5 secrets to successful soft plastic lure fishing

Keeping these five tips in mind will greatly improve your soft plastics hook-up rate

Soft plastic lures have been around since the middle of the 20th century but only became widely popular with significant numbers of Aussie anglers from about the turn of the millennium.

However, despite their widespread use and ready availability these days, some fishos still struggle to come to terms with these soft, squishy lures.

In reality, fishing with soft plastics isn’t all that hard, and actually represents a handy transition from bait fishing to lure fishing, borrowing heavily on aspects of both pursuits.

1. Rig them right

Most soft plastic lures are sold in modular form with the tails and jig heads packaged separately.

You’ll need to put the two pieces together, and some anglers find this daunting, but it needn’t be.

Take a little extra time and care to rig your soft plastics correctly and your catch rates will increase exponentially.

Start by measuring the tail alongside the jig hook to find out how far back the bend of the hook will reach. This will be the exit point for the tip of your hook.

Next, start threading the tail onto the hook (much like a worm), ensuring you keep the shank of the hook centred in the plastic.

Bring the hook point out at that pre-determined spot, push the tail up snugly against the rear of the jig head and carefully check that everything is nice and straight, then test swim the rigged lure to double-check its action.

2. Use the right gear

Soft plastic lures work far more effectively if they’re fished off quality, well-balanced tackle.

Generally speaking, the lighter and more responsive the gear, the better these lures will perform.

Make sure your reel turns smoothly and your rod has a relatively light, sensitive tip.

Finally, seriously consider using braided polyethylene main lines with a rod length or so of nylon or fluorocarbon leader added at the business end.

Braid is ultra-thin for its strength and has virtually no stretch, greatly improving the “feel” and overall efficiency of presenting soft plastics.

3. Slow down!

Almost every angler tends to fish soft plastics far too quickly.

Remember, these lures are extremely realistic and life-like. They don’t rely on speed to deceive a fish, as some metal jigs might.

Soft plastics often get eaten while sinking through the water column, or simply lying inert on the bottom, so slow down your retrieves and let these lures work their inherent magic.

Incorporate plenty of stops, starts and exaggerated pauses into your presentations, and if you think you’re going slowly enough, slow down even more.

4. Set the hook

While some fish will whack a soft plastic as hard as any other style of lure, many simply peck, pluck or suck at and gently inhale these lures.

Indications of a bite can often be quite subtle, which is a great reason for using sensitive, low-stretch braided main lines.

If you detect anything out of the ordinary during a retrieve, react immediately by striking to set the hook, much as you would with natural bait.

Hook sets don’t need to be overly dramatic or violent, especially when using braided lines. A short, brisk lift of the rod tip combined with a couple of fast turns of the reel will usually get the job done…

If you miss the fish, stop cranking, lower the rod tip and give it a second bite at the cherry.

5. Add scent, and fish with confidence!

Adding a smear of scent or bite stimulant to your soft plastics will almost always improve its strike rate, as well as encourage fish to hang onto the lure longer, or return for multiple attacks if they miss the first hook-up.

Perhaps even more importantly, using scent will boost your confidence and let you fish with much greater positivity. Make no mistake, this is important!

Above all, you need to believe that your soft plastic lures will appeal to fish. If you do, success will inevitably come.

Soft plastic lures are among the most effective and productive tools ever designed to fool fish. Embrace them, learn to get the best from them, fish them confidently, and you will succeed.

Steve ‘Starlo’ Starling is one of Australia’s best known and most respected fishing communicators.