Z-Man RaZor ShadZ Review [Top Rigging Tips & Underwater Footage]
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
- Found In: Fishing Tips, Lure Reviews, Product Reviews, Retrieving Lures
The Z-Man RaZor ShadZ swimbait is a popular soft plastic lure on the market right now.
This lure has a segmented tail which allows it to move more freely with some good action than other lures can.
It is an inshore lure that is best used when rigged weedless or on a jighead. I personally like to rig this lure on the Owner Twistlock Hooks in the 1/8 oz, 4/0 size.
After using this lure for a couple months, I wanted to give you my unbiased opinion of it.
In this review, I show you my top pros for the Z-Man RaZor ShadZ. I also show you the best rigging tips and what this lure looks like underwater in a video review in the article.
Note: All our reviews are independent and objective. We are not affiliated with Z-Man in any way and welcome your honest feedback on what you think about this lure.
Z-Man RaZor ShadZ Specs
The Z-Man RaZor ShadZ is 4.5″ long and comes in a pack of four.
Each pack of lures is about $4-10 depending on where you buy them from. You can see the Z-Man RaZor ShadZ on Amazon here.
There are 11 different color combinations for the Z-Man RaZor ShadZ.
Click Here To See More About The Z-Man RaZor ShadZ
Top Pros Of The Z-Man RaZor ShadZ
In this section, I go over my top pros for the Z-Man RaZor ShadZ, which are:
1. Good Action
The design of the segmented tail on the Z-Man RaZor ShadZ gives the lure some extra kick and movement when it is being retrieved in the water. The forked end and segmented tail really allow the lure to swing back and forth more so than other lures that are of similar design.
2. Durability
The Z-Man RaZor ShadZ is made out of the same ElaZtech material that all Z-Man lures are made out of. This material is extremely durable and stretchy, which allows these lures to be used multiple times without breaking down. They’ll also hold up well against pinfish and pufferfish that love to eat and ruin soft plastic lures.
3. Upright Position
The Z-Man RaZor ShadZ floats when it’s rigged without a weight, which gives it an advantage to soft plastic lures that sink. When rigged on a weighted hook, the lure will be taken down to the bottom but will sit upright in a resting, natural-looking position. Fish love the way this lure can be presented to them and will usually strike it just after it’s been twitched from that bottom resting position.
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Z-Man RaZor ShadZ Video Review
In this video, I give you my full review of the Z-Man RaZor ShadZ. I also show you the best way to rig this lure and what it looks like to fish in an underwater demo.
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Conclusion
This a unique soft plastic lure that has some added benefits. It has been a great lure for me to target redfish with and is strong and durable.
While this lure is not perfect and won’t work in every inshore fishing situation, it is also very versatile.
Remember, all our reviews are unbiased and independent. If you’ve used this lure, tell us what you thought of it!
If you have any questions about this review or lure, let us know in the comments section!
Tight Lines!
Related Posts:
1. How To Choose The Best Hook For Soft Plastic Jerkbaits [Hook Comparison]
2. SFT Slammer Series Paddletail Lure Review [Top 3 Pros & Cons]
3. The Quick And Easy Way To Rig Z-Man Jerkbaits [Cool Trick]
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Tony,
Great articles on Z-Man compared to Gulp and other good swimbaits. I have a question- have you found that the elastic in the Z-Man reacts with other types of swimbaits when I’m the same plastic baggies and melts or fuses with them or other Z-Man baits over time? Maybe it was just my experience but I’m keeping them separate. Thoughts?
Thanks Mike!
Yes they will definitely react with other soft plastics. I recommend always keeping them in their original packaging with the same baits of the same color. You will notice the packaging of the Zman baits has holes on the bottom of either side. This is so you can clip the baggies into a binder. Zman sells one which you can see here on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Z-MAN-Binder-1-Bait-Binderz-Blue/dp/B06XB9BD7N/ref=sr_1_20_sspa?keywords=worm+binder&qid=1566221012&s=gateway&sr=8-20-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTzE5QUozTktOT0dQJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwOTE2MTE4MTBFWTlGWTlZMkZYTCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDU2MDA3MUlJQzFPRlBFUjZJUCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX210ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
whoa that binder idea is cool
I find with the Zman it’s easier to rig with the Mustad Weighted Grip Pin. I usually just leave the hook in when storing. My hands don’t work so well anymore, and the Owners are a lot tougher for me.
I purchased two packs after watching video. I could not get a hook or jig head placed properly on them I ended up going to the emergency room to have a hook removed when my hand slipped trying to get the hook into the tuff plastic z man. So now I am just giving them away. Yes I know the owner hooks are a little better to start but still to difficult. They should sell them pre rigged.
Sonny Jarrell
Great review Tony! How wouldn’t you say they compare to their jerk shadZ?
Thanks Eric!
They are very similar, except the Razor Shad doesn’t have the slot under the middle of the body that the hook can slide into. So it can make rigging a little more difficult.
The pearl white on a Mustad Grip Pin 6/0 unweighted has caught me many a snook. Think of it as the poor man’s XRap 10.
Love the action on these and how they rest on the bottom. I can’t wait to try them. Thanks Tony for the great review!
No problem John!
Love the action on these and how they rest on the bottom. I can’t wait to try them. Thanks Tony for the great review!
No problem!
Great Video – very helpful
Thanks Pablo!
Hi Tony
Have many many pack of soft baits bought at fishing flee markets. All work for you because you have 2 great skills earned by years of practice : totally accurate casting skills . 2 you can find fish when most can not yet.
Balloon casts often hinter my accuracy , but finder fish watching birds and boils and wind help greatly.
Love my new Expandacraft craft fishing rig. Can go anywhere so far. Inexpensive sold in Tampa and totally stable. Won’t tip.
Good Job Tony
John
Good stuff John, thank you!
you make rigging the owner hook look so easy but i still have 10 thumbs and find it real hard to do.. can i just leave the hook in and put back in the package?
I don’t see that being an issue, as long as its dry so the hook doesn’t rust. I would also take the hook out from the body and just leave the spring part in, that way you don’t have to put the spring back in, just the hook point. This can also help with drying it out.
Hey Roy I’ve been using Zman products for a year an a half now. I can catch 25 fish with the same lure in a day so by the end of the day it’s usually trashed but if by any chance that lure is still ok I just leave it on the hook, rinse well with fresh water and when I go back fishing even a week later I add some pro cure and it’s like brand new. These Zman are the best quality/price on the market when you compare how many fish you’ll catch with each of them.
thanks for the reply’s- i have some pro cure i’ve had for about two years but seldom use artificial so it has set in the boat. does pro cure go bad after awhile as i was catching lady fish today on a paddle tail and thought maybe a little mullet smell would get reds or trout interested but even the lady fish shut down
Hey Roy mine has been in the kayak for about a year and still catch some fish with, I don’t think it goes bad. I dont think The pro cure is a determining factor in the bite, it may help the fish keeping it a little longer in his mouth.