Last updated on May 17th, 2024 at 02:40 pm
If you’ve been around saltwater fishing any length of time you will have heard about Berkeley Gulp Saltwater Lures. They tend to spark a lot of interest among my fellow anglers, and for good reason. I use them and have seen them work firsthand. They absolutely catch fish.
QUICK LOOK:
Berkley Gulp Saltwater lures are designed to look, feel, taste, and smell like real baitfish or forage. They are extremely versatile with options ranging from crabs, worms, baitfish, eels, and even squid. The Berkley Gulp Alive scent disperses in the water to attract gamefish from long distances and trigger them to strike. These lures can be rigged in a wide variety of ways, and are extremely durable as well as biodegradable.
These lures bring something different to the table. Designed to mimic the look and feel of live bait, they’re definitely a great option to have in your tackle box. Each Gulp lure includes a scientifically developed scent that acts as an attractant, and their various shapes and textures are intended to target specific gamefish species.
The lures come packed in this liquid scent, and you can even buy the scent itself to apply to your other lures. This is a different approach than some of the other scented Lures, like D.O.A. Lures, where the scents and attractants are added to the lure material during manufacturing.
Berkley engineered Gulp saltwater baits to trigger strikes from saltwater fish by appealing to their sense of smell and sight. Designed to look like, smell like, and taste like particular prey species they can trigger strikes when nothing else seems to work. Of course, like any fishing gear, the true test comes when you’re out on the water, rod in hand, casting into the surf or onto a reef.
Berkley Gulp Saltwater Lineup of Lures
There is a wide variety of Berkley Gulp Saltwater baits. These lures are designed to imitate everything from crabs, shrimp, worms, eels, and baitfish. And, all come infused with Berkley’s Gulp Alive Saltwater attractant.
So, whether you are fishing from the beach or pier, bay or offshore, there is a Berkley Gulp Saltwater Lure perfect for you. I am most familiar with the Berkley Gulp Shrimp, Swimming Mullet, Paddle Shad, and Jerk Shad.
These baits work best for my particular fishing situations along the Texas Gulf Coast chasing red drum, black drum, speckled trout, and flounder.
However, Berkley Gulp lures will work wherever you may find yourself fishing in saltwater. Berkley Gulp Saltwater Eels work great for Striped Bass off the beach and Cobia offshore. Each Gulp lure is designed to mimic the real baitfish or prey’s appearance, texture, taste, and scent.
![berkley gulp shrimp](https://thebeachangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Berkley_Gulp_Alive_Shrimp.jpg)
Gulp Shrimp looks, smells, and tastes like real shrimp. The Berkley Gulp Swimming mullet has the action, taste, and smell of mullet. And, according to Berkley, all of their Gulp Alive baits are designed to outfish live bait.
And, on occasion, I have witnessed that firsthand. The Gulp Alive attractant has an extreme scent dispersion and is the “secret sauce” of the Berkley Gulp Alive Saltwater Lures. This means it releases powerful attractant scents into the water, even more than natural baits.
This not only attracts fish from greater distances, but has been shown to trigger feeding activity.
Advantages of Using Berkley Gulp Saltwater Lures
Berkely Gulp lures have been a GO-TO choice for many saltwater anglers and guides, and for good reason. Their effectiveness isn’t just marketing hype; it’s backed by results on the water. One key advantage is their versatility.
Designed to mimic the natural prey of a multitude of saltwater species, these lures are like a Swiss army knife for fishermen. They come in useful whether you’re chasing flounder in the backwaters, coaxing a snook out of the mangroves, or tricking tuna around offshore rigs.
The baits are also very versatile and can be rigged in a variety of ways. From rigging on a jig head to weedless, or even as a trailer on a bucktail jig, Berkley Gulp Saltwater baits have got you covered.
Berkley Gulp baits are also biodegradable so, if you should happen to lose one, no need to worry about polluting the environment.
Durability stands out as another significant benefit. I’ve personally seen Gulp lures survive multiple aggressive strikes, and pecking from bait stealers. This can be critical advantage when you’ve found yourself on a hot bite and need to keep your line in the water.
Unlike natural bait, which often needs replacing after a single bite, these lures can withstand a good deal of punishment, reducing the number of lures used per trip, and saving you money when it comes to the expense of live bait.
Live bait can put a dent in your wallet, not to mention the time and effort it takes to source and keep alive, and sometimes it is just not available. Gulp lures, on the other hand, require a one-time purchase and minimal upkeep. Plus, they don’t die or lose their effectiveness if not used immediately, making them more economical in the long run.
Potential Drawbacks of Berkley Gulp Saltwater Lures
Despite their perks, Berkeley Gulp saltwater lures come with their own set of considerations that might influence your decision to use them. While Gulp lures can be irresistible to many species, they may not always be the most effective choice in colder waters or when fishing for species with specific preferences.
Another aspect to consider is the maintenance and storage of these lures. Unlike traditional hard baits, Gulp lures can dry out if not stored properly. They require careful handling and storage in their liquid attractant to maintain their effectiveness.
Lastly, the cost factor can be a point of contention for some anglers. While Gulp lures can be reused, their price point is higher than that of some traditional lures.
Casual anglers might find the initial investment steep compared to the benefits received, whereas dedicated enthusiasts may see the value in the long-term payoff.
As always, stay safe, enjoy the journey and please try to leave it cleaner than you found it. If you have any comments, questions, ideas, or suggestions please leave them in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you ASAP. You can follow us on Facebook: Rex The Beach Angler, Instagram: thebeachangler7, Twitter: @AnglerBeach, and YouTube: Man Art Creations.
Latest Gear Reviews:
- The Ultimate Surf Fishing Equipment Guide For Beginners
- 5 Best Budget Surf Fishing Rod And Reel Combos For Under $100
- Advanced Fishing Kayaks The Wilderness Systems Atak 120 Vs The Perception Pescador Pro 120
- 7 Top Electric Fishing Reels For Saltwater
- Reviewing The 8.8lb Capacity Cuta Copter Trident Boss+ For Fishing
- The New Swellpro Fisherman FD1+ Vs The SwellPro Fisherman FD1
P.S. – Thanks so much for checking out our blog we really appreciate it. Just so you know, we may receive a commission if you click on some of the links that appear on our site. This helps us keep our content free and up-to-date for everyone. We appreciate your support!
![Author Rex McMahon with a nice slot redfish caught surf fisihing Padre Island National Seashore](https://thebeachangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/redfish-best-rod-and-reel-combos.png)
A life long surf fisherman with 50+ years of experience, I am also an avid hunter and outdoorsman. I will be sharing my passion for the outdoors with you so be prepared for hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and more. Along with gear reviews and the latest trends and innovations in the outdoor industry.