Soft Bait Fishing

Soft Bait Fishing Buying Guide

Soft bait fishing works well when you match the lure shape, colour and jig head weight to the water depth, current and target fish. This category includes softbait lures and jig heads, so it suits anglers building a simple lure setup for New Zealand conditions.

Choosing the right soft bait shape

Paddle tail soft baits suit steady retrieves because the tail creates movement as the lure swims. They are useful around harbours, channels, sandy edges and reef margins.

Worm-style and grub-style soft baits suit slower fishing. Use them around weed edges, shallow flats, estuary areas and quiet water where fish may follow before striking.

Shrimp and squid-style soft baits suit inshore fishing where fish feed near structure, weed beds, rocks, wharves and shellfish beds. They can work well with short lifts, pauses and slow drops.

Choosing jig head weight

The jig head controls depth, casting distance and sink speed. A light jig head gives a slower, more natural fall. However, heavier jig heads help when wind, current or deeper water make control harder.

• 5g jig heads: best for shallow water, calm estuaries and slow presentations.
• 7g jig heads: a useful light option for harbour edges, flats and gentle current.
• 10g jig heads: a good middle weight for many soft bait fishing situations.
• 14g jig heads: useful when you need more casting distance or faster sink.
• 20g jig heads: better for deeper water, stronger current, wind and longer casts.

Choosing soft bait colour

Clear, white and silver colours suit bright water and baitfish activity. Orange, yellow and brighter colours help in dirty water, low light and changeable conditions. Luminous styles are useful near dusk, after dark, or when fishing deeper water.

Simple soft bait setup

For most NZ soft bait fishing, use a light spinning rod, a small spinning reel and braid with a fluorocarbon leader. Cast ahead of the drift, let the lure sink, then use small lifts and pauses. Also, change jig head weight before changing lure style if the lure is not reaching the strike zone.