Soft plastic lures are a must-have in the tackle box when fishing with artificials. There are plenty of options to choose from, and they’ve all been proven to be very productive in both freshwater and saltwater. Whether you’re new to artificial lures or you’re an experienced angler, they come in handy in many situations.
In this article, we’ll break down the various styles along with the when, where, and how to use them. We’ll also touch on some of the species you can expect to catch with them. If you’re looking to expand your fishing knowledge, come and join us as we explore the world of soft plastics!
Different Types of Soft Plastic Lures
There are endless options out there when it comes to soft plastic lures, each suitable for various types of fishing. While many soft plastics work in both freshwater and saltwater, some are more popular in one environment than the other. Let’s take a look at some of them…
Freshwater Soft Plastic Lures:
- Senko worms. Resembling real worms, Senko worms sink to the bottom and are effective when jerked here and there, attracting species like Bass.
- Grubs have curly tails that spin fast, creating a lively appearance that attracts nearby fish such as Walleye. You can spin them slow or fast, and they’re best used from banks and near structure.
- Tube baits are small, hollow lures with tentacle-like legs that mimic moving bait, attracting Bass and Bluegill. Berkley’s Swamp Lord Frog is a popular example of a freshwater tube bait.
- Plastic creatures. Designed to look like real critters such as frogs and bugs, plastic creatures attract fish around lily pads and vegetation. Freshwater anglers often find success on Googan’s Banditio Bugs for instance.
Saltwater Soft Plastic Lures:
- Paddle tails are long soft plastic lures with a flappy tail. You can reel them in quickly to create a fast-moving bait or jerk them around the bottom. These lures often entice species like Snook, Redfish, and Sea Trout. D.O.A. is a leading manufacturer when it comes to paddle tails.
- Flukes mimic the life-like, chaotic action of bait fish, attracting nearby game species. They’re another great lure that can be used year-round and in various conditions.
- Jerkbaits create a side-to-side jerking motion, often imitating wounded prey. This is effective for various saltwater species such as Tarpon and Striped Bass.
- Plastic shrimp, as well as plastic crabs and bait fish, do a great job at creating realistic and moving bait. An extremely well-known saltwater plastic bait is the Gulp shrimp. The intense smell they give off is the icing on the cake.
When to Use Soft Plastic Lures
So we’ve given you a rundown of the types of lures themselves and their suitability for saltwater and freshwater, but when exactly to utilize them?
Calmer, warmer freshwater conditions are best for soft plastics but you can use them year-round. Clear water is ideal as you can better entice the fish to flashy, moving lures. The morning and evening bites are great for soft plastics, especially near banks or around vegetation and structure. During the day, you can also throw them into deeper parts of ponds, lakes, or canals to attract fish escaping from the heat.
Just as in freshwater, you can use soft plastics throughout the day in saltwater conditions, too. Again, dawn and dusk are prime times due to increased fish activity. Soft plastic lures are helpful when saltwater fish aren’t chasing or eating live bait. They’re also most effective around mangrove lines, island shorelines, flats, docks, and areas with structure.
It’s easiest to use them during calmer conditions, as you have control over how you work your lure. In addition, working soft plastics during outgoing and incoming tides may produce more results. This is when the fish are more active and feisty, especially during high tide when there’s more water for game fish to come further inshore.
How to Rig Soft Plastic Lures
There are a few ways you can rig your soft plastic lures depending on the species you’re targeting and surrounding conditions. Soft plastics can be retrieved quickly or slowly, bounced off the bottom, jerked around, or even trolled. Let’s look at some common rigging techniques:
Texas Rig
The Texas rig is one of the easiest and most common methods to rig your soft plastic. This rig is commonly used for Senko worms and creature baits, and helps you avoid getting stuck in vegetation thanks to its weedless design. To set it up, thread your hook through the bait, with the sharp tip of the hook barely sticking out. You can also add a sinker before the lure to add some weight and create a more natural presentation.
Swimbait Rig
Similar to the Texas rig, the swimbait rig also involves threading the hook through the swimbait lure. However, with this rig, the hook fully emerges after the curve. The swimbait rig is useful in ensuring a strong hookset that’s sure to stick when a fish bites.
Carolina Rig
Another popular rig for soft plastic lures is the Carolina rig. Here, you thread the hook through the lure and it resurfaces along the plastic, making a small gap. This rig also consists of a weight positioned higher up the leader, following a bead and swivel. The Carolina rig helps prevent tangles and allows for easier tying, making it an efficient choice for soft plastics.
Soft Plastic Lures FAQs
Soft Plastics: Versatile Lures for Endless Opportunities
If you’re looking for versatility, realism, and effectiveness when both freshwater and saltwater fishing, try soft plastic lures. Their ability to mimic various prey, as well as their multiple rigging options, make them a go-to choice for targeting game fish. Whether you’re navigating vegetation, fishing around structure, or exploring deeper waters, soft plastic lures provide the flexibility and performance needed in fishing. Try out some and see what the hype is all about in your local fish stomping grounds!
What are your favorite soft plastic lures? Have any stories of record fish to tell? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
The post Soft Plastic Lures: A Beginner’s Guide for 2024 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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