Best Soft Jerkbait Rigging Method? (Side-by-Side Comparison)

[@SMC4117]

Personally, I prefer the nose rigged technique. I will use a screw lock on occasion but more often than not, I’ll just nose hook it with a wacky rig hook both weedless but typically, fluke, wacky hook and that’s it! Always on spinning gear! I consider it finesse fishing and get way more casting distance on spinning tackle! Have a wonderful Christmas Steve. Keep up the great work and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say, we appreciate you, your insights, and, your dedication. Be well 🙏🏻🏄🏼‍♂️🎣

[@Steve-ev6vx]

Me too.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

You have a Merry Christmas as well! And thank you for your experiences with this.

[@AdventuresWest]

Glad you gave a shout-out to the Banjo Minnow system. They revolutionized an entire section of fishing. I used them a lot in the 90's and not only caught a ton of fish (probably literally) but also a wide spectrum of fresh and saltwater species. I primarily fish finesse plastics. Zoom Baits "The Fluke" and "Tiny Fluke" are a staple in my tackle pack and I have used them in many applications for decades. I ended up settling on the Gamakatsu size 1 EWG as the best hook for a fluke and an owner light wire mosquito in size 4 for the smaller offering. EWG gets the bait body hooked through the side, not up/down like most people think it should go. Through the side provides a little more action, but makes a significantly bigger gap between the hook point and bait body for deeper hook sets that stick well and keep a fish pinned. The mosquito hooks on the little guys is body threaded at the nose with exposed hook. I'm not worried about the extra action you may get with a bait screw, it doesn't seem to matter. I can still skitter a fluke across the surface, weightless or give it an underwater walk if needed. But primarily bites come dead sticking a fluke around cover or bait anyways (at least for me.)

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

These are great tips! Thank you. I too caught a pile of fish on that Banjo Minnow in the 90s. It was such a fun system to fish.

[@julienchaput8396]

Great video, Steve. I use both rigs depending on the situation, but I prefer the nose hook as I've noticed and much higher hook-up and land ratio. Bass are more likely to strike the head of a fluke, especially on the pause, and the nose hook gets them in the roof of the mouth, most times, even with short strikers. They have to swallow most of the bait on an EWG to get a decent hook-up most times. Just an observation ive made over the last decade of throwing both options.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That’s a great observation! Thank you for sharing it. I appreciate it!

[@rickschipper4502]

Good info, definitely gonna use this method when I don’t need a weedless fluke

[@johnhill2298]

Thank you so much for all you give us all year long! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@michaelgraves5188]

Merry Christmas Steve! Loving what you are bringing us! 🙏❤️😎👍

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@shannonkirby9295]

Hey, Steve, it is great to see ya today. Great video and info and one more time, I pray u and your family have a Merry Christmas

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you! And Merry Christmas to you and your family as well!

[@TWC6724]

I use those owner cps spring on my Zman products and I agree they are tough to screw in. I found if you take your hook and insert it as a pilot hole, the spring will screw in easier.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Great tip, thanks for sharing!

[@thomasebsen8821]

Use heat on the screw lock, easy!

[@TWC6724]

Gosh, that’s a great idea as well 👍

[@matthewotis3594]

2 pilot holes is the ticket.

[@beavisbrowne3497]

Marvelous presentation

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks!

[@ricknelson4793]

Thanks Steve I will start trying out the nose rigging hooked directly through the nose as others have mentioned. Great content! Merry Christmas to everyone 🎣

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

You are very welcome! Merry Christmas to you too!

[@guadalupe_rodriguezNPK]

I have no preference. I rig both versions. Of course, the weedless version has its place. Thanks for the video. I appreciate all that you do for us, anglers. Merry Christmas!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Merry Christmas to you as well!

[@davegwiazdon8450]

I tell you what we don't need....one more way to rig up a soft bait that doesn't really accomplish anything. So thanks for the information simplifying our lives a little bit! By the way...I sure like how you sign off on your videos! It's a great message that applies to all of us!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you! That’s an important part of each video for me.

[@PhilipScott-qg8nv]

Enjoyed this video. I really appreciate your method of instruction

[@moncorp1]

I used that technique and love it. I do it with old school Sluggo's too.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Love those old Slugos!

