Top 5 Soft Plastic Lures Every Angler Should Own - And WHY

[@icatchfish9387]

Letting the line slap your finger while you reel in a minnow bait is a great tip! Never thought of that.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It works really well!

[@mattpotts110]

This guy can take even the most conventional topics and shed brand new light on them. The underwater footage is amazing.

[@turtlepoi]

Only one board for a few weeks and have been saying the same. great creator...perfect length vids so you can stop on any one that comes up and not loose stride, and i learn sumthing about what i thought I new almost every time.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@ericsh8576]

As a bank fisherman, I use soft plastic lures about 90% of the time. I remember hearing of a study (maybe Steve can confirm this) that said that Bass are less likely to get conditioned to soft plastic baits versus other baits. They seem to forget soft plastic much more quickly. Just another reason to use soft plastic.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is an excellent question. I would definitely think that the association between a soft plastic and the experience of being caught would be different than that of a hard bait that emits a lot more sound. Could be wrong, but that is my guess anyway.

[@burneracc2567]

I know, we should avoid brand naming but I just have to mention that Relax curly tails are absolute pike and walleye magnets. I love rigging them on weightless or lightly weighted weedless hook and drag them through and over lillypads for pike on a hot day and for walleye any jig up to 1/2oz works great depending on depth you are trying to get to and how fast you're trying to get there.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is one I haven't used before. I will have to check them out. Thank you!

[@gregchilders7643]

When you said swimming worm i started to smile . Use to use a 6in mister twister worm . Way before there were speed worms and flukes .

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I bet if I look in my old tackle box from when I was a kid there are some of those in there. Takes me back.

[@grantsmith505]

I had a mister twister back in early 80's Yellow Saved up my pocket money to buy one bait on a jig

[@Paul_T843]

Thanks for another great video! I will have to try letting the line hit my finger during the retrieve. I agree with you on the versatility of the small, finesse style minnows. They are great on small vibrating jigs as well. Have a good one!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful!

[@LowBrowFishing]

Picking the right soft plastics can really have a huge impact on my fishing day. I really like a soft plastic jerkbait like a fluke or Caffeine Shad. Weightless or on a hover rig, they are a big confidence bait for me.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I really thought about putting that one on my list because I use it so much. Great lure for sure and just gets bit.

[@AerialEscape]

Great tips! Thanks again Steve!!

[@MrsWatters369]

My favorites are the Bumble Bee Swirl by Yum and black u tail worm by Zoom. Thanks so much for the tips and underwater video.

[@bradr.7249]

Those are great picks Steve. I would add in a craw style creature bait like a Berkley chigger Craw. I have done really well on those in either a green pumpkin, or watermelon. Definitely one of my confidence baits.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I remember way back when the brush hog first came out. There have sure been a lot of creature baits developed over the years.That chigger craw is a good one.

[@stevenbartell8065]

My favorite colors are Junebug and Green Pumpklin Magic. My favorite soft plastic here in Florida is a speed worm.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

A speed worm is a great one!

[@shannonkirby9295]

Hey, Steve, great to see ya today. Love plastics. Worms, creatures, paddle tails etc. Great video and God Bless

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Those are some great one! Have a blessed day!

[@richthompson3326]

Love the tube! my fav color for TRL is puke! Great video Steve!

[@jasonladegast418]

Favorite plastic for the past 3 years for me - June bug Trick Worm.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That's a very good one!

[@anthonytingle6578]

Yeah i know what you mean. Junebug/red is definitely my #1 color because it always works no matter the conditions. I use 12lb. Fluro, 2/0 offset vmc hook and 3/16 Tungsten weight pegged with a trick worm and they just eat it, no matter what some people think, the Bang garlic spray works.

[@itllkeal]

I was throwing a beat-up chartreuse salt infused salamander weightless, so I tore off the head and removed its half eaten legs. Then I had a bluegill tear off most of its tail, almost like a thumper tail. The thing was amazing. Depending on how you twitched the tip it would walk like a spook only about a ft deep though, it would dart like a fluke. It would go in a circle like a bent up fluke but it had so many different movements that looked better to me than any of my store bought baits. Has anyone else had something like that happen while fishing?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is so interesting. I haven’t had that happen yet, but would be fun to see!

