Z-Man PrawnstarZ
In North Carolina inshore waters, few baits are as universally effective as shrimp. Everything eats them, from speckled trout to redfish to flounder, and that’s why the PrawnstarZ has earned the trust of anglers who demand performance and durability. Winner of the ICAST 2024 “Best Saltwater Soft Lure” award, it is not just another shrimp imitation. It is the new standard.
The PrawnstarZ is built with Z-Man’s 10X Tough ElaZtech, a material that stands up to the abuse from the toothy fish we target and the relentless pinfish that love to shred softer baits. That kind of durability means you can fish the same lure across multiple trips, sometimes even through an entire season.
Available in two sizes—3.5 inches (3/16 oz.) and 5 inches (1/2 oz.)—the PrawnstarZ is built for a wide range of inshore applications. These baits are rigged with a 2X strong Mustad UltraPoint hook—2/0 on the 3.5-inch and 5/0 on the 5-inch—so they are ready to fish straight out of the package. Whether you’re sight-casting to redfish, drifting for trout, dragging bottom for flounder, or fishing under a cork, these shrimp-imitations maintain a natural, horizontal posture that keep them believable and effective.
What sets the PrawnstarZ apart is its realism. The segmented body and upturned tail create lifelike flutter and posture, holding the bait horizontal on both the fall and at rest, just like a real shrimp. Balanced weighting ensures it does not nose-dive or float unnaturally, helping it stay in the strike zone longer.
The body’s segmented design allows the tail pulse naturally, adding to the bait’s believable movement. The legs, antennae, and tail fan respond to water movement and angler input, pulsing and quivering with every twitch.
In addition, inside the bait is a glass rattle that mimics the faint clicks of a fleeing shrimp, just enough sound to draw attention without spooking fish.
Hand-painted color schemes round out the presentation, offering a mix of natural tones and bold contrasts to match water clarity, light conditions, and fish mood. Subtle patterns like White Shrimp and Natural Shrimp mimic the real thing with uncanny accuracy and are perfect for clear water, pressured fish, or when a match-the-hatch approach is key.
On the flip side, darker and wilder colors like Beer Run, Cajun Cricket, and Rootbeer Chartreuse shine in stained water, low light, or when fish need a little extra encouragement. These bolder patterns boost visibility and trigger reaction bites, especially when conditions call for more flash than finesse.
Coming Fall 2025, Z-Man is expanding their lineup with the PrawnstarZ LB, the Loose Body version. It is a 3.5-inch unrigged model built for anglers who want full control over their rigging. It pairs perfectly with a 3/0 ZWG hook or Trout Eye jig head and includes a rigging guide to help dial in your setup.
Whether it’s weedless for working through the grass or jigged for targeting current seams and creek mouths, the LB gives you the flexibility to fish your way without sacrificing action, durability, or realism.
More information on the PrawnstarZ and all of Z-Man’s lineups can be found at www.zmanfishing.com, or visit your local tackle shop.
