Ultimate Guide to Soft Plastic Lures in Australia

Soft plastic lures are a crucial part of both professional and recreational anglers' fishing gear. Soft plastic lures and other terminal tackle gear from notable brands such as Shimano, Halco, Jackall, and Z-Man's iconic Slim Swimz and Streakz lures are available at Davos Tackle online. 

Where to use soft plastic lures?

Soft plastics have a wide range of fishing applications, from rivers and estuaries to offshore and impoundments. Many larger soft plastic lures in the 5-9 inch range are appropriate for usage offshore, while smaller versions in the 2-4 inch range operate best in still water. Soft plastic lures can also be used to catch a variety of fish. Some soft plastics are designed for specific water conditions, but the majority of soft plastic lures can be utilised in both fresh and saltwater environments.

What fish can I catch with soft plastic lures?

From trophy Snapper to Barra or even Australian Bass, the adaptability of soft plastics has resulted in happy anglers landing these species along with everything in between. It is critical to "Match the hatch" when choosing a soft plastic. This is a phrase used by fly fishermen, but it also applies to soft plastic lures. It means you should choose a style that is representative of the baitfish found in that location. The two most important factors to consider are the bait profile and overall length, colour is often a lesser consideration for soft plastic lures.

What types of soft plastic lure can I buy in Australia?

Some of the most common soft plastic lure types are explained below:

The worm: Fish are inquisitive creatures and even though worms aren't naturally found in water, they adore them. Worms have withstood the test of time, catching millions of fish each year, with worm-like soft plastic lures in high demand.

The grub: Grubs come in a variety of styles and shapes, as well as a variety of colours. The tail of a soft plastic lure grub might be curled or straight.

Hollow bait: Another popular soft plastic lure is the hollow or tube bait. Its name comes from the fact that it resembles a hollow, plastic tube! When let to fall on a slack line, the tube bait almost precisely imitates a dead bait fish.

The crab: There aren't many fish species that will turn down a prawn, yabbie, crab, or insect looking bait. These lures are equipped with claws and antennae that produce movement in the water, enticing fish to take a bite. The ideal approach to fish these baits is to move slowly and make frequent contact with the bottom. Creature baits typically come in sizes ranging from 2" which are great for trout and bream to 4" which are used for flathead, mangrove jack, and bass.

The shad: The soft plastic shad body is popular in both fresh and saltwater in many parts of the world. They are an extremely simple bait to use and will attract a wide range of fish. Shad bodies can be any variation or combination of colours to imitate any fish.

• Paddle Tail Shad Lures: The paddle tail is one of the most popular baits in Australia, with a broad flat tail that glides seductively from side to side as the lure is worked. Because of this extra motion, they are perfect for beginners because they are extremely easy to handle and can draw a strike at any time during the retrieve. The paddle tail can be very efficient for mangrove jack and barramundi in estuaries and equally effective for coral trout and sweetlip on the reefs.
• Curl Tail Shad Lures: Because of its action-packed tail wiggle that comes to life with the smallest touch of the reel handle, the curl tail shad soft plastic has become a strong favourite for many fishermen, from expert anglers to first-time flickers. Curl tails were one of the first soft plastics to hit the market and have played a significant influence in the overall success of soft plastics in Australia. Curl tails have shown to be incredibly effective, whether hunting bream and bass with the smaller 2 and 2.5" models or tackling murray cod, mulloway, and larger reef species with the 4, 5, and even 9" varieties.
• Jerk Shad Lures: The jerk shad lure is an excellent baitfish presentation, with a single or split tail that is lethal on a variety of species, from flathead and Jewfish in estuaries to snapper and pelagics offshore. Jerk shads require the angler to add action by twitching or jerking the rod, as the name implies. The jerk shad typically comes in sizes ranging from 3" all the way up to 8" to simulate herring, mullet, and garfish and is ideal for working deep water or strong currents due to its slim profile that quickly falls through the water with little resistance.

Most Soft Plastic Lures will need a jighead, see our FAQ guide to Jigheads here.