New to fishing soft plastics

[BrianMDTX]

On 3/6/2022 at 2:51 PM, Dash Riprock said:

I like weightless Texas rigs, mostly with trick worm styles but I've had decent luck with the GrandeBass ribbed styles also. I'm mainly a bank fisherman and the ponds and creeks I fish are usually full of muck so I have to keep things off the bottom. 

 

I try to work in some wacky rigs but I haven't had enough success with them to justify the boredom. 

 

I kinda got seduced by baitcasters a couple of years ago but I'm starting to drift back to spinning reels because it's hard (for me) to throw weightless rigs consistently on a baitcaster. 

I use Fat IKA’s and Neko Machos weightless on my baitcasters. Especially Neko Machos. They are heavier than a lot of soft plastics and the shape makes it cast well. I do Neko rig them but mostly fish on a 3/0 EWG as a weightless TR. 

[Catt]

19 hours ago, AmmoGuy said:

Just an anecdote... 

 

With T-rigged soft plastics, don't get stuck in one mode of retrieve. I see guys all the time that no matter what, that rod tip is going to bounce exactly the same every time they fish a T-rigged plastic. 

 

Example, I had a pretty good afternoon yesterday on a 3/16 T-rigged senko, but I was basically slowly swimming it back with some random bounces/stops along the way. When I slowed down to a "normal" retrieve they weren't interested. 

 

Every lure we fish will have rythm, cadence, speed of retrieval that will trigger a reaction from the bass.

 

When you get bit try to remember exactly what your lure was doing & duplicate it on the next cast.

 

Now to complicate it!

 

This rythm is subject change as often as hourly but if you're lucky it could hold all day.

[Dash Riprock]

9 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

I use Fat IKA’s and Neko Machos weightless on my baitcasters. Especially Neko Machos. They are heavier than a lot of soft plastics and the shape makes it cast well. I do Neko rig them but mostly fish on a 3/0 EWG as a weightless TR. 

I've got a couple of packages of Fat IKA's I've been meaning to try, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I'll make it a point to tie one on next time I go out. Thanks!

[roadwarrior]

7.49 at Guntersville on a Fat Ika

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/lake-guntersville-2012.html

[BrianMDTX]

3 hours ago, Dash Riprock said:

I've got a couple of packages of Fat IKA's I've been meaning to try, just haven't gotten around to it yet. I'll make it a point to tie one on next time I go out. Thanks!

Try the Fat IKA rigged tentacles forward or backwards. Sometimes that simple change makes a difference. 

[LetMeSeeThatBass]

3/0-4/0 EWG, 1/4 oz tungsten and Texas rig that senko or fat ika in green pumpkin/black flake. 
 

slowly drag it on the bottom and pause for about 10-30 seconds, then drag it again. Even better if it’s not windy l just go weightless 

[Danika 327]

you have a lot of good advice given to you i'm only gonna say this it will take time to learn but don't give up. I say this because the first time you catch one on a soft plastic is a great feeling. 

[the reel ess]

Here's a tip for soft plastics. You need to have the right hook in the right size to rig them. If you're in a store and looking at a lure and wonder what hook to get for it, walk over to the Berkley Powerbait lures of the same type and it will tell you on the back of the bag. Otherwise, just size your hook big enough so that the fish can get the hook point and not wad the bait up on it.

 

I like to T rig worms, craws, lizards and bugs. I use a craw or bug as the trailer for jigs, though I admit I prefer T rigs to jigs. I like to use a worm on a shaky head when the bite gets slow. The split shot rig or a lightweight Carolina rig also work well when you can't buy a bite.

 

I use a heavy-fast pitching stick with 30# braid for heavier T rigs. I use a medium spinning combo with 20# braid for those finesse lures unless I'm in heavy cover. I'll use a mono leader if I think the fish care.

[BrianMDTX]

1 hour ago, Danika 327 said:

you have a lot of good advice given to you i'm only gonna say this it will take time to learn but don't give up. I say this because the first time you catch one on a soft plastic is a great feeling. 

I agree. I like to catch bass on various baits, but there’s something about working a Texas rig and feeling a bass tap it and then setting the hook.