisherman’s YouTube channel on September 24. If you’re not signed up for our twice-weekly eNews alerts, sign in now at TheFisherman.com.
yo-zuri.com
