Z-Man Celebrates Three Decades of Tackle Innovation, Teamwork, and Trailblazing Spirit
Ladson, SC — What began in 1995 as a small operation crafting silicone skirts has grown into one of the most influential independent forces in the fishing tackle world. Founded by visionary entrepreneur Jerry Zucker, Z-Man® Fishing Products celebrates 30 years of redefining tackle innovation, environmental stewardship, performance on the water, and people-powered growth. Still proudly family-owned, Z-Man remains deeply rooted in the values that shaped its early days—collaboration, integrity, and a relentless focus on the angler.
Humble Beginnings, Bold Vision
Z-Man’s journey began on October 20, 1995 in a modest 5,000-square-foot facility, producing silicone skirts for spinnerbaits and bass jigs. For the next decade, the company quietly supplied bulk skirts to lure companies like Strike King and War Eagle, earning a reputation for quality and reliability.
But Zucker—the “Z-Man” himself—had bigger plans. In the early 2000s, he envisioned a new kind of fishing lure made from thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a material that was 100% non-toxic, incredibly durable, and naturally buoyant. While most soft baits were made from plastisol, Zucker saw the potential for something tougher, cleaner, and more effective.
The Birth of ElaZtech®
Over the next few years, Z-Man’s team worked tirelessly to perfect its proprietary ElaZtech® material and the specialized manufacturing processes required to mold it. When the calendar flipped to 05/05/05—a day that will be forever remembered in Z-Man history—the formula was officially finalized and the first batch of ElaZtech baits were molded. The result was a soft plastic lure that was 10X Tough, capable of withstanding hundreds of strikes from toothy saltwater predators and aggressive freshwater bass alike.
After initially producing TPE baits on a contract basis for other lure companies, Z-Man took control of its destiny in 2008, launching its ElaZtech product line under its own brand. Not only did Z-Man pioneer the use of TPE in fishing lures but to this day, remains the only TPE lure manufacturer in the United States.
The ChatterBait Breakthrough
Around the same time the Z-Man crew was cranking out its first ElaZtech baits, a home-brewed lure innovation was making waves on the bass fishing scene. Invented by Ron Davis and initially built in a garage in South Carolina with his son, the ChatterBait® bladed jig exploded in popularity after breakout tournament success in 2006. When demand outpaced their production capacity, the Davises turned to their silicone skirt supplier Z-Man for help. Z-Man stepped in to manufacture and distribute ChatterBait lures, eventually acquiring the patents and trademarks and building out the ChatterBait product line to include a full array of bladed jigs for all applications and budgets.
Today, the ChatterBait® Elite EVO™ and ChatterBait® JackHammer™ (co-developed with Evergreen International) are staples on pro tours—helping anglers win Bassmaster Classics, MLF Redcrest Championships, and countless other tournaments ranging from professional events to local derbies.
Ned Rig: The Finesse—and ElaZtech—Revolution
While ElaZtech found early success in saltwater and international markets, the development of the Ned Rig finesse system in 2015 truly put this superplastic on freshwater bass anglers’ radars. Inspired by angling legend Ned Kehde and perfected with the help of finesse fishing guru Drew Reese, the system paired Z-Man’s Finesse TRD™ stickworm with ShroomZ™ jigheads, offering unmatched buoyancy, durability and subtle action. The Ned Rig has since become one of the most effective—and accessible—techniques in modern bass fishing.
Z-Man’s finesse offerings didn’t just introduce a new technique to the bass fishing world—they redefined what anglers expected from soft plastics. The manifold benefits of ElaZtech® opened the eyes of serious bass anglers and fueled widespread adoption across a growing lineup of bait profiles. That momentum reached a defining moment in 2021, when Jeff “Gussy” Gustafson clinched victory at the Bassmaster Classic on the Tennessee River using the 4″ Scented Jerk ShadZ™. Today, ElaZtech baits are a fixture in the tournament scene, consistently appearing in the tackle arsenals of top-10 finishers across all major tours.
Award Winning Innovation
Z-Man’s relentless pursuit of innovation has earned the company multiple Best in Category awards at each of the last four consecutive ICAST shows, spanning fresh- and saltwater lure and terminal tackle categories. From the hyper-versatile SWAG™ LT swimbait to the ultra-lifelike PrawnStarZ™ shrimp imitation, these designs showcase Z-Man’s commitment to pushing boundaries in performance, durability, and angler-driven functionality.
But the true measure of success goes beyond trophies—it’s found in the hands of anglers and the fish they land. While Z-Man products put smiles on anglers’ faces on a daily basis and have accounted for plenty of PBs, they’ve also played a starring role in a multitude of world-record catches. Just in the last year, a 175-pound cobia caught on a 7” Scented Jerk ShadZ™ and HeadlockZ™ HD jighead shattered the previous IGFA record by a staggering 40 pounds, and a 17-pound snakehead caught in Florida using a ChatterBait, setting a new all-tackle world record for the species. Whether on the show floor, at retail, or on the water, Z-Man continues to deliver results that redefine what anglers can expect from their tackle.
Sustainability and Stewardship
Z-Man’s commitment to conservation is woven into its DNA, reflecting founder Jerry Zucker’s belief in Tikkun Olam—a Hebrew term for repairing and improving the world. ElaZtech’s durability reduces plastic waste, and its non-toxic composition minimizes environmental impact. The company has implemented solar energy systems, launched recycling initiatives, and actively supports organizations like Captains for Clean Water and Release Over 20. Z-Man also funds marine research at the University of Florida’s Nature Coast Biological Station, helping protect the fisheries that fuel our passion and ensuring future generations can experience the same connection to water, wildlife, and purpose.
Scaling Up, Staying True
Leading up to its 30-year anniversary, Z-Man recently completed a major expansion of its Ladson, South Carolina headquarters—now a 75,000-square-foot hub featuring an advanced injection molding plant, corporate offices, and a high-efficiency distribution center built for scale. It’s a space that reflects not just operational muscle, but a culture committed to purpose-driven progress.
And, that progress is fueled by Z-Man’s team, which has now grown to 150 members, many of whom have been with the company for 10, 15, even 20+ years. That longevity isn’t just a statistic—it’s a reflection of the company’s deep-rooted commitment to its people and their professional growth. From warehouse order pickers turned plant and logistics managers to executives who began in customer service and part-time clerical roles, Z-Man celebrates every path and fosters a culture built on collaboration, opportunity, trust, and shared success.
“As we celebrate 30 years, we honor the vision of my father and the dedication of every team member who helped build this company,” said Jonathan Zucker, Chairman of Z-Man Fishing Products. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished, but even more excited about what’s ahead. We’ll continue to do what got us where we are today—innovate, support our anglers, invest in our team, and protect the waters we all love.”
About Z-Man Fishing Products: A dynamic Charleston, South Carolina based company, Z-Man Fishing Products has melded leading edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Z-Man has long been among the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material used in jigs, spinnerbaits and other lures. Creator of the Original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovators of 10X Tough ElaZtech® softbaits, among the most coveted baits in fresh- and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest-growing lure brands worldwide.
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