Getting to Grips with Soft Plastic Lures for Bass
When it comes to bass fishing in the UK, soft plastic lures have become one of the most reliable and versatile tools in the lure angler’s arsenal. Whether you’re casting from the shore, working shallow estuaries, bouncing that lure through the tide, soft plastics allow you to fish anywhere, and the most important thing is that they work.
Over the years, I’ve tried a load of different soft plastics, but there are a handful that always seem to earn their place in my lure box. These aren’t just hyped-up names – they’re lures I’ve used time and time again: lures that I trust when it matters.
In this post, I’ll walk you through five soft plastic lures that I personally rate for bass fishing around the UK coast:
Savage Gear Sandeel – A Go-To Classic for Bass
- Savage Gear Sandeel
- Albie Snax
- Keitech Easy Shiner 5″
- Pirate Teasers
- Fiiish Black Minnow
Each one has its strengths, ideal conditions, and weaknesses. I’ll go through how I fish them, where they seem to work best, and why they are the most popular soft plastic lures out there. Things have changed.
The Savage Gear Sandeel has been around for years, and for good reason — it catches fish. It’s one of those lures I always seem to come back to, especially when fishing over sandbanks, clean ground, or working tide races where bass are hunting.
This soft plastic is shaped like the real deal, and when rigged properly, the action is about as close to a real sandeel as you’re going to get. Whether I’m fishing the standard or weedless version, I’ve had plenty of sessions saved by tying one of these on.
Why It Works
The paddle tail gives it a smooth, pulsating action on a steady retrieve, and it’s surprisingly stable in rougher water.
I often rig the exposed version when fishing over sand or from the promenade, high out of the water. But if I’m working near rocks or weed beds, shallow ground, the weedless Savage Gear Sandeel is the safer choice. It still swims well and keeps you fishing longer without getting snagged up. Please note: All lures can get snagged, but going weedless is a much safer option.
Keith’s Tip:
If you’re struggling to get takes on hard lures, tie on a Sandeel in a natural colour like white pearl or sandeel green. This lure has saved me a blank on numerous occassion. It’s also been great right from the off. Just be aware of the ground your fishing over. Too shallow you’re probably going to lose it, unless you reteive it fast. Failing that use the weedless version.
Albie Snax – Weedless, Weightless, and Deadly in the Shallows
The Albie Snax doesn’t look like much at first glance, but don’t let that fool you – it has a ‘great action’ in slack water. Rigged correctly, it’s one of the most natural, weedless presentations you can throw in shallow water. I always keep a few in my bag when fishing at night time when the tide has slackened off. Keep that retrieve slow, guys.
What makes the Albie Snax stand out is how it glides and shimmies when fished weightless. It’s subtle, almost sluggish, but bass can’t seem to resist it when they’re up in the shallower water. On calm nights, I’ve watched bass tailing and turning on these things in barely a foot of water.
Why It Works
Rig it on a wide-gape worm hook (usually a 3/0 or 4/0), cast out, and let it drop. Then give it slow twitches with long pauses – you’re mimicking a wounded baitfish or eel along with prawn and shrimps drifting along in the tide. The hit often comes right as the lure starts to fall again – on the drop.
The built-in weedless design means you can cast it right into the rough stuff without worrying. It’s one of the best soft plastics out there for fishing places you’d usually avoid.
Keitech Easy Shiner 5″ – Subtle Paddle Tail with a Big Following
The Keitech Easy Shiner 5” is one of those lures that quietly gets results without making a fuss. It’s soft, it’s slim, and the paddle tail puts out a really subtle vibration – perfect for those days when the bass are around but a bit wary of hitting bigger hard lures like a Komomo 2 or TackleHouse Feed Shallow.
I’ve used the 5” version a lot when the water’s clearer or there is a lot of baitfish around. It’s got a more natural swim than some of the chunkier lures, and it doesn’t take much movement to bring it to life, again – I prefer a slow retrieve whilst bouncing it along the bottom.
Why It Works
The material is super soft, so it moves beautifully in the water. That also means it won’t last forever – a hungry bass can tear one up, so have a few spares just in case. But the Keitech Easy Shiner is worth using, especially when the fish are being finicky.
