Introduction
Before I get into this review, it’s worth mentioning that I haven’t yet had the time, or encountered all the situations needed to fully test the entire Kuore lure range. However, the lures I have managed to put through their paces have left a very positive first impression.
Launched in March 2026, Kuore is a new European lure fishing brand that arrived on the scene with a thoughtfully designed family of soft lures aimed at covering a wide range of modern predator fishing techniques. Whether you’re targeting pelagic zander in open water or slowly dragging a Ned rig across the bottom for finicky perch, the range appears to have a lure tailored to the job.
Over the past few months I’ve had the opportunity to fish with several of Kuore’s offerings, and while this isn’t a definitive verdict on the entire range, it’s enough to share some initial thoughts on what the brand brings to the table and whether these lures deserve a place in your tackle box.
So far, I’ve spent most of my time fishing with three lures from the range: the Kuore Bouncer, a realistic crawfish imitation designed to tempt bottom-feeding predators; the Kuore Torpedo, a baitfish profile featuring a ball-ended tail that produces a subtle yet highly effective action; and the Kuore Reaper, another baitfish-inspired lure that combines a ribbed body with a lively curly tail to create plenty of movement in the water.
First Impressions of the Kuore Range
Packaging & Presentation
Many of you may not know this, but alongside my fishing obsession I’m also a professional graphic / website designer. Because of that, branding and packaging are things I naturally pay attention to and I have to say I really like what Kuore has done here.
The packaging is refreshingly simple. Predominantly white, it stands out in a market where many brands rely on bold colours, oversized logos and busy graphics to grab anglers’ attention on tackle shop shelves. Kuore Fishing has gone in the complete opposite direction, opting for a sleek, clean and minimalist aesthetic that provides just enough information for you to identify what’s inside the packet without overwhelming you with unnecessary clutter.
Ironically, it’s this ‘less is more’ approach that makes the packaging stand out. It feels modern, understated and perfectly aligned with the contemporary lure fishing scene. While packaging alone won’t catch fish, first impressions count, and Kuore’s branding gives off a genuinely premium feel from the moment you pick up a packet.
Material & Build Quality
It’s clear that plenty of thought has gone into the materials used throughout the Kuore range, with each lure being constructed from a material that best suits its intended purpose.
The lures designed to float or adopt a stand-up presentation are manufactured from TPE (thermoplastic elastomer – do not store these lures alongside other lures), a highly buoyant material that helps maximise their effectiveness. Two examples are the Kuore Log and the Kuore Torpedo. The Log is a stick-style lure ideally suited to finesse presentations such as Ned rigging, where maintaining an upright posture on the bottom can make all the difference, particularly during the colder months when perch and zander often respond best to subtle movements rather than aggressive actions. By standing proud off the deck, the lure remains visible and continues to work even when stationary.
The Torpedo also benefits from TPE construction. Its buoyancy allows the distinctive ball-ended tail to remain elevated and responsive, creating subtle movement with the slightest current, rod twitch or drift. In situations where predators are feeding cautiously, these small movements can often be enough to trigger a take.
The remainder of the range has been produced from a more traditional plastisol. However Kuore have adjusted the plastisol durometer for each individual model, depending on whether a softer or stiffer material is required to achieve the correct action. In contrast, many brands use the same plastisol formulation across their entire range, which can limit the ability to fine-tune the lure’s performance.
Kuore Bouncer Review
Overview
The Kuore Bouncer is a craw-style lure designed with one thing in mind: provoking reaction bites from predatory fish, particularly perch. At first glance, it’s clear that plenty of thought has gone into the design, with a realistic profile that closely mimics the appearance and movement of a natural crayfish. The lure features detailed claws, antennae and vibrating legs that come to life underwater, creating subtle movement even when fished slowly.
Key Features
- Realistic crawfish profile
- Lifelike claws and antennae
- Vibrating legs for added attraction
- Effective on both active and pressured fish
- Suitable for a variety of finesse and bottom-contact presentations
- Proven performer in testing across Finland and other European waters
My Experience Fishing The Koure Bouncer
I’ll admit that I’m somewhat biased when it comes to craw-style lures. In previous articles, I’ve mentioned that I generally carry three types that consistently produce results for me: a floating craw, a semi-buoyant craw and a non-buoyant craw. Rather than obsessing over colour patterns, I tend to focus more on buoyancy, profile and the action a lure creates underwater. Those factors, in my experience, have a much greater impact on confidence and ultimately success.
