Three Killer Z-Man Baits for Largemouth Bass

by OTW Staff September 9, 2022

Largemouth bass are the most targeted gamefish in America. However, with popularity comes intense fishing pressure. Enticing a largemouth bass becomes more challenging as they grow. A big fish, more often than not, is a smart fish.

The search for big bass leads many anglers on a constant search for a fresh new lure – a new style that just might be the ticket to fool a big bass into biting. The first time I threw a Z-Man product, I was out on the boat with a good friend of mine. He handed me a ShroomZ Micro Finesse Jig paired up with the Finesse T.R.D (The Real Deal) and simply said, “This catches fish.”

He wasn’t lying. The impressive durability of the Finesse T.R.D and its natural buoyancy separate this from all the other finesse techniques I had used in the past. We slammed both largemouth and smallmouth all day, and I’ve had that combo in my tackle box ever since.

Since then I have fished many Z-Man products, their lifelike action and the extremely durable ElaZtech technology has brought me back time and time again.

ShroomZ Micro Finesse Jig

The 3/16-ounce Shroomz Micro Finesse Jig has a strong hook dressed with a 100% silicone skirt, and gives a life-like appearance with fantastic action, and a killer slow fall. Skip it along pebbly or sandy bottoms, or swim it through (and around) vegetation.

Finesse TRD

The 2.75-inch Finesse T.R.D. with ElaZtech technology is a ridiculous combination of life-like action and durability. When paired with the ShroomZ Micro Finesse Jig, it is a deadly crawfish imitation.

Rigging: I love pairing the 3/16-ounce Micro Finesse Jig and the Finesse T.R.D. The combination of a skirted finesse jig and a buoyant soft plastic gives this small, deadly jig a great presentation no matter if falling, sitting on the bottom, or being jigged.

Technique: A great jig to throw at rocky and sandy areas. A slow fall gives plenty of fish throughout the water column a chance at your bait. With the buoyant action of the Finesse T.R.D. letting your jig lay on the bottom with subtle jigs can be a very productive way to entice those finicky fish.

RaZor ShadZ Swimbait

The Razor Shadz bring a lifelike action to your swimbait arsenal. With a segmented body, it gives a subtle but very realistic swimming action. A belly slot and dorsal hook pocket allows it to move through cover exceptionally well.

Rigging: The RaZor ShadZ pairs well with a 3/0 or 4/0 hook; I love adding it to the Z-man Original Chatterbaits. At 4.5 inches, and coming in a variety of different colors, not only is it a productive swimbait, it’s the perfect trailer for your chatterbaits.

Technique: A fantastic swimbait to slice through weedy areas and bring a big fish out to strike. Added to a chatterbait, it will give off great vibration, cover ground, and power through weedy areas. An exceptional early-season bait.

3 on “Three Killer Z-Man Baits for Largemouth Bass”

Sonny Otto 4 years ago

Júst awesome baits! Awesome product ??. God Bless. Thanks

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Jon P 4 years ago

Awesome baits! Love their plastics for FW + SW. A few things to add which weren’t in the article. You can’t mix the Z-man plastics with regular (plastisol) products – otherwise they’ll melt. And you can’t leave them to bake in the sun – either in a vehicle, boat or tackle box (again, they’ll melt). And if I’m really being nit-picky, they tend to get a little stiff in very cold water….mostly an issue for tail kick baits for winter fishing. In addition, most NE states have a lead ban so you can’t legally use any of their lead-only FW jigheads. Luckily, there’s some great tin + tungsten jigheads available for sale online that are legal to fish. If you can get past those issues, they are truly awesome. Super durable, highly buoyant, very economical + they catch a ton of fish.

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Todd cummins 4 years ago

Can’t wait to try the z man micro shroom jig

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