Entry 228-2

Strike King Intervenes to Save the Day with Tim Ungaro

Part 2: The Teeth Tell the Tale

Question: You mentioned yesterday that you were catching bluefish and Spanish mackerel on a Strike King Zulu? Wouldn’t Spanish mackerel eat that bait up because they have such sharp teeth?

Ungaro: Actually I believe the Zulu is almost indestructible. What really amazed me was that I could throw into a school of bluefish or Spanish mackerel, and they’d all attack the bait at the same time. I was expecting to reel in tiny pieces of the Zulu, but that didn’t happen. When I got my fish and lure in, the lure would have all kind of bite marks in it, but it would seem to heal itself. Although it didn’t really heal itself, all those bite marks didn’t change the way the bait performed. I’ve never seen any fish I’ve caught on a Zulu destroy this bait or even cut pieces off of the bait.

I don’t see why Strike King continues to sell a bait that doesn’t get destroyed and seldom needs to be replaced. I’ve used that same Zulu over and over and over again to continue to catch redfish and Spanish mackerel. Before, I’ve caught bluefish and Spanish mackerel all day long on one Zulu. I’ve caught bluefish in Key West, Florida, as well as Panama City, Florida, and never had to replace my Zulu.

Question: How many bluefish can you catch and release in a day?

Ungaro: If you see the school of bluefish, and you don’t spook them, you can catch bluefish until you’re arm gets tired. Bluefish will attack anything. They’re always ready to feed. Usually when we get into a school of bluefish like that, we’ll catch them for about 2 hours and then go fish for something else.

Question: What about Spanish mackerel?

Ungaro: Spanish mackerel are somewhat different in that they don’t take the Zulu as readily as the bluefish do. But, of course, nothing bites as aggressively as a bluefish. We had to change our technique up a little bit to get the Spanish mackerel to bite the Zulu. The Spanish mackerel like a very-fast retrieve and are pelagic fish, which means they’re on the move and chasing bait all the time. I’ve learned that Spanish mackerel like the Zulu on top of the water instead of under the water. The retrieve has to be fast and erratic. As long are you’re giving the Zulu that kind of action, the Spanish mackerel will eat it up. Every other bait I fish for Spanish mackerel, I’ve had to fish it the same way.

Question: Why do you carry just Zulus and not Z Toos - because the Z Toos will sink?

Ungaro: Yes, that’s the reason I only carry the Zulu. I want a bait I can work on top, work through the middle story of the water and/or work on the bottom. The Zulu gives me that type of versatility because by adding weight to either the hook, the line or just ahead of the hook, I can determine the rate of fall and how deep the Zulu fishes and how slowly or fast it reaches the bottom. Remember, I told you that weight was a key issue when you’re traveling out of country and flying in bush planes.

With one pack of Zulus, several different styles, types and weights of hooks and a variety of shot leads, my tackle weighs less. However, I can fish anywhere for any kind of species. Sure, I’d like to have the Z Toos, but I can make the Zulu do everything I want it to do. And, I don’t have to carry that extra package of Z Toos.

Next: Tarpon and the Zulu

Contents:

• Part 1: I’m Going to Get Me Some of Those Zulus
• Part 2: The Teeth Tell the Tale
• Part 3: Tarpon and the Zulu
• Part 4: The Bass Bonanza
• Part 5: If You See Them, You Can Catch Them