Omar Khalid
Soft plastics are lightweight and designed to imitate live bait, making them ideal for rods with fast rod tips and thinner line diameters. The responsiveness of the rod is key when using soft plastics, as predatory fish will strike at what they think is live bait, and the hook needs to be set quickly. The action of the rod will depend on the type of water you are fishing in and the size of the fish. For example, in shallow water, a rod with an ultralight or light action is best, whereas if you are targeting larger fish, a medium-light action rod will better distribute the weight and fight of the fish.
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What You'll Learn
Responsiveness is key
The action of a rod refers to where on the rod the bending takes place. Fast action rod tips are generally best for soft plastics as they return to their original straight position quickly, making them responsive. In contrast, a rod with a heavy action tip returns to its original position more slowly and is therefore less responsive.
When fishing in shallow waters, a rod with ultralight or light action is ideal as it improves the presentation of your soft plastics along the bottom or top of the water column. A light action rod also allows you to jig your soft plastic attractant in short hops, which is ideal for attracting bass. For deeper waters, a light action rod will again be sufficient, allowing you to flick your wrist to move the bait with ease.
If you are targeting larger fish, such as salmon or bass over ten pounds, you may need to increase the power rating of your rod to medium. This will provide more strength and durability while still offering the responsiveness needed for soft plastics.
The length of the rod is also a factor in responsiveness. Longer rods, typically in the range of 6-8 feet, offer improved casting accuracy. This accuracy is essential when fishing with soft plastics, as it allows for precise presentations that mimic live bait.
Some specific rods that offer good responsiveness for soft plastics include the Bull Bay Stealth Sniper Medium-Heavy Fast Action 7’6, the St Croix Avid 7’6 MH Fast, and the St Croix Mojo Inshore 7-foot medium-fast action rod. These rods provide a balance between responsiveness and power, making them well-suited for soft plastics fishing.
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Fast action is best
Soft plastics are lightweight, making them perfect for rods with fast tips and thinner line diameters. When choosing a rod for soft plastics, it's important to consider factors such as fatigue, flick, and accuracy. Since soft plastics are often used with a flicking or jigging motion, you'll want a lightweight rod that can still handle the type of line you're using, the lure weight, and the weight and power of the fish you're trying to catch. A longer rod is also beneficial for improved casting accuracy.
Faster action rods are generally better for soft plastics because they allow for a quick and strong hook set. When using soft plastic jerkbait, for example, a fast-action rod ensures you can dig the hook point into a fish like seatrout before it shakes its head and escapes. The responsiveness of a fast-action rod is also crucial when fishing with soft plastics that imitate live bait. You'll want to feel the strike quickly and set the hook fast.
The ideal rod setup for soft plastics is typically a 6-8 foot rod with fast or light action and light to medium power. This setup provides a lightweight rod that can be cast all day without causing fatigue. If you're fishing in shallow water, an ultralight or light action rod is ideal as it allows the rod tip to be the only part that moves when flicking your wrist to move the bait. For bigger fish like salmon, you may want to consider a medium-light action rod to better distribute the weight and fight of the fish.
There are a variety of specific rods that are recommended for soft plastics. The Bull Bay Stealth Sniper Medium-Heavy Fast Action 7’6 fishing rod is an excellent choice for fishing weedless soft plastics. The St Croix Avid. 7’6” MH Fast is another option that falls within this ideal length range. For those seeking a longer rod, the G-Loomis 7’6 Heavy Fast is a good choice, though it may be more challenging to transport. The St Croix Mojo Inshore 7ft medium-fast action rod is another affordable option.
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Medium-heavy rods are ideal
The responsiveness of a medium-heavy rod is also beneficial when using soft plastics. Soft plastics often imitate live bait, so it's crucial to be able to feel the strike of a predatory fish and then set the hook swiftly. The sensitivity of a medium-heavy rod enables anglers to detect even light bites, such as those from trout during the winter months.
For bass fishing, a rod length of 6-8 feet with light action is generally recommended. The light action allows for a more natural presentation of the soft plastic lure, enhancing its attractiveness to bass. The rod's tip moves with a flick of the wrist, creating a jigging motion that entices the fish.
