Pro bass angler Ott DeFoe explores the world of weightless soft plastics for targeting prespawn bass on the verge of spawning. In this video, he dives deep into the when, why, and how to fish a weightless wacky rig and Texas-rigged stick worm when water temperatures reach the upper 50s. *Featured product listing at the bottom.
As Ott explains, a few degrees can make all the difference in bass behavior during spring, shifting their focus to spawning activities. When this happens, hard baits like squarebill crankbaits take a backseat to weightless soft plastics, which hover in the strike zone longer and temp spooky bass in shallow water.
Much of the content centers around how Ott rigs and fishing a wacky rig. And while a wacky rig is tough to beat, it’s prone to fowling around heavy cover. Ott’s alternative setup is a weightless Texas-rigged stick worm. It easily comes through cover, making it an excellent performer when casting into grass, laydowns, brush piles, and underneath docks.
The video highlights the benefits of using a braided line with a fluorocarbon leader when fishing with weightless soft plastics. This combination provides optimal casting distance, line visibility for bite detection, and near invisibility on the business end. Also, remember to have a good pair of polarized sunglasses. They’re essential for spotting potential targets and seeing subtle line movements.
Follow this guidance and you’ll be well on your way to mastering weightless soft plastics during the prespawn period.
TACKLE LISTING (retail links)
WACKY RIG SETUP
WEIGHTLESS WORM SETUP
ELECTRONICS
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