BUYER'S GUIDE: Best Worms, Creatures, Craws, and Other Soft Baits!

Soft Baits are a HUGE Category! Today's Buyers Guide is a quick look at our most reliable baits from each soft bait category. From our favorite curly tail worms, to our favorite craws, this quick video will help you grab our best confidence baits from every major soft plastics category so you can fish with confidence on your next fishing trip!
While each of these soft bait categories could be their own video, we decided to combine them into one very fast paced Buyer's Guide. We looked at each major category and grabbed our absolute confidence baits. Whether you want to improve your shaky head worm fishing, or punch heavy cover with more confidence, we've got baits in this video to help you accomplish those goals.
Below you'll find links to all the baits discussed. We've included our favorite sizes and colors for each bait to help you grab the key colors that we rely on in our fishing. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES...
•$100 Rod And Reel Combos: • 2022 BUYER'S GUIDE: Be...
•$200 Rod And Reel Combos: • BUYER'S GUIDE: Best $2...
•Ultra High End Rods And Reels: • BUYER'S GUIDE: Ultra H...
•BFS (Bait Finesse) Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: BFS (Ba...
•Tackle Storage Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: Tackle ...
•Hard Swimbait Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: Swimbai...
•Crankbait Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: Crankba...
•Jig Fishing Buyer's Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: Jigs An...
•Spinnerbait And Chatterbait Guide: • BUYER'S GUIDE: Chatter...
CURLY TAIL WORMS...
•Keitech Mad Wag Long: bit.ly/3dkFMLl
Color: Junebug, Green Pumpkin Pepper
•Netbait C-Mac: bit.ly/2OxtIzR
Color: Junebug, Black Blue Flake
STRAIGHT TAIL WORMS...
•Nichols Tape Worm: bit.ly/3yhaS3X
Color: Best Color Ever, Junebug, Green Pumpkin
•Netbait T Mac: bit.ly/2jndwj9
Color: Junebug, Green Pumpkin
WEIGHTLESS WORMS...
•Yamamoto Senko: bit.ly/2axAmNS
Size: 5" or 6"
Color: Green Pumpkin Blk Flk, Green Pump/Watermelon Lam
•Deps Cover Scat: bit.ly/3dj8LVl
Size: 2.5, 3.5
Color: Green Pumpkin, Watermelon Seed
SWIMMING WORMS...
•Zoom Magnum Ultravibe Speed Worm: bit.ly/3b4uk80
Color: Green Pumpkin Blue, Junebug Red
•Yamamoto 7" Speed Senko: bit.ly/3D8qh7P
Color: Green Pump Watermelon lam, Baby Bass
JDM BAITS...
•GeeCrack Bellows Shad: bit.ly/3E4zVdl
Color: AJs Juice, Electric Shad, Muddy Gill
•Jackall Honey Nugget: bit.ly/3Qd04dL
Color: SK Weed Killer, Smoke Light Green Pump Blue
CREATURE BAITS...
•Reaction Innovations Man Bear Pig: bit.ly/2s51oIV
Color: Hematoma, Tramp Stamp
•Missile Baits Destroyer: bit.ly/2QiTTrM
Color: Super Bug, Watermelon Red
CRAW BAITS...
•Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver: bit.ly/29W3RZW
Color: Green Pumpkin Red, Hematoma, Delicious
•Jackall Archelon: bit.ly/2uo4sN5
Color: Black Blue Silver, School Bluegill
•Netbait 4" Paca Slim: bit.ly/3QhEpRe
Color: Black Shadow Flare, Green Pumpkin
WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY...
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors- Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Net- Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/3kngvEG
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#creature #softplastics #review

[@ryantibbitts3198]

I would love to see a video about what style / size hook to pair with what style / bait and WHY. This feels like something you guys could do a deep dive on. Love the buyer’s guide series. Excellent work!

[@mgd2040]

Strike King rage craw is 🔥id add that under craw baits if anyone cares

[@dabblingangler6854]

That Deps Cover Scat is definitely a falling goose turd 😂

[@mikegardiner3934]

yep, and we thought you couldn’t get more turd than the TRD. lol. It’s all about the fall. haha

[@hunternixonfishing2500]

One of my favorite categories! Worms and creatures

[@shaunroberts9361]

You guys looked and sound liked you have had a rough day. You 2 have really put allot of work in these buyer's guide video's and we all appreciate that. At one time you guys did a video a day. That is a allot of work. Anyway Thank You TACTICAL BASSIN FAMILY and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your Family's.....

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you so much Shaun! We're definitely wiped!! It's been fun but it's been a lot! Time to rest, spend time with family, then go catch some fish!!

