Soft plastic lures, used with various bass fishing rigs, are among the greatest weapons in the bass fisherman’s arsenal, especially those who fish from the bank of ponds and small lakes.
Last updated on March 4th, 2025 at 03:20 pm
SUMMARY: Soft plastic lures and bass fishing rigs complement each other perfectly. Explore the intricacies of the Texas, Carolina, Wacky, and Ned rigs, each designed for distinct fishing conditions. Learn the art of rig selection and application to enhance your effectiveness in catching bass.
Soft plastics simply catch bass, due to the fact that they mimic bass’ favorite food and do so in a natural and realistic manner. The lures come in hundreds of colors and shapes, including worms, crawfish, tube baits, and creature baits, so there’s always something new to try.
In fact, the soft plastics’ only downside just may be that there are too many choices. No need to get stressed, though. Start out with a basic shape in one or two of the most popular colors ‒ green pumpkin, for example ‒ and go from there.
Having the right arsenal of soft plastic rigs can make all the difference. The finesse and versatility of these rigs allow anglers to target bass effectively under various conditions and bodies of water, and across seasons. Knowing when and how to use each one of these essential fishing rigs will enhance your bass fishing experience.
Texas Rig
The Texas rig is a classic and versatile setup suitable for various fishing scenarios. You can rig it weightless for a slow, shimmying fall to the bottom, or with a weight for a quicker descent. The weighted version is great for when you’re trying to penetrate thick cover like rocks or heavy vegetation. Worried about getting snagged? Worry no more. This rig is weedless, with no exposed hook tip to embed in a random piece of driftwood or whatever.
How to Rig It
If you’re going weighted, add a bullet weight on the line first, then tie on an offset shank hook, insert the tip of the hook through the head of your soft plastic bait (worm, creature bait, or soft jerkbait) then back out about a fourth of an inch down. Slide the hook through and rotate so you can push the hook back into the body, hiding the tip inside the soft plastic to make it weedless.
If you’re using a worm, you’ll want the fully rigged bait to be as straight as you can get it for optimal performance. Practice makes perfect here. Some baits, like a weightless soft jerkbait or fluke, will benefit from a slight back bend to help it dart in unpredictable ways, like a real baitfish.
Good For
The Texas rig is possibly the most popular way to catch bass, and for good reason. It’s perfect for fishing in heavy cover like weeds, brush, or submerged vegetation. Its weedless design allows you to cast into dense cover without worrying about getting snagged. Additionally, it excels in muddy or stained water, as the rig creates vibrations that attract bass even in low visibility.
Best Technique
To use the Texas rig effectively, cast it near cover or structure, and let it sink to the bottom. Many of your bites will happen on that first fall. If not, retrieve the lure with a slow, subtle drag-and-hop technique to mimic natural movement. When you feel a bass strike, pause briefly before setting the hook to ensure a solid hookset.
Carolina Rig
The Carolina rig is an excellent choice for probing deeper waters and covering more ground. This rig comprises a Carolina weight, a bead, a swivel, a leader line, and a soft plastic bait ‒ worms or lizards work well. The weight and bead provide sound and vibration, while the swivel prevents the weight from sliding all the way to the hook.
How to Rig It
Slide a three-fourth-ounce to half-ounce bullet weight or egg weight onto your line. Add a small glass, metal, or plastic bead to the line. Tie a swivel to the end of the line. Tie a leader to the other end of the swivel (1-3 feet long, depending on how far the fish are from the bottom). Tie your offset worm hook to the end of the leader and attach your soft plastic. If any (or all) of that sounds confusing, here’s a great explanation (with photos) from Wired2fish.com.
Good For
This rig shines when fishing over rocky or sandy bottoms and exploring deeper waters and drop-offs where bass often roam ‒ and less ideal for soft or muddy bottoms, where it can get buried in muck. The Carolina rig’s ability to make noise and create vibrations, especially when the weight can bounce off of rocks, attracts bass from a distance, making it effective in locating fish in larger bodies of water.
Best Technique
To use the Carolina rig, cast it out and let it sink to the bottom. Slowly drag the rig along the bottom, feeling for subtle bites or changes in resistance. When you detect a bass taking the bait, allow a moment for it to fully inhale the bait before setting the hook, ensuring a higher hookup rate.
