Entry 209-1
Fishing in the Women’s Circuit with Debra Hengst
Editor’s Note: Debra Hengst of San Antonio, Texas, longtime member of the Strike King Pro Staff, fishes the Women’s Bassmaster Tour (WBT). In 2007, she moved up to the national team level on Strike King’s Pro Staff. With the start of the WBT the entire fishing industry is becoming more conscious and supportive of women’s fishing than it has been in the past. Strike King always has been a strong supporter of women’s fishing, especially women’s competitive fishing. We’re extremely proud of Debra Hengst and our other women fishermen. As you’ll see this week, ladies know how to catch bass.
Part 1: Fishing the Zero and the Z TOO
In 2007, Debra Hengst will be attending and participating in most of the women’s bass-fishing tournaments. She’s one of the strongest supporters of the Strike King Zero and the Strike King Z Too. These lures require a lot of patience and finesse to fish. “The Zero and the Z-Too are the two lures I go to when I’m in trouble in a tournament and really have to catch a bass,” Hengst says. One of the most-difficult tasks a bass fisherman must deal with when the fishing’s tough is to cast a lure out and then do nothing but watch the line. This reason is why many people don’t fish lures like the jerkbait, the Zero and the Z Too. Most fishermen feel they must put some type of action into the bait to get the bass to bite.
“The real secret to catching fish on these two lures is to cast the lure out, and once it hits the water, focus your concentration on watching the line and not moving the bait,” Hengst explains. “The 3X material of the Zero and the Z Too have the action built into the lure so that as it falls, it attracts fish. If you’ll believe in the power of these two lures to work without any of your input, they’ll produce bass for you. 
One of the best ways to build confidence in these lures is to drop them in an aquarium so you can see how these lures work under water. When I go to a tournament, I don’t leave home without the Zero or the Z Too.”
Question: Debra, why do you fish competitively?
Hengst: I feel in my heart that this is what I was born to do. I love fishing, I like the challenges, and I love to compete.
Question: What do you feel is your strong suit?
Hengst: My versatility. If I had to pick two lures that I like to fish more than anything else, I’d choose the Zero and the Z Too. I fish the Z Too on 14-pound-test line with a Mustad hook, and I Texas-rig the Zero, fishing them both around visible brush. The Z Too has a unique movement to it when I fish it on 14-pound-test Suffix line with a Mustad Finacky hook.
Question: What makes this hook so special?
Hengst: This hook has a lead on the head, so when I cast it out, it flutters down. I watch my line to see when the bass takes the bait. The bass usually don’t play with the Z Too when I have it rigged up with this line and hook. I watch my line to see the bite, and when the bass starts moving with the lure, I catch up to the fish and set the hook. I’ve caught 8- and 9-pound bass using the Zero and the Z Too.
Next: Fishing the Pure Poison
Contents:
- Part 1: Fishing the Zero and the Z TOO
- Part 2: Fishing the Pure Poison
- Part 3: Behind Women Tournament Fishing
- Part 4: Debra Hengst’s Favorite Lures
- Part 5: More of Debra Hengst’s Favorite Lures