I usually rig the Easy Shiner on a 5g to 7g jighead or weighted weedles hook, depending on depth and tide. It pairs nicely with a streamlined jighead like the Xorus Texas Eel or even a lighter Coyote if you’re fishing cleaner ground.
It’s ideal for estuary mouths, deeper gullies, or even off the boat when you want something that sinks naturally and holds a tight profile.
Pirate Teasers – Small Lure, Big Trouble
Pirate Teasers might not be as well-known as some of the other lures on this list, but don’t let that fool you — they’re lethal in the right conditions. These small, eel-like soft plastics are perfect for when bass are feeding on finer bait like whitebait, small sandeels, or sprats.
What makes them special is the way they move. They’ve got a slim profile and a flicking tail that kicks even on a slow retrieve. You can fish them with finesse, and they still throw out just enough action to tempt a bite. If the bass are feeding but being picky, these little teasers can be the difference between blanking and bending.
Why It Works
I usually rig Pirate Teasers on a small, lightweight jighead — 3g to 7g is spot on. They’re brilliant for shallow bays, estuaries, or when bass are sitting just beyond the breakers. If I know I’ll be fishing somewhere with lots of baitfish present, I’ll always have a few of these tucked in the corner of my box.
They also skip across the surface really well, so they’re a fun option to twitch just below the surface film on calm evenings. It’s exciting fishing when you see a bow wave chasing your teaser down.
Fiiish Black Minnow – The Proven Performer
If there’s one soft plastic that’s earned its reputation around the UK coast, it’s the Fiiish Black Minnow. It’s been a staple for bass anglers for years, and for good reason — it flat-out catches fish. From open beaches to deep water marks, this lure gets the job done.
What sets it apart is the combination of a super-soft body and a unique articulated jighead system. That head shape gives it a rolling, natural swim that other soft plastics struggle to match. Even on a straight retrieve, it looks like something alive — and the bass agree.
Why It Works
The weedless hook system means you can fish it confidently through snags, kelp, and rocky gullies, which makes it ideal for UK venues where clean ground is a luxury. I’ve had sessions where the Black Minnow has outfished everything else, especially when fished slowly on the drop or worked along the bottom.
It comes in a few different sizes and weights — I find the 120mm with a 12g or 25g offshore head is perfect for most of my shore fishing. You can bump it along the seabed, retrieve it mid-water, or twitch it over weed beds. It’s that versatile.
FAQ – Soft Plastic Lures for Bass Fishing
Q: What size soft plastic lures are best for bass?
A: Anywhere between 4″ and 6″ tends to work well for UK bass. Go smaller if the fish are feeding on fry or whitebait, and slightly bigger if you’re fishing deeper water or looking for a proper lump.
Q: Do I need to use scent with soft plastics?
A: No I don’t but some people do with soft plastics lures and some(like the Keitech Easy Shiner) already have scent built in. That said, adding a bit of extra scent like Fishbites or Procure can help on tough days or when fishing slow.
Q: What’s the best way to rig soft plastic lures?
A: It depends on the lure and where you’re fishing. Weedless hooks are great for shallow, snaggy ground, while exposed jigheads offer better hook-up rates in cleaner areas. Match the head weight to the tide and depth.
Q: Do soft plastics work better than hard lures?
A: Not always — they just work differently. Soft plastics really shine when the fish are feeding close to the bottom, in rough ground, or in calm conditions when subtlety matters. Hard lures still have their place, but soft plastics are a must-have.
Final Thoughts – Why These Soft Plastics Deserve a Spot in Your Box
There are loads of soft plastic lures out there — some look amazing in the packet but don’t catch much. The ones I’ve listed above? They’ve earned their place the hard way — by putting bass on the bank (or boat) in real UK conditions.
From the gliding Albie Snax to the rock-solid Fiiish Black Minnow, each of these lures gives you an edge in different scenarios. The key is knowing when and where to fish them, and not being afraid to switch things up when things go quiet.
If you’re looking to build confidence with soft plastics, start with one or two of these and stick with them. The results will come, and once they do, you’ll never leave home without them.
