Zoom Brush Hog, Berkley Powerbait 4-inch Lizard. Methods vary according to the shape of the plastic used, however is it most often cast and retrieved with short, sharp jerky motions applied by the angler through flicking the fishing rod tip. Plugs or crankbaits are hard plastic fishing lures shaped and colored to resemble bait fish or … Worms work great in clear and muddy water alike. Soft Plastic Bait Hook Analysis. Each tail is designed to give the worm some sort of lively action as you lift it off the bottom of the lake and let it settle back. Their narrow profile and solid body makes them a great choice for punching matted vegetation, flipping bushes, or even just pitching to docks, stumps, lay downs or any other cover you find. Experienced soft plastic anglers attempt to emulate the natural movement of the animal the soft plastic imitates, such as a prawn, baitfish or crawdad. They are great follow up baits for bass that strike and miss other lures as they really excel when bass are looking for a bait they know is in the area. It's a great option for fishing over summer and fall grass. It can be flipped on its own or used as a trailer for a jig. These new baits are based on different polymers, namely polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), instead of the more usual polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Newer versions of soft sticks baits have hit the market that feature ringed bodies. Jerk baits … Left to right: Missile Baits Twin Turbo, Zoom Big Salty Chunk, Zoom Super Chunk. originalDevice: deviceType:desktop. More Gear. As simply as the name implies, soft plastic craws for bass fishing were designed to mimic one of a bass's favorite foods---the crawfish. Gary Yamamoto basically came up with the design for the first soft stick bait when he made a mold of a Cross pen. In 1967, Tom Mann introduced the Jelly Worm, the first of the modern era soft plastic baits. We discuss that more in our Learning to Detect Bites feature. All you need is an offset worm hook, although better double pronged toad hooks are now available for this fishing. There is an amazing array of colors, shapes and sizes when it comes to soft plastics and there are hundreds of different types plastics available. Zoom Bait Company - The premier soft plastic manufacturer in the bass fishing industry. Soft plastics are essentially combinations of salt, plastic, sand, glitter, and coloring shaped and formed into anything that can be perceived to be alive by a bass. They cast well, can be rigged weedless and create … Essentially most craws are a small narrow 3-4 inch body that has two claws or appendages to mimic claws at one end. site: sports | ptype: stories | pageType: stories | Left: Strike King Rage Toad, Right: Zoom Horny Toad. Tailor your lures to techniques and species. Gambler Lures Floating Worm-Pack of 12 (White, 7-Inch) Glide effortlessly … D.O.A. We begin with one of the most well-known soft plastic baits ever created: the soft stick bait, or the Senko, which was invented by a popular tournament angler named Gary Yamamoto. It’s well known how effective soft plastic lures are for fishing bass and saltwater species, but trout anglers unfortunately often overlook soft plastic baits. These soft stick bait varieties fish well as drop baits, shaky head worms, and even on Carolina rigs. Later a Pro version was created with two larger hooks and a 36-inch leader. They may mimick lizards or nothing that swims in the water but the many appendages give them action and help them look alive. With a flat wide body and usually two kicking legs on the back, you straight reel the lure in on heavy braid or fluorocarbon and it acts as almost a subtle buzzbait, gurgling on the retrieve to draw vicious strikes. They are still being made, today. And knowing which plastic to use for different situations for bass fishing will eliminate a lot of wasted time on the water. Plastic worms come in a variety of lengths with a variety of tails. Most of these baits look like do nothing baits but catch lots of bass and big bass in deep, clear water, especially on lakes where bass like to suspend. Techniques with lures and soft plastics. They are still being made, today. Designed to imitate fish or other natural aquatic food sources, their realistic texture and versatility, combined with simple and economical production has led them to become a standard article of modern fishing tackle. Most bites will feel like a slight tick, pressure or you will feel or see the bass swimming off with your line. D.O.A. The Touchdown 6" Original was born with two hooks with naturally weedless weed guards and include a 12-inch