[@skipdockside]

I just did a fist pump at my desk when I saw there was a new TacBas video up. Better than anything on Netflix.

[@vegasvato55]

In addition to its already impressive versatility, the Speed Worm can also be cut into two separate pieces. The cut-tail end makes a Perfect Grub, and the front end can be an anchor point for a Tail-Spinner...

[@CapnPink28]

Best way to start the morning!!!!

[@johnbutler307]

Thanks guys for all the info..

[@familybudgetfisherman]

Another great buyers guide. I like that the baits you chose have very simple setups; which is great for beginning anglers. My favorite for 2022 is the Bellows series of baits. I bent alot of rods with them this year. 👏🏿👏🏿🎣

[@VinceNiergarth]

Thanks guys!

[@johnowens7435]

Another great buyers guide review.

[@scottstuckey715]

Thanks to both of you for sharing all that you have produced this year. I enjoy every offering and learn volumes. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. We are in a tough bass fishing season here in MN. You will help make the winter bearable. All the best to you and yours.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Scott! Merry Christmas! Hang in there and we'll do our best to entertain/educate your way through the hard water season.

[@Cbasschin]

This is unrelated but you guys should check out the shimano teramar xx sw ml casting rod. It’s an awesome little finesse treble hook rod!

[@midwestfischerman]

Perfect Buyer's Guide for me this morning. I need a recommendation this week for punching... through SKIM ICE!!!🤦🏼‍♂️🥶🧊🌨❄️⛄️

[@bassman6211]

That's been my situation for the last 3-4 weeks already. I've finally put the fishing gear away. Ice chunks on fishing line don't mix with micro guides.

[@jamesh7469]

I would recommend texas rigging your auger on a 5/0 Haymaker hook

[@seizedcarcass8440]

Maybe use a brick and a deps cover scat on a 4/0 super line EWG and 65 lbs braid.

[@foreverfishingillinois815]

Hey someone I can actually relate to you gotta love Northern Illinois

[@MasterBaiterVideos]

I say Texas rig a nightcrawler on a drop shot with a 30lb Grass Weight leader length at least 20ft ✌️🤔

[@Jschuhfishing]

This is one I was hoping you would do! Love it

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks Jacob!!

[@jonorech]

Did a double take on the running time. 10 minutes? On soft plastics? Matt can do a tight 20 on the ManBearPig alone! 😜

[@tacticalbassin]

😂😂😂 Not at the end of a very long series! I need a power nap and then it's time to go fishing!!

[@DavidBronstein1961]

So glad to hear you mention the free rig!! This summer on an Adirondack Lake that I had never fished before, I was having a tough time in grass flats that looked SO fishy. Threw everything in there, including Senko, nothing. Then I think okay time to try out the Free Rig. Tie on a Deps Bull Flat in some bluegill color and BAM 4 lber. Then must have caught 5 more smaller ones in the next hour before even that bite slowed. Go back the next morning, another 4 lber! Looking forward to trying the JDM baits you suggest here. Now get some sleep!

[@richardblake4777]

First video by y'all where I'm taking notes. Barely kept up even knowing I could rewind or run it again. Glad to know your favs cause often they become mine. Really hate that BG is over but, as usual, you guys nailed them. Been watching since the beginning when y'all were obviously shy at the mike and camera and have loved every minute. Always referring my bassin buddies to your channel, you guys shoot straight. Thank y'all for being the best ever.

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

It's quite amazing how far both Matt and Tim - Matt especially - have come as on-camera personalities since the early days. I wonder if they sought any instruction to help develop that skill, or if it was something they just worked at till they got it right. Good luck out there!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Richard! We really appreciate the continued support!

[@phjl1963]

Thanks guys

[@toddpossum]

I’m at least 5th! Woo hoo!

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

Thank you, gentlemen, great job as always. I really appreciate the many hours of work you both put into producing these Guides; I hope they help some gift-buyers to make some great selections this holiday season. I wonder if you might consider starting a week earlier next year, as we're probably past the point of being able to get an order delivered in time for Christmas without paying extra. Thanks again for all of the great information you provide for us, and very happy holidays to you and your families.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Bob! We'll definitely consider it. We tried hard to get all the major stuff in early. Unfortunately these videos land on such a transitional time of year we hate to give up that additional week of teaching about cold water tactics... but we will think about it for sure.

[@TKLewis904]

The value on the on T-Mac is unmatched. 20 worms per Pack is crazy

[@DFWdarin]

The Nichols tapeworm and the Jackall archleon are two baits I learned about on TB and they work. Two of my favorites to fish

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome!!

