Squid & Octopus Lures

Squid & Octopus Lures are ready-to-fish saltwater lures designed to imitate squid, octopus and other cephalopod-style prey. This category includes mainly squid jigs, octopus jigs, soft squid lures, rubber octopus lures and similar models intended for active saltwater fishing. These are not rig components, but complete lures with their own shape, weight, rigging and action in the water.

This category has a different role from floating or rig octopus used in sea fishing rigs. Rig octopus teasers are usually threaded onto a strong leader and used as attractors or buoyant components together with bait or fish strips. In this category, however, you will find finished lures that work as the main presentation. They are used for jigging, vertical fishing, boat fishing and deeper saltwater situations where the lure itself is the active fishing tool.

In sea fishing, squid and octopus imitations make sense when you want to offer a larger profile, softer movement and a different silhouette than a classic pilker, slim soft lure or standard shad. Tentacles, soft body parts, side fins or tails can move in a different way from a regular softbait. This can be useful when fish react to a slower movement, a fuller shape or prey presented close to the bottom or through the water column.

For Norway fishing and the North Atlantic, these lures are most relevant for boat fishing, vertical presentations, jigging, controlled drops and deeper water. They can make sense around underwater edges, humps, current lines, during boat drifts or in places where you need to keep the lure working in the right water layer while offering a larger meal. Depending on size and weight, they can be used for cod, coalfish, halibut, ling, tusk and other saltwater predators.

Choosing the correct weight is important. Lighter models are more suitable for shallower water, weaker current or more active presentations. Heavier lures, for example models around 120 g, 185 g or significantly heavier versions, are better suited to boat fishing and deeper saltwater use. A 400 g squid jig is not a standard casting lure for fishing from the shore – it is a working lure for depth, stronger current, boat fishing and situations where keeping contact with the lure is essential.

Squid and octopus lures are worked differently from classic pilkers. A pilker often relies on a simpler metal profile, while a squid or octopus lure focuses more on shape, soft moving parts and a fuller silhouette. In practice, these lures can be used with vertical presentations, slower jigging, controlled drops, movement above the bottom or drift fishing from a boat. The best retrieve always depends on lure weight, depth, current and fish activity.

Colour also matters with these lures. More natural patterns can be useful in clearer water and better visibility. Bright colours, red, orange, pink, white, UV or glow details are often more useful in deeper water, low light, reduced visibility or whenever the lure needs to be easier for fish to detect. In deeper saltwater fishing, lure visibility can be important because light disappears quickly and contrast often matters more than fine detail.

In tropical and warmer saltwater fishing, squid and octopus-style lures can also make sense where predators naturally respond to cephalopods or larger soft prey. The exact use always depends on the lure model, size, weight and target fish. Without specific product information, it is better not to claim that one squid or octopus lure works universally for every species in the sea.

The Squid & Octopus Lures category is intended for anglers looking for a ready-to-fish saltwater lure with a larger silhouette and a different action from a pilker, slim soft lure or classic soft shad. It is not a universal category for every sea fishing situation, but it is a useful part of the saltwater range when a cephalopod-style imitation, deeper water, boat fishing and active lure work make sense.

• Saltwater Lures • Floating & Rig Octopus • Savage Gear SALT

Frequently Asked Questions – Squid & Octopus Lures

What are squid and octopus lures?

They are ready-to-fish saltwater lures shaped like squid, octopus or other cephalopod-style prey. They are mainly used for saltwater jigging, vertical presentations, boat fishing and deeper water. Unlike rig octopus teasers, they work as the main lure.

What is the difference between this category and floating rig octopus?

Squid & Octopus Lures are finished lures such as squid jigs, octopus jigs and soft cephalopod imitations. Floating & Rig Octopus are components used on sea fishing rigs, usually as attractors or buoyant parts together with bait, fish strips, hooks and strong leaders.

When should I use a squid or octopus lure instead of a pilker?

A squid or octopus lure makes sense when you want a larger profile, softer movement and a different silhouette from a classic pilker. It can be useful for slower jigging, controlled drops, fishing above the bottom or when fish react better to a fuller prey shape.

Are these lures suitable for Norway fishing?

Yes, they can make sense mainly from a boat, in deeper water, current, around edges and during vertical presentations. Depending on size and weight, they can be used for cod, coalfish, halibut, ling, tusk and other saltwater predators. The exact choice always depends on the lure and conditions.

Which weight should I choose?

Lighter models are better for shallower water, weaker current and more active presentations. Heavier models are made for deeper water, current and boat fishing. Very heavy squid jigs are not regular casting lures, but working lures for deeper saltwater situations.

How should squid and octopus lures be fished?

They are most often used with vertical presentations, jigging, controlled drops, slower movement above the bottom or drift fishing from a boat. With heavier models, it is important to maintain contact with the lure and adjust the rhythm to depth, current and fish activity.

Which colour should I choose?

Natural colours are useful in clearer water and good visibility. Brighter colours, UV and glow details make sense in deeper water, low light or reduced visibility, where the lure needs to be easier for fish to detect.

Are squid and octopus lures universal lures for all sea fishing?

No. They are specific saltwater lures with a clear role. They make the most sense when you want to imitate cephalopod-style prey or present a larger soft-profile lure for jigging, boat fishing and deeper water. In other situations, a pilker, slim soft lure or classic shad may be a better choice.