How to Fish With Soft Plastics in Saltwater

Fishing with soft plastics gives the angler many opportunities to catch big fish in saltwater bodies of water. Soft plastics are made to mimic a bait fish swimming through the open water. The soft plastic material of the bait's body gives it a very realistic look as it moves through the water, luring the fish to attack it. Using soft plastics is easy, and with a little practice, anyone can cast these great baits and catch big saltwater fish.

Things You'll Need

• Saltwater rod
• Saltwater reel with 10 to 15 lb. test line

Instructions

1. Attach the soft plastic bait directly to the end of your leader using your favorite fishing knot. When fishing in saltwater, use a wire leader in most cases because many saltwater fish have very sharp teeth. Use a sliding bullet sinker (1/8 oz. to 1/2 oz.) if you want your bait to sink deeper in the water before retrieving or if you're fishing in a strong current.

2. Allow about 2 to 3 feet of line to hang down from the end of your rod tip.

3. Cast the soft plastic bait up-wind, or up-current, so that the bait will move naturally with the current and wind.

4. Retrieve the soft plastic bait in a "jerky" manner, so that you reel in a few turns, jerk the rod, and then reel in the bait a few more times. Continue in this manner so that the soft plastic bait resembles a wounded bait fish.

Tips & Warnings

• Most soft plastic baits come prehooked, meaning that the soft plastic body is already attached to the hook.

• The tip of the hook should be embedded into the body of the soft plastic bait so that snags can be avoided.

• If your soft plastic baits did not come attached to hooks, take a hook, pierce the head of the plastic bait and slide it through completely so that you can take the end of the hook and bury it into the body of the plastic bait.

• When casting, always check that the area behind you is free and clear of other people or obstructions.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish