ICAST Winner Alert: Z-Man's PrawnStarz LB - A Game-Changer for Saltwater Anglers
Fresh from the 2025 ICAST New Product Showcase comes a revolutionary soft lure that's already making waves
Fellow anglers, let me tell you about something that caught my eye at this year's ICAST show - and trust me, after decades of testing lures from Naples to Montauk, it takes something special to get my attention. The PrawnStarz LB from Z-Man Fishing Products just took home the "Best of Winner" award in the Saltwater Soft Lure category, and for good reason.
What Makes This Lure Special?
The PrawnStarz LB (that's "loose body" for those keeping track) is a 3.5-inch soft plastic that's designed to perfectly mimic a live shrimp - and I mean perfectly. We're talking true-to-life undulating action that'll fool even the wariest inshore predators.What really sets this bait apart is the attention to detail. The tail fan and swimming legs actually pulse and crawl through the water, while the segmented tail design creates what Z-Man calls "killer kicking action." Having spent countless hours watching live shrimp move in the shallows around Naples, I can tell you this lure nails that natural movement.
Built for the Real World
Now, here's where Z-Man's ElaZtech construction really shines. This isn't your typical soft plastic that tears after one decent fish. The PrawnStarz LB is built to last, with the kind of durability that means more time fishing and less time retying. Plus, the buoyancy factor is huge - this lure maintains that natural shrimp posture even when worked slowly along the bottom.The convenience factor is solid too. There's a built-in hook slot that makes weedless rigging a breeze - perfect for working those grassy flats and oyster bars where the big snook and redfish like to hang out.
Color Options That Cover All Bases
Z-Man didn't mess around with the color selection either. They've got twelve hand-painted patterns that match different shrimp color phases you'll encounter in various environments. Whether you're fishing crystal-clear water or stained backwaters, there's a pattern that'll match the local forage.Bottom Line
Look, I've been at this game long enough to know that not every "revolutionary" lure lives up to the hype. But when a product wins at ICAST and comes from a company like Z-Man - known for their innovative ElaZtech formula - it's worth paying attention.For those of us who spend serious time chasing inshore species, the PrawnStarz LB looks like it could be a real weapon. The combination of realistic action, proven durability, and weedless capability makes it ideal for the kind of technical inshore fishing we love.
I'm definitely planning to get my hands on a few of these before my next trip down to the mangroves. Something tells me this little crustacean imposter is going to account for some serious fish stories in the coming season.
Keep your lines tight and your drag loose,
The Quarry Anglers Club Editorial Team
About ICAST: The International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) is the world's largest sportfishing trade show, where manufacturers showcase their latest innovations. The annual "Best of Show" awards recognize the most outstanding new products in various categories. Source