There was a brand that academy had in a rather plain snap [censored] plastic box that was way better that the original IMO but they disappeared. I mean how many companies have plastic worms?

Why? It sounds like he is just protecting his patents.

Sorry mods that was supposed to be shut not censored I and u next to each other.

In this business I can't fault someone for protecting their patent. Look at the brush hog knock offs.

Design a better blade that won't infringe....

The academy one was made by gambler. My personal favorite one ever made.

Yea that's it.

My understanding is as long as the blade isn't 6 sided it isn't a big deal. If you look in our classifieds, a few guys sell bladed swim jigs in there, but their blades are not 6 sided. They look really good too. . .

Well I quit buying them because of the LOUSY hooks on them. I got several at Academy and the hooks seem to be made out of soft aluminum wire. I can bend it EASILY with two fingers. JUNK HOOK I have never EVER seen a hook bend that easily.

Not sure I want too support z-mans products as well as their intellectual property. Thats like saying the man that made the first crank bait should sue everyone who makes crankbaits just because they have a bill on the front.

There is a lot of time and effort that goes into the first prototype of anything, whether it be a bait, or a new baseline vehicle. Research and testing is not cheap, and Z-man's profits have to cover that expense. For someone to come in and expect the same profits on their product after not committing to the development phase of the bait is sorry. I completely understand and support Z-man for their stance. Why would anyone try to be an innovator if its just going to get knocked off and you will never be able to recover your R&D money?

BigTex nailed it.

I kinda look at it like hole jumping. These people want the results with out doing their homework.

Find your own fish and develop your own chatterbait. (Sorry "Bladed Swim Jig")

Z-man vs Renosky. Sounds like a pro wrestling match.

I wouldn't have a problem with his stance if the quality of the product was up to par with his original offering or with what his competition is putting out now. The quality on the Zman baits is poor to say the least right now. The hooks are straightening out, the finish is peeling off of the blades and the snaps are bending and opening up way to easily. If you start cutting quality to increase your profit margin you will lose your market share and someone else will fill the void. I can't afford to lose anymore fish (spelled M O N E Y during a tournament) on substandard equipment.