No products in the cart.
Return To Shop
East Rain Artificial Octopus Swimbait Series – Full Review & Field Test(280 g / 24 cm • 180 g / 20 cm • 23 g / 9 cm)
After four months of hard use from shallow inshore reefs to 300 ft wrecks, here’s the no-BS breakdown of East Rain’s complete octopus swimbait lineup.
Construction & Materials
All three sizes are molded from high-elasticity, slightly buoyant TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) that is markedly tougher than standard soft PVC.
Internal Jig Head (size-dependent)
Pre-rigged with ultra-sharp, heavy-gauge jig hooks (7/0 on 280 g, 5/0 on 180 g, 2/0 on 23 g)
Eight individually sculpted tentacles with micro-ribbing for hydraulic flutter
Additional hooks can be added to the beak positions of the 24cm and 20cm octopuses.
The Three Sizes – Exact Specs (Metric + Imperial)
Big Game Model
Weight: 280 g (9.88 oz)
Length: 24 cm (9.45 in)
Model : ERJXZ-02-24
Mid-Size Workhorse
Weight: 180 g (6.35 oz)
Length: 20 cm (7.87 in)
Model: ERJXZ-02-20
Inshore / Finesse Model
Weight: 23 g (0.81 oz)
Length: 9 cm (3.54 in)
Model: ERJXZ01-07
Real-World Action & Performance
280 g (9.88 oz / 24 cm)
Slow, spiraling fall ≈ 1 ft/sec
Deadly vertical jigging presentation for grouper, cubera snapper, amberjack and yellowfin to 80 lb+
Excels in 80–300 ft of water and strong current
200 g (6.35 oz / 20 cm)
The “do-everything” size
Perfect balance of casting distance and sink rate for reefs 40–180 ft
Our most-used size for Lingcod,amberjack, almaco jack, African pompano and medium grouper
23 g (0.81 oz / 9 cm)
Surprisingly effective inshore and on shallow wrecks
Casts well on 20–30 lb spinning or baitcasting gear
Top producers: mangrove snapper, gag grouper to 15 lb, flounder, seabass, small cobia, even redfish in murky water
Deadly when skipped under mangroves or worked slowly over grass flats
Proven Fish List Across the Range
Black & red grouper to 47 kg (103 lb)
Cubera snapper to 92 lb
Amberjack 25–45 kg
Yellowfin tuna 15–38 kg
Mangrove snapper, seabass, flounder, red drum (23 g version)
Multiple bonus species: cobia, African pompano, tiger shark (wouldn’t let go of the 280 g)
Recommended Tackle by Size
280 g → 80–150 lb braid, 150–250 lb leader, 8–9 ft XH conventional or heavy spinning
180 g → 65–100 lb braid, 100–200 lb leader, 7′6″–8′6″ heavy rod
23 g → 20–40 lb braid, 40–80 lb fluoro leader, medium-heavy spinning or casting rod
Durability Report
A single 280 g body landed 34 fish (15–100 lb class) before retirement — only one tentacle partially torn. The 23 g version routinely survives 50+ mangrove snapper and small grouper per lure. These are some of the toughest soft plastics we’ve ever run.
Honest Downsides
Price is higher than generic soft plastics (but cheaper than repeatedly losing $40–$80 metal jigs)
The two big sizes demand proper heavy tackle — not toys
The 23 g version can be taken by surprisingly large fish; don’t underestimate it
Final Take
East Rain didn’t just make a novelty octopus lure — they built a complete, scalable system that works from 10 ft flats to 300 ft wrecks. Whether you’re hunting absolute monsters with the 280 g hammer or picking off dinner with the 23 g finesse model, the action, durability, and fish-catching consistency are legit.
If octopus and squid are on the menu where you fish (and they almost always are), this series deserves a spot in your box.
ERJXZ-02-24
ERJXZ-02-20
ERJXZ01-07
Related posts
User Review: East Rain® Squid Swimbait Hard Lures – Field Test and Honest Thoughts Posted...