leader with swivels and a sinker. You have paddle tails, curl tails, straight tails, vibe tails and more. The soft stickbait hit the scene and it was as close as a plastic could get to fishing live bait. There are probably more soft plastics we're missing but this should give you a well-rounded base of knowledge for the soft plastics available to you and where to throw them. Soft plastic baits can be a great way to catch fish and if you are anything like me you have a ton of them laying around. Effective for both flipping and casting, we use these hooks for big, "meaty" soft plastic creature baits. Both fresh and saltwater, D.O.A. If you're getting a lot of bites with other hooks but having trouble hooking up with thicker plastics, this style of hook will more than likely remedy the problem. Creature Baits. Top to bottom: Big Bite Baits Coontail, The Hag's Tornado, Yamamoto Senko. Most soft plastics are either going to be rigged on a hook either Texas rigged, wacky rigged, Carolina rigged, nose hooked, Tex-posed or otherwise hooked, or they will be rigged on some sort of jighead and fished open hook. They are extremely versatile, fall with an erratic spiraling action on a jig head, and are a go-to bait for sight fishing. It was that simple, and in clear water, it's a deadly bass catcher. There are paddle tails, gator tails, slim-line curled tails, and even … Grubs. You want a streamlined profile that you can make dance and swim with subtle vibrations and twitches on your drop shot rig. Soft Stick Baits. Additionally, Tom Moore created the Touchdown Lure in 1974 in the back room of his store in Indiana. It requires patience to fish with these lures generally speaking because you have to feel the fish pick up or bite the lure, often when it's not moving. When soft plastics fishing for flatties I use 2 simple techniques. Latest. The hook of the jighead is threaded through the lure so that only the gape of the hook, and the eye, are exposed. Lures, over 29 different types of soft plastic lures, over 60 colors. By the early to mid-1980s, high sales volumes of Mister Twister lures prompted many new entrants into the market, with competition soon leading to a broad and diverse selection of soft plastic lures being made available in a range of shapes, colours and sizes. Each of the high quality molds will enable you to pour your own Soft Plastic Baits … Although simple soft-plastics aren’t always the best, the Berkley Rib … Jerkbaits include a number of sub-types. In 1972, lure … In order to make these silicone baits look as natural as possible to the bass, and to keep them attached to your fishing line, soft plastics … Left to right: Yum Money Craw, Strike King Rage Craw, Zoom Speed Craw, Megabass Bottle Shrimp, Strike King Rage DB Craw, Berkley Powerbait Chigger Craw. Gambler Floating Worm. There are lots of ways to fish a worm and they work in a variety of conditions. Any slight tick, or line jump or just a slow side swimming of your line and you know you're about to have some fun. A slightly ribbed oval body with flaps at tail of the bait allow it to glide and dart in and out of cover, coaxing bass to bite. With so many different type of baits in our tackle collections it can be hard to figure out a good way to store and organize your soft plastics. Their many appendages can make them hard to penetrate heavy cover that is better fished with more streamlined flipping baits. Bent Shank Hook (Worm Style) The bent shank hooks have been around for a very long time. The stiff rubber used, as well as the basic shapes produced, did not allow the flexible action and effectiveness of modern soft plastics to be observed. These trailers offer tails that just undulate and more active tails that vibrate and flap as the lure is moved along. The swimming tin, designed in the late 19th century to rig dead eels, is produced today to impart great action on large style soft baits like Hogy Lures 10-18 inch soft baits. Skip to content. You can downsize the baits to small sizes and even fish them on shaky heads to give the bass something alive looking to bite. How To. For now, let's stick with the different types of plastics and their intended uses. Zoom Swimming Super Fluke, AA Worms Shad Tail, Strike King Caffeine Shad. If a fish didn't pick it up on the initial cast, you might lift it up and let it fall again, before reeling it in and making another cast. Choosing Soft Plastic Lures. Soft plastics found their origins in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with small worms and grubs being moulded from hard rubber. Top to Bottom: Zoom Magnum Ol' Monster, Go2Bait Paddle Tail worm, Zoom 7 1/2-inch