My current go-to non-buoyant craw is the CreCraw, a lure I’ve caught a lot of fish on over the years. Replacing it was always going to be a big ask. That said, there’s always room for another craw in the tackle box right? Especially if it offers something slightly different.
The Kuore Bouncer immediately reminded me of the CreCraw. The claw design is similar, featuring flattened outer rims that catch water effectively and generate movement with the slightest twitch or retrieve. The claws themselves also share a comparable flat profile, and both lures are infused with an anise scent.
Beyond those similarities, however, the Bouncer has its own identity. The body profile is slightly slimmer, which pairs nicely with the Ned heads I regularly use. In practical terms, that probably makes little difference to the fish, but I do like the cleaner transition between Ned head and lure. The antennae are also noticeably longer than those on the CreCraw, creating additional movement when the lure is stationary or being worked slowly across the bottom.
Of course, the real question is whether it catches fish. The simple answer is yes. Is it some sort of miracle lure that will out-fish everything else in your box? Probably not. In truth, when perch are actively feeding, most well-designed craw imitations will get bit. What impressed me more was the confidence the Bouncer inspired. At no point did I feel the urge to take it off and replace it with the CreCraw. That’s about as high a compliment as I can give a new craw bait.
I didn’t find it noticeably better than my trusted favourite, nor did I find it any worse. Instead, it offered a few subtle differences that I appreciated and, judging by the number of perch willing to eat it, they seemed to appreciate them too. In many ways, it’s the similarities to the CreCraw that kept it tied on, but it’s the small design tweaks that convinced me to keep throwing this lure and I will do throughout this season.
Kuore Reaper Review
Overview
The Kuore Reaper is one of those lures that immediately inspires confidence. Built around a classic baitfish profile, it combines a ribbed body with a legendary curly tail to produce a highly attractive action that appeals to both perch and zander. While the design may appear simple, it’s this simplicity that makes the Reaper such a versatile and effective lure across a wide range of fishing situations.
Key Features
- Proven baitfish profile
- Large curly tail for maximum movement
- Ribbed body creates additional vibration
- Effective at a variety of retrieve speeds
- Suitable for perch, zander and other predatory species
- Tested extensively in Finnish waters
The standout feature of the Reaper is undoubtedly its tail action. Even at slow retrieve speeds, the curly tail generates a strong, rolling movement that sends out vibrations predators can detect from a distance. Combined with the ribbed body, which displaces additional water, the lure creates an enticing presentation.
My Experience Fishing The Koure Reaper
I love a curly-tail lure. In fact, if there’s one style of soft plastic that can turn a slow dropshot session into a hectic one, it’s a curly tail fished in the right spot. My experience with the Kuore Reaper has been exclusively on the dropshot rig, so that’s the perspective I’m reviewing it from.
The version I used was the smallest in the range at 5.5cm, which is perfectly suited to ultra-light tackle and finesse fishing. If your goal is simply to catch numbers of perch and keep the rod bending, this lure is a fantastic choice. Most of my captures were smaller fish – what many anglers would affectionately call “wasps” but that’s not a criticism. Quite the opposite. There are days when you simply want action and the Reaper delivers exactly that. I’m sure it will account for larger perch too, especially in the bigger sizes, but for targeting better fish I would probably reach for a larger profile bait.
One feature I particularly liked was the tail orientation. Many curly-tail lures either sit neutral or curve upwards, the Reaper’s tail points downwards which isn’t unique but is the orientation I prefer especially for dropshot. It might seem like a small detail, but it gives the lure a slightly different action in the water. Another advantage is its versatility when rigging. It can be hooked conventionally, upside down or side-hooked, the latter being my preferred method during testing.
The tail itself strikes a nice balance between flexibility and substance. It’s not overly soft, instead having a slightly beefier profile than many curly tails I’ve used in the past. This creates a lovely ripple effect when the lure is worked and generates plenty of vibration. More importantly, when side-hooked and fished slowly, the tail wafts naturally with every lift and drop of the rod tip, producing what I consider to be the maximum amount of movement possible from a lure of this size.
That action proved highly effective at drawing perch out from cover. Once a few fish appeared, it rarely took long before competition kicked in and one of them committed to the lure – usually the boldest fish in the group, or perhaps simply the least intelligent!
Overall, the Reaper was a pleasure to fish with. It offers plenty of movement, works exceptionally well on a dropshot rig and proved highly effective at attracting and catching perch. As the photos show, the fish certainly weren’t shy about attacking a lure that wasn’t much smaller than they were themselves.
