Home Forums Fishing Freshwater What happened to Z-Ray?

Just found out that Z-Ray is no longer in business. I thought it was one of the best lures for lake trout.

I don't know about Z-Rays and lake trout but if you're talking about rainbows and browns there are better choices.

They were always a big favorite in Wyoming. I never figured out why.

Yes, Z-Ray went out of business last year. I think the young couple that bought it from Joe Whittman didn't have the knowledge or the drive to keep it going. I knew Joe Whittman when he first started making the Z-Ray back in 63. He gave me a cigar box of them and a bunch of cards to hand out while I was on vacation in Idaho in 1963. I gave out over a hundred Z-Rays with his card to every fisherman I met. Most all of the people I gave those cards to called him and ordered more. Joe worked as a tool and die maker for Hughes Aircraft at that time, and it was easy for him to take a small piece of steel and twist it a couple of times to make the Z-Ray. It went on to be one of the most successful trout lures of all time. Sad to see it's demise. Old Joe recently pass away here in Tucson. I recently sold most of my collection of Whittman lures on E-bay, but I kep a few.

It is nothing, without a picture

I just got myself some brand new ones on ebay!

These are the deadliest lake trout catchers ever
Hammerhead cow bells
http://www.fish307.com/hammerhead-cowbells-5-0/