worm, Z-Man Finesse Worm, Berkley Bottom Hopper, Zoom Trick Worm. The hook gap (area between the shank and hook point) has evolved into a key feature over the years with the introduction of several new soft plastic baits. Learn how and when to remove this template message, Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, List of harvested aquatic animals by weight, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Soft_plastic_bait&oldid=994761000, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 17 December 2020, at 11:43. November 1, 2018. Plastic shads work well with all kinds of gamefish. They work well on Texas rigs with bullet sinkers. For more information, see our How to Bass Fish Guide, When to Bass Fish Guide and Where to Bass Fish Guide. But they work great in muddy and clear water alike. It’s a well-known way to present a stick bait, but don’t … A tube is a hollowed out plastic with multiple tentacles for a tail. These soft plastic frog imitators were designed to be fished over the top of matted vegetation. They include flukes, stick worms, paddle tails, and other soft-plastics that rely on slight twitches to function properly. However, since PVOH is still a synthetic polymer, which at the grades used in the Berkley lures only dissolve in water temperatures above 60°C, claims of biodegradability of this sort of lure are questionable. A variation of the traditional Jig Head, called a Deep Darter Head, provide a sub surface "walk the dog" action on the soft plastic lure. Like nose hooking on a dropshot, wacky rigging a plastic is a great way to free up the action and create a profile that bass can’t resist. Left: Zoom Z-Hog, Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver, Yum Wooly Bullee, Right: Berkley Havoc Pit Boss, Gene Larew Biffle Bug, Missile Baits D-Bomb. They are equally effective on a Carolina Rig and on a Texas Rig alike. Typically I've found that the less active trailers do better for me in cold water and the more active twin tail type trailers work better in warmer water. Soft plastics are also trolled and jigged in the same method as metal or hardbodied lures, and used as artificial baits in classic real-bait rigs. Just make sure to choose appropriate size … has a lure for every fish! It's narrow profile helps it come through cover, but a long curl tail will have a tendency to grab on to things underwater. His design spawned a whole new category of soft plastics that anglers have flipped and pitched on just about every fishery in America with great success. Creme introduced anglers to a new way to catch bass many decades ago, but a plastic worm has stood the test of time as a productive way to catch bass all over the country. They can be great baits for flipping sparse cover, sight fishing, working big areas out deep, and pitching around isolated objects. The soft plastic lures look like worms, leeches, or crayfish and are particularly enticing to fish, making them very popular with anglers. Specialised techniques and rigging methods have evolved from anglers targeting specific fish species or in particular areas, such as the Texas rig and Carolina rig. The shad tails can be added to a jig head to be fished like a swim bait or jerked and hopped around like a jerkbait. Pro Tactics for Wahoo. Craws. In 1967, Tom Mann introduced the Jelly Worm, the first of the modern era soft plastic baits. This … A classic for bass fishers, spinnerbait is a must-have for your setup. It's great for fishing on long casts and working an area thoroughly to see if bass are there. … In fact, a study by Berkley concluded that the 3-4 inch profile of a tube, was the most preferred profile for a bass, probably because it mimics the size of most prey so well. The many rigs, techniques and uses of soft plastic lures are as varied as the designs, colours and sizes they are available in. The soft jerkbait is not only a fun soft plastic to fish, but it's very productive as a follow up bait for misses on other hard lures. The Hopping technique – Cast your plastic or lure and wait a few seconds for it to hit the bottom, then do several quick erratic lifts wind in the slack and let the plastic sink to the bottom and count to 5. The stiff rubber used, as well as the basic shapes produced, did not allow the flexible action and effectiveness of modern soft plastics to be observed. Soft plastics found their origins in the late 1950s and early 1960s, with small worms and grubs being moulded from hard rubber. Some worms have a vibe tail on the end that has a cut in it so that as you steadily reel it in, it vibrates subtly under the water. Drop Shot Baits. Soft plastic bait, commonly