Alexei Volkov
Soft plastic tubes are a versatile and effective bait option for fishing. They can be used in a variety of scenarios and are known for their natural appearance and action in the water. With so many options available, it is important to understand the different ways to rig soft plastic tubes to maximize their effectiveness. The Texas rig is a popular choice for soft plastic tubes, especially when fishing around cover such as rocks, wood, or vegetation. Other rigging options include the Carolina rig, drop shot rig, shaky head rig, and wacky rigging. Each method has its own unique advantages and can be used to target different species of fish. Understanding how to rig soft plastic tubes is a valuable skill for any angler looking to improve their fishing techniques and increase their chances of success.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Types | Texas rig, Carolina rig, Drop shot rig, Wacky rig, Shaky rig, Lead head jig |
| Use Case | Flipping and pitching near brush piles and timber, dragging along the bottom, fishing in deeper water, fishing around snaggy cover (rock, wood, vegetation) |
| Setup | Insert hook into head/nose of bait, slide hook through bait and rotate, push hook back through body of bait, ensure hook is hidden |
| Bait Types | Worms, creatures, tubes, stickbaits, tails, craws, trailers, toads, beavers |
| Additional Tips | Use lighter line, smaller hooks, and spinning gear for Drop Shot rig; use shaky head hook for shaky rig; use jighead on a spinning rod for skipping tubes under docks |
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What You'll Learn
Texas rigging
To set up a Texas rig, you will need a soft plastic lure, a bullet-shaped sinker, a pegging device, and a hook. The hook is the most important component, and anglers typically use offset worm hooks or EWG hooks. If you are Texas rigging a thin worm, like a ribbon tail or straight tail worm, an offset worm hook is preferable. For larger soft plastic lures, such as creature baits or beaver-style flipping baits, an EWG hook is more suitable.
The weight of the sinker for your Texas rig will depend on the rate of fall desired, the depth of the fish, and the thickness of the cover. A 1/8-ounce weight is ideal for a slow-falling lure in shallow water, while a 1/2-ounce weight is better for pitching into thick bushes or deeper bass. If you need to punch through matted vegetation, try a 1 1/2-ounce or heavier weight.
When rigging the soft plastic worm, insert about 1/4 inch of the point of the hook straight into the top of the worm. Then, bend the worm and insert the point of the hook at a right angle so that it comes out the side about 1/8 to 1/4 inch down. Push the hook all the way through the worm, and then slip the point just under the surface of the plastic. This will create a weedless or skin-hooked rig that can move through weeds without getting snagged.
Some anglers also add beads, rattles, or other noise attractors to their Texas rigs. Additionally, scent can be added to the plastic worm to increase its attractiveness to fish.
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Wacky rigging
To wacky rig, you can use a weedless wacky hook, a Finesse wide gap hook, or an Octopus hook. Many hook manufacturers make weedless versions of their wacky rigging hooks, which can help the rig slide through cover without getting stuck. O-rings can also be used with the wacky rig to help preserve your plastic bait after multiple bites. To set up the rig, you will need an o-ring, a hook, and your chosen soft plastic bait. Using rigging tubes or spreading pliers can make putting an o-ring onto a soft plastic worm much easier and less damaging to the worm.
There are some variations and additional steps you can take to enhance your wacky rig. For example, adding a small tungsten nail weight to the end of the stickbait can increase casting distance, which is useful when fishing in clear or shallow water. Alternatively, a weighted jig head can be used to rig the bait when fishing offshore. Finally, wacky rigging your bait with a ribbon-tailed worm can create a pivot point in the centre, causing the bait to spiral on the fall and giving the waving ribbon tail extra time to attract bass.
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Nose hooking
To nose hook a soft plastic tube, start by inserting the hook point into the nose of the tube, pushing it in about 1/2 inch. Circle the hook down and out of the belly of the tube. Then, slide the tube up the shank of the hook and onto the offset or eye of the hook. Hold the tube against the tip of the hook to determine where the exit point will be. Push the point into the belly of the tube, angling towards the nose, ensuring the hook is hidden within the bait.
