In the summer, fluke populate a number of different habitats from shallow estuaries and bays to inlets and ocean reefs. Come late June, when it’s sweltering hot and water temperatures are ideal for wet wading on the flats, I prefer to hunt for the Northeast’s favorite flatfish with light spinning tackle in back bay channels and cuts between sandbars. For a couple of months—until it’s uncomfortably warm in the shallows—12- to 20-inch-plus fluke pave the bottom in these slight depressions to pick off small crustaceans and baitfish, like silversides and mummichogs, that tumble through choke points at the mercy of the tide. Under these conditions in backwater settings, Z-Man MudStudZ are sure to be a flatfish killer.
There are times when crystal-clear water can make for a finicky fluke bite, which calls for an ultra-realistic presentation, and the new MudStudZ are the answer to that call. However, I’ve also found that backwater fluke will feed aggressively after heavy rainfall, even when the water is stained a muddy-brown color. Summer downpours can wash crabs, marine worms, and small minnows from the sod banks and marsh grasses, and despite poor visibility, the fluke will be chewing as a result of those foul-weather conditions. With 10 colors that range from the lifelike Mud Minnow—ideal for clean water—to the loud and vibrant Glow Chartreuse, which will excel in dirty water, there’s a MudStudZ pattern for just about every situation a shallow-water fluke fisherman may encounter.
These pre-rigged swimbaits will be available this fall in 2.75-inch (1/4 oz.) and 3.25-inch (3/8 oz.) models, which are ideal for 4- to 12-foot depths depending on current speed. Next season, MudStudZ will be in regular rotation during my summer wet wading trips, but they’re sure to catch more than just fluke. Weakfish, spring stripers, and even holdover stripers in the winter months, should pounce on these little plastics. And thanks to their 10x Tough ElaZtech construction and sturdy saltwater hook, I’m confident they will outlast any other soft plastic in my arsenal.
Read the full Z-Man MudStudZ press release below.
Ladson, SC (July 13, 2026) – Mud minnow, killifish, cocahoe … no matter what you call them and where you fish along the Southeast and Gulf coasts, these hardy little baitfish are the core inshore forage of redfish, seatrout, flounder, and more.
The new Z-Man® MudStudZ™ brings that universal profile to life in a first-of-its-kind, pre-rigged saltwater swimbait built to be crawled, skated, and dragged confidently across any bottom substrate.
Built for Bottom Contact
Z-Man Director of Product Development Jose Chavez immediately recognized the need for a saltwater-grade bottom-contact swimbait: “With the Gobius™, a freshwater bait we launched several years ago, we saw just how effective a compact, bottom-contact swimbait could be. But it needed some adjustments to be optimized for inshore applications. MudStudZ builds on this concept and delivers a saltwater tool that simply didn’t exist before.”
Designed with a true-to-life mud minnow profile, broad belly, and low center of gravity internal weighted harness, MudStudZ tracks true and stays upright, eliminating the rolling and snagging common with jighead rigged plastics. This stability keeps the hook pointing upwards and lets anglers work the bait through oyster reefs, shell beds, rock piles, and other high percentage ambush zones with confidence.
On softer substrates like sand and mud, MudStudZ tracks across the bottom and kicks up a mud trail that draws the attention of nearby predators, replicating the disturbance created by fleeing forage.
Rugged Realism
At the core of MudStudZ is Z‑Man’s proprietary 10X Tough ElaZtech® construction, built to withstand repeated strikes and constant abrasion from oysters, shell, and barnacle‑covered mangrove roots and dock pilings. The bait’s custom heavy‑duty, sickle‑shaped black‑nickel hook adds another layer of durability, delivering reliable penetration and keeping hard‑charging inshore species pinned.
To ensure consistent swimming action across all applications, MudStudZ features Z‑Man’s exclusive SWAG™ tail, engineered for a wide, free‑swinging wag at any retrieve speed. Whether crawled or burned, the tail produces a natural, attention‑grabbing action that mirrors the movement of real inshore forage, even on the fall.
Maximizing appeal across all inshore fisheries, MudStudZ is offered in a range of ultra‑realistic hand‑painted and photo‑printed patterns that match regional forage, including North Florida mud minnows, Carolina striped killies, Gulf Coast cocahoes, and Louisiana storm minnows. Anglers will also find staple inshore color patterns that round out the lineup, providing options for any water clarity, region, or presentation style.
Proven Inshore Performance
Decorated inshore guide, educator, and television host Captain C.A. Richardson immediately recognized the bait’s virtues: “I had the opportunity to fish the MudStudZ before its launch, and I was blown away by the castability and versatility of this bait. It’s one of those lures you can fish just about anywhere with confidence. The smaller size is great on shallow flats, while the larger size excels in deeper potholes and faster current.”
That on-the-water performance was echoed throughout testing. “Fishing baits on the bottom in shelly, snaggy areas has always been a challenge,” remarks Z-Man President Daniel Nussbaum. “Jigheads get hung easily, and lighter presentations rise up, while gamefish like redfish are mostly looking down. During testing, I was impressed with how I could maintain bottom contact with the MudStudZ without hanging up, and its realistic look and action really got the reds fired up.”
Available in 2.75 inch (1/4 oz, $6.99 MSRP) and 3.25 inch (3/8 oz, $7.99 MSRP) sizes and ten color patterns, MudStudZ gives anglers a rugged, realistic bottom contact option capable of reaching strike zones other swimbaits simply can’t.
MudStudZ will be available at tackle retailers nationwide this Fall. For more information, visit www.zmanfishing.com or see it in action at the 2026 ICAST Show, booth #4808.