Z-Man's DieZel MinnowZ

During the past few years, scores of Midwest finesse anglers have discovered the manifold virtues of several of the ElaZtech baits that Z-Man Fishing Products produces. One of those baits is the three-inch MinnowZ. Like many of Z-Man's soft-plastic baits, it was originally designed for saltwater anglers. But Midwest finesse anglers successfully employ it on either a 1/16- or 3/32-ounce Gopher Tackle Mushroom Head Jig, and they work with as they would a traditional bass grub, swimming across patches of coontail and bushy pondweed or along wind-blown rocky points and shorelines.

At the 2013 International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades show in Las Vegas on July 9-12, Z-Man introduced the DieZel MinnowZ, which is a four-inch rendition of their three-inch MinnowZ. During its unveiling, Z-Man proclaimed that it is "the most bulletproof swimbait on the market."

According to the folks at Z-Man, it is an incredibly soft and durable bait. The hook slot in its belly expedites rigging, as well as hook sets. Its dorsal fin acts as a hook guard, preventing it from becoming readily snagged. The softness of its body allows its boot tail to thumb more vigorously and alluringly at slow-paced retrieves than any similar swimbait on the market. What's more, it will not roll over when it is retrieved at a fast pace. And according to Daniel Nussbaum of Z-Man, field test revealed that it even surpasses the three-inch MinnowZ in its ability to allure and inveigle a variety of freshwater and saltwater species.

In addition to wielding it as a swimbait, power anglers can attach it to umbrella rigs, Chatterbaits and skirted jigs.

It might be too big for some Midwest finesse applications, but several finesse anglers said that they will work with it on 3/32- and perhaps 1/8-ounce jigs as the rest of 2013 unfolds, and their findings will likely be noted in an update to this blog or in the monthly guides to Midwest finesse that are posted on In-Fisherman's Web site.

It is available in 12 colors: pearl blue glimmer, smoky shad, electric chicken, purple/chartreuse Tail, pearl, bad shad, new penny, opening night, redbone, Houdini, mulletron, and pinfish

The suggested retail price for a package of five is $4.49.