Zombait - Bring your deadbaits back to life
AN INNOVATIVE fishing device which has taken America’s fishing scene by storm could provide an ethical alternative for anglers who use livebaits for predatory fish here in the UK.
Zombait – the product that brings your deadbaits ‘back to life’ – has been a resounding success for fishermen across America and eastern Europe since its conception in 2017, but now the brains behind the product believe it could make a huge difference to both sea and predator anglers on the British Isles.
Michael McNeil, who is the Chief Marketing Officer for Zombait, explained more about the product’s origin and success.
He said: “The idea came from a commercial tuna fisherman in Maine named Rink Varian, who needed a solution for when his live bait died and needed a way to make them look alive again.
“Through a mutual connection with family friends he teamed up with Jessy Cusack, a mechanical engineer, and Matthew Borowski, an electrical engineer, who designed and created the first prototype and brought the idea to life.
“Since the product’s launch we’ve received great feedback from people, especially pike fisherman, using Zombait both in North America and overseas.
“A huge highlight so far has been a fishing team using a Zombait to catch a 340lb Bluefin Tuna to help win a huge fishing tournament.
“It really has made a big difference to people’s fishing and of course it provides a great alternative to livebait.”
Despite Zombait’s success overseas there has been reason for concern with some members of the angling community in the UK amid fears the product could part with an angler’s mainline.
Predator expert Neville Fickling said: “My view is anything that makes pike fishing easier for pike anglers is a help, although you just have to be so careful that the device doesn’t end up inside a pike due to crack offs or breakages.”
To ensure the Zombait remains connected to your line Michael urges that anglers must take precautions when attaching the device to their rigs.
He added: “Certainly when pike fishing you must use a strong wire tippet, or some sort of wire that attaches to the hook and the designed tether point on the Zombait so you can protect against aggressive strikes.
“Strong mainlines and tight knots should always be used with this product too, and if you can do it right you will have no problem retrieving and reusing the Zombait over and over again.”
Zombait will soon be available to buy from the Amazon UK website here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07665HGJD/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=zombait&qid=1573034402&s=sports&sr=1-1
For more information on Zombait, please visit the website at www.revivefishing.com
Exclusive Angling Times interview
Angling Times constructed an extended interview with Zombait’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michael McNeil, to find out a little more about the product.
Here’s what he had to say:
Angling Times: Just how effective has Zombait been? Have you increased your catch rates tenfold? Did it work in your fishing pretty much straight away?
Michael McNeil: Whilst we have no hard stats on this, we have received great feedback from pike fisherman, and anglers using them for a variety of gamefish both in North America and overseas. A highlight would be team 'Duck Soup' winning the Blue Fin Blowout Fishing Tournament using a Zombait to catch a 340lb Bluefin Tuna!
AT: Do you make a smaller Zombait that’s ideal for smaller deadbaits? Or perhaps have a similar idea in the pipeline?
MM: We currently have the one size, which measures in at 6.9 inches (or 17.5cm) but we have a smaller version now in the works.
AT: When setting the Zombait up for predatory fish with sharp teeth, what precautions should anglers take? For example: use strong wire when tying the Zombait to your hook?
MM: Yes, we recommend using a wire tippet, or some sort of wire towards the end of your leader that attaches to the hook and the designed tether point on the Zombait, so you can protect against aggressive strikes and retrieve and reuse it over and over again.
AT: How easy is it to use the Zombait? Is there an instructional video people can watch?
MM: It’s as simple as charging the battery and placing the Zombait inside your favourite dead bait fish of choice. As for rigging, a lot of it is personal preference, but we definitely recommend tying on a tether from your Zombait device (from the designed loop) back to either the hook or you main line to secure it in the event of an aggressive strike, and to protect against toothy critters. You can check out instructional videos on our website, and YouTube Channel, at www.ReviveFishing.com and https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCybb_tHxl1Z7cPMbSkQy-Q
AT: Would you say that Zombait is better or equal-to a livebait? Have you found that the Zombait has been more effective than a livebait on a particular day?
MM: Live bait is great, and we wouldn't necessarily say it’s better, but it does provide a unique presentation and some great advantages. It offers more flexibility in hook placement on the bait, as well as the ability to fish a "live bait" presentation anytime, anywhere, if you don't have time to catch your own live bait or buy it. As well, the problem with live bait is that it often dies, even with expensive live wells, which not everyone has, and in some countries, where the use of live bait is illegal, Zombait gives you a great opportunity to give some action and movement to your dead bait that you otherwise wouldn't have.
Positives:
• Eliminates the use of a livebait
• Is easily attachable to your standard deadbait trace
• Comes with rechargeable batteries and a charging pack
Negatives:
• Requires very strong hooks, traces and mainline to use
• Is too big for smaller deadbaits, although a smaller Zombait is in the pipeline
• The battery is limited to a maximum of 3.5 hours of use on a single charge