When targeting larger fish, such as salmon, a medium-light action rod can be advantageous. This type of rod distributes the weight and fight of the fish more evenly along its length. Additionally, the rod's power should be considered when pursuing bigger fish. A medium-heavy rod provides the necessary strength to handle the weight and power of larger fish, ensuring a more balanced setup.
The St Croix Avid. 7’6” MH Fast rod is another excellent option for soft plastics. Its length and action make it a versatile choice, capable of handling a range of fishing scenarios. The medium-heavy power of this rod gives it the backbone needed for soft plastics while maintaining sensitivity for detecting bites. Anglers can test the pressure capabilities of medium-heavy rods in stores by performing a simple bending test.
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Soft plastics for fishing imitate live bait
Soft plastic lures are popular in fishing because they can convincingly imitate live bait. They are designed to move in the water, often with a flappy or curly tail, and come in a range of colours. They are also enhanced with scents and flavours that appeal to the senses of fish.
Soft plastics can be used in saltwater or freshwater fishing. They are particularly useful when saltwater fish are not chasing or eating live bait. They are also effective around mangrove lines, island shorelines, flats, docks, and areas with structure. In freshwater, they are often used for bass fishing, but they can also be used for walleye and bluegill.
There are many types of soft plastic lures, including paddle tails, jerkbaits, plastic shrimp, crabs, and baitfish, Senko worms, grubs, tube baits, and plastic creatures. Paddle tails are long lures with a flappy tail that can be reeled in quickly to create a fast-moving bait. Jerkbaits imitate wounded prey with a side-to-side jerking motion, while plastic shrimp, crabs, and baitfish create realistic and moving bait. Senko worms sink to the bottom and attract bass when jerked, while grubs have curly tails that spin fast, creating a lively appearance. Tube baits are small, hollow lures with tentacle-like legs that mimic moving bait, and plastic creatures are designed to look like real critters such as frogs and bugs.
When choosing a rod for soft plastics, it is important to consider the power and action of the rod. Power refers to the force it takes to bend the rod, while action refers to where on the rod the bending takes place. Fast action rod tips are generally best for soft plastics, as they allow for quick and strong hook sets. Softer tips can decrease the effectiveness of your hook sets. The ideal rod will also depend on the type of water you are fishing in and the size of the fish you are targeting. For shallow water, a rod with ultralight or light action is best, while for bigger fish, a medium-light action rod will provide more even weight distribution.
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Casting accuracy is improved with longer rods
Soft plastics are lightweight, making them perfect for rods with thinner diameters and fast rod tips. The responsiveness of the rod is crucial when using soft plastics as predatory fish will strike at what they think is live bait, and you need to be able to feel that strike and set the hook quickly. A longer rod is more accurate when casting, and a fast action tip enhances accuracy and improves hook-setting power.
A fast action tip is one that returns to its original straight position quickly. A rod with a heavy action tip returns more slowly to its original position, making it a slow action rod. A light action tip is ideal for soft plastics, and in shallow waters, an ultralight or light action rod will improve how you present your soft plastics along the bottom of the shallow water or the top of the water column. The ultra-light or light action allows you to jig your soft plastic attractant across the bottom in short hops, which is perfect for bass.
If you are targeting bigger fish, such as salmon, you might consider going with a medium-light action so that more of the weight and fight of the fish is more evenly distributed over the entire length of the fishing rod. For bass fishing, a 6-8 foot rod with light action is ideal, and for spinning reels, a gear ratio of 6.2:1 or higher is advisable for techniques requiring quick line retrieval. Shorter rods offer more control, while longer rods allow greater casting distance, which is advantageous in open water conditions.
When using soft plastics, you will be casting a lot, so a longer fishing rod is essential for accuracy. A graphite and braid set-up allows for greater casting distance and accuracy, and a light braided mainline will complete the set-up. Braided lines offer superior sensitivity and strength, excellent for detecting bites even in murky waters or at depth. Fluorocarbon leaders can be paired with a braided line to reduce visibility in clear water conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
A good action rod for soft plastics is very responsive. Generally, rods with fast action tips are best for soft plastics. Rods with light action are ideal for bass fishing and work well in shallow waters. If you are fishing for bigger fish, like salmon, you may want to use a medium-light action rod.
Longer rods are more accurate when casting. For bass fishing, a rod that is 6-8 feet long is ideal.
The St Croix Mojo Inshore 7-foot medium-fast action rod is a great option for the price.
