Award-winning lure designer joins Z-Man

Z-Man has hired award-winning lure designer Jose Chavez for the newly-created role of Director of Product Development. Chavez has worked with some of the top brands in fishing over the past eight years, including 13 Fishing and Savage Gear.

“We’ve already had some invaluable conversations with Jose about the next phase for Z-Man lures, particularly our ElaZtech soft baits,” said Z-Man President Daniel Nussbaum. “Our customers will soon be benefiting from his creativity and passion. By working with someone as creative, detail-oriented and well connected as Jose, we’re about to take things to a whole new level.”

Earlier in his career, as a microbiologist travelling for six months a year, Chavez decided to spend more time at home after starting a family. “I saw a big opportunity for small companies in the industry to utilise social media and gain access to their customer base in unprecedented ways,” he said.

“I’m a big fan of the everyday angler and his lifestyle. For me, it’s about putting lures in peoples’ hands that produce unforgettable on-the-water experiences. I’m excited to start contributing fresh ideas and concepts.”

It was at ICAST 2014 that he connected with 13 Fishing and was soon appointed Marketing Manager. There and at Savage Gear he created numerous lures and won several best of category awards at ICAST.

A native of the small coastal town of Morales, in Guatemala, Chavez began fishing on the River Dulce from the general store dock owned by his grandfather. Since then he has impressed on the competitive kayak circuit, finishing fourth at the Hobie Worlds Tournament in Australia. He now fishes full-time with lures only.

Z-Man, based in Charleston, South Carolina, is among the industry’s largest suppliers of silicon skirt material and is the creator of the ChatterBait and 10X Tough ElaZtech softbaits.