Favorite Soft Plastics

[Sphynx]

Looking to branch out in soft plastics this year just for fun, not necessarily looking for the one that catches the most fish consistently, or the most affordable option, I'm openly embracing the idea that occasionally it's OK to admit that most of the things sold in our industry are designed to catch as many fishermen as fish, so hit me with some of your favorite soft plastic baits, colors, sizes, you name it, I'm stuck in a run and I'm hoping you guys can get me thinking in different directions, thanks!

[MN Fisher]

4" Berkley Pit Boss - favorite trailer for jigs, chatters, spinners. Would also work with T-Rigs.

 

Nuff Said!

[roadwarrior]

Largemouth:

Senko, Fat Ika, Menace, Structure Bug, Rage Swimmer, Cut-R, Space Monkey,

GYCB Kreature and Kut-Tail.

 

Smallmouth:

Some of the above plus Rage Baby Craw, Gitzit and BPS Tender Tube.

[the reel ess]

Zoom Trick Worm, Zoom Ultravibe Speed Worm, stick worms, flukes, Rage Craw, Rage Bug. 

[Mike L]

Magnum UV Speed Worm 

Always rigged Regardless of conditions 

 

Rage Cut R 
When something smaller with a little different action is needed. 
 

Rage Bug and/or Craw. 

Favorite punch and all bottom contact presentations. 

Skinny Dipper/Big EZ

Depending if they want wiggling or thumping 

 

Scum Frog

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Deleted account]

I can't think of any plastic that won't catch bass, I have a few favorites, but several competing products would work just a s well I'm sure. I like to have something with me that I can cut or bite down into a different presentation if required. I find getting the hook and weight matched up well is more important than the actual bait.

[Eddie101]

Other than what's already been mentioned such as Zoom, Strike King, etc , I really like Riot baits,  Missile Baits, and Keitech. New(?) Keitech Custom Leech looks very promising. 

[Bass Rutten]

Before getting too far into what can be a deep rabbit hole I’d start with the basics, the modest venerable worm is the all time fish catching champ and at the end of the day all you really need. A few straight tail,  action tailed, and stick worms in a couple different sizes gives you an absolute plethora of rigging options. Don’t overlook terminal gear either, be sure to budget for quality terminal;  weights, hooks, jigheads, swivels, pegging etc. A small selection of plastics that’ll cover a lot of ground would be senkos, trick worms, speed worms, and power worms.

[Sphynx]

1 hour ago, Deleted account said:

I can't think of any plastic that won't catch bass, I have a few favorites, but several competing products would work just a s well I'm sure. I like to have something with me that I can cut or bite down into a different presentation if required. I find getting the hook and weight matched up well is more important than the actual bait.

 

33 minutes ago, Bass Rutten said:

Before getting too far into what can be a deep rabbit hole I’d start with the basics, the modest venerable worm is the all time fish catching champ and at the end of the day all you really need. A few straight tail,  action tailed, and stick worms in a couple different sizes gives you an absolute plethora of rigging options. Don’t overlook terminal gear either, be sure to budget for quality terminal;  weights, hooks, jigheads, swivels, pegging etc. A small selection of plastics that’ll cover a lot of ground would be senkos, trick worms, speed worms, and power worms.

I pretty much agree entirely with this, my purpose in asking is intended for unabashed indulgence, it isn't that I don't have boxes and boxes of good soft plastics, it's just an attempt to try something new for the sake of it being new. I am 100% confident that I can go catch fish using a vile craw, a vile bug, or a sweet Beaver, but I have never used a rage bug or craw or a pit boss, for example. Not so much about needing baits, as just wanting to shake things up a bit. 

[Bass Rutten]

13 minutes ago, Sphynx said:

I pretty much agree entirely with this, my purpose in asking is intended for unabashed indulgence, it isn't that I don't have boxes and boxes of good soft plastics, it's just an attempt to try something new for the sake of it being new. I am 100% confident that I can go catch fish using a vile craw, a vile bug, or a sweet Beaver, but I have never used a rage bug or craw or a pit boss, for example. Not so much about needing baits, as just wanting to shake things up a bit. 

I see, apologies, I made some assumptions. Experimenting with new or different rigging types (rather than lures) keeps things fresh for me. I’ve added the free rig to my technique arsenal this year. A couple years ago I focused on learning to use the jika rig. It’s like adding another layer of options without needing to buy new lures.

