Best Soft Plastics and Swimbaits for Murray Cod Australia (2026)
Large soft swimbaits and paddle tails are the premier tools for targeting trophy metre-plus Murray cod in Australian impoundments and rivers. Topwater crawlers and hard-jointed glide baits are included alongside soft swimbaits as they share essential big-bait presentation roles for triggering impulse strikes around heavy cover. Rigging these lures correctly ensures maximum hook exposure while minimizing snags in heavy timber.
Swimbaits in the 140mm to 200mm size range displace massive amounts of water on the retrieve. Their broad paddle tails and rolling bodies emit low-frequency lateral line vibrations that cod track easily in deep or murky water. The lifelike swimming action triggers committed predatory feeding strikes rather than mere territorial nudges.
Weedless rigging on weighted wide-gape worm hooks allows anglers to bounce swimbaits through flooded standing timber without snagging exposed hook points. The internal keel weight keeps the swimbait tracking dead-level at ultra-slow creeping speeds. This weedless presentation allows fishos to probe deep snag laydowns where trophy cod spend the daylight hours.
Durability is vital when selecting soft swimbaits for native freshwater predators. High-density soft plastics and segmented elastomers withstand violent vacuum strikes and rasping teeth without tearing away from internal harness systems. Storing soft plastics in dedicated trays prevents chemical reactions and preserves their natural swimming posture.
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Side-by-Side Comparison
| Model | Category | Class | Construction | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megabass Magdraft 8″ | Soft Swimbait | 200mm / 88g (3.1 oz) | Soft PVC / Wire-Through / Mag-Hold | Best Overall Trophy Swimbait |
| Zerek Live Mullet 5.5″ | Segmented Swimbait | 140mm / 35g | TPE Elastomer + Kevlar Webbing | Best Realistic Jointed Action |
| Molix 140 Shad | Soft Swimbait | 140mm / 60g | Pre-Weighted Soft Plastic / Boot Tail | Best Mid-Size Deep Swimbait |
| Chasebaits The Smuggler 90mm | Topwater Crawler | 90mm / 41g | Hard ABS Body / Folding Metal Wings | Best Surface Creature Bait |
| Jackall Gantarel 160 | Hard Jointed Swimbait | 160mm / 70g | High-Impact ABS Body / Swivel Trebles | Best 180-Degree Turn Trigger Bait |
Top Rated Breakdown
1. Megabass Magdraft 8″
Top Performer
The benchmark swimbait for impoundment cod. Features the Mag-Hold magnetic hook keeper system that secures the belly treble flat against the body for weedless swimming.
|
Length: 8 Inch (200mm) |
Weight: 88g (3.1 oz) |
Hook System: Mag-Hold Magnetic Treble |
Action: Heavy Body Roll |
- Mag-Hold system keeps the treble hook tucked securely, reducing timber snags
- Incredible natural body roll and tail thump draws metre-plus cod from deep water
- Soft PVC body can tear after multiple violent cod captures
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2. Zerek Live Mullet 5.5″
Top Innovation
Constructed from 10X tough TPE elastomer reinforced with internal Kevlar webbing. The 5.5″ (35g) model is the primary benchmark size recommended for targeting cod in snags.
|
Length: 5.5″ (140mm) |
Weight: 35g (1.2 oz) |
Material: TPE + Kevlar Webbing |
Hooks: Heavy Single Top & Belly Treble |
- TPE elastomer material reinforced with Kevlar survives brutal jaw crushing
- Segmented body produces an ultra-realistic swimming action at creeping speeds
- Must be stored in original packaging away from standard PVC soft plastics
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3. Molix 140 Shad
Top Seller
Features an internal lead harness and heavy-duty #1/0 belly treble. The large boot tail creates heavy acoustic water displacement on the drop.
|
Length: 140mm |
Weight: 60g (2.1 oz) |
Hooks: Heavy Duty #1/0 Belly Treble |
Action: Wide Boot Thump |
- Proven track record of catching metre-plus cod across all major dams
- Perfect swimming balance right out of the packaging
- Exposed belly treble can hang up on submerged horizontal timber branches
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4. Chasebaits The Smuggler 90mm
Top Surface Bait
A topwater bird imitation with folding aluminum wings that paddle across the surface, creating massive surface noise and blooping spatter.
|
Length: 90mm |
Weight: 41g (1.4 oz) |
Action: Surface Crawling / Blooping |
Hooks: Heavy-Duty BKK Trebles |
- Folding metal wings create intense surface noise and blooping spatter
- Heavy 41g weight casts exceptionally well across open flats
- Metal wings require occasional alignment checks after violent snags
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5. Jackall Gantarel 160
Top Action
Double-jointed hard glide bait capable of executing full 180-degree turns on sharp twitches to trigger following cod into striking.
|
Length: 160mm |
Weight: 70g (2.5 oz) |
Buoyancy: Floating / Slow Sinking |
Hooks: Bearing Swivel Trebles |
- 180-degree turn capability triggers trailing cod that refuse straight retrieves
- Rotating hook hangers prevent cod from using lure leverage to throw hooks
- Hard-body profile requires careful navigation around thick timber snags
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Technical Selection Criteria
1. The Dead-Slow Swimbait Roll
Cast your swimbait past standing timber or rocky points. Count the lure down to the target depth (typically 3m to 6m). Retrieve at a creeping, dead-slow pace—just fast enough to make the paddle tail kick. Metre-plus cod track the bait and inhale it from behind.
2. Weedless Snag Stalling
Rig your soft plastic on an Owner Beast 8/0 to 10/0 weighted worm hook. Cast deep into flooded timber laydowns. Let the plastic sink through the branches. If the lure bumps a log, stop winding and let it glide downward—cod strike on the stall.
3. Stinger Hook Rigging on Swimbaits
Attach a 10cm piece of 60lb single-strand wire or heavy assist cord to the main hook eyelet. Position a size #1/0 4X treble hook near the tail of your soft swimbait, pinning one point lightly into the plastic. This converts short tail-nipping strikes into solid hookups.
