Kmart Squid Jigs Reviewed

If you’re starting out squidding, the cheapest jigs on the shelf — Kmart, BigW and no-name supermarket packs — are tempting. A few dollars a jig, and squid aren’t exactly fussy, right? So are cheap squid jigs actually worth it, or a false economy?

The honest answer: cheap jigs will catch squid and are fine to learn on, but you’ll usually outgrow them fast. The real cost isn’t the sticker price — it’s the inconsistency. Here’s when a budget jig makes sense and when it doesn’t. For the full picture, see how to catch squid in Australia and the squid jig brands compared guide.

What Kmart actually stocks

As checked on 27 August 2026, Kmart lists two Jarvis Walker options. The Jarvis Walker Squid Jig Pack is A$19 for 10 jigs: three Pearl Belly 3.0, two Pearl Belly 3.5, three Lumo Belly Razorback 2.5 and two Lumo Belly Razorback 3.5, supplied in a waterproof lure box. The Jarvis Walker Tsunami Razorback three-pack is A$7 and contains three size 2.5 jigs. Prices and availability can change.

So Kmart’s range is not limited to size 2.5. The dedicated A$7 pack is a shallow-water 2.5 option, while the mixed pack also includes 3.0 and 3.5. For most Australian pier and bay sessions, 3.0 remains the safer all-round starting size; choose 2.5 when shallow water, calm conditions or weed clearance make a slower presentation useful.

What cheap squid jigs get right

• They catch squid. A $5 jig in the right size and colour, fished on a proper sink-lift-pause retrieve, will absolutely bag calamari. Squid grab the jig on the pause as it flutters down — they aren’t reading the price tag.
• They’re a low-risk way to start. If you’re not sure you’ll enjoy squidding, a cheap jig lets you learn the cast, sink, sweep and pause action without much outlay.
• They don’t hurt to lose. Over reef and weed you will snag and lose jigs. Losing a $5 jig stings a lot less than a $28 one.

Where cheap squid jigs fall short

• Inconsistent sink rate. The single most important thing a jig does is fall at a predictable rate so you can hold it in the strike zone. Cheap jigs vary a lot batch to batch, so you never quite know how yours is falling — which makes it hard to learn what’s working. More on this in the sink rate guide. To compare your own jigs under the same conditions, follow the squid jig balance water test.
• Softer hooks and rougher finishes. Budget crown hooks can bend or dull, and you’ll drop more squid at the net. Cloth and foil finishes are also less refined, which matters most in clear water.
• Limited, generic colours. Cheap ranges rarely have colours tuned to Australian water clarity and light. Colour is the decision that matters most after size — see squid jig colours Australia.

The false economy trap

Here’s the thing most anglers discover: they buy a handful of cheap jigs, catch a few squid, get hooked, then within a season replace the lot with better ones anyway. If you already know you’re going to keep squidding, you often spend more buying cheap first and upgrading later than if you’d started with a decent value jig.

The better-value step up

You don’t need to jump straight to premium Japanese jigs at AU$25+ to get consistency. The best value sits in the middle: an Australian brand built for local conditions.

RUI squid jigs are typically around AU$14.99 each, with price depending on the model and size. On a small budget, one or two jigs suited to your usual depth can be more useful than a large pack of sizes you cannot use. Check the current price and test the jigs you already own before replacing them.

For a ready-made colour rotation, compare squid jig packs, kits and bundles by size, contents and total price. The Top 5 Size 3.0 pack suits a small all-round pier selection; the Tiny Dart King Size 2.0 pack is for shallow-water finesse; the Rye Pier Size 3.0 pack includes ten RUI jigs and a case. These are different budgets and uses, not direct price equivalents to a supermarket jig or the old budget starter kit. Check live stock and whether a case is included before buying.

Not sure what size to start with? Use the free Squid Jig Size Calculator, or read the squid jig size guide — a 3.0 is the safest all-rounder for most Australian pier and bay sessions.

So — are cheap squid jigs worth it?

• Fishing once or twice a year, or just testing the water? Yes — grab a cheap jig or two and learn the action.
• Planning to squid regularly? Skip the false-economy loop. Start with a small spread of value jigs in the right sizes and colours, and save the premium Japanese jigs for confidence colours later.

Either way, remember the golden rule: size and colour matched to the water beat price every time.

Cheap squid jigs FAQ

Are Kmart squid jigs any good?

Kmart squid jigs will catch squid and are fine for learning the cast-sink-sweep-pause action, especially if you only fish a couple of times a year. The trade-offs are inconsistent hooks, finishes and sink rates, so once you fish regularly you’ll usually want a purpose-built jig you can trust to fall the same way every cast.

Do cheap squid jigs catch squid?

Yes. Squid are aggressive and will grab a cheap jig that’s the right size and colour and fished on a sensible sink-and-pause retrieve. Colour and sink rate matter far more than price, so a well-chosen cheap jig can out-fish an expensive one used badly. The cheaper jig just gives you less consistency and durability.

What is better than a Kmart squid jig without spending a fortune?

The best-value step up from supermarket jigs is an Australian brand built for local conditions rather than a premium Japanese jig. RUI squid jigs are typically around AU$14.99 with AU-tuned colours and beginner bundles, so you get consistent sink rates and a proper colour spread without paying AU$25+ per jig.

How much should you spend on a squid jig?

Roughly AU$5–12 buys supermarket and no-name jigs, around AU$14.99 gets a value brand like RUI, mid-range brands run AU$12–20, and premium Japanese jigs are AU$18–28. For most Australian anglers the sweet spot is a small spread of value jigs in the right sizes and colours rather than one or two expensive ones.

Keep reading

• Squid jig brands compared — Yamashita, Shimano, Daiwa, RUI and more.
• Best squid jig Australia — how to choose size, colour and sink rate.
• Squid jig colours Australia — the colour decision that matters most.
• How to catch squid in Australia — the full beginner walkthrough.