Next-Gen Reef Fishing with the New Live Ops Range
If you fish the reef, you already know the deal. Hard hits, gnarly structure, and fish that don’t give second chances. Whether you're chasing snapper on the drift, bouncing plastics for reds, or stalking coral trout in the shallows, fish on the reef don’t just want movement it needs to be the right movement. The Live Ops Jerksquid, Double Down Jerkshad, and Switcher Shrimp have been engineered to thrive in these exact conditions. With action-loaded profiles, rigging flexibility, and unmatched durability, they give reef anglers the tools to outfish everything else in the box.
In this breakdown, we’ll cover how to fish each of these lures specifically for reef species like snapper, coral trout, emperor, dhufish and more along with key setups and techniques for getting the most from each.
The Jerksquid is a hybrid soft plastic lure with high-impact dart and passive pulse. Designed to imitate both fleeing baitfish and squid, the Jerksquid darts aggressively on the lift and shimmers with its tentacles on the pause. It’s built from Titan-RX elastomer to withstand brutal reef hits and hold up to the toothiest reef predators.
How to Fish It for Reef Species:
Deepwater Drift for Snapper and Emperor Fishing 20–50m over reef or gravel beds? This is the Jerksquid’s wheelhouse. Its dual action draws fish from the bottom and holds their interest when the bait stalls.
Setup & Technique:
Rig on a 3/8oz to 1oz jighead depending on depth and drift speed. Drop to the bottom, lift with a sharp rod snap, and allow the lure to flutter down on slack line. The tentacles will pulse as it falls, triggering snapper and emperor to commit mid-drop. Use 20–30lb fluorocarbon and strong 3/0–5/0 jig hooks for reef toughness.
Anchored Fishing Around Bommies or Drop-Offs Letting the Jerksquid sit and shimmer is deadly when fish are hugging structure.
Setup & Technique:
Drop straight down on reef edges and fish vertically. Let the bait sit motionless or gently shake the rod for subtle tentacle movement. Snapper, trout, and reds often inspect lures closely before committing.
The Double Down Jerkshad is a next-gen jerk bait built to provoke big bites. With a cutaway body, top-side tail disruptor, and winged split tail, it creates a high-frequency, erratic action on both twitch and fall. Designed to be ripped, paused, or deadsticked, it’s a versatile lure for covering ground and calling in fish.
How to Fish It for Reef Species:
Active Search with Long Casts over Shallow Reef Great for targeting roaming coral trout, snapper, grassy sweetlip, or spangos in 6–20m of reef.
Setup & Technique:
Use a 3/8oz to 5/8oz jighead on the 5" or 7" model. Cast long over broken reef and hop it back with 2–3 sharp lifts, then pause. The tail flickers erratically even when paused, drawing attention from predators watching from below. Fish 20–30lb leader and hard on the drag for those trout hits near structure.
Edge Flicking Along Channels or Isolated Coral Heads Where reef transitions meet sand or rubble, ambush predators are waiting.
Setup & Technique:
Drop the bait along the edge and work with aggressive flicks to imitate panicked bait. Let it fall back to bottom between lifts. The side-to-side dart and glow-infused tail flash are designed to stand out in complex terrain.
The Switcher Shrimp is a lifelike prawn-profile lure built for adaptability and realism. Its backwards flick, multi-angle rigging options, and segmented legs make it perfect for fish keying in on crustaceans especially on reef flats, coral rubble, and weed lines where prawns are prevalent.
How to Fish It for Reef Species:
Tail-First Rigging for Natural Escape Flick Perfect for hunting redthroat emperor, snapper, or trout on shallow reef and coral ledges.
Setup & Technique:
Rig tail-first on a 1/4oz to 3/8oz jighead. Cast tight to cover and allow the bait to flick backwards like a real prawn. Work short, punchy hops with long pauses. Most bites come during the fall so be sure to watch your slack line closely.
Weedless Rigging for Snaggy Hard Reef Zones Coral drop-offs and bommie-filled zones call for snag-resistant presentation.
Setup & Technique:
Use a 3/0 EWG weedless hook, rigged either forward or reverse depending on current. Work slowly with a twitch-pause-twitch pattern, allowing the bait to drop into fishy pockets. The UV highlights and scent boost visibility when buried in heavy structure.
Forward Rig for Flat Reef Drifts When drifting over large shallow reefs, this rig offers a subtle cruising prawn imitation.
Setup & Technique:
Use a light jighead (1/6oz–1/4oz) and retrieve slowly with minimal rod input. Let the legs and feelers flutter naturally with the current. Ideal for when fish are scattered or feeding lower in the water column.
The Live Ops range has been built to withstand reef punishment while delivering unmatched realism and action. Each lure in the Live Ops lineup brings a different strength to reef scenarios. When matched to depth, species, and feeding style, you can cover the entire water column with confidence whether you’re chasing coral trout in 5 metres or reds in 50, these baits are designed to last longer, fish harder, and trigger the kind of bites that make reef fishing truly addictive.
