Sofia Martinez
Soft plastic baits are highly versatile and can be used to catch a variety of fish, from bass to bluegill and crappie. They are effective because they mimic the movement and vibrations of live bait, and scented varieties can be particularly enticing for fish. When using soft plastic baits, it's important to experiment with different colours and speeds to see what the fish respond to. There are several ways to rig soft plastic baits, including wacky rigging, nose hooking, and Texas rigging. Wacky rigging involves hooking the plastic through the middle to create an enticing action in the water. Nose hooking is a similar technique that maximises the action of the plastic by minimising the amount of hook running through it. Texas rigging involves threading the bait onto a hook and then using a Bait Strap to secure it in place and prevent tearing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of bait | Senko worms, curly-tailed worms, finesse swimbaits, wacky worms |
| Type of hook | EKG/worm hook, EWG hook, wacky worm hook, straight, flipping, offset, or EWG hook |
| Technique | Slow and steady retrieve, shaking the rod tip, dragging, suspending from a slip bobber, jigging, wacky rigging, nose hooking |
| Considerations | Weight, depth, current, wind, fish behaviour, size of plastic worms, speed of reeling |
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What You'll Learn
Using a wacky worm hook
Wacky worm fishing is the simplest form of worm fishing. It is a great method for catching bass. You can use a variety of hooks, but a #1 or #1.0 wacky worm hook is recommended.
To rig a wacky worm, you will need a plastic worm, a wacky worm hook, and a fishing line. You may also want to use a wacky rig tool and O-rings. First, tie the line directly through the hook eye using your preferred fishing knot. Next, insert the plastic worm into the wacky rig tool and slide an O-ring over the tool and onto the plastic worm. Then, insert the hook under the O-ring. Alternatively, you can skip the tool and O-ring and simply jab the tip of the hook straight into the centre of the worm, leaving both ends dangling freely.
The classic wacky rig setup is sinker-free, using only the weight of the hook and worm as the sinker. This setup is ideal during or after spawning season when fish are in shallow water and moving slowly. If you want to fish at greater depths, you can add a sinker to the setup by tying a spherical "drop shot" weight to the end of the line. This will suspend your bait and hook above the bottom of the body of water.
When choosing a plastic worm, opt for one made of premium PVC. This material is soft and durable, allowing the worm to swim flexibly and look like a living worm in the water, effectively attracting predators.
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Wacky worm fishing
The wacky rig setup involves hooking a soft plastic worm through the middle of its body, so that both ends can move freely in the water, giving a natural wiggling appearance that attracts bass. Anglers can use a range of hooks, but a #1 or #1.0 wacky worm hook is recommended. The worm can be hooked directly, or by using an O-ring or zip tie to secure it to the hook, which can increase the lifespan of the worm.
The wacky rig setup can be used with or without a sinker weight. The classic wacky rig setup does not use a sinker, relying on the weight of the hook and worm to sink slowly. Alternatively, a sinker can be added to create a "drop shot" setup, which suspends the bait and hook above the bottom of the body of water. This setup can be useful in shallow water, where fish like to sun themselves.
To fish with a wacky worm rig, cast around areas like weed lines, wood, and docks, and experiment with different retrieval speeds. When using soft plastic lures, it is important to dispose of them properly to avoid environmental damage.
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Texas-style rigging
To get started, you'll need a 6 1/2 to 7-foot, medium-action rod, a fluorocarbon line, a bullet weight, and a sharp, wide gap hook. The hook should match the size of the bait. Once you've assembled your gear, thread the line through the bullet weight, then through the hook eyelet, and back through the weight again. Tie an overhand knot, loop your line around the hook, and pull the loop tight.
For the bait, insert the hook point into the nose of the worm, pushing it in about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Circle the hook down and out of the "belly" of the worm, then slide the worm up the shank of the hook. Hold the worm against the hook tip to determine the exit point, then push the point into the belly, angling toward the nose. Ensure the hook is hidden within the bait. Finally, push the hook tip just under the surface of the plastic to create a weedless rig, allowing the worm to slip through weeds without getting snagged.
Variations of the Texas rig include adding beads, rattles, or other noise attractors. Another variation is Tex-posing, where the hook is pushed through the plastic and laid flat on the back of the bait, making it easier to release the hook when setting it but also increasing the chances of snagging.
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Using bait straps
Bait straps are a great way to secure soft plastic baits to your hook, preventing them from sliding down the hook shank or tearing. This method can make your soft plastic bait last up to 10 times longer, saving you time and money. Bait straps are easy to install and compatible with all types of existing lines, hooks, weights, and baits.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use bait straps:
- Insert your line through the large hole at one end of the bait strap.
- Tie your favourite knot to the hook eye.
- Begin the Texas Rigging process by threading about a quarter of an inch of your soft plastic bait onto the hook.
- Slide the bait up the hook shank to the hook eye.
- Pull some slack into the line.
- Insert the hook point into one of the small holes on the bait strap. Choose the hole that matches the length/size of your hook.
- Slide the bait strap up the shank of the hook until it is snug against the soft plastic.
- Pull the line tight.
- Finish Texas Rigging by hooking through the belly of the bait and out the top of the back.
- Slightly press the hook point into the "skin" of the bait to prevent snags.
With bait straps, you can continue using your preferred hooks, lines, knots, and weights without the need for additional equipment. This method ensures your soft plastic bait remains securely in place, enhancing your fishing experience and effectiveness.
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Nose hooking
To nose hook a soft plastic bait, start by inserting an offset shank hook into the head of the bait, then back out about a 1/4 inch below the head. Next, slide the hook through the bait and rotate it so that the head sits in the offset shank. Finally, push the hook point back into the body of the bait, ensuring it is weedless. This technique results in solid hookups in the corner of the jaw for most fish.
When nose hooking, it is recommended to use a loop knot and insert the tag end through the eyelet on the side of the hook opening. This secures the hook in place. Additionally, consider using a nail weight to balance out the softness of the plastic bait.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to hook soft plastic bait, including wacky rigging, nose hooking, and Texas rigging. Wacky rigging is a great way to create a profile that bass can't resist. To do this, take a small sharp hook and hook it through the middle of your plastic bait. Nose hooking is ideal around sparse cover on a drop shot as it minimises the amount of action-dampening hook running through the bait. Texas rigging is a good option for fishing shallow weed flats.
The type of hook you should use depends on the type of soft plastic bait you are using. For example, Senko worms require an EKG/worm hook, while a black rubber worm is best paired with a Texas rig weedless hook.
There is no definitive answer, but many people recommend the wacky worm presentation, which involves using a #1 or #1.0 wacky worm hook with Yamamoto Senkos in Green Pumpkin.
You can use bait straps to secure soft plastic baits to your hook and prevent sliding and tearing. Simply thread your line through the large hole in the bait strap, tie your desired knot to the hook eye, and then slide the bait strap up the shank of the hook until it is snug against the soft plastic.