[Deleted account]

31 minutes ago, Sphynx said:

 

I pretty much agree entirely with this, my purpose in asking is intended for unabashed indulgence, it isn't that I don't have boxes and boxes of good soft plastics, it's just an attempt to try something new for the sake of it being new. I am 100% confident that I can go catch fish using a vile craw, a vile bug, or a sweet Beaver, but I have never used a rage bug or craw or a pit boss, for example. Not so much about needing baits, as just wanting to shake things up a bit. 

Bandito Bug then...  

[roadwarrior]

I fish a variety of different brands and profiles, but those I listed represent

my core baits. Although I have virtually every color in my collections, green

pumpkin rules. 

[Sphynx]

1 hour ago, Bass Rutten said:

I see, apologies, I made some assumptions. Experimenting with new or different rigging types (rather than lures) keeps things fresh for me. I’ve added the free rig to my technique arsenal this year. A couple years ago I focused on learning to use the jika rig. It’s like adding another layer of options without needing to buy new lures.

No worries man, just figured if I was misunderstood by you guys, it may confuse others too, I will definitely be looking into the free and jika rigs as well 

[Alex from GA]

I have fished from Maine to CA and lots of places in between with a Zoom finesse worm.  Lakes, rivers, creeks, canals, ponds, it works.

[NYWayfarer]

I have been on a tear lately with a “finesse Texas rig” basically a 1/0 worm hook on a small soft plastic bait with a 1/8 oz bullet weight.

 

My favorite soft plastic baits on that rig in order are,

 

Z-Man TRD TicklerZ

Strike King Rage Tail baby Rage Craw

Z-Man finesse TRD

Strike King Rage Tail Cut- R Worm

 

[LrgmouthShad]

Zoom finesse

Zoom trick

Zoom mag 2

Zoom ultravibe speed worm

Zoom z craw

Zoom z hog

Zoom split tail trailer

Yamamoto senko

Rage menace

Rage craw

Berkley pit boss

 

[DougHall_NY]

5" Yamamoto Senko,

Rage Tail Space Monkey

Keitech Swing Impact Fat 3.8"

Rage Tail Menace

Yamamoto Fat Ika

BPS River Bug

Rage Tail Craw

 

[BrianMDTX]

If the Apocalypse happened and all soft plastics left Earth during the Rapture except for 5” Senkos and Zoom Tricks, I wouldn’t lose a moment of sleep. 
 

I’d mourn Mann’s Jelly Worms, but I’d fish the Zooms and Senkos and get over it lol. 

[Bird]

Keitech 

[Log Catcher]

All Zoom baits. 

Baby Brush Hog

Ultra Vibe Speed Craw

Ultra Vibe Speed Worm

Trick Worms

Ol monster Worms

Mag 2 Worms

Finesse Worms

 

[Columbia Craw]

If it has Rage on the package you’re safe.

[Catt]

Mr. Twister Phenom  Worm the original Curly Tail®

 

Still kicking bass after 50 years!

[keagbassr]

R.I. double wide beaver; magic craw swirl, big texan, hematoma. My punching go-to bait.

4" big bite yo mama; craw orange swirl, brownbait. Like these for downsized punching and cut down for a jig trailer.

3" big bite yo mama; craw orange and watermelon green copper flake. I use these as 1/4oz. Bladed ,swim jig and jig trailers.

 

[RDB]

Instead of looking for specific baits or brands, it might be better to look at the type of action you want for the season and conditions you are fishing.  In warmer months I will typically use a bait with more action/movement.  In vegetation/slop, I want something with fewer appendages that can slip through the cover more easily.  Sometimes you want something that promotes a slower or faster fall, etc., etc.  Almost any plastic will catch fish if it matches the mood.

[Sphynx]

1 hour ago, RDB said:

Instead of looking for specific baits or brands, it might be better to look at the type of action you want for the season and conditions you are fishing.  In warmer months I will typically use a bait with more action/movement.  In vegetation/slop, I want something with fewer appendages that can slip through the cover more easily.  Sometimes you want something that promotes a slower or faster fall, etc., etc.  Almost any plastic will catch fish if it matches the mood.

I posted this above, but I suppose it bears stating again...I'm looking to simply indulge a whim, I have buckets of productive soft plastics, I'm just trying to find new things and shake up the routine of my fishing life.