Split-Shot Soft Plastics For Bass - My New Favorite

[hoosierbass07]

  Last season all I used (99% of the time anyway) were Texas rigged soft plastics.  So far this early spring I've caught all my bass on the split-shot and I think I'm in love with this lure!  I've thrown some Texas rigged worms this spring to no luck but then try a split-shot and finally caught some bass.  In fact Iv'e caught four bass this spring and all have come on the split-shot.  I'll admit I've been throwing smaller finesse worms and grubs on the split-shot and larger worms on the Texas rig so that could be a reason why I've had more success on the split shot.  I know one thing though - the split shot is supper easy to rig, just like the Texas rig, and I really enjoy using it.  

 

 I've been putting a split-shot above the hook about eight inches.  I'm finding anything much longer is sort of hard to cast easily.  

 

 Any others out there that are split-shot fans?  If so, how do you fish it and what soft plastics do you like to use while using a split-shot?  Also, what size of split-shot do you like using?  Right now my favorite is the SS-5 size.  

[frogflogger]

Split shot has been a staple for years - not in the news so much but you better believe it's in many a pro's arsenal. With so many t-rigs, drop shots, shakey head presentations in front of the fish - the split shot can be a most effective alternative and it's cheap - vary shot size to fit your situation. Have you read about stitching worms large and small ala Bill Murphy? It's a deadly technique with any soft plastic, don't be afraid to experiment.

[hatrix]

I am a big fan of the split shot c-rig on spinning gear. I like to use a zoom trick worm or something similar and slowly drag it. I have had amazing success with it in the dead of summer when the fishing is tuff. It is light enough to usually rest on top of submerged weeds.

[Raul]

As usual, which size split shot depends on a lot of variables, it can be anywhere from bb size all the way up to size 3.

[roadwarrior]

I like to split-shot the Rage Lizard on spinning tackle. 

[Jay Ell Gee]

I usually use a size 4 or 6 SS.

Zoom dead ringers, roboworm zipper grubs, 4 inch roboworm curly tail, zoom super fluke jr's, elaztech floating 4 inch finesse worms, 4 inch lizards, 4 inch senkos... The possibilities are endless!

I usually start 12-16 inches up the line.

I fish it on a Chronarch 50e on a St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass 6'9 ML/XF.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Oh yea they smash a split shot rig during the summer up her. I use all kinds of plastics. But mostly trick worms, and small craws

[RAMBLER]

I know a split shot rig works, but, I'm always a little careless with the split shot, on mono and end up breaking the mono.  I've found an alternative that works for me. 

Drill out the center of an air rifle pellet, either .17 or .22.  Thread the line through it and then a rubber bobber stop and whatever length of line to the hook.  Ultra light C-rig!  Fairly weedless and no crimped line.

[hatrix]

Oh yea they smash a split shot rig during the summer up her. I use all kinds of plastics. But mostly trick worms, and small craws

Yes sir

[Blues19]

So yall use it like a finesse C-Rig? I havent tried it.  Just throw and drag the bottom?

[primetime]

I actually use it as an alternative to the drop shot set up....If the split shot is larger in size, and I rig a floating soft bait 18" behind it, then it is almost like having a drop shot set up...I also use the smaller bb size just for casting distance and most of my hits come on the drop with baits like the senko.

 

I use it more than I realize, and always on spinning tackle and usually finesse, but I also use it with a ribbon tail weightless and fish it as if it was texas rigged. Drag, lift and let fall etc..Great rig, very easy to use and feeling hits is easy.

[hatrix]

So yall use it like a finesse C-Rig? I havent tried it. Just throw and drag the bottom?

That's usually how I get down with it. For me it is SUPER deadly when it's the dead of summer and bites get tuff. It always seem to produce some fish and good ones at that.

[Creekcrappie]

The lake I fish I catch them all the time on a carolina rigged zoom 6 inch lizard. I may try the split shot rig after a cold front sometime with a finnesse worm on it. 

[Jeff H]

Since I've usually got weeds involved I often use Water Gremlin Bull-Shots, sometimes even 1/16 oz pegged brass Thunder Bullets.  Pretty effective around docks too.

[BigKev77]

Yep split shot is a good rig. subtle and simple. I tend to overlook it a lot of times just because of all the choices out there but when the fishing is really tough fish it slow and it can get it done.

 

If I bank fish it is my #1 choice.

[primetime]

I tend to agree that the split shot rig is awesome when fishing off the bank as well. I try to go as light as possible, but I also like a big shot if I want to use it from the bank or boat for long casts to mimic the action of a drop shot with a floating bait like a roboworm for example. I will often cast a floating worm or buoyant worm near some brush, or a weedline and let it sit, shake a bit, and then drag....Good alternative to the c-rig and easier to Detect strikes and more subtle if stealth is important imo.