Wacky Rig
The wacky rig is a finesse presentation that excels in clear or pressured waters and is deadly in shallow water. It features an action unlike any other soft plastic, a lifelike slow wiggling dance to the depths that can be irresistible to bass. The stick bait is the go-to for the wacky rig. But nothing’s stopping you from getting a little wacky yourself and experimenting with other shapes.
How to Rig It
To rig it, simply insert a wacky hook through the middle of the soft plastic bait (commonly a Senko-style worm) without using any weights (though there are variations that add a weight if you want to get fancy. We’re not getting fancy here).
Your tackle store (or Walmart) sells rubber o-rings, and a handy applicator, that you can slide to the middle of your worm to preserve it for a few more fish. This is NOT fancy; it’s a cost-saving measure. It’s also not required, but if you fish a wacky rig often, you’ll want to load up on o-rings.
Good For
The wacky rig is an excellent choice when fishing in clear water with minimal cover. Its simple and natural presentation entices even the most cautious bass into biting. This rig is particularly effective when bass are finicky or less active, as it triggers a subtle but irresistible response.
Best Technique
To use the wacky rig, cast it near potential holding areas, such as weed edges, docks, or submerged structure. Allow the bait to sink naturally, and use a subtle twitching or shaking motion to create enticing movements. Patience is key with this rig, as bass may often take the bait on the fall.
Ned Rig
The Ned rig has gained immense popularity due to its simplicity and effectiveness. It consists of a small mushroom-shaped jighead paired with a three-inch soft plastic stick worm or finesse bait. Push the hook down about an inch through the center of the bait and out the side so that the hook is exposed. Tie it on the end of your line and you’re done. Simple, right?
Good For
The Ned rig is a go-to option year-round, especially in colder water temperatures when bass tend to be less active. Its minimalistic design and subtle presentation appeal to bass under challenging conditions when other presentations might not yield results.
Best Technique
To use the Ned rig, cast it near potential bass hideouts, such as rocks, points, or submerged timber. Allow it to sink to the bottom, and then slowly drag and hop the rig along the bottom. The combination of the bait’s subtle action and the jighead’s stand-up presentation is irresistible to bass.
Others
Shaky Head Rig
Similar to a Texas rig, this offers a more fitness presentation that works well in deep er water. You’ll use a specialty hook attached to a shaky head weight that allows the bait to stand on end wherever it lands. Good places for it to land include atop rocks or wood, and under boat docks.
Drop Shot Rig
The drop shot rig is one of the most effective rigs for pressured, clear-water bass that react best to natural presentations. It’s a pretty simple setup: Thread a hook on the line and tie it on about a foot from the end of the line. Experts say a Uni-knot is ideal for this to position the bait perpendicular to your line for a natural, horizontal presentation. Then tie a weight to the end of your line (one-eighth oz. is standard, but you can go up to one-fourth oz. if you’d like). A nose-hooked rig is a great way to emphasize a soft plastic’s natural action and appearance. Combining this technique with a drop-shot rig can work well in sparse cover.
Neko Rig
The Neko rig is similar to the wacky rig but is weight on the head side to give the bait a stand-up presentation. It’s one of those fishing tricks that started trending and suddenly everyone was doing it. Feeling trendy. Then go for it. It’s no problem at all, as long as it works for you. And you can try it on the cheap by using nails or screws from your workshop. The drop shot rig is one of the most effective rigs for pressured, clear-water bass that react best to natural presentations. Hop it along the bottom and see how it goes. Similar to the wacky rig, the Neko rig is best with a twitching action but can be fished a little faster than its wacky cousin.
Conclusion
Having the right soft plastic rigs in your bass fishing arsenal can significantly improve your success when fishing from the bank of ponds and small lakes. The Texas rig, Carolina rig, Wacky rig, and Ned rig offer versatility and finesse, catering to various fishing conditions and bass behavior. By mastering these rigs and understanding when and how to use them, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any bass fishing challenge that comes your way. So, head to your favorite fishing spot armed with these rigs, and let the bass-catching action begin! Happy fishing!
Sources
- The Only 4 Bass Fishing Rigs You Need to Know
- 5 Best Rigs for Bass Fishing Soft Plastics
- 5 Ways to Rig Soft Stickbaits
- The 4 Ways You Should Be Rigging Your Soft Plastics
