Soft Plastics for Wrasse: How to Fish the Southern East Coast with ReproBaits

There’s something special about feeling that solid hit from a wrasse as it crunches down on a soft plastic. Along the southern stretch of New South Wales and the lower east coast, these hard-fighting reef dwellers are a test for any light-tackle angler. They’re strong, stubborn, and brutal on gear — exactly what makes them so addictive.

Whether you’re fishing the kelp edges of Jervis Bay, the granite washes of Bermagui, or the deep ledges around Eden, soft plastics open up a whole new way to target wrasse that’s both visual and incredibly effective.

Understanding Wrasse Territory

Wrasse love structure. If there are rocks, weed, and small reef patches, there are wrasse nearby. You’ll find them tight to boulders, in under ledges, and around any kelp-covered point.
Unlike flathead or bream, they rarely wander far. They hold territory — and if you work a lure through their zone, you’ll get a reaction bite sooner or later.

The trick is to get your plastic right into those gnarly areas without snagging up. That’s where the right rig and lure choice makes all the difference.

Choosing the Right Soft Plastics

Wrasse can be unpredictable. Some days they’ll slam a creature bait; other times they’ll turn their nose up at it and only take something slim and worm-like.

That’s why I carry a mix of ReproBaits soft plastics:

• Bottom Bug: A compact creature profile with plenty of action. Perfect for working through broken reef or heavy weed. The claw movement triggers those aggressive, territorial strikes.

• Sea Bug: Great for slower presentations in deeper water. Its subtle legs and body roll look natural when sitting still between hops.

• Soft Plastic Beachworm: A deadly option when wrasse are feeding cautiously or the water’s clear. Rigged straight on a worm hook, it looks alive even when you’re not moving it.

• Dread Ned Jig Heads: These are made for the job. They let your plastic sit tail-up on the bottom — exactly how real crustaceans rest — and the stand-up posture draws instant attention.

• Worm Hooks and Bullet Weights: For snag-prone areas, a lightly weighted worm hook rig keeps your plastic weedless while still letting you crawl it through the zone.

After Casting Out

Once you’ve picked your lure and cast out, leave the bail arm open and let the plastic fall naturally through the water column.
If you close it straight away, the lure will pendulum back toward you — missing that productive ground further out. Letting it drop on slack line gives it a natural, horizontal descent that often draws the first strike.

When it hits the bottom, engage your reel and take up the slack.

Retrieving Your Lure

Now comes the fun part. Give the rod a series of short, sharp flicks — no more than 100mm each time. This keeps the lure tight to the bottom where wrasse are feeding.
After six or seven small flicks, pause and let it settle again on a slack line. Count to three or four before starting the sequence again.

Wrasse will often follow a lure for several metres before committing. So always work it right back to your feet, especially around submerged rock ledges and crevices. It’s amazing how many fish hit in that last metre.

Playing With Colour

Colour choice can make or break your session. Start with natural shades — black, brown, red, or green — and only move to brighter colours like orange or chartreuse if the water’s murky.

If the bite slows, change colour before you change lure. Wrasse see contrasts well, and a simple switch from black to watermelon red can fire them up instantly.

Reading the Conditions

On calm, clear mornings, wrasse often feed higher in the water column. That’s a great time to go lighter — say a Bottom Bug or Soft Plastic Beachworm on a 1/8oz Dread Ned head.
When the swell’s up or the water’s dirty, bump up your weight to keep contact and control.

In deep ledges or around kelp beds, use the Sea Bug on a bullet-weighted worm hook. Let it sink slowly between weed stalks — a natural, unhurried presentation that wrasse can’t resist.

A Word on Tackle

Use a light spin combo with enough grunt to turn fish away from the reef — something in the 2–5kg class, 2500–3000 size reel, and 10–15lb braid with a 12–20lb fluorocarbon leader.

The lighter you go, the more bites you’ll get. But be prepared to lose gear — wrasse fight dirty, and that’s part of the fun.

Final Thoughts

Soft plastics have completely changed how we fish for wrasse along the NSW and southern east coast. They let you work terrain you couldn’t reach with bait and feel every tap, bump, and hit directly through the line.

With the ReproBaits Bottom Bug, Sea Bug, Soft Plastic Beachworm, and Dread Ned Jig Heads, you’ve got the perfect kit to take on these colourful, cantankerous little bruisers — all designed for Australian conditions.

If you haven’t tried soft plastics for wrasse yet, now’s the time. Just remember — keep it close to the bottom, stay patient, and don’t lift too early. Because when a wrasse decides to eat, you’ll know about it.