[@MarkVincent-h7q]

Who let you look in my tackle bag? 😂😂😂 Been swimming a 4" ring worm on a Slider head for years...as far as "sticks", holding the rod horizontal, they can be used as a subtle"jerk bait" at literally any depth .. . It takes some patience to let them sink to the depth ya' want but well worth the time...thanks for your informative, easily understood approach...my grandson, 11 years old, just loves your channel. Tight lines, God bless.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I almost bought some Slider Heads a couple of days ago. So many great memories with those rigs. I used a 4" Power Worms, pumpkin with chartreuse tail on that setup to catch a lot bass as a youngster. Thanks for watching and say "hi" to your grandson for me.

[@MarkVincent-h7q]

You're sincerely welcome...tight lines!

[@thelighthousefjcproduction5597]

Green, RedShad, Black in stained to clear water white in Muddy Water on the worm color Steve. Thank you and God Bless you and your family.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks! You as well!

[@martywilladsen4559]

Great video, as usual Steve. My go to color is Bama Magic by Yum.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Good choice!

[@Cornelius798]

I have so many favorites. So far this year, I'm landing bass throwing a Yamamoto Senko, color 》Midnight. Also, ZOOM Ultra Vibe Craw, color 》New Penny.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Excellent! Some of the names of the colors are so great.

[@avdmustang]

No curly tail grub on a jig head? Still one one of the best IMO.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It is a good one!

[@ricardonercolini6053]

Greetings from Brazil! My favorite stick bait color is the chartreuse Pepper! Nobody talks about that color here in Brazil is by far my favorite.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is a really great color! I need to get some more of those, most of mine are solid white. Thank you for sharing this! I totally forgot about that classic color. I appreciate it.

[@jeffarmfield2346]

Couldn't agree more w the.swim worm. Just discovered them by accident about 2 months ago and it's quickly becoming one of my favorite worm techniques. Also, love the finger tapping and line slapping ideas, def gonna have to try those. I hate tryin to wiggle the rod tip while reeling and I always feel like it can be almost too much action, esp after seeing your video about how aggressively plastics actually react underwater.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

The rod tap and finger slap work so well. Just brings those little lures to life. I agree, it is super easy to overwork the rod. Especially those longer rods.

[@turtlepoi]

Been a fan of the Strike King 3x/Elaztec forever. Unbeatable action vs plastisol especially on the Z or ZToo, the white (pearl?) is an absolute slyaer on clear water smallies on rock wall drop offs here. I am going to have to give the tube some water time this season. I am def one of the overlookers you mention. TY yet again.

[@ericsh8576]

I like the Elaztec but there are two issues with it. It is very light and is not amenable to being fished weightless if you want to cast it any decent distance. Elaztec is a pain to use with a jig head hook like the Ozark rig from core tackle. I caught my first texas rig fish with the Ozark and the line went through the elaztech and I could not get the rig back in the bait. In hindsight, I guess I should have cut my line, retied and then rigged the Ozark back in the bait but that is a pain.

[@turtlepoi]

@@ericsh8576 I can see why getting it streaked back could be a thing. I throw the Zee on belly weighted 2/0 to 4/0 Gomatzu wide gaps. Rigging them is a similar issue, that is scratching the bait over the width of the weight on the hook. But the shimmy of the tail on a drop is worth it when a single rigging fishes all day. And I've never had one climb the line like you are saying... I don't fish them weightless to comment on that but I do know salted ones have more mass and even sink if it matter to ya. Tight lines bud.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That Baby Z Too is such a good lure. Caught many, many bass on that thing for sure.

[@johngalt3568]

Steve: I have learned to use a swimming worm (Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Worm) on a shakey head (Gamakatsu skip gap head). I’ve used this rig in Florida for Spots and it excels. And yes, Junebug is the ticket.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Very nice! Thank you.

[@MrTheBigNoze]

I love the Ela-z-tech plastic! The baits are super durable and last forever

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

They do! A huge fan.

[@johndynneson662]

Look at that. Strike kings rage tail worn on that new Ozark rig.

[@davehuggins5777]

Stick bait, speedworm, craw, boot tail swimbait, curly tail worm. I'm in FL, so Junebug and black & blue are staples.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It was great to talk on the Livestream last night!

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Finger tap, or line slap your finger; why didn't I ever think of that! I love those Rage swimming worms too. They look pretty tasty on the sink with a slow wagging tail. I was rigging them Neko with the hook weighted close to center...maybe try Waco like your buddy LB.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Definitely need to use the Waco! It is amazing how well that finger tap or line slap adds action to the tail.

[@lexluthor8539]

For stickbaits my favorite colors would have to be green pumkin purple flake and black red or blue flake. For swimming worms I like the june bug or a dark purple color, those just get bit!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Those are some great colors!

