Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014 - 38

Rigging Techniques

for Soft

by Chris Gorsuch

Plastics
photo by the author

Soft plastic lures are among the most effective tools bass
and Walleye anglers can choose to hone. With many
decades on the water using hundreds of shapes, sizes and
rigging techniques, I'm convinced that I have yet to even
scratch the surface.
Rigging techniques vary across the board and lend
themselves to specific situations. Exposed jig hooks are
tried and true rigging methods. They work with tubes,
grubs, worms, craws, lizards and minnow baits. They have
an excellent hooking percentage since the hook is exposed,
not encumbered. Ball-head jigs come in a variety of shapes
and sizes. Best of all, they allow changing from one type
of soft plastic to another, often without the need of retying
the jig. An exposed hook point allows for maximum hook
setting with minimal effort. However, hopping, bouncing
and dragging soft plastic lures across rocky bottoms create
snags and lost lures.
Having experimented with dozens of weedless or snag
resistant rigs on weighted and weightless hooks, I have
come to despise some and embrace only a few. Carolina
and Texas rigs that work well on lakes and slower river
flows are just not suitable for bottom bouncing or dragging
in rocky rivers. It becomes both expensive and frustrating.
A weighted 28-degree offset jig hook is nothing new.
But, the larger 5/0 forged hook just didn't fit the finesse
needs that I had on the river. When bait manufacturers
started experimenting with light wire/weight forward jig
hooks, that all changed. Coupled with a clever bait keeper,
these jigs are amazingly snag resistant. These wedge or
sled shaped weights scoot and drag better than bulky
headed jigs. The weight is forward, yet positioned behind
the hook eye. This allows the bait to fall almost neutral.
When twitched or dragged, it has a rocker movement that
adds life to an already life-like soft plastic lure. Using a
"Coil-Keeper" or "Hitchhiker" to hold the soft plastic lure
in place, the lures last longer and best of all, these coiled
bait holders allow different styles of soft plastics to be
changed quickly without the need of retying.
I have used this rig in lakes off 20-foot drops and in
the swift rocky current common in Pennsylvania's rivers.
I can swim, drop, drag or bounce soft plastic lures in a
more effective and natural fall than with other jig hooks.
I prefer soft, easy to collapse lures. The harder, more
durable soft plastics don't offer the action or collapse
around the hook as easily. You may spend a little more
per bait, but they simply work better.

38

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2014

There is never a time of year when soft plastic lures are not
effective or considered out of season.

While rigging solid baits on these jigs with a "Hitchhiker"
is quite self-explanatory, a helpful tip is to take the hook
point and punch a pilot hole in the center of the bait's head.
This helps start and align the corkscrew. With a few twists,
the lure is on the keeper. Press the hook through the body of
the lure, so it lays straight. Anglers wanting an even more
snag free solution can push the hook point just under the
skin of the lure.
Hollow body lures such as tubes and some craws will
take a little more preparation. Cutting a soft plastic worm
in ¼-inch sections and pushing them into the body of the
tube gives the coil extra material to grab. Using a fish
attractant in oil, paste or wand form adds a little lubricant
to help slide the ¼-inch plug into the tube. It also adds a
little fish attractant.
Soft baits rigged on sled or dragging jigs allow anglers
the ability to more effectively work rocky areas. Baits can be
fished through the rocks on the bottom using a more natural
presentation. More bottom contact adds up to more strike
opportunity. This is especially true for paddle anglers in
canoes and kayaks.
Armed with smaller 2/0 and 3/0 sized hooks in
⅛-, ³/16- and ¼-ounce weights allows anglers solutions for
most any situation.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2014

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