[@gregchilders7643]

I use a circle hook when nose rigging .excellent hook-up and no gut hooking.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That’s a great point.

[@itllkeal]

Thanks Steve. Awesome content.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@josephwalsh988]

I love using a weedless Neko hook and nose hooking soft jerkbaits. Works awesome and way more hookups.

[@davidewing6394]

Steve, hope you and yours have a blessed Christmas and a fantastic New Year. God Bless. Thanks for all the great content!!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you too!

[@burneracc2567]

Usefull information, great content!! I think nose rigged (which is something I see for the first time ever) would have maybe a bit better hookup ratio but I've never used screw in eyes and I'm not sure how well they hold. Not a hughe fan of losing soft plastics in nature unless I simply have to break off on a snag or get bit off.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I was thinking about that too. Something important to consider. Thank you!

[@TimEdwards-sx2pq]

Another killer video Steve thanks and keep them coming appreciate you

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! Will do.

[@JamesBondDZero7Mi6]

What a coincidence. Yesterday, I was just trying to figure out what to do with my Banjo Minnow hooks and attachments. I have very few tiny o-rings left, and the small rubber bands have deteriorated beyond use. I think I'll do this same experiment next spring. I think the nose-hooked fluke-style minnow has slightly better action. This may make a difference in clear water where fish have more time to study the bait action. I'll let you know my results. The original plastic minnows have held up great and mine are still like new.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Definitely let me know how it goes for you!

[@JamesPetit1]

I use the traditional rigging with a 3 or 4/0 gamakatsu hook tied with a small loop knot of 20# leader. No, I've never had hit break neither. Tie it fresh every few fish if you feel you need to. I'm fishing in the extra weedy Florida lakes. I always throw a small drop of crazy glue on the hook shank also to keep it in place.

[@jamessullivan5683]

I've have rigged them both ways, and the thing I can say about nose rigging that is better. Is hook up ratio is higher.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@fishforeverlife]

Thanks Steve! Another champ video!🤙

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I'm glad you liked it!

[@raygissendanner1476]

Great information thank you Steve

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Very welcome!

[@garyong2499]

I have played with this rig for about 2 years now, the caffene shad is great, but a sleeper is the Daiwa Macho Neko bait. The bulbous tail will swim with a slow retrieve and then shimmies when you stop it. Happy Holidays

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I will have to try that. Thank you. Happy Holidays to you also!

[@stevevanhorn1909]

Haha, I still have and use the Banjo from time to time !!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I used a lot of them!

[@Rooster0529]

I will have to try both and see if either have a noticeably higher strike rate. After ice out of course. It was -2 F here yesterday morning.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Yikes! That’s cold. Let me know what you think.

[@bradr.7249]

I have never tried the nose hook method on a fluke. I think that it would make sense in a more open water situation. You are right about getting those springs into elastech. Almost impossible. Merry Christmas Steve.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Merry Christmas to you too!

[@sonofjoanne1969]

I most often use these for river smallmouth. One other nuance is the used of non "Fluke" minnow baits by nose rigging. I can use the original fluke or other baits that don't Texas rig well with a nose rig. And the way smallmouth hit a bait, the much more exposed or accessible nose hook, even when used with a weed-deflector what-ever makes hooking easier. You don't have all that bait to push through or move out of the way or whatever. It's just bait and the nose hook. I use a 1/0 or 2/0 drop shot hook and screw the spring all the way into the nose of the plastic. Then I hook through the plastic AND the spring. It holds great.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Excellent tips! Thank you for sharing them.

[@Austin_Torres]

Both are great on the nose hook though I normally go to an even smaller size drop shot hook. Less hang up in vegetation

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I'll have to give that a try!

[@jimkingsland1645]

I like the glide of the nose rigging, but weedless usually wins out.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That glide is really nice.

[@thomasebsen8821]

EagleClaw/Lazer Sharp Drop Shot hook ,it has the ideal nose hooking hook . It has a barb on the shaft and pivots on the hook. It unique. AXS drop shot hook.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@ricktaylor6141]

Gamakatsu makes the perfect hook for this It's wacky rig hook and it's weedless.Give it atry,might work-out for you.Merry Christmas and a healthy and prosperous New Year.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Merry Christmas to you too! I will have to check that out. Thank you.