 

I rarely fish with others who use a split shot as they usually like to use a light bullet weight unpegged instead. I find a split shot rig is more effective for me and I almost always have a spinning rod with a 4" or 6" worm rigged with a split shot. If I want to go with a worm with some action, the Charlies worms ribbon tails and Bass Assassin Creatures and worms are also bouyant and work well.

[Superdumper]

I bank fish most of the time I fish. I read the split shot was a great shore fishing presentation so I tried it. I tried it with a small fish belly hawg shad that floats. I nose hooked it on a size 1 hook. I threw it in and realized it sank so tried worms n same result. Has anybody else had this issue? Should I use a smaller hook or what. The hawg shad does float alone but with the hook everything I use they sank too quickly.

[jiggz125]

I tend to agree that the split shot rig is awesome when fishing off the bank as well. I try to go as light as possible, but I also like a big shot if I want to use it from the bank or boat for long casts to mimic the action of a drop shot with a floating bait like a roboworm for example. I will often cast a floating worm or buoyant worm near some brush, or a weedline and let it sit, shake a bit, and then drag....Good alternative to the c-rig and easier to Detect strikes and more subtle if stealth is important imo.

 

I rarely fish with others who use a split shot as they usually like to use a light bullet weight unpegged instead. I find a split shot rig is more effective for me and I almost always have a spinning rod with a 4" or 6" worm rigged with a split shot. If I want to go with a worm with some action, the Charlies worms ribbon tails and Bass Assassin Creatures and worms are also bouyant and work well.

How are you rigging the worm onto the hook? Same as t-rig with the hook texposed to avoid snags?

[bigbill]

Split shot rig. Been using it since the early 70's. I guess my cousin who taught me in the early 70's got it from field n stream or outdoor life.

Here's how he taught me. You take a large sewing needle. Take a #2 snelled hook depending on the size of the plastic worm. You fold the leader on the hook in half. And enter the worm near the lump in its body. Push the needle through it and the loop of the leader will pop out too. Pull out the loop end through the worm then pull the hook end into the worms body. I put the split shot on the upper end of the leader. Put away the sewing needle in a safe place. I use this with 6" worms in black. A single large split shot works perfect for a slow fall.

The 10" & 12" culprit worms I use the larger weedless hooks in the head of the worm. With the longer worms the fish go for the head.

Presentation,

With a boat we would move the boat till the weeds disappear anchor the boat and cast into the weeds. Watch the line for movement. Move it a few inches every few minutes. Sometimes it will get hit on the fall. It's slow fishing but very successful.

Fishing around the small islands works great for the split shot rigs.

Shore fishing I look for a drop off or the moving water in a channel and fish that backlash or dogs leg. Cast it out same as the process above move it slow.

Note, that feeling when reeling it of hitting a bump from a log is the bass grabbing the tail of the worm. He's testing it to see what it feels like food or not. Move it slower on the next cast and be ready to set the hook.

History, I was using worms when only creme worms were only available in natural and black colors at first. Then soon purple was offered too. Then the plastic worm manufacturing business exploded into a multi billion dollar business. It's the plastic lure age ever since.

I always laugh when I read that it's something new to bass fishing with the "newly discovered split shot rig". I was using it around 40 years ago. That 6" creme worm still works today.

Why is the black worm so successful. I shined my flash lite at the waters edge and seen freshwater eels inches from the shoreline in the dark. This is why the bass are feeding near the shoreline in the dark. Well one reason.

[BigKev77]

I bank fish most of the time I fish. I read the split shot was a great shore fishing presentation so I tried it. I tried it with a small fish belly hawg shad that floats. I nose hooked it on a size 1 hook. I threw it in and realized it sank so tried worms n same result. Has anybody else had this issue? Should I use a smaller hook or what. The hawg shad does float alone but with the hook everything I use they sank too quickly.

Floating plastics is just another way of using the split shot rig. I use it with a simple berkley powerbait or culprit worm 2/0 hook and 9/10 times the bite comes on a simple slow steady retrieve.

[michang5]

When/where would you thrown the split-shot rig over the drop-shot rig?

Is the SS better for a certain type of terrain or depth or something?

I've been doing very well lately from the bank with a drop shot setup with the weight 10-18" below the hook. The BOWs I've been fishing have lots of underwater grass and vegetation right now, and I think keeping the bait above/on top the grass has been key.

Any reason to try a split shot rig?

[BigKev77]

Dink,

 

It is just another way to present the bait. The old saying, the bass will tell you if they like it, gets old hearing but it is the truth. I like the way the worm tumbles along behind the spit shot and I have had good luck with it. Just give it a try. It might not out perform the drop shot one day and it might smoke it the next.