Pre-Rigged VS. Non Pre-Rigged Soft Plastics (Which Is Best?)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on
Are lures that come out of the package already rigged on a hook better than just a soft plastic?
What are the benefits of rigging a lure on your own hook?
Pre-rigged lures versus non pre-rigged lures comes down to personal preference and customization perks.
Check out more here!
Pre-Rigged VS. Non Pre-Rigged Soft Plastics (Which Is Best?) [VIDEO]
Click here to join the Insider Club
What is best for inshore anglers: pre-rigged lures or non pre-rigged lures?
The answer varies from angler to angler.
Cost Efficiency
Non pre-rigged lures allow you to customize your presentation and rig the lure however you want.
Moreover, you will get more bang for your buck with non pre-rigged soft plastic lures.
Non pre-rigged lures will come in packages of 3+ lures.
Pre-rigged lures often come in packages of two or in some cases just one lure.
You end up spending the same amount of money for 1-2 pre-rigged lures as 5-7 non pre-rigged lures.
Pros & Cons
A lure that is pre-rigged decides how it is presented and how the soft plastic is rigged on the hook.
You are inclined to swim the soft plastic lure how it has been rigged in the packaging.
For example, a lure may come pre-rigged on a weedless hook but you want to use a jighead.
In this case, you would actually be wasting your money if you swap out the hook because the lure is already rigged on another type of hook.
The purpose of buying a pre-rigged lure is defeated if you want to change the hook out for something different.
A non pre-rigged lure can be rigged however you like.
Terminal tackle is just as important as soft plastic lures if you decide to go the non pre-rigged route.
You can choose your soft plastic setup based on depth, structure, and overall action in the presentation.
Pre-rigged lures will catch fish, however, they do not offer the same customization options as non pre-rigged lures.
Non pre-rigged lures offer you the ability to present the same lure in a variety of situations.
Whereas a pre-rigged lure may be specifically designed for one scenario.
Example Of Pre-Rigged VS. Non Pre-Rigged Lure
The Chasebaits Flick Prawn is a pre-rigged weedless artificial shrimp lure that works best in shallow water conditions.
A downfall of that is it is limited to that specific situation.
The Power Prawn Jr. is a shrimp imitation lure that is not pre-rigged and can be set up however you like.
Whether you choose a weedless hook or a jighead, the Power Prawn Jr. can be rigged up on either.
Depending on your desired presentation and the situation, you can swim this lure in any fashion you deem fit.
A little trick when rigging any soft plastic on a jighead is the hook point should come out of the lure when the head of the soft plastic is about even with the point on the other side.
Furthermore, the Power Prawn Jr. is designed to have its own rattle cavity.
You can insert your own rattle into the lure to create extra sound and attraction.
Customization of your lures is much more advantageous than pre-rigged lures.
Conclusion
Pre-rigged lures are useful in specific situations but overall non pre-rigged lures allow for more customization and rigging flexibility.
Buying your own package of soft plastic lures and different jigheads or hooks will set you up for any kind of fishing situation.
Customization and presentation are what set apart non pre-rigged lures from already rigged lures.
If you have any questions on how to rig lures, please ask me down in the comments!
Click here to get the Chasebaits Flick Prawn
Click here to get the Mustad Weighted Grip Pin Hook
Get the Power Prawn Jigheads here
Click here to get the Battle Rattles
And if you know someone who wants to know the benefits of non pre-rigged lures, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
P.S. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Click here to join us in the Insider Club!
Related Articles:
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).
Thanks, Tony. What size tackle tray is that? How’s it holding up?
My pleasure Justin!
Thats a Plano Edge 3700 Terminal Tackle Tray. It’s holding up very well! been using it for a few months.
Broadly this is true.
Some of the most effective soft lures, “Red Gill” specifically have been matching their lures with proprietory hooks since the ’80s. Their paddle tails go back to the ’50s.
These hooks and lures were developed together for optimum balance, action and buoyancy. This may not apply to lesser lures.
With the traditional pattern, the hook pulls out with the lure sliding up the line, thus the wash off is not an issue either.
The moment, a lure is molded to it’s hook, we have unavoidable corrosion fun.
Sea water neutralizer rinses are available but I am sure you are already using these to flush your reels.
Rgds.
Pre-rigged can definitely be an advantage to newer anglers. Like you mentioned the buoyancy and balance is usually optimized. However, what may be optimized for one scenario or presentation may not work for others.
Great feedback Malcolm!
There is one local legend that only fishes pre-rigged lures off a very rocky shore. I think it’s only because the one specific lure he uses is extremely durable. He is an old timer so has the ‘touch’ and changes up his tech for grand slams. But I can’t personally use them. And think it’s just this specific rocky area with its fast current etc. anywhere else wouldn’t work
They can definitely have their time and place!
100% team non prerigged. I prefer the flexibility to choose my presentation.
Go team!
I’m in the non prerigged lures camp. Tony hit the mail on the head.
Yeah buddy!
Hi yes pre Rigged lures may look more realistic but that are more expen sive but not cost effective thay can get expensive quick if you get into a school of blue fish or any fish with teeth thanks
For sure!
Tony nice video – can you break down what you have in your tackle box
I realized the other day that I was carrying too much stuff in my kayak
Would love to hear what tackle and lures you included – thanks in advance
Thanks Pablo!
For the most part I mainly carry jig heads and hooks ranging from 1/8oz up to 1oz, and bags of soft plastics (slam shady 2.0, alabama leprechaun, slam shady bomber, power prawns). I also carry a few topwaters (super spook jr./moonwalker) and a couple mirrolure mirrodines.
Humbly authoritative as always, Tony. Thank you. What are your thoughts on the supposed “unique realism” of pre-rigged lures such as the Flick Prawn?
Hi I like them for certain presentations look more real and that come in three different sizes that have thare good points and bad points that can get expensive quick if you get into a school of fish with teeth some times that more real looking lure can trigger a bite when standard baits might not thanks
Thank you for the great feedback Sean!
Realistic looking lures tend to catch more fisherman than fish in my opinion. I have caught just as many, if not more, fish on lures that look like nothing but a slim piece of plastic. We have a whole podcast on this topic:
https://www.saltstrong.com/articles/realistic-fishing-lures/