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Learn More »A Tackle Shop Guide to the TT Hardcore+ Lure
Metal lures are a staple. Every rock, beach, and boat angler has a few in their tray for a reason: they cast a long way and they catch fish. The TT Hardcore has been a popular one for years because of its compact, baitfish shape. This new 'Hardcore Plus' is the updated model, built with new finishes and a tough Mustad treble, making it a reliable, multi-purpose metal for spinning or jigging.
A Note From Our Local Experts
"We've sold metal lures in our shop for over 20 years. They're a simple, effective saltwater fishing lure for launching distance and covering ground. The TT Hardcore has always been a consistent seller for us ever since we first stocked them, especially for the tailor and salmon anglers in our local area down in Illawarra NSW.
What I've found interesting is that while it's a classic high-speed spin lure, we also get the odd angler buying the heavier 40g and 60g models for offshore jigging. Although it is not a conventional jig it seems our supplier agrees as stated on their official website.
I guess that compact shape with an erratic action on the drop works well for snapper and other demersal species, not just pelagics. It's a very functional, multi-purpose design."
- Ben Czulowski, Owner, Fishing Tackle Shop (Ocean Storm) | 20+ years industry experience
Decoding the Hardcore+ Features: What Matters
This lure is built to be more than just a simple slice. Here’s what the design features actually mean for you:
Pro-Tips for Fishing the Hardcore+ Lure
You can fish this lure in two main ways, depending on your target.
- High-Speed Spinning: For tailor, salmon, and mackerel, a high-speed, straight retrieve is what triggers that aggressive chase instinct. Cast it out (let it sink for a few seconds if you need to) and then wind it back fast so it stays just under the surface.
- Vertical Jigging: For offshore jigging over reefs, let it drop to the bottom (or to the depth the fish are marked on the sounder). Use a "mechanical" jigging retrieve—a sharp lift of the rod, and then let it flutter back down on a semi-slack line. Most hits from reef fish like snapper will come as the lure is fluttering down.
Technical Specifications: TT Hardcore+
| Type | Metal Lure / Slice |
| Profile | Compact Baitfish |
| Weights Available | 20g, 30g, 40g, 60g |
| Hooks | 1 x Mustad Heavy-Duty Treble |
| Colours Available | Chrome, Chrome Blue Back, Chrome Pink Back, Pearl |
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best retrieve speed for this lure?
For pelagics like tailor, salmon, or tuna, "fast" is almost always the answer. A high-speed retrieve gets them excited and triggers an instinct to chase. If you're jigging it for reef fish, the speed is all in the "lift" of the rod; the fall should be slow and erratic.
What's the difference between the 20g and the 60g?
The main difference is application. The 20g or 30g is a great all-round weight for inshore work with lighter spin gear. The 40g and 60g models are the heavyweights, designed for getting down deep in fast current or for achieving maximum casting distance. While you can cast them on any rod, to really launch these heavier lures a long way from the beach or rocks, you'd typically pair them with a longer 10ft+ rod.
Is this just for pelagics, or will it catch reef fish?
As Ben mentioned in the note, it's very effective on reef fish. Because it has an erratic flutter as it sinks, it looks like a wounded baitfish. Dropping a 40g or 60g model down to a reef is a great way to get a bite from snapper, nannygai, and other reef species.
What's a good rod and reel setup for the heavier models?
For the 40g-60g models, you'd be using a spin setup. From the beach or rocks, a 9-11ft rod rated to around 10-15kg, paired with a 5000 or 6000 size spinning reel. From a boat, a 7-8ft rod with a similar 5000-size reel is a good fit.
Can I swap the treble hook for a single hook?
Yes, a lot of anglers do this. It's a great modification if you are jigging over reefs, as a single hook is less likely to snag than a treble. It's also often better for catch and release. You'll want to use an 'in-line' single hook (so the hook point runs true with the lure) that has a similar weight to the original treble to maintain the lure's action.
My lure just sinks, it doesn't "flutter". What am I doing wrong?
That's a common issue. The flutter action only happens on a semi-slack line. If your line is bow-string tight from your rod tip, you're just pulling the lure straight down and killing its action. After you 'lift' the lure, you must drop your rod tip slightly to give the lure that bit of slack line, which allows it to wobble and flutter as it sinks.
Why buy this? It looks just like a standard, cheap metal slice.
That's a fair question. The main difference is the profile. A classic, cheap metal 'slug' is often just a flat-stamped piece of metal designed for one thing: casting distance. The Hardcore+ has a 'baitfish profile'—it's shaped, not flat. That shaping is what gives it the erratic flutter on the drop, so it's a lure you can 'jig' as well as 'spin'. You're getting two retrieve styles in one, which is what you're paying for.
Will the paint or chrome coating chip off?
To be honest, that's the reality for *any* lure you're throwing at hard structure or toothy fish. Whether it's the 'Chrome' coating or the 'Pearl' paint, if you're bouncing this off a reef or a tailor is slashing at it, the finish will get scratched and chipped. That's just part of hard-tackle fishing. The good news is, even a heavily scratched lure still has the same action and catches plenty of fish.
A classic, tough metal lure for casting or jigging. Choose your weights and add a few TT Hardcore+ lures to your box.
