Best Soft Vibes and Jigs for Mulloway Jewfish (2026)
Soft vibes and heavy sinking lures have revolutionized mulloway fishing across Australian estuaries, river scours, and deep bridge pylons. Their fast sink rates and intense high-frequency vibrations trigger aggressive reaction bites from resting fish.
Soft vibes in 95mm to 150mm sizes emit intense acoustic vibrations on short rod lifts, cutting through heavy tidal currents to reach bottom-holding schools in 8m to 18m depths.
The supple texture of a soft vibe feels natural in the mouth, encouraging jewfish to hold on longer and providing anglers critical extra seconds to set the hook.
All vibes and metal lures must feature heavy through-wire harnesses and reinforced split rings. The crushing jaw power and violent head-shakes of a 15kg+ mulloway will bend weak wire frames and tear soft bodies.
🎣 Need the Master Strategy? Read full regional maps, seasonal movements, legal closures, and sounder tactics in our comprehensive species pillar.
| Best Rods | Best Reels | Soft Plastics |
| Hard Bodies | Lines & Rigs | ★ Masterclass |
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | Category | Class | Construction | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nomad Design Vertrex Max 95 / 110 | Soft Vibe | 95mm (25g) / 110mm (36g) | Heavy Soft Polymer / Through-Wire | Best Deep Water & River Scour Vibe |
| Samaki Vibelicious Fork 110mm / 150mm | Heavy Soft Vibe | 110mm (30g) / 150mm (45g) | 10X Elastomax / Wire-Through | Best Bridge Pylon Live Sonar Vibe |
| Zerek Fish Trap 95mm / 110mm | Soft Vibe | 95mm (23g) / 110mm (35g) | TPE Elastomer | Best Snag & Rock Bar Vibe |
| Jackall Transam 95 | Soft Vibe | 95mm / 20g | Soft Resin / Through-Wire | Best Finesse Deep Vibe |
| TT Switchblade 3/4oz (55mm) | Metal Blade | 55mm / 21g (3/4oz) | Stainless Steel | Best High-Vibration Metal Blade |
Top Rated Breakdown
1. Nomad Design Vertrex Max 95 / 110
Top Performer
Engineered with patented internal weight distribution. Sinks straight down without tumbling and vibrates aggressively on ultra-slow vertical lifts.
|
Lengths: 95mm / 110mm |
Weights: 25g (95) / 36g (110) |
Hooks: BKK 4X Heavy Trebles |
Construction: Through-Wire Metal Plate |
- Heavy weight cuts through deep tidal currents in river scours effortlessly
- Through-wire metal plate construction withstands extreme jaw-crushing loads
- Fast sink rate can hang up quickly in shallow water under 2 metres
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2. Samaki Vibelicious Fork 110mm / 150mm
Top Seller
Constructed from ultra-durable 10X Elastomax material with a fork tail design. Sinks with a subtle shimmer that triggers reaction bites from schooling fish.
|
Lengths: 110mm / 150mm |
Weights: 30g (110) / 45g (150) |
Material: 10X Tough Elastomax |
Action: Tight Pulse / Fork Shimmer |
- Soft material feels natural in the mouth, leading to committed bites
- Super tough Elastomax body survives repeated tooth crushing without tearing
- Must be stored in a tackle tray separated from standard PVC lures
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3. Zerek Fish Trap 95mm / 110mm
Top Durability
A heavy TPE soft vibe with a ribbed body that creates micro-turbulences. Built around an ultra-strong through-wire harness to withstand giant fish.
|
Lengths: 95mm / 110mm |
Weights: 23g / 35g |
Material: TPE Elastomer |
Hooks: Mustad Heavy Duty Trebles |
- TPE material is virtually tear-proof against violent gill plate friction
- Ribbed body displaces water and creates micro-vibrations on the drop
- Requires a medium-heavy rod to work the 35g weight effectively
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4. Jackall Transam 95
Top Finesse
The original tournament soft vibe that started the deep vibe craze. Delivers a subtle, tight vibration that fools heavily pressured jewfish.
|
Length: 95mm |
Weight: 20g (0.7 oz) |
Action: Micro Vibration |
Construction: Wire Through |
- Legendary subtle action draws strikes from educated, shutdown fish
- Perfect weight balance for shallow to mid-depth river flats
- High price point requires careful snag navigation
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5. TT Switchblade 3/4oz (55mm)
Top Metal Blade
Features multiple tow points to adjust vibration frequency. Delivers an aggressive, tight shudder that cuts through deep tidal flows in river mouths.
|
Length: 55mm |
Weight: 21g (3/4oz) |
Tow Points: 4 Adjustable Holes |
Hooks: Owner Trebles |
- Multiple tow points allow fine-tuning for deep vertical or shallow casting
- Durable stainless steel construction withstands rock impacts
- Treble hooks can foul on soft mud without single hook upgrades
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Technical Selection Criteria
1. The Micro-Hop Vertical Vibe Technique
Drop your soft vibe straight down alongside a deep bridge pylon or rock bar. Once on the bottom, impart two sharp, short 20cm hops with the rod tip. Immediately drop the tip to let the vibe free-fall on a semi-slack line. Strikes occur as the lure flutters downward.
2. Live Sonar Vertical Interception
Locate a resident mulloway school holding off deep timber on forward-facing sonar. Lower the vibe until it sits exactly 1 metre above the fish. Impart single, gentle rod lifts. Never drop the lure below the fish, as mulloway strike upward from their resting position.
3. Slow-Rolling Deep Channel Seams
Cast your heavy soft vibe 30 metres across a deep river channel. Allow it to hit the bottom, then initiate a slow, steady wind just fast enough to feel the vibration hum through the rod blank. If the vibe bumps structure, pause for 1 second before resuming.
