Chloe Zhang
Soft plastic lures are a popular choice for fishing, and for good reason. They can be extremely effective in attracting fish, especially when used with the right techniques and equipment. When fishing with soft plastics, it's important to consider factors such as lure size, presentation, and retrieval methods. Additionally, proper rigging and securing of the soft plastics are crucial to ensure they don't end up in the water or ingested by fish, posing environmental concerns. With the right approach and a bit of practice, anglers can master the art of fishing with soft plastics and improve their chances of success on the water.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right soft plastic lure
Soft plastic lures are a popular choice for fishing, but it's important to select the right one to ensure success. Here are some tips to help you choose the most effective soft plastic lure for your fishing trip:
Firstly, consider the size of the lure. While it might seem counterintuitive, smaller soft plastic lures tend to catch more fish, whereas larger lures often result in better-quality catches. So, depending on your priority – quantity or quality – you can adjust the size of your lure accordingly.
Next, ensure your soft plastic lure is properly secured to your hook. This is important not only to preserve the quality of the fishery and water but also to save you time and money. There are several ways to secure your lure, including using an O-Ring or a Zip Tie. O-Rings work much like Zip Ties and can be used to secure wacky rigged soft plastic worm baits. Simply insert your chosen soft plastic worm bait into an applicator tube, slide the O-Ring down the tube and onto the bait, and then insert the hook. Zip Ties can also be used to firmly secure your soft plastic lure. Choose a Zip Tie that matches the colour of your bait, fasten it tightly to the centre, and then slide the hook underneath.
Additionally, consider using a weedless jig. These hide the hook point alongside the soft plastic body, making it less likely that your lure will snag, and giving you the confidence to cast into the deep snags where larger fish may be hiding.
Finally, remember to dispose of your soft plastic lures responsibly. They should never be discarded on land or in the water, as this can negatively impact the health of wildlife and the environment. Instead, dispose of used lures in a trash can or recycling canister, or take advantage of the bait recycling programs offered by many local fishing clubs and retailers.
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How to secure your soft plastic lure
Soft plastic lures are a great way to target fish. Here are some ways to secure your soft plastic lure:
Using an O-Ring
Much like zip ties, O-rings can be used to secure wacky rigged soft plastic worm baits. Choose your soft plastic worm bait, insert it into the applicator tube, and slide the O-Ring down the tube and onto the bait.
Zip Ties
Choose a zip tie that complements or matches the colour of your soft plastic worm bait. Firmly fasten the zip tie to the centre of the bait and, once tightened, cut off any excess. Slide the hook under the zip tie, wedging it between the zip tie and the bait.
Twist Lock Hooks
Hooks with a twist lock or built-in bait holding devices, such as Mustad Ultra Point Impact soft plastic hooks or Owner Twistlock hooks, are more expensive but will help keep the bait on the hook and extend its life. Screw the head of the plastic bait onto the device and secure the opposite end of the soft plastic to the hook so the lure extends straight down to the point of the hook.
Heavy Monofilament Fishing Line
Cut a piece of heavy fishing line about 3-4 inches long. Thread the plastic bait onto the hook and impale the heavy fishing line through the plastic bait, into the eye of the hook, and out the other side of the soft plastic lure. Snip the ends flush with the bait.
Super Glue
Although many jigs now come with metal keepers designed to secure soft plastic lures, a simple application of super glue can increase their effectiveness. Slide your trailer onto the hook and secure the SPL by gluing the hook shank at the points of attachment. Slightly pull the lure back, apply glue to the hook shank, and then pull the lure over the glued area.
Bait Straps
Bait straps are easily removable and can be stretched over your hook barb. They take just 2-3 seconds to install and will keep your soft plastic bait securely in place, preventing it from sliding down the hook shank or tearing.
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Using a Texas rig
The Texas rig is a versatile and simple-to-use setup that can be used in a variety of fishing scenarios. It is particularly effective for bass fishing and can be used with a range of soft plastic lures, such as creature baits, craw baits, stick baits, and ribbon-tail or straight-tail worms.
To set up a Texas rig, you will need a bullet-shaped slip sinker, an offset or straight shank hook, and a soft plastic bait of your choice. The weight of the sinker should be chosen based on the fishing conditions and the mood of the fish. A heavier sinker may be more suitable for deeper waters or stronger currents, while a lighter sinker may be preferable in calmer waters to avoid spooking the fish.
