Shimano MD Zambano SW 95S: A 12 g Three-Hook Jerkbait for Small-Bait Sawara and Seabass

Shimano’s saltwater jerkbait, the OCEA MD Zambano SW, now comes in a smaller 95 mm size: the MD Zambano SW 95S and 95S Flash Boost. At just 12 g, and with three hooks, it looks like a good answer when Spanish mackerel (sawara), young sagoshi and seabass are feeding on small bait. It is part of Shimano’s autumn–winter 2026 range.

The MD Zambano SW is a long-lipped mid-diver (MD) minnow for the sea that can also be jerked. The 95 mm joins the existing 115 mm model.

Specs

Key features

1. A classic freshwater shape, made to sink for saltwater

The body shares its shape with the freshwater (bass) MD Zambano 95SP, turned into a sinking model for the sea. Shimano says development was based on the Zambano 115 SW.

2. Three hooks, rare at this size

Saltwater minnows around 95 mm usually have two hooks. The 95S has three #8 trebles, giving more hooking chances on fish that bite from behind, like sawara and sagoshi, and on short strikes.

3. JET BOOST 1.0 for stable flight

It uses the shaft-moving JET BOOST 1.0 weight transfer, which lets the weight travel further during the cast. When swimming, the weight sits low and fixed for a stable posture and quick response. Shimano says that despite being smaller and lighter, it flies stably and in some conditions casts further than the 115 mm model.

4. High-pitch wobble-roll and darts

Its basic action is a tight, high-pitch wobble-roll on a straight retrieve, with side-to-side darts when you jerk it. It runs at about 1.5 m on a normal retrieve, and down to about 2.0 m with jerks.

5. Flash Boost (XV-F95Z)

The Flash Boost model has a reflector on a spring inside, which flickers with the slightest vibration, so it keeps attracting fish while drifting or paused.

Colours (10)

For sawara and sagoshi at dawn, the Flash Boost half-mirror colours look like a good base; in stained water, chartreuse colours such as Matte Chart Grade and Haraguro Chart.

Targets and how to fish it

Shimano lists sawara, sagoshi, seabass, black sea bream (chinu) and yellowtail.

• Straight retrieve: high-pitch wobble-roll at about 1.5 m
• Twitch and jerk: darts to trigger bites, down to about 2.0 m
• Jerk and stay: the Flash Boost keeps flashing when paused
• Drift: let it ride currents at river mouths and tide lines

For sawara and sagoshi, it looks like a trump card on small-bait days when metal jigs and blades get no reaction. Use a heavier leader for sagoshi teeth.

Compared with the 115S and MD Loud Jerk 120S

Use the 95S when bait is small or fish ignore 115 mm; use the 115S when bait is over 10 cm or you need more presence. Shimano’s MD Loud Jerk 120S (120 mm, 19 g, about 3 m) is bigger and goes deeper.

Who it is for

• Anglers whose sawara and sagoshi ignore jigs and blades when feeding on small bait
• Anyone struggling to hook short strikes
• Anglers targeting seabass and black bream with minnows in harbours and river mouths
• Anyone who wants to try jerkbait fishing

At 12 g it struggles in strong headwinds and with distant feeding fish. Keep it as your close-to-mid-range “make them bite” lure, alongside metal jigs and heavy sinking pencils. With three trebles, use pliers to unhook fish safely.

Suggested tackle

At 12 g, it is hard to cast on stiff rods designed for heavy lures. If you jerk a lot, choose a rod with a softer tip.

My take

Sawara, sagoshi and autumn–winter seabass sometimes only respond to small bait. It is easy to just downsize jigs or rely on blades, but a jerkbait that creates a pause to eat is another option. Small and light, yet stable in flight and armed with three hooks, the MD Zambano SW 95S is a useful extra option for small-bait days.

Read next

• Shimano MD Loud Jerk 120S
• Shimano Borzoi SW 160S
• Spanish Mackerel (Sawara and Sagoshi) Guide

MINAGIMAN

JAPAN ANGLER

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Born in 1994. Originally from Hyogo Prefecture, I moved to Iwata City in Shizuoka Prefecture in search of the sea. I am an Enshunada surf angler who enjoys surf fishing. I am also active on YouTube, and my fishing grounds range from Irago to Iwata.