The Drop Shot rig is a popular setup for nose hooking soft plastics. It involves tying a Palomar knot to a small hook, with a long tag end left at the end. The goal is to suspend the bait off the bottom, attracting attention by lightly shaking the weight that hangs below the hook. The Drop Shot rig is versatile and can be used in various fishing scenarios, such as deep water ledges, channels, shallow water, and above grass lines.
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Shaky head rigging
Select an Appropriate Hook:
Choose a shaky head hook that suits your preferences and the specific fishing conditions. There are hundreds of variations available, including popular options like the Bagley Shaky Head Jig Head with a 3/0 hook, ideal for a 3.5-inch tube bait.
Insert the Hook:
Take your selected shaky head hook and insert the hook point into the head of the bait. Push it in about a 1/4 inch below the head, ensuring the hook is securely in place.
Slide and Rotate the Bait:
Slide the hook through the bait and then rotate the bait back around. This movement will position the head of the bait in the offset shank of the hook, creating a stable connection.
Reposition the Hook Point:
Push the hook point back through the body of the bait. You want the hook point to be just below the surface of the plastic. This step ensures the bait remains securely attached while also allowing for natural movement in the water.
Enhance Weedlessness (Optional):
If you plan to fish in areas with heavy cover or vegetation, consider enhancing the weedless nature of your rig. One way to do this is by Tex-posing the hook point into the plastic on the same side as the line tie, making it less likely to get snagged.
Experiment with Baits:
By following these steps, you can effectively employ shaky head rigging for soft plastic tubes. This technique provides a natural presentation, minimizes snags, and can lead to successful fishing experiences, especially when targeting bass in various environments.
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Jigging
Soft plastic tubes are a versatile lure that can be used to catch a variety of fish species, including bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye, and northern pike. When it comes to rigging soft plastic tubes for jigging, there are several techniques to consider.
One popular method is the Texas rig, which is effective for both flipping and pitching near brush piles and timber. This rig allows the tube to slip in and out of cover while remaining weedless. Another option is the Carolina rig, which involves threading a barrel weight onto the line and tying it to a barrel swivel. This rig is often used in deeper water and allows you to fish in one spot with a lot of cover.
For bass fishing, the "Stupid Tube Rig" is a timeless technique that enables anglers to target both smallmouth and largemouth bass. To set up this rig, you'll need a 3- to 4.5-inch tube bait and a weighted EWG Tube Jig with a 60-degree line tie. Start by securing the tube in one hand and the jig in the other. Moisten the head of the jig to reduce friction and the risk of tearing the soft plastic. Insert the hook point into the base of the tube and thread the body down the shank of the jig until the hook is approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the end.
When rigging soft plastic tubes on a jighead, it is important to ensure that the hook exits the lure's body in the center. This allows the bait to swim correctly and increases the likelihood of a fish bite. To achieve this, lay the jighead over the lure body to visualize where the hook should exit before inserting it. This will help you get it right the first time and avoid damaging the soft plastic with multiple attempts.
Additionally, consider the knot position on the line tie when rigging tubes on leadheads. For the best action, the line should be snug against the very middle or top of the jig head, creating a slow circular falling motion that mimics the natural movement of prey. This subtle presentation can be very effective in attracting fish.
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Frequently asked questions
Popular methods include Texas rigging, shaky head rigging, wacky rigging, and using a lead head jig.
Insert the hook point into the nose of the worm first, pushing it in about half an inch. Circle it down and out of the “belly” of the bait. Slide the worm a bit up the shank of the hook and onto the offset (eye of the hook). Hold the worm against the tip of the hook to determine where the exit point of the hook will be. A little below the exit point, push the point into the belly, angling toward the nose. Ensure the hook is hidden within the bait, with the hook close to the inner edge but not exposed.
Flipping is a popular method that can be used with these baits and, in my opinion, the one that accounts for more bass than any other.
