| Contemporary Creature |
| DAIWA pro Ken Fukushima lends guidance to the development of Evergreen’s new C-4 Leech, an advanced creature bait for sluggish and pressured fish |
| FOOTHILL RANCH, CA (March 27, 2026) – “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. |
| GREEN PUMPKIN BLACK |
| 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 bait fully injection-molded, its thickened head is durable and rigs easily. |
| Thin, ribbed tail activates with the slightest stimulus. |
| 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. |
| SECRET SHAD |
| CRYSTAL SHAD |
| GOBY |
| C-4 Leech FEATURES:Detailed 3D featuresInjection-molded for accuracy and consistencyThin undulating tailSide appendages for balance and attractionSquid scent and flavorThickened head for easy rigging and enhanced durabilityWorks on a dropshot, shaky head, Carolina rig, Ned rig, Neko rig, and split-shot rigSIZE: 3.1”COLORS: Green Pumpkin Black, Secret Shad, Crytal Shad and GobyMSRP $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: [email protected]. The URL for Daiwa’s web site is daiwa.us |