Z-Man Pop ShadZ™

The Z-Man Pop ShadZ™ is an innovative soft plastic topwater bait that combines the explosive action of a popper with the versatility of a weedless soft bait. Constructed from legendary 10X Tough ElaZtech® material, the Pop ShadZ™ floats effortlessly—even with heavy-gauge hooks—allowing anglers to fish areas that traditional hard-bodied topwater lures can't reach. Its cupped face produces loud pops, spits, and chugs across the surface, while its realistic baitfish profile attracts aggressive strikes from both freshwater and saltwater predators. Available in 4-inch and 5-inch sizes, the Pop ShadZ™ is built for explosive topwater action in heavy cover and open water alike. Available at Frank & Fran's and ships nationwide.

What This Gear Is Commonly Used For

• Topwater fishing for redfish, speckled trout, striped bass, largemouth bass, snook, and other predators
• Fishing grass flats, marshes, lily pads, reeds, and shoreline cover
• Weedless presentations around heavy vegetation
• Open-water topwater retrieves
• Walking, popping, and chugging presentations

Why This Gear Is Useful on the OBX

• Realistic baitfish profile matches common forage species found throughout the Outer Banks
• Super-buoyant ElaZtech® construction keeps the bait floating high for maximum topwater action
• Cupped face creates loud popping, spitting, and chugging sounds that draw fish from long distances
• Weedless rigging allows anglers to fish through marsh grass, oyster edges, and shallow cover where redfish feed
• Floats even with heavy-gauge hooks, expanding rigging options for different fishing conditions
• Ideal for targeting aggressive surface-feeding fish during warm-weather months

Where This Gear Is Most Often Used

• Outer Banks marshes and grass flats
• Shallow tidal creeks
• Reeds and shoreline vegetation
• Oyster-lined shorelines
• Open-water flats and estuaries

Product Features

• First-of-its-kind soft plastic surface popper
• Legendary 10X Tough ElaZtech® construction
• Ultra-buoyant design floats even heavy-gauge hooks
• Cupped face creates popping, spitting, and chugging surface action
• Realistic baitfish profile
• Can be rigged weedless with an EWG hook
• Can also be rigged line-through with a large single treble hook for open-water fishing
• Available in 4-inch and 5-inch sizes
• Suitable for freshwater and saltwater fishing

Product Specifications

• Brand: Z-Man
• Model: Pop ShadZ™
• Available Sizes: 4 inches and 5 inches
• Material: 10X Tough ElaZtech®
• Body Style: Floating topwater baitfish imitation
• Rigging Options: EWG hook for weedless presentations or line-through rig with a large single treble hook for open water
• Buoyancy: High-floating design for topwater fishing
• Recommended Use: Freshwater and saltwater topwater fishing for redfish, trout, bass, snook, striped bass, and other surface-feeding predators

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Pop ShadZ™ different from a traditional topwater popper?
Unlike hard-bodied poppers, the Pop ShadZ™ is made from ultra-buoyant ElaZtech® and can be rigged weedless, allowing anglers to fish heavy grass, reeds, pads, and other cover where conventional topwater lures can't go.

What fish can I catch with the Pop ShadZ™?
The Pop ShadZ™ is excellent for redfish, speckled trout, striped bass, snook, largemouth bass, and many other freshwater and saltwater predators that feed on baitfish near the surface.

How should I rig the Pop ShadZ™?
For fishing heavy cover, rig it weedless on an EWG hook. In open water, it can also be fished line-through with a large single treble hook to maximize hookup percentages.

Does the Pop ShadZ™ really float with larger hooks?
Yes. The high-floating 10X Tough ElaZtech® material is buoyant enough to float even heavy-gauge hooks while maintaining excellent surface action.

Is the Pop ShadZ™ a good lure for fishing on the Outer Banks?
Absolutely. Its weedless design and aggressive topwater action make it an outstanding lure for targeting red drum, speckled trout, and striped bass across the marshes, grass flats, and shallow estuaries of the Outer Banks.