[@nrthfish]

I find the Zoom Super Fluke works best nose hooked (1/0 wacky hook) and KVD Caffeine Shad works best rigged with weedless (Owner Twistlock 4/0). I use a #5 swivel with a 1’ flouro leader. The swivel adds just enough weight to keep the bait just below the surface. Deadly on smallmouth.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That's a really cool setup. I'm going to test that out!

[@nrthfish]

@ I noticed you were using a center lock pin when nose hooking and putting the hook through the pin end with bobber stops. For nose hooking on the Zoom Super Fluke I use an Owner Center Lock Pin (M) and put the hook about an 1/8” back, through the fluke and centering pin. No bobber stops needed. Thanks for all the great videos, so informative.

[@wolverinex4243]

Same with flukes. Difference is when you use a flat lure or Banjo.

[@somewhereinsd362]

Ill stick to the texas rigged fluke, works great in and around cover, completely weedless and super good hook up ratio ...just seems to work for me ... 😊

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It’s what I use most of the time too. Solid in cover.

[@thatfishingnoob]

I’ve been Texas rigging things, I’ll rig it that way mostly unless I’m fishing something smaller or if I feel like a nose rigging would be better, for no apparent reason haha.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That’s a great way to think about it!

[@davidraguse2106]

I fish for fish that have abrasive mouths and the ewg hooks in the jaw hinge leaving the leader outside the mouth which you can use a lighter leader...nose hooking get hooked deeper resulting in bite offs

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you for sharing!

[@LowBrowFishing]

I think the nose rigging trick looks good but might be a bit complicated to try to do out on the water when a traditional-style of just Texas rigging the soft jerkbait will work just as good. Also, as a tip to get Elaztech baits on your screw keeper, just hold the keeper with a pair of needle nose pliers and heat it up with a lighter for a couple seconds. The bait twists right on.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I will have to don that. Thank you!

[@samuelwarden6285]

I have trouble with my flukes not getting deep enough when I use a 3/0 EWG hook. They keep wanting to come out of the water. Do you have any tips for that?

[@erniebrightfishing]

Play close attention to the nose of the bait when you're fishing a fluke it's extremely important to get the bait on straight but not only that if the nose is pointed slightly up it'll rise in the water if it's pointed slightly down it will actually help it to go down in the water so just pay super close attention when you rigged it up on the hook as to how the nose is sitting you can also use a heavier fluke like a strike King caffeine shad and then if you're wanting to get really deep just add some nail weights

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

The other viewer was spot on. If the nose is tipped up at all on the hook it will make the bait rise on the twitch. I hope that helps. Thanks for watching!

[@darrellgrant7615]

First time I saw the nose rigged style was a Tactical Bassing video. Matt said he rigged it this way when possible because when they filmed it underwater they noticed the bass hit it at the head.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is excellent! Thank you for sharing this.

[@WorldsOkayestBusDriver]

What action rod are you using?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That rod is a MH power with a fast action.

[@johndynneson662]

Strike king right 🤔🤔. Just simply looks like a good Fluke. I’m going to grab some.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It’s a caffeine shad. Thanks for watching!

[@LigmaKrack]

Is that a caffeine shad?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It is. Love the action of it.

[@Carolinafishingtales]

If something is working for you the way you rig something, go with it. If it's not broken, don't try to fix it.

[@christophersaunders972]

Rapala knot?

[@neroxyn7625]

Adding a bit of nail weight in the body should balance the bait while nose rigging while adding casting weight and fall more vertically. Also, manipulating where how to rig ewg more forward or backward should also impact whether it's nose diving or not

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Great tips. Thank you!

[@cgharden1]

I like to nose rig.

[@LasseLammert]

Nose-rigging will give you a much better hookup ratio though

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Great point! Thank you.

[@LasseLammert]

nah man, thank you for the great video and killer footage!

[@farstrider79]

I don't think the fish care either way.

[@AM-we6en]

Interesting video. Great channel

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you very much!

[@jasondadudetoo4176]

Pen springs saved in my finesse fishing tackle bag.... depends on the junk in the water