Seasoned MLF Pro Spencer Shuffield joins the Pro Team
Ladson, SC – At four years old, most aspiring anglers are still learning to cast a Zebco 33. Spencer Shuffield was not most kids. Growing up in Bismarck, North Dakota, and the son of longtime FLW pro Ron Shuffield, he spent his early years exploring creeks and ponds, already slinging a baitcaster at age four. By seven, he was not only riding in his father’s bass boat, but running the trolling motor—an early glimpse of the precision and poise that would define his career.
Known for his finesse‑driven approach, Shuffield has long leaned on Z‑Man mainstays like the Scented Jerk ShadZ™ and Finesse TRD™. “Soft plastics are essential to how I fish, and confidence in my equipment is critical,” he said. “Between the durability and buoyancy of ElaZtech®, I get more bites and spend less time re-rigging. Z‑Man has been at the forefront of my lineup since I returned to the pro scene in 2020.”
A 3.5″ or 4″ Scented Jerk ShadZ rigged on a dropshot is a go-to bait for Shuffield when the bite gets tough.
Since turning pro, Shuffield has built one of the most consistent résumés in modern tournament fishing. His breakthrough came in 2022 with a MLF Pro Circuit win on the St. Lawrence River, powered in part by a Finesse TRD in Goby Bryant. The victory punched his ticket to the Bass Pro Tour (BPT), where he continued to excel with four Top 10 finishes in 2024 and a Challenge Cup win alongside Matt Becker—powered by a 3/8 oz Green Pumpkin ChatterBait® JackHammer™.
Shuffield’s success extends westward as well. After several close calls at the prestigious WON Bass U.S. Open, he captured the 2025 title—an achievement he calls the most meaningful of his career. “I always wanted my name on that trophy,” Shuffield said. “So many legends of the sport are on it, and now my name is part of that history forever.” Naturally, Z‑Man’s 3.5‑ and 4‑inch Scented Jerk ShadZ on a dropshot proved pivotal in securing the win.
Entering 2026, Shuffield brings 56 MLF Top 10 finishes and five career victories to the Z‑Man Pro team. “I couldn’t be more excited to officially join the Z‑Man family,” he said. “It feels like the missing piece.”
He opened the 2026 season strong with a 14th‑place finish at Lake Guntersville using his confidence bait, the 4‑inch Scented Jerk ShadZ in Disco Cisco, and will compete on several familiar fisheries throughout the year, including Lake Whitney, Lake Waco, Beaver Lake, and REDCREST at Table Rock.
Z‑Man Community Manager Jonathan Dietz welcomed the addition. “Nothing makes me more excited than finding an angler that is crushing it on the tournament scene and already confidently using our baits. Spencer’s style aligns perfectly with the strengths of our ElaZtech material. He’s been winning with our baits for years, and we’re thrilled to have him officially on the team.”
About Z-Man Fishing Products: A dynamic Charleston, South Carolina based company, Z-Man Fishing Products has melded leading edge fishing tackle with technology for nearly three decades. Z-Man has long been among the industry’s largest suppliers of silicone skirt material used in jigs, spinnerbaits and other lures. Creator of the Original ChatterBait®, Z-Man is also the renowned innovators of 10X Tough ElaZtech® softbaits, among the most coveted baits in fresh- and saltwater. Z-Man is one of the fastest-growing lure brands worldwide.
