ZIPBAITS ZBL Vib

ZIPBAITS ZBL Vib is a lipless vibration lure from the Japanese maker ZIPBAITS. In Japan it was designed for big sea bass; in our waters it works very well for zander, perch, pike and asp, especially when fish hold deeper or far from the bank.

The patented knife-edge body is ultra-thin, so the lure works at any speed, from a slow retrieve to a very fast one. It vibrates tightly and quickly with little pull on the rod, yet pushes strong waves that fish feel from far away. It starts swimming at once and follows rod movements well. The weight is bismuth, a metal kinder to the environment than lead.

Key features (manufacturer data):

• 80 mm, 25 g, sinking; Owner (Cultiva) ST-46TN #4 trebles, #3 split rings
• 90 mm, 35 g, sinking; Owner (Cultiva) ST-46TN #3 trebles, #3 split rings
• Bismuth weight, tight and fast vibration

What it is for and what tackle to use

• Fish: zander, perch, pike, asp.
• Where to fish: deeper parts of lakes and lagoons, river holes and current edges, shallows and drop-offs far from the bank; in the cold season, when fish hold near the bottom.
• Rod: a medium spinning rod with a casting weight of about 10–40 g (80 mm / 25 g) or 15–50 g (90 mm / 35 g).
• Line: 0.12–0.16 mm braid with a 0.30–0.40 mm fluorocarbon leader.
• Retrieve: let the lure sink to the bottom, then retrieve steadily or lift the rod 30–50 cm and let the lure fall again; a fast steady retrieve suits asp.
• In pike waters: use a wire leader.

The rod and line recommendations are a guide: they help you choose, but you can also fish with similar tackle you already own.