Slow Jigs & Kabura
Slow jigs, kabura and inchiku lures for snapper, tarakihi, gurnard and more, from sliding kabura with skirts to weighted inchiku. Our range is led by Daiwa and Ocean Angler, alongside Shimano.
Drop them to the bottom and wind slowly back up through the strike zone, letting the skirt and hooks do the work. Swap out tired skirts and hooks from our skirts and assist cords, and work them on a slow jig rod or light overhead outfit.
See the colours in person at our Grey Lynn concept store, or order online for fast, tracked delivery across New Zealand.
Frequently asked questions about slow jigs and kabura
What is a kabura lure?
A kabura, or tai rubber, is a Japanese-style lure made up of a heavy rounded head, often sliding on the line, with a silicone skirt and fine assist hooks trailing behind. As you wind it slowly up from the bottom, the skirt flutters and the hooks hang in the strike zone. Snapper find it irresistible and often bite repeatedly until they are hooked, making kabura very effective in New Zealand waters.
How do I fish a kabura for snapper?
Drop the kabura to the bottom, then wind it back up slowly and steadily for 10 to 20 turns before dropping it down again. Do not strike when you feel taps; keep winding at the same speed until the rod loads up and the fish hooks itself. Slow, steady and consistent is the key. Drifting over foul ground and reef edges, especially with current, usually produces the best fishing.
What weight kabura should I use?
Use a kabura heavy enough to reach the bottom and stay close to vertical in the current, typically 40 to 80 grams in shallow water and 100 to 200 grams or more in deeper water or strong current. If your line is streaming away at a steep angle, go heavier. Lighter weights look more natural, so use the lightest kabura that still lets you feel the bottom.
What is the difference between a kabura and an inchiku?
Both are slow jigging lures fished near the bottom. A kabura has a round head with a skirt and hooks, and is wound up steadily. An inchiku has a long, weighted body, often glowing or flashy, with an octopus skirt and hooks hanging below, and it is worked with gentle lifts and drops or a slow wind. Many anglers carry both and use whichever the fish prefer on the day.
What colours work best on slow jigs and kabura?
Orange, red and pink are classic snapper colours, with chartreuse, gold and natural browns also working well. In deep or murky water, glow and lumo heads help fish find the lure. Swap the skirt colour if the bites dry up, as snapper can be selective. Changing just the skirt is an easy way to test colours without buying a whole new lure. Keep a few spare skirts handy.
When should I replace kabura skirts and hooks?
Replace the hooks as soon as they are blunt, bent or rusty, as kabura hooks are fine and need to be sharp to set in a snapper's mouth. Skirts get torn and shortened by fish, which changes the action, so replace them when they look ragged. Many anglers carry spare skirt and hook sets so they can quickly refresh a kabura on the water. Fresh hooks land more fish.