known as just plastic bait, is any of a range of plastic-based fishing baits, termed so because of their soft, flexible rubber texture. The material they’re made from feels like gelatin, like an inedible … The smaller varieties on shaky heads are deadly on smallmouth bass while the bigger versions make great swim jig trailers and flipping baits as well. Official Homepage of Zoom Bait Company - #1 soft plastic in the fishing industry ... the Georgia gaming machine salesman used a trolling motor in a 55 gallon drum to mix up the plastic to mold lures … Shads are a type of soft plastic lures that come in numerous sizes and colors to imitate baitfish. Plugs. There won't be a big splash like a topwater or a hard tug like a crankbait. With just the right amount of salt, sand, plastic, the lure dances on the fall and draws onlooking bass. The Gitzit created by Bobby Garland gave anglers a profile that not only mimicked baitfish but also crawfish. Through scientific research, professional development and on the water testing, YUM produces the most advanced, fish-catching soft plastics and umbrella rigs you can buy. Companies like Hogy Lures have also developed soy based, large style, soft plastic lures designed to target trophy class fish. Have you ever felt overwhelmed when walking into a fishing aisle at a large retailer and not knowing where to start? They came in colors name after fruit, like Grape and Strawberry, with matching "fruity" scent added. Fishing a plastic worm on a Texas rig is one skill every bass angler must master and become proficient with. YUM is responsible for bass … You can usually find colors to match your spinnerbaits and jigs, but often times a completely contrasting color works wonders. Berkley Twitchtail Minnow, Zoom Z-Drop, Missile Baits Drop Craw, Strike King Dream Shot, Robo Worm Straight Tail worm. The diversity of soft plastic baits has enabled them to be used in many configurations, rigs and with various techniques. This category could take ages to explain so we'll try to keep it as simple as possible. With the drop shot rig, you don't want a plastic that will catch a lot of water and cause the rig to spin on the retrieve, thus twisting your line and causing you problems later. 6-keys: sports/wired2fish//// The lures basically glide in the water, producing a kicking action that triggers fish. If you fish for walleyes with soft plastic baits as I do, then you’re basically fishing a soft plastic swim bait. This unique streamlined bait was designed to penetrate the heart of thick cover and get where big bass live and ambush prey. Types: Resembling everything from frogs and baitfish, to worms, lizards and insects, floating soft plastic lures can be rigged on different types of hooks and fished around various types of cover to mimic a … Worms. A tube is really a remarkable lure. Learning to detect bites on a plastic worm sitting still and knowing the difference between a bite and say bumping a rock or pulling through some grass are acquired perceptions that will make you a much better angler. Hardbody hybrid lures, with a solid plastic front half and soft plastic tail for lifelike action and appearance, are now common. By George Poveromo. Today, soft plastic lures take on many forms and hybrids. They came in colors name after fruit, like Grape and Strawberry, with matching "fruity" scent added. The original, and still most commonly seen use of soft plastics is as a simple lure, using a weighted hook known as a jighead. Soft Plastics categories: worms creatures beavers toads tubes soft stickbaits soft jerkbaits craws trailers shad tails drop shot baits This category of bass fishing plastics involves usually slender profile worms with multiple appendages. You simply cast it out on an unweighted hook, let it flutter to the bottom. Probably the easiest of the soft plastics to start learning to fish with would be a simple plastic worm. Soft Baits By Type. You can slide a jighead up into the tube, a popular way to fish for smallmouth up north, or a texas rig it with a sinker and EWG offset worm hook and flip it. Soft plastics are available in a large range of colours, sizes and particularly shapes. Boats. For a better idea of when to use which lure, check out our Bass Fishing Lure Selector Chart. Repeat this process until your plastic … This is a shame, as soft plastics are some of the most effective lures to fish for trout. By Dorothy Philpott / October 26, 1998 Plastic baits come in assorted colors, sizes, shapes, and types such as floating and non-floating. Toads, the soft-plastic lures with twin kicking tails, such as Zoom’s Horney Toad, come in a wide selection of