The Mulligan Lure Mini-Course [Rigging, Retrieving, & More]
- By: Luke Simonds
- on
The Mulligan lure has proven to be a top producer generating strikes due to its superior casting distance and great action in the water.
But just like all soft plastics, the results are mostly dependent on how the angler rigs and retrieves the lures.
Here are the topics this mini-course covers:
- Rigging
- Fishing oysters
- Fishing mangroves
- How & When To Set The Hook
- Converting to jerk bait
- When NOT to use this lure
How To Rig The Mulligan Lure
Equipment Shown In This Video:
- Weighted Hook: Hoss Helix Hook 3/0 with 1/8th oz weight
- Weedless Jighead: Hoss Weedless Football 3/0 with 1/4 oz weight
- Traditional Jighead: Hoss Football 4/0 with 1/4th oz weight
Fishing Oysters With Mulligan Lure
Equipment Shown In This Video
- Rod: Slot Machine Custom Rod
- Reel: Daiwa BG MQ 2500
- Line: 10lb J-Braid 8 Grand
- Leader: 20 lb Ande Monofilament
- Scent: Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam Exclusive Scent
- Lure: Slam Shady Mulligan
- Hook: Hoss Helix Hook 3/0 with 1/8th oz weight
Fishing Mangroves With Mulligan Lure
Equipment Shown In This Video
- Rod: Slot Machine Custom Rod
- Reel: Daiwa BG MQ 2500
- Line: 10lb J-Braid 8 Grand
- Leader: 20 lb Ande Monofilament
- Scent: Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam Exclusive Scent
- Lure: Slam Shady Mulligan
- Hook: Hoss Helix Hook 3/0 with 1/8th oz weight
How & When To Set The Hook
- Rod: Slot Machine Custom Rod
- Reel: Daiwa BG MQ 2500
- Line: 10lb J-Braid 8 Grand
- Leader: 20 lb Ande Monofilament
- Scent: Dr. Juice Saltwater Slam Exclusive Scent
- Lure: Slam Shady Mulligan
- Hook: Hoss Helix Hook 3/0 with 1/8th oz weight
Converting to Jerk Lure
A huge benefit of these Mulligan lures is that they can be converted to a jerk lure simply by tear off the tail.
You can see this in a recent experiment video linked below where I converted the lure into a jerk bait and automatically started catching more fish.
Note: Start at the 10:05 mark for the jerk switch.
Setup for the Experiment:
- Rod: 7’6 TFO Pro S Medium Power
- Reel: 2500 Daiwa Legalis
- Mainline: 10lb Daiwa J-Braid x8 Grand
- Leader: 20lb Ande Monofilament
- Hook: 3/0 Hoss Helix Hook 1/8 oz.
- Slam Shady Mulligan Paddletail
- F.R.E.D. Mulligan Paddletail
When NOT To Use The Mulligan
Just like all lures, there’s not a single lure that’s good for all situations. So I wanted to explain the situations where I do not recommend using the Mulligan lure.
Pufferfish Feeding Grounds
I am quick to change to a different lure or a different spot if the pufferfish are bad… they have extremely sharp mouths that can slice through all soft plastic lures making it an expensive outing. In that situation, I’ll typically switch to a weedless spoon or some other hard lure that they can’t ruin.
Very Small Baitfish
When the very small baitfish are in the area and the predators are dialed into them, a 4-inch bulky paddletail will often get ignored. In that instance, I switch to The 2.0 nub and tear its tail off to have a much smaller profile that the fish will be more inclined to eat.
Feeding Birds But No Baitfish
When I’m fishing an area with wading birds out in the water but not much baitfish activity, it’s a safe assumption that the fish are feeding on crustaceans. So in that scenario, I am quick to switch over to a Power Prawn USA.
Calm & Clear Water
When the water is both calm and clear, the vibration of the Mulligan paddletail can be a bit too much for the fish to believe is coming from a natural baitfish. So in calm and clear conditions, I’ll most often be using a more streamlined lure like the Power Prawn USA.
Conclusion
The Mulligan lure is the best overall lure I’ve ever fished because it’s extremely versatile and seems to generate strikes even on days when nothing else seems to work.
If I can only have 1 lure to use, this would certainly be my #1 choice.
That being said, it of course isn’t always the best choice so hopefully the last section helped shed some light on when other lures are most likely going to be better.
If you have any questions or if I missed anything, please use the Comments section below.
Tight Lines!
Related categories:
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Good tips. My largest trout was on the FRED bomber.
Have you ever tried the Mulligan lure on Largemouth bass? I bet it would catch some monsters
Yes, it works great for bass too. My favorite use it to buzz it over holes in grass beds as well as through lilly pads while it’s rigged weedless on the Hoss Helix hook.
Thanks Luke I am going fishing tomorrow I will put your tips to work
believe it or not, I caught a red on the first cast first time using that lure. However, I am still looking for his buddies 😉
How cool!
Hello Luke thanks for the info as a bridge, peir, surf fishing weekend warrior I appreciate these lessons (DUVALL)
C. JONES
Our pleasure Calvin!
Thanks Luke the videos are always great
Our pleasure Robert!
That’s watching videos give me confidence
Great info Luke. Thanks!
I cant wait to try the Mulligan and the power prawn out. I will be going to Galveston for a tree day fishing trip soon.
great