Welcome to the Best Snapper Soft Plastics article from FishingMad. Catching snapper with soft plastics has become one of our favourite forms of fishing which is growing in popularity. Today the range of soft plastics on the market is extensive which can make it quite confusing for consumers to understand which soft plastics are best to catch snapper consistently and why. I have many years of catching snapper with soft plastics and in this article will highlight my favourite snapper soft plastics taking into account, price, performance, quality, features, colours, durability and availability. Sharing our favourite picks to cover different price points to help you make an informed decision when buying your next snapper soft plastics.
BECOME A FISHINGMAD MEMBER & UNLOCK ACCESS TO
Weekly Fishing Reports | GPS Marks | Workshops | Giveaways | Podcasts | Competitions | Forums | Maps | Rigging Tutorials | Sounder School | Exclusive Footage | Tackle Talks | Gear Guides | Kayak Club & Much more….
Best Snapper Soft Plastics
- Berkley Gulp Nemesis
- Zman StreakZ curly tailz
- Keitech easy shiners
- Catch black label livies Grubs
- Munroes 3.75 inch PaddleTail
- Squidy Reef Wrigglers
- Berkley Gulp Turtleback worm
- Daiwa Bait Junkie Wave Minnow
- Missing at Sea Death Grub 5.5″
- Zman MinnowZ
- Savage Gear Fat Curl Tails
- Berkley Gulp Jerk shads 5 inch
- Daiwa Bait Junkie Grub 4 inch
- Berkley Gulp 4 inch Minnow
- Zman Shads scented
- Berkley Gulp Paddle Shad 3 inch
- Daiwa Bait Junkie Jerk shads
- Squidgy Wrigglers
- Rapala Crush City Imposter
- Berkley Gulp crazy legs jerk shad
- Zman Streaks 3.75 inch minnow
- Zerek Flash Minnow
- Berkley Gulp 3 inch paddle tails
- Halco Paddle Prawn
Watch this video as FishingMad tests a heap of different soft plastics to catch snapper
Top 10 snapper soft plastics
Berkley Gulp Nemesis
Without a doubt, the most snapper I caught with soft plastics last season was the 5-inch Berkley Gulp Nemesis. Its fluttering tail action and scientifically tested gulp scent are simply irresistible to snapper. The gulp range is considered a soft bait. The new translucent colour ranges which include blue haze fleck, green haze fleck, ocean shift and violet haze fleck look amazing however I find myself continually going back to the nuclear chicken which accounts for many big reds.
These soft plastics are available in 3″, 4″, 5″ and 6.5″ however I have caught the most snapper with the 5″ versions. These soft plastics are biodegradable and have a minnow profile and unbelievable swimming action with a large tail that flutters whilst being hopped or slow rolled. Berkley Gulp plastics cost $11.99 per pack and are a tough choice to beat. The only negative with these plastics is the durability and they do break apart after catches and will dry out if you do not put them back in the original packet sealed properly. They more than make up for this with amazing catch rates and a plastic that looks and performs great.
Zman Streakz Curly Tailz
Zman Streakz Curly Tailz is another amazing option. The swimming action and durability of these soft plastics are brilliant. They come in 20 different colours and some standout options for snapper including nuclear chicken, opening night and Coconut ice glow. They come in 4″ and 5″ options. These soft plastics have a thick body with a cutout section that’s great for rigging with a 3/0-5/0 headlock jighead and an elongated tail that has a strong swimming action that can be hopped and slow rolled. These soft plastics are so durable and you’ll often catch many snapper and pinkies without needing to replace them. That durable elastic material is also buoyant so the tails floats when not being worked.
These soft plastics are not scented so you want to add your own scent to the tail like ProCure or S-Factor. Zman StreakZ curly tailz costs $11.99 per pack and also also a tough choice to beat.
Watch Al from FishingMad using the Zman Streakz Curly Tailz to catch snapper on the kayak in the shallow reefs
Keitech Easy Shiners
The Keitech Easy shiners are one of the prettiest soft plastics 0on the market with amazing swimming action. They come in a great range of translucent and UV colours and have a shape that encourages a strong wobbling action. These soft plastics can be slowly rolled or worked slowly with erratic lifts of the fishing rod. These plastics come scented in prawn scent to help attract fish. The only drawback with these soft plastics is they are not very durable but they sure make up for it with outstanding looks, design and performance. They are available in 2 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch and 5-inch sizes however we have had the most success on local snapper with the 4 inch versions.
These soft plastics have great swimming action and are best rigged with a 3/0 or 4/0 headlocks jighead. Keitech easy shiners cost $13.95 per pack which includes 7 soft plastics.
Berkley Gulp Jerk Shads
For many years the Berkley Gulp Jerk shads have been a staple choice for targetting snapper. They come in a brilliant range of bright and natural colours including UV Glow options ( over 30 colours to choose from ). Also available in multiple sizes including 5, 7 and 9 inches however we typically use the 5-inch version on our local snapper. They come scented with Gulp’s special formula which many fish find irritable. These Gulp soft plastics are completely biodegradable and made of 100% natural ingredients. Gulp releases 400 times more scent than plastic baits and has been proven effective on so many different fish species, not just snapper.
