Overview
Available exclusively at Tackle Warehouse, the Z-Man Chatterbait Elite Evo Mini Max features a compact profile and custom 2/0 black nickel hook in a heavier gauge wire than the standard Mini Max, allowing it to easily be fished on typical full-size Chatterbait setups. Equipped with a premium egg snap line tie, the blade at the front is directly connected to the head for quick activation, allowing the Elite Evo Mini Max to begin its vibrating, shimmying, flashing movement from the first crank of the reel handle.
Each skirt is precisely hand-tied with premium silicone to ensure plenty of action and visual appeal, while a wire bait keeper on the hook shank firmly secures your favorite soft-plastic trailer. A downsized bait priced to deliver exceptional value, the Z-Man Chatterbait Elite Evo Mini Max is perfect for anglers who are fishing pressured waters or trying to imitate smaller forage.
More From Z-Man
Customer Reviews
Blade ChipBlade paint chipped within 5 casts. I would not recommend.
Hot snakes colorThis color caught my PB of 12.3 on lake fork. The color gets crushed.
Great for pond Bass!Great way to catch more fish by downsizing. I use the 3” Zako trailer and go to catching. Easy to rig, throw, and catch with. A must have in my tacklebox!
Nice addition to the tackle boxGreat bait as the rest I got it pair with a 3 inch rage swimmer and got a 3.5 pounder after just a few cast.
Too soon to tellI’ve been crushing them on the OG mini max past couple weeks and was excited to get these after having so much success on the EVO this past year. There’s a shad spawn going off and the shad are tiny.
I haven’t had a chance to test it other than in my backyard but they run super high in the water. The OG mini I had to sets ups. Both have 15 lb flouro. I use a 6.3:1 for the 3/8’s and it runs about the same depth as a full size chatterbait. The 1/2’s I use a 7.5:1 and fish it like a trap. I tied both on and what I can see is the 1/2 mini Evo runs like a 3/8s OG mini. The 3/8’s runs damn near like a wake bait even on a 6.3:1.
I’m sure each will have its conditions that they will shine. I know for sure the 1/2 OG is going to remain a staple. The 1/2 Evo might replace my OG 3/8s as they wear out or get lost. I got baby jack hammers coming and will need to do some real world testing before I order more.
Upgraded MinimaxThe components are much much better than the original minimax. The blade starts up faster and has a harder thump. Upgraded snap, bait keeper, blade, head. I’ve had minimaxes in the past go flying off and I reel in just the blade so i’m assuming that problem is fixed. The painted blades might scratch off quick. I used the TW Black and the paint is chipping off the blade after one day, but that was expected anyway. Gold, silver, copper, and those glittered/painted blades should last a while. They definitely sit higher in the water column than an original minimax so you might have to go up in weight depending on what you are fishing. The 3/8oz with a 4.5 spunkshad sat around a foot or 2 under the surface. They also have the weight shown on the jig head unlike the old minimax which is a big plus. Has plenty of vibration and hunts just like an elite evo, just smaller.
Stay with the original!Aesthetically, these may look better; they aren’t as good as the original Minimax! I normally get the 1/4 oz, but I just moved, and the waters here have a little more grass, so I got the 3/8 oz! They cast fantastically, but other than that, they don’t compare!
Color ClarificationBeautiful Chatterbait, as one person commented below, it appears to have resolved any (minor) issues with the original Mini-Max.
One thing to note -- the Electric Shad color in person is not a warm, translucent grey as it appears to be in the photo above. In person, and both indoors and in sunlight, it's more of a smoky "cool" grey with more opacity and a very fine green/purple flake, and the bottom is crisp white with some blue iridescence and pepper. Not bad, just... different.
I've paired this with the Hog Farmer Stroll Shad in 4" size (also in Electric Shad) which is a PERFECT pairing, and it offers the same action you're used to with a Jackhammer/4.5 Spunk Shad, just scaled down.
If you pair the Evo Mini Max with a 4.5 Spunk Shad, you'll get the "whippy" hunting action a Jackhammer gets with the 5.5 Spunk Shad.
A great addition to the arsenal
Got mine today!Early review as I have just unboxed them. I gotta say it appears everything wrong with the Minimax is fixed on this bad boy! (Btw I love the OG mini maxes and slay with them, j/s)
Better clasp, better hook, better trimmed skirt, better keepers. I haven’t even tied one on but I’m ready to order more.
ExcellentStarts really fast, excellent colors, spectacular hook, great size obviously, and fishes about as well as you’d expect. I used a 3.5 and a 4.5 inch Hog Farmer Spunk Shad with them. They were a marvelous pairing.