Mastering Fall Cranking with the SUPER-Z Z2 and Z3
As water temperatures begin to drop, fall offers prime conditions for crankbait fishing. While a range of profiles can be productive, one key principle holds true: in October, bass feed heavily on smaller prey, making compact crankbaits particularly effective.
Two standout performers for this period are the SUPER-Z Z2 and Z3—small-profile lures that deliver a tight, medium wobble and exceptional deflection around both rock and wood. The combination of compact size, balanced wobble, and refined water displacement makes them ideal for triggering reaction bites from fall bass.
Depth and Application
The SUPER-Z Z2 dives to approximately 6 feet on a long cast, while the SUPER-Z Z3 reaches the 10-foot range, depending on casting distance and line diameter. Each model excels within its own strike zone:
The Z2 covers the majority of shallow-to-midrange scenarios.
The Z3 extends reach into deeper or more open water conditions.
Together, they offer seamless coverage across the key fall depth spectrum.
Recommended Rods for the SUPER Z2 and Z3
Selecting the proper rod is essential to getting the most from the SUPER Z series. Each bait fishes best with a rod that matches its running depth, casting load, and the sudden changes in direction that occur when the bait contacts cover.
Destroyer P5 Addermine — an ideal match for the SUPER Z2. Its light tip makes casting effortless and its secondary, parabolic bend engage during the fight, keeping fish pinned during surges and head shakes. This responsiveness and forgiveness suit shallow-to-mid cranking in mixed rock/wood.
Levante Jerkbait Special — pairs naturally with the SUPER Z3, offering a more power for longer casts and deeper retrieves. It provides crisp feedback when working rock or grass in the 8–10 ft zone while preserving reliable hook control.
These pairings deliver the casting distance, control, and load management needed to fish the Z2 and Z3 effectively.
The Super Z2 is a versatile option for shallow, stained water with 1–3 feet of visibility and mixed rock and wood cover. It deflects off wood with the same precision as a squarebill crankbait, allowing anglers to drive it confidently through laydowns, stumps, and thicker cover.
When wood is limited, the Z2 performs equally well on rock banks, bluffs, steep riprap, and transition zones. A medium stop-and-go retrieve maximizes deflection and triggers strikes.
Recommended colors:
HT ITO Tennessee Shad – for general or moderately clear conditions.
GP Sexy Shad – for more stained water.
The SUPER-Z Z3 extends the same proven Z-series performance into deeper zones, reaching around 10 feet depending on line and retrieve. It’s best suited for cleaner water (2–4 feet visibility) and environments where wood is less prevalent.
With its longer bill, the Z3 is built for rock and grass structure, not for tight wood deflection. It excels along secondary points, ledges, bluffs, and deeper grass lines—as well as submergent vegetation edges where bass stage during the mid-fall transition.
Northern Smallmouth Applications
The SUPER-Z Z3 is also highly effective on northern smallmouth fisheries, including the Great Lakes, Lake Champlain, and Lake St. Clair. On these expansive rock and grass flats, a 15 lb line setup allows anglers to cover water efficiently without needing bottom contact.
The Z3’s tight wobble and flash trigger aggressive strikes from smallmouth feeding over structure—especially on windy days when baitfish are more active.
Complete Fall Coverage with SUPER-Z Z2 and Z3
Across the September–November window, the SUPER-Z Z2 stands out as one of the most effective crankbaits for transitional bass. Its ability to combine compact size, depth versatility, and deflection performance makes it a cornerstone in any fall lineup.
The SUPER-Z Z3 complements it perfectly, adding depth reach and versatility for more open, rocky, or grassy environments.
Both lures embody the precision and performance-driven design that define the SUPER-Z series—engineered to excel when conditions demand finesse, power, and control.
