Reins and Zappu have trickled a few products from Japan to America. The companies make many top products in Japan and several of their famous products over there are going to be available this month and next month in the US. Matt Paino of Optimum Baits has been instrumental in keeping everyone in the states in the loop on what’s going on with both companies. He sent over some samples for us to review.

We’ll be fishing with the baits real soon, but we wanted to give you a good look at the products first and give you our initial feedback on several of the new products.

Reins

Deka Cross Swamp Worm

Makers of very detailed soft plastics with strong fish scents, Reins introduced us to the Cross Swamp Worm  last year and this year came out with a new size. The unique worm was made to represent two worms threaded on to a wacky jighead, a variation of flick shaking that is very popular in Japan. It has a unique profile and presentation and the cross shape of the worm gives it a lot of action in many directions. New for this year is the 5-inch size. It comes in 12 colors and retails for $6.99 a pack.

Bubbling Shaker

Along those same lines they are introducing three new shapes to the US market. The Bubbling Shaker is detailed drop-shot worm.  The plastic is extremely soft, and the miniature pockets created by the ribbed body actually trap tiny bubbles that shake free with the slightest movement.  The tail has a really good action on a drop shot. It really whips with the slightest shaking. The worms shape is thicker at the head portion and tapers toward the tail giving it a forage profile.

It comes in eight colors and two sizes – 4 and 5-inch models. The worms will sell for $5.49 an 8 pack.

Additional photos:
  

Bubbling Shad

Borrowing some of its design from the Bubbling Shaker, the Bubbling Shad is a finesse swimbait featuring a ringed body section, bulbous head and paddle tail. The unique bait can be fished as swimbait, drop-shot worm or a swimming jig trailer. Featuring soft plastic with a noticeable fish scent and very good action the bubbling shad will work equally well on a jighead, weighted hook or back of a jig. The body has noticeable curves to it that give the bait more freedom to swim on a straight retrieve.

No word yet on available sizes and colors.

Additional Photos:
 

AX Claw

The craw features oversized pinchers with extra weight that gives them a thumping action on the drop. The bait also has four tentacles that vibrate as the bait is twitched or dropped into a piece of cover. The ribbed body gives the Ax Claw a consistent look with the other new offerings from Reins.

The claw comes in eight colors and will retail for $6.99 for a 6-pack.

Additional photos:

 

Zappu

Zappu introduced the Inchi Wacky heads a couple years ago and they were one of the first Flick Shake heads on the market in the U.S.  The unique pivot point of the jig head added a new element to wacky rigging plastics.
Now Zappu has introduced a jig, jighead and whole line of tungsten weight shapes to the US market.

PD Chopper

This new jig features a unique design, shape and application to jig fishing.  First the head has an almost medieval helmet shape. Coupled with the angle of the hook, the head allows the jig to stand up and point the plastic trailer right in the face of an onlooking bass. It employs a wire keeper that holds plastics in place extremely well on the hook shank.  One of the first things anglers will notice is missing is the bristle brush guard. It’s made to be fished with or without the hook exposed. You can simply add a corkscrew spring to the eye of the jig and thread a plastic trailer over the point of the hook. Or you can slide the trailer up the hook shank and swim the jig and fish it without a brush guard.

The unique shape of the head really accentuates the action of trailers like an Optimum Double Diamond. Sometimes the head doesn’t make any difference on how the trailer fishes. Not the case with this head. Good jig anglers know it’s the trailer that you’re fishing. The jig and skirt is just dressing for the trailer and it’s obvious that was a thought with this jig.

The skirt is wire tied and locked to the head. It makes the skirt flow well and it’s extremely well trimmed. This is one jig that I think guys will give a chance for its uniqueness.

 

Additional photos:

 

  

Mustang Head

Basically this is a scaled down version of the PD Chopper jig without a skirt. The light wire jig will work well on shaky heads, small swimbaits and other finesse applications. The wire keeper along the shank really holds plastics in place. A very fine wire protects the hook point from snags. It will require light line applications.  We think on heavy line, the wire guard will fold away easily. But the unique shape of the head, ability to stand light plastics on end and open options with this design make this worth a try.

Additional photos:

 

  

Tungsten Weights

Reins is releasing some tungsten worm weights in various shapes and sizes to accommodate several tastes when it comes to fishing Texas rigs and drop shots. The weights seem accurate; the look of the painted heads (several in matte finish) will be attractive to anglers. The weights have sleeves and fasteners that seem like they will hold up to wear and tear.

We just had a brief time so far to view the baits and tackle, but we can't wait to get them on the water. They are very detailed and obviously a lot of thought went into the design with finicky, sight oriented fish in mind. The attention to detail deserves an angler's attention and they are definitely worth a look in our opinion.

The best access to information about Reins and Zappu in the US is through Matt Paino at Optimum Baits. Click here for more information.