[@mortanna]

The cover scat is a great bait.

[@icatchfish9387]

"It looks like it mimics some other things" 🤣

[@charlesthomas5926]

Awesome buyers guide video so jdm baits you guys talked about the honey nugget you have to try the osp dolive gill it is incredible 👊🎣

[@tacticalbassin]

👍🏼

[@Cornelius798]

Nice recommendations. I'm a fan of Netbait the Big Bopper did well this year. If I may add, STH stickbaits crushed the bass this year. STH is on Netbaits website.

[@Triple87]

Man, my go to is berkley max scent kingtails. They never fail.

[@jasonromo4416]

I've heard comments saying that this channel is just a big infomercial for TW. But honestly, I love the fact that they aren't tied to any one brand like so many other channels are. They try EVERYTHING and let us know what they like based off of what works in which situation. And the links to TW are nice, because they have the best descriptions, pictures and even videos. Great job guys!

[@seantaylor6953]

Send like they are bound to shimano products, ie rods, reels, and now lures, also keep in mind jackall, power pro and loomis are all owned by shimano, like to see little more variety in big ticket/high end items, only thing not shimano they keep touting is megabass

[@tacticalbassin]

We are fisherman that buy and use a ton of gear and tackle. Megabass, Dobyns, St. Croix, Daiwa, 13 Fishing, and Lews were all recommended in our buyers guides 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@shawng3340]

Yes!!!

[@starwars095]

Hey guys: Another great video as always. I realize that with so many different styles sizes and colors of soft baits available these days it’s hard to stick with one brand for every situation. That said I’d love you guys to do a comparison video between Z-mans (stretchy durable) soft baits vs some similar ones I’ve seen from Spro Lunkerhunt and a few other brands to see if one brand is any better than another and if these new(er) stretchy style soft baits other than being more durable work any better at catching fish than standard soft baits? Thanks Merry Christmas and all the best in the new year…🎣🤔😎🐝

[@lanerother709]

You definitely need to try the strike king Cutr worm

[@newrivernymphs3213]

Mannnn no lake fork hyphy worm with the flappy tail one of my fav heavy shakey head deep water baits stroking it like a football jigs is absolutely killer on the tva lakes or the lake Norman system

[@northernbassalliance1442]

Yall ever thrown the culrpit incredi craw? That bait slays! Also huge fan of the destroyer and man bear pig.

[@jonathanrivera6815]

I use the missle baits d bomb for free rigging

[@Twangtown7]

Lot of people don't know this about the Archelon, but there's a hole near the antenna area. You can slide a worm rattle in there and they never come out.

[@tacticalbassin]

Yep 👍🏼 That hole goes all the way up. We love to Texas rig but only half way through and leave the point floating inside that hole. Incredibly weedless and still hooks up great.

[@Twangtown7]

@@tacticalbassin Definitely my favorite flippin/pitchin bait. A while back I heard Jackall may be discontinuing it. I proceeded to purchase about 100 packs from various sites. Thankfully that turned out to be a terrible rumor, but now I'm set for a while. Lol.

[@chartrandoutdoors2336]

Can you guys do a review on the Berkeley Gilly Bluegill swimbait?

[@TheFishCatcher]

You guys should check out the OSP DoLive Beaver amazing bait !

[@tacticalbassin]

Yeah, that is a unique one for sure.

[@jimwarden9617]

Have you guys done a vid on free-riggin’?

[@danaparks8812]

Once again, a very informative and well-spoken video. One small piece of advice or actually possibly to sound a little nicer about it, was wondering why you guys don't ever pull the lures out, or the soft plastics out of the package like other people do? I think it would be so much easier to see what kind of lure you're talking about if you actually could see the lure and not just the package. It was a little hard to see on just a smartphone which I happen to be using. That's all I wanted to ask. I do appreciate what you guys do, keep it up, Merry Christmas, and God bless!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks for the feedback Dana! Merry Christmas!!

[@johnhodson5120]

I REALLY wish you'd stop talking about the man bear pig lol. I've won so much money on that bait. Keep the guides coming I love to see new baits

[@natematlock9316]

You guys turned me onto the man bear pig a few years back and I have destroyed bass on it thank u so much by far the best informational vids out there! Curious if u guys have fished in Southern Indiana??

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes we have 👍🏼 We actually did a video on Patoka a couple years back.

[@natematlock9316]

@@tacticalbassin cool I’ll look it up seen u guys are in Tennessee now u should come up and fish bluegrass fwa tons of pressure on those pits would love some insight

[@jerrymork4000]

Just curious on your thoughts on the berkley max scent creature hawg???

