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Learn More »A Tackle Shop Guide to the Berkley Gulp 3 inch Squid
After being off the market for years, one of the classic Gulp shapes is finally back, and now in a range of new colours. This isn't a standard soft plastic; it's a Gulp lure. It's made from a water-based, biodegradable formula that's saturated with scent. It's not a tough lure, but its main advantage is that it looks, smells, and even tastes real to fish, blurring the line between an artificial and real bait.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"I was super excited to see Berkley re-release this classic. I remember it was one of our best sellers when I had my Kiama store back in the early 2000’s and it was a big seller into our United States online market also. After many years absence It’s back but this time with a huge difference. Modern colours. And If I was to pick any single colour I would go with Watermelon Pearl Black Fleck - Why? a more natural presentation with watermelon pearl working exceptionally well for me personally in other baits like the Gulp 3 inch minnow."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop (Ocean Storm) | 20+ years industry experience
Decoding the Features: What Matters
This lure's effectiveness comes from its unique material. Here’s a simple breakdown of what these features actually do for you.
Where to Fish the Gulp Squid
While it's a 3-inch lure, its scent makes it a target for a huge range of fish. Here’s a breakdown of how we see it used:
| Target Species | Primary Location | Recommended Rigging |
|---|---|---|
| Snapper | Offshore Reefs (All States) | Paternoster rig or on a 1/4oz jighead. |
| Flathead | Estuaries & Sand Flats (All States) | Hopped on a light jighead or rigged weedless. |
| Bream | Pylons, Rockwalls, Boat Hulls (NSW, VIC, SA) | Fished light (e.g., 1/16oz) on a size 1 hook. |
| Mulloway (School-sized) | Estuary Drop-offs, Deep Holes | Fished on a 1/4oz - 3/8oz jighead. |
| Estuary Perch & Bass | River Snags & Weed Beds | Rigged weedless and twitched. |
Pro-Tips: How to Fish the Gulp Squid
- Lighter is Better (in Shallow Water): When fishing in shallow lakes and rivers (like for Bream or Flathead), the most important tip is to use a light jighead weight (like a 1/16oz or 1/12oz). This lets the lure flutter down naturally. For deeper water, like when targeting Snapper, you will need a heavier weight like 1/4oz or more to get it down.
- Rig it Weedless: Don't just think of a jighead. Rigging this lure on a weedless worm hook (size 1 to 1/0) and casting it over scattered weed beds or sand flat drop-offs is a great way to target flathead lying in ambush.
- Fish it Like Bait: This lure is very effective when dropped to the bottom on a Paternoster or dropper rig, especially for offshore snapper. The scent and lifelike body will pull fish in, even when the rod is in the holder.
Technical Specifications: 3-inch Model
| Lure Length | 3 inch (approx 7.5cm) |
| Lures Per Pack | 6 Lures |
| Recommended Hook Size | Size 1 to 1/0 (Jighead or Weedless) |
Frequently Asked Questions
My Gulp Squid dried out on the hook and went rock-hard. Is it ruined?
This is the #1 problem we see. Yes, if it's left out of the "juice," it will dry out and shrink. The best way to try and revive it is to soak it in a tub of Berkley Gulp Recharge Juice for a day or two. It's never 100%, but it often works. The best habit is to put the lure back in its tub as soon as you're done with it.
How do I store my Gulp lures? Can I put them in my main tackle box?
Do not store these in a normal tackle box or mix them with other plastics. The Gulp material will react with standard plastics and can "melt" them. The Gulp "juice" will also eat through or deform many standard plastic tackle trays. You must keep them in their original, sealed tub or packet.
What's the difference between the Gulp 3" Squid and the Gulp Squid Vicious?
That's a common one. The 3" Gulp Squid is a "natural" profile. It's designed to mimic a small arrow squid with a subtle, fluttering action from its tentacles and fins. The Gulp Squid Vicious is an "action" bait—it's a squid body with a long, vibrating curl tail. The Squid Vicious is a different profile like a squid head ideal for for "searching" (casting and retrieving) or for bait style fishing for flathead, snapper and other reef or large esturine fish species. The Gulp Squid is more of a finesse or bait-replacement lure.
The tentacles keep getting bitten off by small fish. How do I stop this?
That's the trade-off. The Gulp material is soft and biodegradable, which is what makes it so effective, but it's not tough. Small fish like leatherjackets or puffer fish will nip the tentacles off. Unfortunately, that's just part of using Gulp, but the extra bites you get from target fish usually make it worth it.
Is this better than just using real squid as bait?
In many cases, yes. It's more convenient (no freezing or thawing), stays on the hook better than a soft piece of squid, and the scent-release formula is very consistent. For boat fishing for snapper, it's a no-mess alternative to bait that works very well.
Do these Gulp Squid colours only work in Australia?
No, the lure shape is a universal squid profile that will catch fish anywhere in the world. The "new release" colours are simply ones that the Berkley team have found work particularly well in Australian conditions, but fish in the USA or Japan will still eat them.
A proven, scented lure re-released in a great range of colours. Choose your favourites and add a pack of Berkley Gulp Squid lures to your cart.
