- Length: 2-7/8 in. Weight: 3/4 oz. Type: Sinking
ZE-73 is a lipless crankbait designed by Morizo Shimizu, a man in constant pursuit of the perfect lure. The ultimate in lipless crankbaits, ZE-73 took all the functions and elements of lipless crankbaits and elevated them to the next level. In addition to the long-distance castability — one of the many advantages of being lipless — ZE-73 has an internal ribbed structure, which controls the range of movement of the large-grained tungsten weights (which also work as a rattle) and stabilizes its approach to the water. This in turn eliminates unnecessary problems, such as backlash or line tangles, and gives shape to Morizo’s philosophy: His ultimate goal is to create easy-to-use without stress and make every cast count. The top part of the lure’s characteristic shape is designed to be flat for better water receptivity on both the head and tail sides. The combined effects of the two-step head with separate incline angles and a slim fin create a V-shaped wobble that delivers a powerful vibration and water resistance that exceeds standards set by lipless crankbaits. We have taken the wide-ranging functions expected of lipless crankbaits and improved on them; they can retrieve quickly even from long-distance casting. A powerful swimmer, the lure is not hindered by a small amount of entangled weed. The complex rattle sound made up of multiple materials is capable of attracting the attention of faraway bass, making it an excellent, high-performance search bait. At the same time, it stirs curiosity and triggers an aggressive response in the bass. It also induces a reaction bite from the bass under stressful conditions and not just in times of high activity. Its superior water-grasping capacity allows the angler to feel the vibration even during a slow retrieve, demonstrating its effectiveness under low water temperatures or during periods of low activity for the bass. From standard fishing movements to high-response functions, as well as ripping where it is ripped through the grass, to jerk and fall, cranking and pause, the lipless crankbait responds to a variety of techniques at a high level of performance. Furthermore, in combination with super slow retrieve or lift and fall, ZE-73 can go deep — down to depths previously not accessible with other lipless crankbaits. From the surface to the bottom of the water column — covering large areas, approaching the target slowly, through cranking and rod work — ZE-73 does it all at the highest possible level. Surpassing other models, ZE-73 is the ultimate in lipless crankbaits–versatile at any speed, technique and range, and in any field, season or condition.