Soft Lures

Lures chosen by anglers, for anglers

Sharnbrook Tackle has been supplying anglers since the 1970s, when founder David Watts — then serving in the military — began sharing his love of fishing with fellow service personnel. That same passion for the sport drives every stocking decision we make today.

We don't add lures to our range to fill catalogue pages. Every soft bait we carry has been selected because it works: in the surf, over wrecks, behind a boat, and everywhere in between. From a finesse prawn imitation that fools a wary bass on light tackle to a 112g trolling bait built to handle bluefin tuna, our collection is chosen with real fishing in mind — not just product specs on a page.

A soft lure for every technique and target species

Finesse and inshore lures

When fish are pressured, wary, or feeding on smaller prey, subtlety wins. The SBK Pre-Rigged Prawn — 10cm and 6g — is a go-to lure for bass, bream, and other inshore predators. Its soft plastic construction allows for a genuinely lifelike swimming action, replicating a fleeing or injured crustacean with the kind of realism that hard plastics simply can't match. It comes pre-rigged on a 3/0 hook with an 80mm wire trace, so you're ready to cast the moment you arrive at the mark. Available in Ghost, Grey, Amber, and Red, it performs equally well on a slow-and-twitch retrieve or a sink-and-draw approach around harbour walls, rock marks, and weed beds.

For those fishing even lighter, the SBK Prawn is also available in a 5cm size — supplied as a 5-pack in Ghost Pattern — and works brilliantly for bass and sea trout on ultralight spinning gear or even a fly rod outfit.

Paddle tail shads

The Spro Insta Shad — 9cm, supplied in packs of five — is one of the most versatile finesse softbaits you can carry. Built from soft, floating material and injected with Spro's I.T.F. formula, its slim body and specially designed tail produce a consistent, natural action no matter how you fish it. Rig it on a dropshot, an offset hook in Carolina or Texas style, a standard jighead, or a stand-up jig — the Insta Shad keeps working. Available in four colour options: Brownie, Lemon/Lime, Spicy Candy, and Wasabi Special. A dependable all-rounder when the fishing is demanding and a reliable paddle tail is worth its weight.

Sea pike and larger shad profiles

The Sea Pike — available in 14cm (7g) and 18cm (14g) — covers the step up in size when you want to target larger predators or fish at greater depth. Supplied pre-rigged and ready to fish, it comes in seven colour options ranging from clean white through pearl and ayu back patterns to blue back and pink belly finishes — giving you genuine flexibility to match conditions, light levels, and the natural forage on your marks. If you prefer to set up your own trace from scratch, the un-rigged version lets you rig the Sea Pike to your exact specification.

Casting and trolling baits for big fish

For serious offshore work, the Mullet and Mackerel Rigged Soft Baits are in a different league entirely. Measuring 200mm (8.5 inches) and weighing 112g (4oz), these baits are designed to be cast from a boat or trailed on the troll for cod, bass, halibut, pollock, and — with a hook swap — bluefin, bigeye, and albacore tuna. The body is through-wired for strength, with a soft natural feel that encourages fish to hold on through the strike. Holographic eyes add to a profile that covers grey mullet, blue scad, Atlantic mackerel (blue and green backed), and striped bass patterns.

They come rigged with a strong 5/0 twin point hook as standard. If you're targeting larger or more powerful species — halibut and big cod in Norway, or offshore tuna — recommended hook upgrades include the Mustad 7897DT heavy-duty carbon steel double hook and the Mustad 10121DT-NP Kaiju hook, both available from us. Pair them with our stainless steel 12mm split rings for a setup built to handle whatever takes the lure.

Pre-rigged or un-rigged — which is right for you?

Most of the soft lures in our range are available pre-rigged, meaning the hook, trace, and hardware are already set up and the lure is ready to fish straight out of the packet. For anglers heading out on a day session, or those new to lure fishing, this is a genuine advantage — less time rigging, more time fishing.

If you prefer to customise your trace for specific conditions, species, or hook sizes, un-rigged versions give you the freedom to set things up exactly as you want them. Both approaches have their place depending on how you fish, and we're happy to advise if you're not sure which suits your situation best.

Trusted brands, honest advice

We stock soft lures from manufacturers we have confidence in — Spro and our own SBK range among them — selected because they perform consistently in real UK fishing conditions. If you're looking for a specific lure to complete a setup, or want advice on what to use on a particular mark or for a particular species, get in touch. No jargon, no upselling — just straightforward guidance from people who fish.

Frequently asked questions

What are soft lures and how do they differ from hard lures?

Soft lures are made from flexible plastic or rubber materials that flex and move in the water, creating a lifelike action that imitates injured fish, crustaceans, and other prey. Unlike hard lures, they have a natural feel that encourages fish to hold on after the strike, giving you more time to set the hook. They're particularly effective when fish are selective or feeding cautiously.

What species can I target with soft lures?

Our range covers a wide spread of species. Smaller inshore lures such as the SBK Pre-Rigged Prawn and Spro Insta Shad are well suited to bass, bream, pollock, sea trout, and wrasse from the shore or inshore boats. The larger Sea Pike shads are effective on pollock, bass, and other predatory fish. The Mullet and Mackerel trolling baits are designed for offshore species including cod, halibut, coalfish, and tuna.

Do I need specialist gear to fish soft lures?

Not necessarily. The lighter lures in our range — the SBK Prawn and Spro Insta Shad — work well on a standard light spinning rod with a fixed-spool reel and braid mainline. The heavier casting and trolling baits require appropriately rated boat rods and tackle. If you're unsure what gear to pair with a particular lure, we're happy to advise — have a look at our fishing rods range or get in touch directly.

What's the best retrieve technique for soft lures?

It depends on the lure and the target species. For the SBK Pre-Rigged Prawn, a slow retrieve with occasional twitches works well, as does a sink-and-draw technique around structure. Paddle tails like the Spro Insta Shad produce their own action on a steady retrieve and can also be fished on a dropshot or jighead. Trolling baits are simply trailed behind a moving boat at the appropriate speed. If in doubt, start slow — you can always speed up.

Can soft lures be used in freshwater as well as at sea?

Some of them, yes. The SBK Pre-Rigged Prawn, for example, is effective on pike and other freshwater predators, not just sea species. The larger trolling baits in our range are designed specifically for saltwater use. If you're targeting a freshwater species, get in touch and we'll point you towards the most suitable option.

Ready to stock your lure box?

Whether you're targeting bass from the shore, pollock over a wreck, or something considerably bigger offshore, there's a soft lure in our range built for the job. Browse the full collection below, or contact us if you'd like a recommendation based on your target species, fishing style, or local marks.