Softbait Lures NZ Range

Choosing Softbait Lures for NZ Fishing

Softbait lures are flexible artificial baits designed to imitate small baitfish, worms, shrimp, grubs or wounded prey. They are commonly fished on jigheads, worm hooks or light rigs and worked with lifts, pauses, drops and slow retrieves. In New Zealand, softbaits are especially popular for snapper fishing. They also suit kahawai, trevally, gurnard and other inshore species when matched to the right size, colour and retrieve speed.

Best Fish Species for Softbait Lures

• Snapper: The main target for softbait fishing in New Zealand. Fish them near sand edges, shellfish beds, reef margins, channels and current lines.
• Kahawai: Paddle tails, baitfish shapes and brighter colours work well when kahawai are chasing bait near river mouths, beaches and surface workups.
• Trevally: Smaller softbaits can work around harbours, wharves, berley trails and shallow structure. Use lighter gear and a slower retrieve.
• Gurnard: Softbaits can work over sand and mud when kept close to the bottom with a slow lift-and-drop action.
• Kingfish: Larger softbaits may attract smaller kingfish or feeding fish around structure, but stronger tackle is needed.

Softbait Shapes and When to Use Them

• Paddle tail softbaits: Best for steady retrieves, covering water and imitating small baitfish.
• Worm softbaits: Useful for slow fishing near the bottom, especially when fish are cautious.
• Shrimp and prawn-style baits: Good around weed edges, shallow reef, estuary mouths and areas with crustacean activity.
• Grub and maggot-style baits: Better for light tackle, smaller hooks and slower presentations.
• Assorted softbait packs: A practical choice when you want several colours and shapes in one lure box.

Softbait Colour Guide

• White and clear: A natural choice for clean water, bright light and cautious fish.
• Blue and clear: Useful in deeper water, slightly stained water or when baitfish have a blue or silver profile.
• Yellow and white: A high-visibility option for overcast days, deeper water and active fish.
• Orange: Good in dirty water, low light, estuaries and early morning or late evening sessions.
• Mixed colour packs: Handy when conditions change or when you are testing what fish respond to on the day.

Matching Jigheads to Softbaits

Use lighter jigheads in shallow water, slow current or calm drift conditions. Use heavier jigheads when fishing deeper water, faster current or wind-driven drift. The aim is to reach the strike zone while still letting the softbait move naturally. For most light inshore softbait fishing, a spinning rod with a responsive tip, a 2500 to 4000 size reel, braid and a fluorocarbon leader is a practical setup. Use stronger tackle when fishing around rocks, reefs, wharves or other abrasive structure.

Best Places to Use Softbaits in New Zealand

• Harbour channels: Fish along drop-offs, current lines and shellfish beds.
• Reef edges: Cast past the structure and work the lure back with pauses.
• Kayak fishing spots: Softbaits work well while drifting across sand, foul ground and mixed bottom.
• River mouths and beaches: Use baitfish-style softbaits when kahawai are feeding.
• Wharves and marina edges: Smaller softbaits can work when fish are holding around shade, pylons and bait schools.

Order Suckerme Fishing Softbaits from Adsports NZ

Adsports NZ stocks Suckerme Fishing soft artificial bait for local anglers. Products are held in New Zealand stock, with secure checkout and delivery across NZ.