Z-Claw Topwater Floating Pencil Bait
Z-Claw Topwater Floating Pencil Bait
The Z-Claw is a floating pencil bait built for walk-the-dog topwater fishing. Its slim, weighted body sits low in the water and kicks side to side with sharp rod twitches, throwing a wake that draws bass up from cover. Available in three sizes, it covers everything from finesse presentations to bigger profiles for aggressive fish.
Use it early morning or evening when bass are feeding near the surface, around grass edges, laydowns, and points. The dual treble hook setup holds fish solidly through jumps and headshakes, making this a reliable pick for largemouth and smallmouth alike.
Specifications
| Type | Floating pencil, walk-the-dog topwater |
| Length | 86mm / 100mm / 120mm |
| Weight | 13g / 20g / 30g |
| Depth | Surface |
| Action | Side-to-side walking dance with twitch retrieve |
| Hooks | Two treble hooks |
| Best for | Largemouth and smallmouth bass in shallow to mid-depth water |
How to fish it
- Cast past visible cover or feeding activity and let the lure sit until ripples settle.
- Use short, rhythmic rod twitches while reeling slowly to create a steady walk-the-dog action.
- Pause for one to two seconds over open pockets or after passing structure to trigger reaction strikes.
- Vary cadence between fast walking and slow twitches until you find what draws strikes that day.
Frequently asked
The 100mm/20g size is a good all-around choice. Go smaller (86mm) for pressured or clear water, and larger (120mm) when targeting bigger fish or working thicker cover.
Lighter, more natural patterns work well in clear water, while brighter or higher-contrast colors help in stained or murky conditions.
A medium to medium-heavy rod with braided line and a fluorocarbon leader gives good control for consistent walk-the-dog action and hooksets.
Yes, the walking action and surface disturbance work well for smallmouth, especially over rocky flats or near current breaks during low-light periods.