When To Use Plastics, What Kinds, And What Time Of The Year??

[Choey23]

Whats up guys, got a couple questions about plastics, haven't really used them a lot, mostly spinnerbaits and cranks, but i always hear how well people do on plastics, and want to get into them. So my questions are, what type and color's should i fish for certain conditions/time of the year, and what type of plastics(worms,creatures,etc), all comments are encouraged because I've been reading but still can't find specifics, an as it gets closer to the season, i want to hit it in full swing and have a great summer of bass fishing, thanks a lot guys really appreciate it

[Jake P]

plastics are good morning to night winter to summer and shallow to deep waters. Where you fish determines what type of plastic you can throw. If you want to cover a little bit of water try throwing something you can swim our hop. For me this is a soft type jerk bait like a fluke our for deeper water I like the rage tail space monkey with a swim pause swim pause technique.

For slower presentations and fishing a particular spot with a Texas rig I like Senkos. Everyone will vouch for those they're almost a must have. I also love rage tail anacondas and Thumpers and craws. Colors will depends on where you fish.

I suggest you read through the Senko sticky thread at the top of this section of the forum. Good luck!

[Brand0n]

i caught tons of lm last summer with senkos and 10" worms both texas rigged. thats all i took with me when i hit the lake. yum dingers are a cheaper alternative to senkos.

[smalljaw67]

If you're just getting into it I would go with the basics first as it will give you a good understanding of how to fish other types of plastics. you will get a lot of good advise but you may also get dizzy by the responses so I'll lay out a plan for you that will get you started in the right direction. First and formost you need hooks, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, 4/0 wide gap offset worm hooks, these are the sizes you need to start with so get a pack or 2 of each. Weights, bullet style worm weights from any company that makes them, you can often get a kit from BPS or Cabelas but get a variety from 1/16oz up to 3/4oz. There is a lot more but right now stick to the basics, once you have the terminal tackle you need to types of worms, the first is a basic Culprit or Berkley Power worm, these are 7.5" ribbon tail worms that you will use on a texas rig and the other is a Senko or Yum Dinger, these are stick worms that you are going to use texas rigged weightless or wacky rigged weightless at first. When fishing the ribbon tail worm you need to use the lightest weight you possibly can to make your bait fall to the bottom, the fish will dictate but for a general rule of thumb a 1/8oz weight is good for depths of 3' to 5', line size is also going to factor in some. If you use mono you'll want 8# line up to 17# line, cover and weight will be the determining factors, once you learn the texas rig and what it feels like to get a strike on a worm the rest is easy as the texas rig is the starting point for a lot of different baits.

[buzzfrog]

also if new to plastics, pitchin them is really great aswell

[IneedAnewScreenName-972354]

Soft plastics are effective anytime of year. They work great for slow moving/falling natural presentations especially in heavy cover such has pads, hydrilla, and timber. Also great when working deep water. I choose colors based on water color and depth. Darker more stained waters or deep water I'll use darker color plastics while clearer and shallower water I'll use colors lighter more natural colors.

When you get a chance check out some our plastics and their applications.

[Scorcher214]

Smalljaw covered just about everything. But if your going to be using a 7.5in texas rigged worm, all you'll need is are some 4/0 hooks. If I'm fishing 1-3ft of water, I usually use 1/16oz bullet weight, any deeper and I'll go with 1/8 or 1/4. Unless I am in some really nasty weeds or current.

For Texas rig:

1. Start with your rod at the 2 o'clock

2. Move the rod up to about 12:30. Should be able to get in 1 mississippi while moving the rod up

3. Drop back down to 2

4. Wait about 5 seconds after the worm hits the bottom and then repeat.

Texas rig is as simple as it gets for fishing plastics.

Next to Senkos....which I highly reccommend buying if you are new to plastics.

A little something Roadwarrior wrote on the subject of fishing a senko.

Equipment:

Medium or Medium Heavy Power/ Fast Action spinning rod and reel.

#6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid, Ultra Soft, P-Line or XL.

Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks.

1 bag GYCB 5" Senkos, watermelon with black flakes (194)

1 bag GYCB Fat Ika (194)

Place:

A pond at least 5 acres in size, preferably with some bottom features or contour. Or, if you have access to big water, a well defined cove, not a bay. Whether you fish from a boat or the shore, you will fish exactly the same way.

Method:

Start with the Senko. Cast parallel to the bank, 10-15 yards off the shoreline. Let the bait sink to the bottom, count to 30 (as in 30 seconds) then move the Senko 6-12" with a slow horizontal sweep, allowing the bait to fall on slack line. Count to 10, then repeat. Continue all the way back, move ten steps forward and repeat.

Fish the ENTIRE shoreline regardless of whether you see cover or structure. Fish two Senkos and if you are still not catching bass, switch to the Fat Ika and fish it until you lose it. Don't switch back and forth. Fish the Fat Ika EXACTLY like you fished the Senko.

To make this testing fair, you need to spend at least one hour out fishing, two would be better. You can't hurry and you must stay focused. If you don't catch a bass after two trips or four hours of fishing, you need to find new water.

[Choey23]

Scorcher214, i did actually read that thread earlier and it was very helpful, i did purchase a few of those things, like the Senkos and actually some baby brush hogs, the hogs being in dark blue and black. Smalljaw67, u are totally correct with getting dizzy about all the comments, i have been doing so much research and reading on this topic, and do have a good idea of what to do, just haven't applied it yet to the water and haven't found what works just yet which might be why I'm still a little confused, i know plastics are good at any time and at any time, just didn't know if there were baits recommended for the pre-spawning of bass or spring time fishing opposed to summer fishing as far as plastics go. I currently have the Senkos t-rigged weightless, t-rigged with weight, and on a jig head, and the same goes for the baby brush hog. Also going to try the carolina rig, which i guess is good for fishing heavy cover so the bait can be just above the heavy grass or cover, all comments and advice are more than welcome, this forum is great and the people on here are very knowledgable and willing to help others which is the name of the game, thanks again

[SAC2]

rubber worm= use all the time. cant remember the last time i left the dock without having some variation of a rubber worm tied on. normally a t-rigged 7 inch powerwom. its a great lure that works for many applications

[Roach87]

Soft plastics are good to use every day you're on the water in my book. The senko's have been recommended, and I agree! They have become almost must have for many bass anglers. I'd also throw in Rage Craws. My confidence is growing in those bad boys daily. Texas rigged or jig trailer, it's an amazing bait. Just grab some plastics of any variety though and experiement. There is almost no wrong way!

[Bassn Blvd]

Rubber worms and Senkos are effective 24/7, 365.

[ww2farmer]

I do not thing there has been one time in the last 20 years, boat/shore, ponds/lake/creeks, that I have not thrown soft plastics or some sort or another at least once per outing. Might not always have been a T-rig, but I always seem to have some thing rigged up.

[tylerdanielmoser]

Buy a wide range of colors and try them out!