1. Home
  3. Soft Baits

Soft Baits

Soft baits from Berkley, Strike King, Gary Yamamoto, Zoom, Z-Man and X Zone cover every finesse and power presentation, from Ned rigs to swimbaits. Pick up soft plastic lures for bass, walleye and pike, including worms, craws, tubes, grubs and soft jerkbaits.

582 products

Load previous items
Load more

How to Choose Soft Plastic Lures

Start with the forage. Match the size and silhouette of what fish are eating, go smaller in cold water or after a front, then pick a colour for the water: natural greens, browns and translucents in clear water, darker or brighter colours when it's stained. Material matters too. Salt-impregnated and scented plastics sink faster and get held longer, while buoyant materials like Z-Man's ElaZtech stand up off the bottom, which is why they shine on a Ned rig.

Soft Bait Types for Every Presentation

Finesse fishing runs on Ned baits, dropshot baits, stick worms and worms, rigged weightless, wacky, Texas or on a Neko rig when fish are pressured. Craws and creature baits and tubes work along the bottom, and a tube dragged over Great Lakes rock is still one of the best smallmouth baits going. To cover water, throw swimbaits, minnow soft baits, soft jerkbaits or grubs at mid-depths, and fish frogs over pads and matted weeds. Trailers and chunks finish off a jig. If you're new to plastics, a green pumpkin stick worm or tube is a safe first pick on almost any Ontario lake.

Soft Plastics for Musky, Panfish and Saltwater

Big rubber is a fall staple for muskie anglers, and musky soft plastics come in the oversized profiles they key on. At the other end, panfish soft baits scale everything down for crappie, perch and bluegill. Saltwater soft baits round it out for anglers heading to the coast.

Complete Your Setup

The right hook makes a soft bait work. Rig them on jig heads, dropshot, Neko and wacky hooks, or extra wide gap hooks for Texas rigs. When fish want a reaction bite, switch to hard baits. For Canadian-made plastics, X Zone pours its baits in Smithville, Ontario, and the crew at our London store on Highbury Avenue can point you to what's working on local water.

Soft Baits FAQs

What are soft baits good for?

Soft baits are best when fish need a slower, more natural presentation. The soft body feels like real food, so fish hold on longer and you get more time to set the hook. They also rig weedless, which lets you fish heavy cover, docks and rock piles that would snag a treble-hook lure.

What size jig head should I use for soft plastics?

Use the lightest jig head that keeps you in contact with the bottom. A 1/8 to 1/4 oz head handles most bass and walleye fishing shallower than about 15 feet. Go heavier for deeper water, wind or current, and lighter for a slower fall in shallow, clear water.

What are the best types of soft baits for bass fishing?

  • Creature Baits: Include a combination of features from various baits, such as a lizard body with crayfish-styled pinchers and double twister-tail, offering a unique design for high pressure waters.
  • Soft Plastic Jerkbaits: Known for mimicking injured baitfish, with the Zoom Super Fluke being a notable example that can be twitched or jerked for erratic action​​​​.
  • Swimbaits: The Keitech Fat Swing Impact is highlighted for its realistic swimming action, made more appealing by a two-tone injection process and impregnated with squid scent to attract fish​​​​.
  • Ribbon Tail Worms: These worms, like the Berkley PowerBait Power Worm, are celebrated for their effectiveness in various fishing conditions, offering versatility and attractiveness through motion and scent​​​​.

How do you rig soft baits for different fishing scenarios?

The rigging method often depends on the bait type and the targeted fishing scenario. For example, soft plastic jerkbaits like the Zoom Super Fluke can be rigged weightless for surface twitching, while swimbaits like the Keitech Fat Swing Impact work well on jig heads for deeper water.

Why are scents and salt impregnation important in soft baits?

Scents and salt impregnation in soft baits, such as those used in Zoom and Keitech baits, are crucial for attracting fish and encouraging them to hold onto the bait longer, increasing the chances of a successful hook-up​.

How do you choose the right colour and size for soft baits?

The choice of colour and size for soft baits should be influenced by the water conditions and the type of fish targeted. Natural, muted colours work well in clear water, while brighter colours can be more effective in stained or dirty water. Size selection should match the forage size that fish are feeding on in the area being fished​.

Not sure what type of soft bait you need?

For advice on selecting the right type of soft baits for your next fishing adventure, contact the experts at Angling Sports.

Give us a call

Ultimate Fishing Guides

View all
  • The Ultimate Ice Fishing Guide for Lake Trout

    The Ultimate Ice Fishing Guide for Lake Trout

  • The Ultimate Guide to Walleye Ice Fishing

    The Ultimate Guide to Walleye Ice Fishing

  • Top Techniques and Hotspots For Salmon Fishing in Canada

    Top Techniques and Hotspots For Salmon Fishing ...