With most jerk shads, the angler adds the action by doing erratic lifts of the fishing rod to imitate a wounded baitfish. This works great over reefs and structures where snapper like to reside. Berkley Gulp Jerk Shads cost $9 per pack which includes 5 scented soft plastics. The only negative with these plastics is the durability and they do break apart after catches and will dry out if you do not put them back in the original packet sealed properly.
Zman 3 inch minnowz
A great choice may surprise you considering its small 3-inch profile. However, the Zman 3 inch minnowz paddle tail has proven to be very effective on our local snapper. These soft plastics are incredibly durable often catching multiple fish. using Zmans ElaZtech material which is 10x tougher than standard soft plastic on the market where often just use one plastic for an entire outing on the water. They come in a brilliant range of bright and natural colours including UV Glow options. These soft plastics have been proven effective on so many different fish species, not just snapper.
These soft plastics have great swimming action and are best rigged with a 3/0 headlocks jighead. The plastics are also buoyant meaning they will stand upright when not being worked which is also great as the plastic moves in the current. Zman 3 inch minnows cost $9 per pack which includes 6 soft plastics. These soft plastics are not scented so you want to add your own scent to the tail like ProCure or S-Factor.
Berkley Gulp Turtleback Worms
The humble Turtleback worm has been such an effective soft plastic for many years on a whole range of local species. In fact, it’s been a go-to when targeting flathead, trevally, whiting and snapper. Recently Berkley added the 7-inch version of this soft plastic to the Australian Market which is an amazing option for snapper in our local waters due to its long and enticing tail. They come in 6 available colours however we have had much success with worm imitation colours such as camo and pumpkinseed. Available in 2 sizes the 4 inch and 7 inch. They come scented with Gulp’s special formula which many fish find irritable. These Gulp soft plastics are completely biodegradable and made of 100% natural ingredients. Gulp releases 400 times more scent than plastic baits and has been proven effective on so many different fish species, not just snapper.
These soft plastics can be slow rolled or worked slowly with erratic lifts of the fishing rod. This works great offer reef and structure where snapper like to reside. Berkley Turtleback worm costs $9 per pack and includes 8 scented soft plastics which is incredible value. The only negative with these plastics is the durability and they do break apart after catches and will dry out if you do not put them back in the original packet sealed properly.
Watch the video below which highlights us in action catching snapper with a 7-inch turtleback worm
Savage Gear Fat Curl tails 8.4cm
The Savage Gear Fat Curl tails are very simple no-frills soft plastics that work remarkably well on snapper. With an elongated tail and available in natural and bright colours these affordable soft plastics have accounted for many snapper and other local species such as flathead, mulloway, snook, salmon and more. These soft plastics are available in 6 colours and we have done particularly well with UV motor oil and bloody gold.
These soft plastics have a good swimming action and are best rigged with a 3/0 headlocks jighead. Savage Gear Fat Head curl tails are often sold on special 3 packets for $22 which is a remarkable value. The only negative with these plastics is that they are not scented so you may choose to apply your own scent.
Berkley Gulp Paddle Shad
A new addition for Berkley is the Berkley Gulp Paddle Shad which has quickly become a staple choice for targetting snapper. They come in 6 available colours. This soft plastic provides has a great strong swimming action and is infused with that winning fish-attracting scent. The robust tail action works on a whole range of species and is available in 3″, 4″, 5″ and 6” baitfish profiles. these Gulp soft plastics are completely biodegradable and made of 100% natural ingredients. Gulp releases 400 times more scent than plastic baits and has been proven effective on so many different fish species, not just snapper.
These soft plastics can be slow rolled or worked slowly with erratic lifts of the fishing rod. This works great offer reef and structure where snapper like to reside. Berkley Gulp Jerk Shads cost $11.99 per pack which includes 6 scented soft plastics. The only negative with these plastics is the durability and they do break apart after catches and will dry out if you do not put them back in the original packet sealed properly.
Daiwa Bait Junkie Grub
The Daiwa Bait Junkie range hit the market in 2020 which a great range of soft plastics and colours. Smart designs, prawn scented and a soft sponge material that has a great swimming action. The 4-inch bait junkie grub has been a standout choice in their range for snapper and pinkies locally. These soft plastics can be slow rolled or worked slowly with erratic lifts of the fishing rod. This works great offering reef and structure where snapper like to reside.
A major negative with these soft plastics is that the tail constantly sticks to the body. I’ve had countless casts with no swimming action because the tail gets stuck to the plastic during casting, it’s the only thing that prevents this from being a top pick. Daiwa Bait Junkie Grub cost $11.99 per pack which includes 6 scented soft plastics in a plastic clamshell container so they retain their shape.
Additions or corrections
Thanks for reading this Best Snapper Soft Plastics. You can also see many fishing videos around Melbourne and Victoria. If you have any questions, corrections or additions then please direct them to enquiries@fishingmad.com.au and we will get back to you as soon as we can.