Video: Crazy-Cool New Product Revealed at ICAST; Meet the Zombait
Randall Bonner 07.21.17
This year at ICAST, Zombait made its debut with a unique gadget made to be inserted into dead bait to bring it back to life with a natural swimming action. Made from corrosion-resistant materials that operate at depths of up to 200 feet in saltwater or freshwater, the Zombait’s battery life lasts about 3 hours.
Ideal for mullet, ballyhoo, ladyfish, mackerel and other common saltwater baits, the product allows you to spend less time fishing for fresh bait and more time fishing for your intended target species. Being able to bring your dead bait back to life also makes it less hassle to keep your bait alive. Tip: It’s still best to keep the dead bait on ice so it stays fresh.
The Zombait is inserted into bait 7 inches or larger, and a small peg on the end of the power cell wiggles back and forth at the tail, producing a natural movement that will make your fishing excursions more like a Weekend at Bernie’s.
The Zombait retails for $69 and includes a battery, USB charger, and a carrying case (photo above). If you’re planning on fishing for extended periods of time on the water, or running multiple Zombaits, the premium pack includes three Zombaits with batteries, USB charger, and a carrying case for $159.
Important note: Following the 2017 ICAST event in mid July, the company expected to be sold out of its current stock by the end of July, then increasing production to meet demand.
The batteries are AA sized, but they’re actually a 14500 rechargeable cell with an integrated power control module that provides a higher voltage for stronger motion with the Zombait. The outer casing is made from a durable polycarbonate plastic, similar to what is commonly used on underwater cameras and football helmets.
Because a Zombait is a significant investment, you can attach a secondary leader from the end of your Zombait to your mainline to prevent losing it in the case of a snag, or if a fish breaks your leader.
While the current design debuted at ICAST is more ideal for larger baits and offshore fishing, the company intends to produce a smaller version of the Zombait for inshore anglers. And it looks like it should be deadly for northern pike and muskies, too.
You can find out more about the product at www.zombait.com. And be sure to check out the video below to see the Zombait in action. The pike strike at the end of the clip is awesome!
