The FattyZ Family Gets Thicker
Written by Luke Clausen
Otis Orchards, WA - Z-Man® has finally introduced the 6” FattyZ™ Thick StickZ™ to the public, and it’s a bait I’m especially fond of. The overall shape is very similar to the original 5” FattyZ™, which I helped design nearly 15 years ago. Over the years, it became clear that anglers wanted a bigger, bulkier version of that bait for situations where fish are keyed in on larger forage. Z-Man listened, and the result is the Thick StickZ, a bait I now use just as much as, and sometimes more than, the original FattyZ.
The FattyZ family now includes the 6” FattyZ™ Thick StickZ, 5” FattyZ, 3.25” TRD FattyZ, and 7.25” Mag FattyZ, and they all share the same defining feature: a unique, bulbous tail that really brings ElaZtech® to life in the water. These worms spiral on the fall, kick on impact with the bottom, and keep their tails floating up while being worked along the bottom. That action is what made the FattyZ so effective, and the Thick StickZ simply carries it over into a larger profile that opens up more opportunities.
In my opinion, the bigger bait shines when I’m fishing water with less light penetration. That might be deeper water, like a ledge on the Tennessee River, heavy cover such as Kissimmee grass or hydrilla in Florida, or just dirtier water in general. When I’m trying to maximize the number of bites, I’ll usually start with the 5” FattyZ. But when I’m looking to catch a better-than-average fish, the Thick StickZ is often my first choice. That bigger profile definitely draws fish in better, whether I’m using forward-facing sonar or just making casts along a ledge. There are still times when the FattyZ outperforms the Thick StickZ, but there’s a place for both in my boat.
There are plenty of ways to rig the Thick StickZ, but I like to keep things simple. Most of the time, I’m fishing it on a Texas rig, a Neko rig with a Neko ShroomZ™, or on a shaky head. I also know anglers who’ve had great success with it on a Carolina rig, drop shot, and even a free rig.
The larger size of the Thick StickZ, combined with the proven shape and the unique action, buoyancy and durability of ElaZtech, has created a bait that’s every bit as effective as the FattyZ, if not more so in certain situations. One thing is clear: after spending time with it on the water, the Thick StickZ has earned a permanent spot in my arsenal, and I hope it brings you the same success it’s brought me.