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Learn More »A Tackle Shop Guide to the Nomad Live Ops Jerksquid
Every so often, a new fishing lure comes out that isn't just a copy of something else. The Nomad Live Ops Jerksquid is one of them. It's a "hybrid" lure, blending the profile of a squid with the action of a jerkshad. We're seeing new lure designs like this more often, aimed at anglers using modern tech to "see" fish on sonar. But as we're finding out, you don't need fancy electronics—this lure's unique action just flat-out catches fish.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"While Nomad Live Ops Jerksquid are only relatively recent to the fishing scene, our local customers down here in the Illawarra are reporting catches of snapper and kingfish on these lures around the Shellharbour and Kiama reefs. Beyond this, while in my opinion Nomad Design has done an excellent job of creating some colour schemes, our sales data is showing a clear pattern so far that the colours Blood Tiger, Natural Tiger, and Gold Bullet are the clear winners that we are re-ordering faster than other colours."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop (Ocean Storm) | 20+ years industry experience
Decoding the Jerksquid Features: What Matters
This lure has a lot of tech built-in. Here’s what those features actually mean for you on the water:
Pro-Tips for Fishing the Noman Live OpsJerksquid
This lure has two very different, very effective retrieve styles. It's not just a standard paddle tail.
- The "Jerk-Pause" Retrieve: This is the most common way to fish it. Give the rod two sharp twitches (the "jerk"), then pause and wind up the slack. On the twitches, the lure darts erratically. On the "pause," it glides and the tentacles pulse. This is almost always when the fish will hit it.
- The "Dead-Stick" or "Rod Holder" Retrieve: Because the lure has natural-pulsing tentacles, it's very effective when fished passively. Anglers will drop it to the bottom, put the rod in the holder, and let the boat's drift or the water current do the work. The lure will sit there pulsing, looking like a live squid. This is a great technique for snapper.
Model Specifications & Target Species
We're stocking five key sizes to cover everything from inshore estuary work to deep-water jigging.
| Size | Lures Per Pack | Common Target Species |
| 2.5" | 7 | Bream, Flathead, Bass, Redfin, Yellowbelly |
| 3.25" | 6 | Bream, Flathead, Snapper, Mangrove Jack |
| 4.0" | 4 | Flathead, Snapper, Mulloway, Mangrove Jack |
| 5.0" | 4 | Large Flathead, Snapper, Kingfish, Mulloway, Reef Fish (Trout, Emperor) |
| 7.0" | 3 | Kingfish, Mulloway, Large Snapper, Dhufish, Large Reef Predators |
Jighead Rigging Guide
Pairing your lure with the right size hook is critical. Here is the manufacturer's guide for a perfect fit.
| Jerksquid Size | Recommended Hook Size |
| 2.5" | #2 or #1 |
| 3.25" | 1/0 or 2/0 |
| 4.0" | 2/0 or 3/0 |
| 5.0" | 4/0 or 6/0 |
| 7.0" | 6/0 or 7/0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "Live Ops" mean? Do I need Forward Facing Sonar?
No, not at all. "Live Ops" is just the Nomad brand name for lures they designed to have a good action when "hovered" or twitched in front of a fish (which is what FFS anglers do). But as Ben noted, we're seeing great results from customers just casting and retrieving. Its "dart-and-pulse" action is effective for all types of lure fishing.
How tough is the "Titan-RX TPE" material?
It is extremely tough, much stretchier, and more durable than standard PVC soft plastics. It's designed to resist being cut by toothy fish like tailor or flathead, so you get many more fish per lure. The only rule is you must not store TPE plastics touching your other PVC plastics (like Z-Man or standard Berkleys), as they will melt.
What jighead weight should I use?
This follows the same rule as all soft plastic fishing: use the lightest weight you can get away with. For the 2.5" or 3.25" in a shallow estuary, a 1/16oz or 1/8oz jighead is ideal. For the 5" or 7" models offshore, you'd be using 1/2oz, 1oz, or heavier to get down to the reef.
Will fish just bite the tentacles off?
The tentacles are made from the same super-tough TPE material as the body. While a puffer fish can bite through anything, the tentacles are very resilient and designed to handle repeated strikes without being torn off.
This seems like a deep-water lure. Can I use it in estuaries?
Yes, absolutely. The 2.5" and 3.25" sizes are perfectly suited for estuary work. Rigged on a light jighead, they are a great lure for bream, flathead, and mangrove jack, especially when you need that "dart-and-pause" action that standard paddle tails don't have.
Are Live Ops Jerksquid lures available in mixed colour packets?
No. That's a common question, as some other brands offer this. The Nomad Jerksquid lures are sold in packs of a single colour only.
Do these lures only work in Australia?
No, this design is effective worldwide. Nomad Design is an Australian company, but this lure profile is used in many other places. For example, in the USA, anglers in places like California are using this exact same lure to target Calico Bass, Halibut, and other saltwater species that feed on squid.
A tough, innovative hybrid lure that catches fish with or without sonar. Choose your size and colour, and add the Nomad Live Ops Jerksquid Lures to your tackle kit. Order now for fast dispatch!