The rigging process begins by threading the hook through the soft plastic bait. Take the point of the hook down through the middle of the nose of the bait and exit about 1/8 to 1/4 inch down the side. Then, pull the hook back out, twist the bait, and slide it up the hook until the head of the bait is even with or slightly covering the eye of the hook. Finally, push the hook into the belly of the bait, ensuring the barbs are secured without piercing through the other side. This technique helps to keep the rig weedless and prevents snagging.
When fishing with a Texas rig, it is recommended to use a longer rod, such as a 7-foot medium-heavy rod, to provide more control and facilitate longer casts. Fluorocarbon lines in the 15- to 20-pound range are commonly used, although lighter lines may be considered for clear water or deeper fishing to allow the bait to reach the bottom quicker. The Texas rig is typically fished slowly along the bottom and across structures, such as wood and rocks, in water ranging from two to ten feet deep.
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How to fish with your rod
Soft plastic lures are highly versatile, affordable, and easy to fish with. They are popular because they can be used to target many fish species in just about any environment. They are also very effective in saltwater, freshwater, and estuary fishing.
When fishing with soft plastics, it is important to have the right rod and reel setup. The setup will depend on the species of fish you are targeting and the water systems you are fishing in. For example, if you are planning to target estuary fish such as bream, you will need a light rod and reel combo. On the other hand, if you are targeting inshore fish such as flathead and snapper, you will need a heavier setup that can withstand a more powerful fish. A graphite and braid setup allows for greater casting distance and accuracy, making it easier to put the soft plastic where you want it. It is also important to use a light fluorocarbon leader with your soft plastics to make the line nearly invisible to fish and add a bit of stretch to the system.
When using soft plastics, it is important to cast your lure out and wait until it sinks to the bottom. Watch your line, and once it goes slack, you know your lure is on the bottom. From here, lift your rod tip slightly and slowly wind the lure back in, pausing now and again to let the lure drop back down. This technique is called the slow roll and is great for paddle tail plastics. For a more aggressive technique, try the burn and kill, which involves a quick retrieve (the burn) with a few pauses in between (the kill) to trigger an aggressive feeding response in the fish.
Additionally, when fishing with soft plastics, it is important to use your rod, not your reel. Your reel should only be used to pick up the slack. Drag your bait across the bottom slowly, feeling for brush, rocks, and other structures. Sometimes, stop and let the bait sit for a few seconds, giving your rod tip a light pop to simulate a dying bait fish struggling to get off the bottom.
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Environmental concerns and disposal
Soft plastic fishing lures are becoming increasingly popular among anglers due to their natural feel and economic benefits. However, there are growing concerns about their potential environmental impact. While some argue that soft plastics are more of a littering issue than an environmental menace, others believe they pose a direct threat to native species.
One of the main concerns is the release of harmful chemicals into the water. A recent international study analyzed 16 common types of soft plastic fishing lures and found that over 61 days, 10 of the 16 lures released harmful phthalates and other toxic plastic additives. One lure was also found to release estrogenic chemicals, which can lead to the feminization of male fish and impact fish populations. These toxins can accumulate in fish, leading to potential health risks for both the environment and humans who consume contaminated fish.
The disposal of used soft plastic lures is another area of concern. While some anglers may dispose of them responsibly, others may accidentally lose them on underwater snags or intentionally toss them overboard when they are worn out. These discarded lures can then be ingested by fish, birds, or other wildlife, leading to potential health issues. Additionally, the manufacturing and packaging of soft plastic lures contribute to the overall plastic pollution problem, with excessive use of single-use plastics.
To mitigate these environmental concerns, some anglers advocate for the use of biodegradable, non-toxic soft plastic lures. By using environmentally safe plastics, the potential release of toxins into the water can be reduced. Additionally, proper disposal methods, such as remelting used lures into new ones, can help reduce the amount of plastic waste ending up in the environment. While soft plastic lures may not be the greatest threat to the environment compared to other forms of plastic pollution, responsible use and disposal practices are crucial to minimizing their impact on the natural world.
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Frequently asked questions
You need a decent rod and reel set up. A carbon fibre rod with a sensitive tip is recommended. You don't need to spend a fortune but get something decent. Team it with a decent reel that doesn’t weigh a ton as you’ll get tired casting something heavy all day.
Secure your hook to help your lure stay where it belongs. This will not only help preserve the quality of the fishery and water but also saves you money from losing lures and reduces time spent rebaiting. There are several ways to secure your lure, including using an O-Ring or Zip Tie.
Soft plastics should be rigged straight. If they are not correctly rigged, they will spin and no fish will come near it. Vary your retrieve—try faster, slower, pause, twitch, and stop altogether and just let it waft in the current.