[@anthonytingle6578]

I'm just gonna say the names of my five favorites in the order I think works best for me. 5) speed craw watermelon red 4) super fluke smoking shad 3) D-bomb Super bug 2) baby brush hog Watermelon seed 1) Trick worm Junebug/red I've caught more fish on these baits. Usually if they don't hit one of these baits then they're usually not biting anything at all.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is a tremendous list!

[@anthonytingle6578]

@SteveRogersOutdoors Thanks Steve, love your videos. I like the helpful tips and information you give without trying to sell us the best $800 rod or reel, just good information and I like how you reply back to your viewers too. There are very few anglers out there that provides valuable information and responds back. Thank you for making great videos and keep up the good work.

[@bigmonkyboi]

Junebug is my favorite stick bait colors

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is a good one!

[@rm709]

Can you please (!) do a video on the swimming worm? I can’t seem to catch anything on them… while I get bit on almost everything else.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Here is a link to one. I hope it is helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4O5qougfZdljtU

[@rm709]

You’re always helpful Steve, thanks! 😅

[@drtoddsullivan]

What kind and size of hook do you use for the swimming worm?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Great question. I like the offset worm hook and most often use a 4/0

[@sprinter144]

Junebug in stained water. Pumpkin, green pumpkin and PB&J in clear water.

[@Hamptoncustomdesigns]

My favorite color for soft plastics other than a fluke would be watermelon red flake but in a fluke I like white

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That watermelon red flake is a great color. I thought a lot about putting a fluke on my list. It is such a fun lure to fish.

[@Three_Wheeler_clips.]

The green stick bait

[@Fishingwithfaithoutdoors23]

The killer color for me as a stick bait is the Gary yoto PB&J.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is an awesome color!

[@somewhereinsd362]

My confidence colors in sticknbaits are #1 kalin baby bass #2 junebug

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Baby bass is a good one! That’s a color I need to throw more.

[@itllkeal]

Thanks

[@at_tro_sizematters]

I know that you are a Strike King guy, but my favorite soft plastic is by a company called @Grandebass they have a Balistic Bluegill color in the Airtail wiggler that just simply wins tournaments

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I will have to check them out. Thank you.

[@sejtan212]

2 years ago I caught a bass in that exact bait with hr to go until weigh in .. my buddy caught another 2 ( Ol Monster) after being skunked entire morning.. we ended up winning.. I attribute the comeback to ballistic gill air rattler

[@MrMadhouse70]

june bug or black and blue on almost all my plastic

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I've have really gotten back on the June bug kick the last year. Just ordered a whole pile of that color across a bunch of different plastics. It's a good one.

[@Rooster0529]

Curly tail worms from 4” (almost grub like) to the big 10” beasts!!!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

An excellent lure that is often forgotten about. Thanks for adding this!

[@EfeCanAydın3774]

Hello sir, I am a beginner. Can I ask you a question? Can you tell me how to choose the right jighead weight?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Great question. A good rule of thumb to start with for most lures, is to use a weight where you can feel them bottom well. But, if the lure is getting snagged a lot, then go lighter. On really windy days you will have to use a bigger jighead than you normally would because wind grabs the line and pulls it. I hope this gives you a starting point. For most situations, a 1/4oz is where I begin.

[@clydesharman2053]

My go to soft plastics are Zoom fluke (Ham Bone) in both the 4” & 5” Sizes Berkley pit boss (Perfection) Bio baits Senko or Yamamoto Senko In a bone color or cream (it’s an off white matte color Or bubblegum. Zoom speed craw in bubblegum, black, green pumpkin magic or Merthiolate Zoom horny toad in black, Ham bone or bubblegum Big bite baits makes awsome swimming worms My favorite color in any of their products is (Sunfish)

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is a terrific list! I live seeing everyone’s favorites.

[@williamharkness3460]

My favorite color for bass is junebug

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It is a good one!

[@williamharkness3460]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors my 9 year old typed this comment, he found a junebug senko someone left on the ground, put it on a hook and instantly caught a bass, now he out out fishes me every time, even when we use the same exact senko, I catch nothing and he cleans up🤷‍♂️

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@@williamharkness3460 He found his confidence bait! So glad you get to fish with your son. Such a blessing.

[@Brycen-xw5ht]

Black and blue sinko

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That’s a good one!

[@Norman-bone13]

Plastic worms, Lizards,Craws, Tubes, and Flukes. 🎣

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Great list!

[@stevevanhorn1909]

comment