Welcome to the Best Snapper Soft Plastics article from FishingMad. Targeting snapper with soft plastics continues to grow as a popular form of fishing. Today the range of soft plastics on the market is very extensive which makes it quite confusing for consumers to understand which soft plastics are great for snapper and why.
We highlight our 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.
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Best Snapper Soft Plastics
- Berkley Gulp Jerk shads 5 inch
- Zman 3 inch minnowz
- Berkley Gulp Turtleback worm 7 inch
- Keitech easy shiner
- Savage Gear Fat Curl Tails 8.4cm
- Berkley Gulp Paddle Shad 3 inch
- Daiwa Bait Junkie Grub 4 inch
- Berkley Gulp 4 inch Minnow
- Zman Shads scented
- Daiwa Bait Junkie Jerk shads
- Munroes 3.75 inch PaddleTail
- Zman Streaks curly tails 4 inch
- Berkley Gulp crazy legs jerk shad
- Zman Streaks 3.75 inch minnow
- Berkley Gulp Nemesis
- Zerek Flash Minnow
- Berkley Gulp 3 inch paddle tails
- Halco Paddle Prawn
Top 10 snapper soft plastics
Berkley Gulp Jerk Shads – Top Pick
- Performance
- Price
- Features
- Durability
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 Gulps 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 but by doing erratic lifts of the fishing rod to imitate a wounded baitfish. This works great offer reef and structure 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
- Performance
- Price
- Features
- Durability
Our 2nd 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 cathing multiple fish. using Zmans ElaZtech material which is 10x tougher than standard soft plastic on the market were 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 a 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 packed which includes 6 soft plastics. The only negative with these plastics is that they are not scented so you may choose to apply your own scent.
Berkley Gulp Turtleback Worms
- Performance
- Price
- Features
- Durability
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 on worm imitation colours such as camo and pumpkinseed. Available in 2 sizes the 4 inch and 7 inch. They come scented with Gulps 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 cost $9 per pack which 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
Keitech Easy Shiner
- Performance
- Price
- Features
- Durability
The Keitech Easy shiners come in a great range of translucent and UV colours and have a really storm swimming action with a shape that really encourages a strong wobbling action. Meaning these soft plastics can be slow rolled or worked slowly with erratic lifts of the fishing rod. These soft plastics are also very durable. They come available in 2 inch, 3 inch, 4 inch and 5-inch sizes however we have had the most success on local snapper with the 3 and 4 inch versions.
These soft plastics have a great swimming action and are best rigged with a 3/0 headlocks jighead. Keitech easy shiners cost $13.95 per pack which includes 7 soft plastics. The only negative with these plastics is that they are not scented so you may choose to apply your own scent.
Savage Gear Fat Curl tails 8.4cm
- Performance
- Price
- Features
- Durability
The Savage Gear Fat Curl tails are a very simple no-frills soft plastics that works 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
- Performance
- Price
- Features
- Durability
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
- Performance
- Price
- Features
- Durability
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 offer 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
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