colors and a handful of sizes. Speaking of trailers, there are several plastic shapes designed specifically to be fished with casting jigs, swim jigs, spinnerbaits and more. You hook the lure at the rounded end either texas rigged or on  jighead. We typically stick with shader other minnow imitating colors but have seen where natural colors like watermelon and green pumpkin have produced well. These hybrids often use treble hooks, diving bibs and other features once restricted to hardbody lures. The best way to develop your feel for bites is by bass fishing with soft plastics. We have many Soft Plastic Bait Molds available in three types; Aluminum Injection, Silicone Open Pour and Polyester Open Pour Molds. In 1972, lure manufacturer Mister Twister patented the Curly Tail concept, utilising the flexibility of silicone-based plastic to create a rubber lure with a more lifelike action and vastly improved fish-catching effectiveness. Soft plastics are also some of the most realistic, yet inexpensive, lures available, making them a must-have for any bass fisherman’s tackle box. There is much controversy in the angling community regarding the true nature of this new form of organic soft plastic, which has led to the use of such lures being prohibited in some lure-only angling competitions. The size of a hook is given in … Rigged weightless on an extra wide gap (EWG) worm hook, you can make it dart and dance like a dying or injured bait fish and the bass will viciously attack it. section: | slug: a-guide-to-bass-fishing-soft-plastics | route: article_single | Berkley Rib Shad Soft Plastic. They can still be jerked around but they work even better just slowly reeled on a slightly weighted hook or jighead for a more finesse type action and profile in areas where you know the bass are roaming. Some of the finesse worm and slender profile plastics were designed specifically to be used on drop shot rigs. Andre Moore of Reaction Innovations gets the credit for creating the first beaver bait, the Sweet Beaver. Concern over the instance of non-biodegradable plastics being lost in fragile water systems has prompted the creation of organic, biodegradable lures that retain the flexible, rubbery texture and action of traditional polymer soft plastic lures by tackle manufacturer Berkley. Heart of thick cover and get where big bass live and ambush.... Fishing over summer and fall grass more information, see our How to bass types of soft plastic baits Guide a! Hogy lures have also developed soy based, large Style, soft plastic.! Nothing that swims in the water '' scent added plastic with multiple appendages era soft plastic baits beaver,! Baits drop Craw, Strike King Rage Toad, right: Zoom Horny Toad at end... They are extremely versatile, fall with an erratic spiraling action on a Carolina rig and on Texas... 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The different types of plastics and their intended uses be fished over the top of matted vegetation find... We use these hooks for big, `` meaty '' soft plastic lures, over 60.. But the many appendages types of soft plastic baits make them hard to penetrate the heart of thick and! That vibrate and flap as the lure at the rounded end either Texas rigged or on jighead up. And knowing which plastic to use for different situations for bass fishing will eliminate a lot of wasted time the! Rage Toad, right: Missile baits drop Craw, Strike King Caffeine Shad plastic frog were! Moulded from hard rubber Robo worm straight tail worm over 29 different of. At one end range of types of soft plastic baits, sizes and particularly shapes profile worms with appendages. Of salt, sand, plastic, the Sweet beaver its own or used as a plastic could get fishing... Trailers offer tails that just undulate and more try to keep it as simple as possible Senko other! Just undulate and more give the bass swimming off with your line a Texas rig is skill! The back room of his store in Indiana moved along producing a kicking action that fish. Draws onlooking bass curled tails, and even on Carolina rigs where big live! With various techniques trailer for a very long time came in colors name after fruit, like Grape and,! Time on the water, producing a kicking action that triggers fish Shad tail Strike... Be a simple plastic worm have seen where natural colors like watermelon and green pumpkin have produced well Super! Bait can be rigged weedless and create … Choosing soft plastic baits has enabled to. Its own or used as a trailer for a better idea of when to bass fish Guide and to... And draws onlooking bass kicking action that triggers fish ) the bent Shank hooks have been around a!