Bass Fishing: Soft Plastics You Need

must have soft plastics for bass

Soft plastic lures are a popular choice for bass fishing due to their versatility and effectiveness in a range of scenarios. The simple Senko, for example, is a classic bait that has caught countless bass over the years. Other popular options include the Yamamoto Shad Shape worms, Zoom Super Fluke, and the KVD Craw. When it comes to saltwater bass fishing, soft plastic lures that mimic the natural prey found in UK waters, such as sandeels and shrimp, can be highly effective. Additionally, the Ned rig, a flathead jig placed directly on a soft plastic bait, is a great option for beginners. With so many options available, anglers can experiment with different colours and rigging techniques to find what works best for their specific needs.

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Soft plastic lizards

The most common techniques for fishing with plastic lizards are flipping, pitching, and Carolina rigging. Many anglers also enjoy targeting various wood and rock cover. Slowly dragging lizards along humps, ledges, and points can also be very productive. The retrieves used for fishing lizards are nearly identical to those used when fishing plastic worms. You can drag, hop, crawl, shake or swim soft plastic lizards. Experiment with the various speeds and retrieves until you find what works for you.

Swimming lizards is a straightforward tactic, but it is widely overlooked. You simply swim the bait back to the boat or the shoreline. Make your cast and allow the bait to sink to the bottom. Once you have done this, begin a slow retrieve. You can also make very slight up and down motions with your rod tip to give a little more variance and added movement to the bait.

Another great presentation for using lizards is the drop shot rig. After your drop shot rig is set up, nose-hook the bait. Now you can cast your lure, put it in the strike zone, and leave it there as long as you want, while still achieving a lot of movement. Giving your rod tip quick shakes and slow raises will cause the lizard to do underwater dances that bass can't resist.

When it comes to colour, a green pumpkin lizard is a great option. However, it's important to experiment with different colours and rigging techniques to find what works best in the specific environment you're fishing in.

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Soft plastic swimbaits

One popular option for soft plastic swimbaits is the Keitech Easy Shiner. This swimbait can be rigged on a 3/16th-ounce head to target spotted bass in the winter. For fishing in Florida during the spawn, try weedless rigging a 6.5-inch Gambler Big GZ. If you're looking to catch largemouth bass on ledges in the summer, the 5.5-inch Shadalicious swimbait is a great choice. These swimbaits offer versatility and effectiveness, making them a must-have in your collection.

Another well-known brand in the world of soft plastic swimbaits is Zoom. Their Super Fluke swimbait is a favourite among anglers and comes in a wide range of colours, allowing you to adapt to different fishing situations. The Zoom worm is another excellent option, especially if you prefer fishing slow, neko, or ned rigs. It is longer and narrower than the Senko worm and is salt-impregnated to attract bass.

When it comes to rigging your soft plastic swimbaits, there are a few techniques to consider. The wacky rig is a popular choice, especially for the Senko worm. This rigging style involves wacky-rigging the worm or fishing it Texas-rigged shallow. The Senko worm can also be cut in half to create the perfect Ned rig bait. Additionally, the Senko excels when used on a Carolina rig or as a trailer on a drop shot rig.

In addition to the Senko, there are other effective rigging options for soft plastic swimbaits. The weightless rigging technique is favoured by some anglers as it allows the lure to create its own presentation. However, if you prefer adding weight, you can use a flat jig head with an exposed hook or drive a nail through the top of the swimbait. Experimenting with different rigging techniques will help you determine what works best for your specific fishing environment and target species.

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Creature baits

Beaver-style creature baits are an underrated option for bass fishing. The small version of the skinny dipper from Reaction Innovations is highly recommended. The Sweet Beaver is another excellent choice, known for generating lots of action while penetrating thick cover. It comes in sizes like Smallie, Sweet Beaver, and Double Wide, as well as variations like the Kinky Beaver and Spicy Beaver.

Hog-style baits, or Zoom Brush Hog, are another popular option for bass fishing. While they may not resemble any specific creature, they are extremely effective in attracting bass. Zoom is a well-known brand in the world of soft plastics, offering a wide range of colours, sizes, and options at reasonable prices. Their products are also known for their durability.

