Z-Man Fishing Products, the pioneers of ultra-durable ElaZtech soft baits, have something new up its sleeve. The company recently introduced a game-changing formulation of ElaZtech that sinks, offering a completely new wrinkle to their signature material. This high-density, naturally sinking polymer debuts in two bass baits: the Kingpin soft stickbait and Stuntman soft jerkbait.
“This is something we’ve been trying to do for a very long time,” said Z-Man President Daniel Nussbaum. “The big breakthrough came when we found an additive that was dense enough to make our material sink and could be chemically blended into the polymer itself to create a uniform density throughout the material. From there, it was a matter of testing dozens of different blends to get the sink rate and action just right.”
For years, traditional soft plastic manufacturers have relied heavily on heavy salt saturation to force polyvinyl chloride (PVC) baits to sink. However, this classic method comes with major drawbacks, as the salt eventually dissolves, alters the fall rate, and leaves the plastic brittle and easily torn.
Z-Man completely flipped traditional methods with its ingenuity. The result of these efforts is a material that falls through the water column at a slow, controlled rate. Because the density is built directly into the polymer rather than coming from salt, the sink rate remains consistent and does not change as the bait is fished. The material also retains its full strength and elasticity that anglers can expect from ElaZtech.
“We spent a couple of years working with chemists really dialing in this formulation to get it right,” explained Z‑Man Director of Product Development Jose Chavez. “What anglers will notice immediately is that it’s firmer, less stretchy and much denser. That extra density improves casting distance and accuracy, helps anglers cover more water and opens up a completely new world of applications.”
Z-Man identified a few different situations where a sinking formulation could actually enhance lure performance, and that’s where they concentrated their efforts with its first two lures.
Z-Man’s Kingpin Soft Stickbait
Leading the new product lineup is the Z-Man Kingpin, a soft stickworm design engineered for wacky and Texas rigging. Built with a perfectly balanced body and precisely spaced segments, the Kingpin produces a slow, natural descent coupled with a subtle, life-like wobble. This time-tested action triggers strikes from highly pressured bass that have grown accustomed to standard stickbaits. It’s a finesse fisherman’s dream.
“The first thing anglers are going to notice is the bait’s symmetrical profile,” Chavez said. “You don’t have to find the sweet spot when wacky rigging. The center is exactly the center, so every cast delivers the same consistent performance and balanced fall. The segmentation removes material between each section, which really enhances the bait’s sinking action.”
Because the Sinking ElaZtech material is virtually tear-proof, anglers can fish the Kingpin through heavy cover and catch dozens of fish on a single bait. This also eliminates the need for extra accessories like O-rings and a hollow tool.
Available in 3-inch and 5-inch sizes, the Kingpin adapts to virtually every soft stickbait presentation. The 5-inch model excels on weightless Texas and wacky rigs, while the 3-inch version offers a compact finesse profile. Expect the South Carolina-made Kingpin to be available in fall in 3-inch (8 per pack) and 5-inch (6 per pack) sizes, twelve colors, with an expected price of $6.99
Z-Man’s Stuntman Soft Jerkbait
Sharing the spotlight, Z-Man’s Stuntman is a streamlined soft jerkbait designed to mimic fleeing forage. The Stuntman has molded eyes, lifelike gill plates, a detailed scale pattern, and a broad forked tail. When twitched, the tail produces an erratic, darting action that replicates a panicked baitfish, which then transitions into a sinking motion within the water column.
“One of the first things anglers are going to notice is the tail,” said Chavez. “That vertical fork acts almost like a rudder. Every twitch sends the bait gliding farther off center, and as it sinks the tail continues to move naturally, giving fish a completely different look than they’ve seen from existing soft jerkbaits.”
Engineered to be fished weightless, mid-depth, or as a topwater-twitching bait, the Stuntman is made from sinking ElaZtech and comes equipped with dorsal and belly hook slots. These recessed slots ensure perfectly straight, weedless rigging on standard worm hooks, reducing snags without hindering solid hooksets. Z-Man recommends its ZWG Worm Hook or new ZWG Gaff Hook. Offered in 4-inch and 5-inch profiles, the Stuntman is that jerkbait with natural baitfish moves and rugged durability.
“Some days I’m burning it across the surface over schooling fish. Other days I’m letting it sink through grass or skipping it under docks,” said Major League Fishing pro Brian Latimer. “The Stuntman gives me the freedom to fish all those presentations with one bait, and I don’t have to keep reaching for another soft jerkbait every time one tears.”
Built in the USA, the Stuntman will be available at retailers nationwide in fall of 2026 in 4-inch and 5-inch (5 per pack) sizes in ten select colors for $6.99.
