Soft Plastic Fishing Lures: Choosing the Best Ones for Bass

Fishing is undoubtedly one of the most popular American sports, spanning generations and generations of fishermen. Bass fishing, in particular, is prevalent, even having bass-specific tournaments and sports seasons. Of course, the biggest reason bass fishing is so popular is its availability. Bass fishing can mean going to the nearest local pond and reeling in some largemouth bass for the casual angler. Bass can be found just about anywhere, at least in the United States, and many different sizes. Another thing that makes bass fishing very popular among anglers is how they can be caught in a myriad of ways. There are many ways to go about bass fishing, whether fly fishing uses topwater lures or bottom fishing to choose different types of rods, reels, and tackles. The versatility in fishing methods can be fascinating when watching Bass Pro tournaments, as each angler has their specific gear loadout and particular bass fishing techniques.

Out of everything an angler can use to catch bass, one of the most important things to consider is the type of lure to use. Whether it’s live bait or artificial lures, each one brings something different to the table. Artificial lures are probably one of the more popular options to choose from as they’re reusable, unlike when using live bait. Whereas soft plastic lures, in particular, are one of the most inexpensive ways to lure in fish.

As its name suggests, soft plastic lures are soft rubbery plastic. They imitate anything from baitfish like shad to worms and even alien-like creatures. Because plastic can be in the form of just about anything, it makes it easier for an angler to match the type of diet a bass has in any body of water. Soft plastic lures can also be used in varying depths, either as a topwater lure or for fishing deeper into the water. Finally, these artificial lures aren’t as messy or smelly compared to using live bait. Despite not having many scents, they can still emit some when cast out. They’re effortless to handle compared to other lures and can be used repeatedly before giving out. 

We don’t know what will if those things don’t convince you to get some soft plastic lures. But, for those looking to switch to using them, here are some things to keep in mind when choosing. 

How to Choose Soft Plastic Lures

1. Know the Types

When categorizing these lures, it all comes down to two main types, the slugs, and shad. 

Slugs are eel-like colored lures the bass love to look for. These wavy lures move minimally instead of agitate fish due to excessive movements. Slugs are then better suited to be used in calmer waters. It’s also better used farther from the angler as the noises made by the boat, or the angler can spook the fish. Because they’re light, soft plastic lures can also be used to dart around by using the tip of the rod. Darting can be used to mimic natural patterns of baitfish to lure prey. 

Compared to the softer and more malleable slugs, shads are more rigid and easily vibrate in the water. Shads are better used in rough waters. The waters’ movements cause vibrations to the lure, which in turn get the attention of the bass. When it comes to casting shad-type soft plastics, it’s all about the angle placements of their tails. Angling of the tails will more or less dictate how they flow in water when they’re cast. The more it resists the water, the more it makes vibrations. Setting it right is key as too much vibrating may be too much for any fish. 

Other than these two soft plastic lures, they also come in various shapes and sizes; trailers, worms, creature baits, craws, and even drop-shot soft plastics. Each one is tailored to a specific ecosystem where the diet of fish is different from others. For example, using crawfish-like lures in a local pond may be better than using them in a nearby stream where they aren’t found. 

2. Weather and Water Clarity

Soft plastic lures come in a lot of different colors. Most of these come into play when dealing with the ever-changing weather. Clearer waters on a bright day are best paired with the use of equally bright colors. When fishing in murkier waters but still on a sunny day, bright yet less natural colors like pink will have a better chance of catching fish’s attention regardless of how murky the waters are. Darker colors like navy blue and red are best used on cloudy days where baitfish generally look darker. However,  remember that fish in murkier waters rely on sound more than sight when catching prey. In which case, the type of lure is much more important than its colors. 

3. Lure Size

A large part of fishing comes down to whether or not a fish finds it worthwhile to eat the prey in front of them. Beneficial means that the balance of energy spent going to the target and eating it is less than the energy the fish will get by consuming it.  Whether or not they’re willing to eat what’s in front of them is something every angler needs to keep in mind. For example, winter fish are more likely to eat smaller prey because it takes less energy to eat, and fish are well-stocked with food from the season prior. In contrast, the pre-spawning season for bass is best used with bigger lures.  Clearer waters are also subject to smaller-sized lures, while big soft plastics are best used in murky waters for a larger presence. 

A lot of fishing is about trial and error. The beauty of fishing is that it’s ever-changing in that fish will react differently every day. One lure that might’ve worked a week ago may perform the same today. In the end, fishing is all about experimentation and finding out what works.