[@tnbassmaster]

to be honest soft plastics are just trailers for my jig!!! LOL 😂😂😂

[@troycote4503]

Nice, I know, I'm a Swimbait guy but was wondering about that cover scat. I see you use it but is it that unique and when do you guys have the best luck with it?

[@cw4973]

Which one of you got the Skeeter? 👌🤘

[@PHATBASSASSASSIN]

What about for spotted bass ?

[@JLaird-ji1qr]

Throw a lot of plastics ……. Some new ones to try after this video……. Good stuff

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome! That's the goal 👍🏼

[@seizedcarcass8440]

All I know is the cover scat is loaded with salt! 4/0 EWG and you will kill it. I like the pumpkin cheesecake color. It’s basically a green pumpkin pearl.

[@BassFishingNEB]

No rage products?

[@matthewlucas8245]

Did some damage this week with the googan bandito bug on the Harris chain, does tactical try the googan stuff and not like it? I haven’t seen them try any of it or talk about it

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

I've had a really good winter also; sadly, it looks like we're in for a cold snap later this week. The way I understand how TB does things: they try a lot of different things and feature the standouts here on their channel. I would be shocked if they hadn't tried Googan baits. Personally, I think the Bugs are OK; like some other Googans I have tried, they don't seem very durable. I tend to gravitate to the Rage Bug instead. The Netbait Baby Mad Paca has probably been my best creature this winter; it's like a Baby Brush Hog, except with Paca flapper claws instead of solid appendages just above the tail. Good luck out there!

[@gregc2621]

Whose got the skeeter?

[@vincentgelles3805]

No tubes in this one?

[@RUF33OH]

Notice you guys didn’t share any rods or reels for this category? Probably used more than any anglers? Can you help??

[@erk678]

Zoom Brush Hog

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

A classic, love it. I remember TB featured the mid-size Brush hog when it came out. I have been playing with the Netbait Baby Mad Paca lately too. Seems to have more flap than the Brush Hog. Good luck out there!

[@dipster14]

Start a petition to bring back Berkley Rib Snakes 😫

[@bigtimfish01]

Sad to see that the Yamamoto fat ika wasn't in the weightless category. That thing gets bit when nothing else will

[@tacticalbassin]

I really feel like the Ika opened up the "scat" category. There are now half a dozen baits in there but the Ika came first.

[@jimchandler1766]

You guys switched sides.

[@eagleclaw1179]

It’s dead ass winter in Missouri. It looks like it’s summer in the video. What the F?

[@brandonsmith606]

A buyers guide without Matt going on a tangent? I'm kind of disappointed honestly 🤣

[@tacticalbassin]

Ha! Sorry Brandon!

[@brandonsmith606]

@@tacticalbassin Keep up the good work, I know it takes a lot

[@oldtoad76]

It looks like it mimics some other shit

[@MadMaxx89]

Boooo no nishine lure works namazu. So overlooked.

[@fishingwithbRad013]

I'm sure they are all quality baits but you didn't say anything about the environment each bait works in. Water quality, sunny, cloudy, winter, spring, summer or fall. So really the only thing you have done in this video is plug your sponcers or trying to get sponcers by hyping their products.

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

They have done numerous in-depth videos about nearly all of the baits they talk about in this video. This is billed as a Buyer's Guide, so the speakers presenting products that work for them is to be expected. Do a search on the channel for say, soft plastics and you will find a lot of videos that should provide many of the details you're asking about. Here, I'll get you started: Matt talking Texas rigs from about six months ago. Twenty-eight minutes of detailed instruction. Good luck out there. kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2q2ap96pbB3r7c

[@midwestfischerman]

First!🥇🏆 Good morning from the frozen tundra!🧊🥶⛸️

[@poppy.fishing]

Good morning. Looking like we are going to be getting some of your arctic air down here in Kentucky.

[@midwestfischerman]

@@poppy.fishing Good morning! Bundle up when this cold air hits you.🧊❄️🥶🌨 Merry Christmas!🎄🎅🦌🎁

[@poppy.fishing]

Merry Christmas to you. Always ready for a white Christmas! ⛄🎄🌟❄️

[@Cornelius798]

It's definitely winter in Northeast Ohio, supposed to get lots of snow and frigid temperatures by the weekend. I still want to try and land a Northern from a river but...lol! Merry Christmas 🎅

[@Austin_Torres]

You Guys need to stop! Santa has been buying too much stuff for me this year. My Wife's upset of how good i been this year.

[@tacticalbassin]

😂😂😂