Kuore Torpedo Review
Overview
The Kuore Torpedo is a finesse lure designed around one key principle: subtle movement catches fish. Constructed from durable floating TPE material, this compact baitfish imitation is built to remain active even when you’re doing very little, making it an excellent choice when perch and zander are feeding cautiously. Its buoyant properties allow the lure to stand upright on the bottom, while the distinctive ball-ended tail continues to move naturally in response to the slightest current, drift or rod movement.
Key Features
- Constructed from durable floating TPE material
- Buoyant design allows the lure to stand upright on the bottom
- Ball-ended tail creates subtle, lifelike movement
- Ideal for targeting perch and zander
- Effective on Ned rigs, dropshot rigs and bottom presentations
- Can be used as a chatterbait trailer
- Suitable for finesse techniques
- Designed to trigger bites from inactive or pressured fish
On the water, the Torpedo excels in situations where less is more. Its understated action makes it particularly effective during colder months or on heavily fished venues where predators have seen countless conventional soft plastics. Whether fished on a Ned rig, dropshot setup or as a trailer behind a chatterbait, the lure maintains a natural and convincing presentation that encourages fish to commit.
My Experience Fishing The Koure Torpedo
Of the three lures featured in this review, the Kuore Torpedo is the one I’ve spent the least amount of time fishing with, yet it’s also the one I’m quickly becoming a fan of. There’s something about the ball-ended tail that seems to attract curious perch. Whether worked with a steady retrieve or subtly jigged in place, it creates just enough movement to keep fish interested and often encourages them to follow through with a take.
One of the Torpedo’s biggest strengths is its buoyant TPE construction. The floating material opens up a range of presentation options, but for me it really shines when fished on a Ned-style setup. While many anglers associate Ned fishing with the colder months, I’m happy to fish this presentations throughout the year, albeit with a slightly more active hopping and dragging retrieve more akin to Jig fishing. I favour Ned heads over Jig Heads for most buoyant soft plastics because of their flat-bottomed design. Combined with the Torpedo’s floating properties, the lure stands upright on the lake or river bed, presenting a natural profile that predators find difficult to ignore.
The ball-ended tail is the icing on the cake. Even when the lure is sitting motionless on the bottom, the tail responds to subtle water movement and current, creating an enticing action without any input from the angler. In my experience, some of the better fish often take during these periods of stillness rather than during the retrieve itself, and the Torpedo seems perfectly suited to that style of fishing.
I’ve already enjoyed some success with the lure during the opening weeks of the river season in June. Most of the fish were smaller perch – caught on a slightly quicker retrieve. However, I also landed a respectable perch on the 7cm version fished on a dropshot rig. The take came almost instantly after the lure entered the strike zone, suggesting the fish was actively hunting small baitfish and couldn’t resist the Torpedo’s life-like profile.
Overall, I’ve been genuinely impressed. Ball-ended lures are not something I’ve traditionally fished with, usually opting instead for paddle tails or curly tails, so I don’t have a huge amount of direct experience for comparison. What I can say, however, is that the Torpedo has earned its place in my lure box. It offers something a little different, fishes exceptionally well on finesse presentations and, most importantly, it catches fish.
Overall Thoughts on the Kuore Range
While this review is based on only a small selection of the Kuore range, my initial impressions have been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear that plenty of thought has gone into both the design and functionality of these lures, with each model offering something different while remaining focused on real-world predator fishing applications.
The Bouncer impressed me with its familiar yet refined crawfish profile, earning a place alongside one of my long-standing confidence baits. The Reaper proved itself to be an excellent dropshot lure, particularly when targeting numbers of perch, thanks to its lively action and versatile rigging options. Meanwhile, the Torpedo was perhaps the biggest surprise of the three. Despite spending the least amount of time fishing it, its subtle action and buoyant TPE construction quickly won me over and left me eager to continue experimenting with it throughout the season.
What I appreciate most about the Kuore range is that these aren’t gimmick lures designed to catch anglers. Instead, they appear to be purpose-built tools for specific fishing situations, with careful consideration given to profile, buoyancy, action and presentation.
One area for future improvement would be expanding the colour range. For anglers like me who don’t carry a huge selection of colour patterns, it’s important that manufacturers offer a wider choice so I can fish with colours I have complete confidence in. Black, in particular, is a proven confidence colour for me, performing consistently well in both clear and coloured water.
Are they revolutionary? No. Do they catch fish? Yep!
For a relatively new brand entering an already crowded lure market, Kuore has made a strong first impression. More importantly, the fish seem to agree. The ultimate measure of any lure is whether it continues to get tied on after the review is over. These do.
