Best Shrimp Lures for Fishing in India (Chemmeen Lures Guide)
Why Shrimp Lures Work for Indian Fish
Shrimp — known as chemmeen in Kerala — are one of the most common prey items in Indian freshwater and coastal fisheries. Snakeheads, barramundi (Asian seabass), giant trevally (GT), mangrove snapper and even large catfish actively hunt shrimp in backwaters, estuaries, rivers and coastal creeks.
A soft plastic shrimp lure mimics this natural prey perfectly — the kicking legs, curved body and rattle action trigger instinctive strikes even from fish that have seen dozens of lures before.
Unlike frog lures which only work on the surface, shrimp lures work at every depth — surface, mid-water and bottom — making them one of the most versatile lures in Indian fishing.
Here are the best shrimp lures available in India with free shipping and COD across the country.
Lucana Live Chemmeen Shrimp Lure 10cm — Best Overall
The Lucana Live Chemmeen is the most popular soft shrimp lure among Indian anglers — and for good reason. Made from high-quality TPR material with a built-in rattle, glowing eyes and a VMC hook, it's designed specifically for Indian conditions.
The name "Chemmeen" (Malayalam for shrimp) reflects its Kerala fishing roots. It perfectly imitates the natural swimming action of a live prawn with soft vibrating legs that trigger strikes even from inactive fish.
✔ Material: High-quality TPR — soft, durable, natural action
✔ Hook: VMC hook included — no separate jighead needed
✔ Rattle: Built-in underwater vibration — works in murky Kerala backwaters
✔ Eyes: Glowing eyes — effective in low light, early morning and evening
Best for: Snakehead, barramundi, mangrove snapper, GT
Retrieve: Slow hop along the bottom or slow steady mid-water swim
Available colours: Fire Tiger, Jelly Blue
India Verdict: Deadly in Kerala backwaters and estuaries. The rattle helps fish locate the lure in stained backwater where visibility is low. A must-have in any Indian angler's tackle box.
IZZAWA Soft Shrimp Lure 13cm & 16cm — Best Value
The IZZAWA shrimp lure range offers two sizes for different fishing scenarios. The 13cm / 13.7g is ideal for snakehead and medium snapper in backwaters, while the larger 16cm / 26.4g targets GT, barramundi and big snapper in coastal and estuarine water.
Both sizes feature realistic prawn body segmentation, lifelike colour patterns and are rigged-ready for immediate use.
13cm / 13.7g — Backwater snakehead, snapper, bass
16cm / 26.4g — GT, barramundi, large coastal snapper
✔ Colours: Fire Tiger (high visibility), Green Forest (natural), Golden Tiger (coastal)
✔ Jelly Blue variants also available for clear water conditions
✔ Best price in India — ₹270 for 13cm, ₹400 for 16cm
Retrieve: Cast to structure or current edges. Slow lift-and-drop retrieve imitates a feeding shrimp. Pause for 2 seconds after each hop — most strikes happen on the fall.
Hunt House Shrimp Lure 16cm 26g — Best for GT & Barramundi
The Hunt House 16cm shrimp lure is built for larger predators. At 26g it casts long distances — essential for open estuaries and coastal fishing where fish hold far from the bank. The larger profile and heavy weight also lets it sink fast to the bottom in tidal current.
✔ Size: 16cm / 26g — targets GT, barramundi and large snapper
✔ Weight: Heavy enough for deep estuaries and tidal runs
✔ Colour: Fire Tiger — high visibility in murky coastal water
Best for: Giant trevally, barramundi, large snapper in coastal Kerala, Goa and Karnataka
Retrieve: Fast retrieve with short pauses in tidal current. Bottom bumping on sandy/rocky estuary floors.
India Verdict: Works well in Ashtamudi Lake, Vembanad mouth and coastal estuary fishing. The 26g weight handles wind and current better than lighter shrimp lures.
How to Fish Shrimp Lures in Indian Waters
Rod & Reel Setup
Rod: 6–7ft medium spinning rod (10–20lb rating)
Reel: 2500–3000 size spinning reel
Line: 15–20lb braid with 12–18 inch fluorocarbon leader
Leader: Fluorocarbon is essential — shrimp lures are used near the bottom where fish inspect baits closely
Retrieve Techniques
Hop and Pause (most effective): Cast to structure, let the lure sink to the bottom. Lift the rod tip sharply to make the lure jump up, then let it fall back. Pause 2 seconds. Repeat. Most strikes happen as the lure falls.
Slow Swim (mid-water): For snakehead and barramundi holding in mid-water. Slow steady retrieve just fast enough to keep the lure swimming, with occasional pauses.
Bottom Drag (GT & snapper): In coastal estuaries with sandy or rocky bottom. Slow drag across the bottom with occasional hops. Triggers reaction strikes from ambush predators.
Best Time to Fish Shrimp Lures
Early morning (5–9am) and evening (5–7pm) when shrimp are most active near the surface. During tidal changes in coastal fishing, the incoming tide carries shrimp into mangroves — position your cast at the mangrove edge.
Target Fish for Shrimp Lures in India
Shrimp lures work across a wide range of Indian fish species — both freshwater and coastal. Here are the top predators you can catch on shrimp lures in Kerala and across India:
Red Snapper (Chemabaly — ചെമ്പാലി)
Found near reefs, wrecks and rocky coastal bottoms. Red snapper are aggressive strikers and hit shrimp lures hard. Fish the lure along the bottom near reef structure with a slow hop retrieve.
Barramundi / Asian Seabass (Kalanji — കലഞ്ഞി)
Lives in estuaries, backwaters and near mangrove edges. One of the most prized sport fish in Kerala. Barramundi chase shrimp actively during tidal movement — cast to mangrove edges on the incoming tide.
Grouper (Karupuu — കരുപ്പ്)
Ambush predator hiding in rocks, reefs and underwater structures. Grouper strike hard and retreat fast back into cover — use strong fluorocarbon leader (25–30lb) and set the hook immediately. A 16cm heavy shrimp lure dropped to the bottom near rocky structure is deadly.
Snakehead (Murrel / Varal — വരാൽ)
In freshwater backwaters and rivers. Snakeheads hit shrimp lures both on the surface and in mid-water. Use a 13cm shrimp lure on a light jighead with a slow swim retrieve near weed edges.
All four species are found in Kerala waters — and all four will strike a well-presented shrimp lure.
Free Shipping + COD on All Shrimp Lures
All shrimp lures at Fishing Store India ship free across India. Cash on delivery available on every order — no prepayment needed. Orders placed before 2pm ship same day from Kerala.
Lucana Live Chemmeen, IZZAWA shrimp lures, Hunt House and more — all stocked and ready to ship. India's widest range of soft shrimp and prawn lures online.
Also read: Best Frog Lures for Snakehead Fishing in Kerala Backwaters →
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