MEGABASS Z-CRANK – THE LEGEND LIVES ON

MEGABASS Z-CRANK CHRONOLOGY

The Genesis of Megabass Engineering

Before standard production molds and injection plastics defined modern tackle, Yuki Ito crafted the original Z-CRANK by hand in 1987.

Born out of a relentless drive to conquer the high-pressure shallow lakes of Kanto—Lake Kasumigaura, the Shintone River, and Lake Imba—the Z-CRANK was created alongside the ARMS rod and V-FLAT spinnerbait as one of Ito Tool Design's foundational masterworks.

Built around ultra-thin carved wood, hand-set 3D eyes, and internal high/low gravity displacement, the original Z-CRANK established the architectural blueprint for every Megabass hardbait that followed.

HISTORICAL WOOD SELECTION & EVOLUTION

To achieve the subtle, fluid swimming action unique to natural timber, Megabass continually refined the internal wood density across production eras:

2021 - SUPER-Z (Z1/Z2/Z3)

2006 - Z-CRANK (RED LABEL/BLUE LABEL)

1987 - 1st Z-CRANK (original handmade)

KEY TECHNICAL FEATURES

High-Buoyancy Natural Wood Body

Carved from hand-selected Ayous wood, the bulky mid-depth chassis creates massive water displacement with a natural, organic wobble. Unlike hard plastic shells, natural timber dampens internal hook noise, triggering feeding strikes from wary pressure-heavy bass.

0.8mm High-Strength Thin Fiberglass Coffin Lip

Fitted with an ultra-thin 0.8mm circuit-board style coffin lip. The rigid fiberglass design withstands violent deflection off riprap, laydowns, and concrete pilings without chipping—delivering sharp, high-pitch grind wobbling on every retrieve.

Superior Snagless Performance

Combining high-buoyancy natural timber with a protective coffin bill allows the Z-CRANK to back out of dense cover instantly when paused. Designed specifically for cover-cranking thick brushy shallows, laydowns, and rock piles without hanging up.

THE MODERN INHERITANCE: SUPER-Z & REISSUES

Z-CRANK '06 Mid-Period Handcrafted Reissue: Re-released in limited factory runs using the original bulky Ayous wood design. Highly sought after by US tournament anglers for cover-grinding shallow muddy water.

SUPER-Z Revolution Series: The modern competition evolution of the Z-CRANK concept. Upgraded with Megabass’s patented LBO II (Linear Bearing Oscillator) system for frictionless internal weight transfer, yielding extreme casting distance and instant action response.