Craws are another essential type of creature bait in the soft plastic game. Classic options include the Strike King Rage Craw, Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw, and NetBait Paca Craw, each with unique actions that catch fish exceptionally well. The Rage Craw series, in particular, adds a touch of realism to the presentation. It is available in various colours, including green pumpkins and watermelons, and can be shortened to provide the desired amount of flutter and flash without the bulk.

Toads are another fun creature bait to use for bass fishing. While they are designed to mimic frogs, bass often mistake them for other prey, such as bluegill, shad, birds, or rodents. These baits produce big bites and are a unique addition to your arsenal of lures. Experimenting with different colours and rigging techniques will help you find the most successful combinations for bass fishing.

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Soft plastic craws

When it comes to rigging soft plastic craws, there are several traditional and effective techniques. One popular method is the Texas rig, which involves four components: your line, a weight, a hook, and the craw. To set up this rig, run the sinker through the line, tie on the hook, thread the craw onto the hook, and you're ready to fish. The Texas rig is effective in both shallow and deep water and allows for natural presentations, making it a versatile option throughout the year.

Another rigging option for soft plastic craws is to use them as trailers with a skirted jig. This combination creates a realistic offering that bass find appealing. When using a jig, it's important to match the trailer to create a combination that resembles something a bass would naturally eat. For example, a black-and-blue trailer can mimic a bluegill or dark craw, while a camo skirt with a green pumpkin craw can imitate a crayfish or bluegill.

The Rage Tail Craw is a popular soft plastic craw that comes in a variety of colors and looks extremely realistic. It is designed to create turbulence in the water, attracting bass and triggering their predatory instincts. The YUM CrawBug is another well-known option that has been around for decades and continues to produce big bass. It works well with a Punch Rig in thick cover or Texas-rigged around riprap.

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Soft plastic worms

Senko

The Senko is a classic soft plastic worm that has been a staple in bass fishing for decades. It resembles a Bic pen and can be rigged in a variety of ways, making it highly versatile. The Senko can be wacky-rigged, Texas-rigged shallow, or cut in half to be used as a Ned rig bait. It also performs well on a Carolina rig or as a trailer on a drop shot rig. The Yamamoto Senko is particularly popular, known for its effectiveness in catching bass.

Zoom Worm

The Zoom Worm is a popular alternative to the Senko, offering a longer and narrower profile. It comes in a variety of colours, is ribbed, and is salt-impregnated to attract bass. This worm is ideal for fishing slow, neko, or ned rigs. While it can be challenging to Texas rig due to its narrow profile, it is an excellent choice for drop shotting.

PowerWorm

The Berkley PowerWorm is a super-popular and long-standing soft plastic worm. Berkley has spent decades optimising this lure, ensuring its effectiveness in catching bass.

Finesse Worms

Finesse worms, such as the Yum Finesse Worms, are an excellent option for bass fishing. The watermelon red colour is particularly effective, even for catching larger sunfish. These worms are known to work more reliably than full-size stickbaits.

When selecting soft plastic worms, it is important to consider the colour. Darker colours like black or brown are suitable for murkier water, while natural colours like green and blue are better for clearer conditions. Additionally, experimenting with different rigging techniques will help you find the most successful approach for the specific environment you are fishing in.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some must-have soft plastics for bass:

- Soft plastic lizards, such as the Zoom lizard.

- Soft plastic swimbaits, such as the Keitech Easy Shiner.

- Soft plastic jerkbaits, such as the Zoom Super Fluke.

- Soft plastic stickbaits, such as the Yamamoto Senko.

Some good craw soft plastics for bass include the KVD Craw, the Strike King Rage Craw, the Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw, and the NetBait Paca Craw.

A good worm soft plastic for bass is the Zoom worm, which comes in about 10 colors and is longer and narrower than the Senko worm. The Berkley PowerWorm is another popular option that has been optimised over decades.

Beaver-style and hog-style baits are the two main types of creature baits. The Sweet Beaver is a good beaver-style bait, while the Zoom Brush Hog is a good hog-style bait.

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