Sinking ElaZtech® Material Expands the Possibilities of Softbait Performance

Z-Man® Unveils Proprietary Superplastic Material with Natural Sink, Expanded Applications, and Legendary Durability

Ladson, S.C. (July 2, 2026) – For more than two decades, Z‑Man® has led the evolution of softbait technology. As the first company to bring thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials to mainstream fishing applications, Z‑Man set the standard for buoyancy, durability, and lifelike action with its ElaZtech® material. That innovation reshaped the soft‑plastic category and inspired an entire wave of imitators.

Now, Z‑Man is advancing the platform again with a proprietary Sinking ElaZtech formula that introduces natural sink, added density, and expanded versatility to the company’s signature superplastic.

Designed for Density

The new Sinking ElaZtech material was developed to complement the original floating formula, giving anglers a second performance profile within the ElaZtech family. The new material maintains the lively action and durability anglers expect, while adding a controlled natural sink, increased density, and a slightly firmer feel.

“Our original ElaZtech formulation excels at a variety of different applications, but we identified several situations where a sinking formulation could actually enhance performance and really round out an angler's soft bait toolkit,” said Z‑Man Director of Product Development Jose Chavez.

The added density and predictable sink rate make Sinking ElaZtech material ideal for soft stickbaits, jerkbaits, and other lures that benefit from a slow, natural descent through the water column when rigged unweighted. The firmer composition also improves hook retention and penetration for Texas‑rigged baits and enhances performance around vegetation, wood, and other cover. These characteristics extend the advantages of ElaZtech material into finesse approaches, mid‑depth presentations, and heavier‑cover techniques such as flipping and pitching.

Engineered for Excellence

Developing Sinking ElaZtech material required close collaboration between Z‑Man’s product development team and material scientists to create a formulation tailored specifically to these new applications.

“This is something we’ve been trying to do for a very long time,” says Z-Man President Daniel Nussbaum. “The big breakthrough came when we found an additive that was dense enough to make our material sink and could be chemically blended into the polymer itself to create a uniform density throughout the material. From there, it was a matter of testing dozens of different blends to get the sink rate and action just right.”

The result of these efforts is a material that descends through the water column at a slow, controlled rate but does not rely on large salt granules to add weight. Because the density is built directly into the polymer rather than coming from salt, the sink rate remains consistent and does not change as the bait is fished. The material also retains its full strength and elasticity, avoiding the brittleness and premature tearing common in salt‑filled soft plastics.

“We spent a couple of years working with chemists really dialing in this formulation to get it right,” adds Chavez. “What anglers will notice immediately is that it's firmer, less stretchy and much denser. That extra density improves casting distance and accuracy, helps anglers cover more water and opens up a completely new world of applications.”

A New ElaZtech Era

Despite its increased density, Sinking ElaZtech material retains the lifelike action that defines ElaZtech softbaits. It resists tears, maintains its intended shape through repeated use, and allows anglers to spend more time fishing and less time replacing damaged soft plastics.

The introduction of Sinking ElaZtech material marks the beginning of the next chapter in Z‑Man’s softbait innovation. New bait designs built around this formulation will be unveiled in the coming days as ICAST approaches, each demonstrating how this material expands the performance possibilities of ElaZtech in ways not previously achievable.

For more information, visit www.zmanfishing.com or see it the Sinking ElaZtech material in action at ICAST, booth #4808.