FOOTHILL RANCH, CA – “Creature baits” are nothing new to fishing. Their origins date back to the 70’s when resourceful muskie anglers started adhering sundry appendages to a soft plastic body to create a never-seen-before Frankenstein bait, aka creature bait. The trend soon captured bass fishing, and by the 1980’s, legitimate manufacturers were packaging and selling molded creature baits.
Today, these gaudy and often outsized soft plastic mutants take the shape of bugs, amphibians, and beavers, as well as freakshow oddities that resemble nothing earthly, yet, somehow, they still charm fish.
For 2026, Evergreen USA miniaturizes and perfects the creature bait concept with the new C-4 Leech.
Far from the usual bulky-bodied creature bait, Evergreen’s C-4 Leech spans a mere three inches and is defined by its svelteness, suppleness, and attention to detail.
Such details are achieved through the manufacturing process. “Unlike most plastics on the market, the C-4 Leech is injection molded, not poured,” said DAIWA Field Marketing Manager, Chris Martin. “It’s how we were able to achieve its convincing 3D looks.”
Open poured, mass production soft plastics are known for their inconsistent cosmetics and compositions – the first bait rarely resembling the last one in the pack. By comparison, injection-molded soft plastic baits – created by forcing heated material into closed molds under pressure – sport detailed shapes with consistent looks and densities.
Speaking of composition, Martin pointed out the unique makeup of the C-4 Leech. “The C-4 Leech formula includes salt, which slows the sink rate. Additionally, the bait is impregnated with a powerful squid-based attractant that is lights out on freshwater bass and trout, as well as walleyes.”
Developed to catch pressured and neutral fish, the C-4 Leech incorporates critical bite inducing features for the ultimate finesse fishing experience. Its most noticeable feature is the long flat tail section, which features a thin molded design to effortlessly flap and undulate while the bait slowly sinks. Ribbing on the tail section creates drag on the surface to further accentuate the action. This, while two antennae like extensions help imitate both insect legs and baitfish fins and a pair of pectoral-like fins provide stabilization on the retrieve and modest vibration as the bait falls.
The C-4 Leech’s tail constitutes over half the bait length and is skin-thin, activating with minimal rod movement or current and delivering a subtle flowing action. Conversely, the body is plump for its length, yielding modest bulk without a pudgy profile, helping it resemble an aquatic creature far more than a basic worm or fluke.
Uses for the Evergreen C-4 Leech abound. First out of Martin’s mouth was dropshotting. “Everything about it screams dropshot,” said Martin. “The size is ideal, and more importantly, the bait moves so naturally and temptingly with little effort – precisely what causes pressured and inactive fish to respond.”
These same physical attributes make the C-4 Leech ideal on a shaky head, Carolina rig, Ned rig, and Neko rig, as well as simply put to use with a simple hook and split-shot.
C-4 Leech FEATURES:
- Detailed 3D features
- Injection-molded for accuracy and consistency
- Thin undulating tail
- Side appendages for balance and attraction
- Squid scent and flavor
- Thickened head for easy rigging and enhanced durability
- Works on a dropshot, shaky head, Carolina rig, Ned rig, Neko rig, and split-shot rig
- SIZE: 3.1”
- COLORS: Green Pumpkin Black, Secret Shad, Crytal Shad and Goby
MSRP $10.99 (8 pack)
For Daiwa’s latest color catalog and/or information on Daiwa dealers in your area, call Daiwa’s Customer Service Department at 562-375-6800 or e-mail inquiries to: CSR@Daiwa.com. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us.
About Daiwa
Daiwa’s first spinning reel rolled off the assembly line in 1955. Since then, the company has grown into one of the largest and most influential tackle companies in the world today. To handle sales and distribution in the United States, Daiwa Corporation first opened its doors on September 26, 1966, operating from a small facility in Culver City, California. Today, based in Foothill Ranch, California, Daiwa Corporation sells tackle throughout the United States, Canada, Central and South America. From the very beginning, Daiwa’s emphasis has been upon innovation and quality. The result is a long list of product features, design and materials that have become standards for the fishing tackle industry. Daiwa’s long-standing record of innovation has left a visible mark on the majority of tackle manufactured today and continues to advance the sport of fishing. Learn more at daiwa.us.
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