How To Rig A Gulp Swimming Mullet (And Other Curly Tail Grubs)
- By: Tony Acevedo
- on

Do you use curly tail grubs, like the Gulp Swimming Mullet?
These are great baits for redfish, trout, snook, and flounder.
They’re also my go-to baits for juvenile tarpon in backwater creeks.
I’ve been using them a lot recently and one question that seems to always come up is, “How do you rig them?”
In this video, you’ll learn how to rig them, as well as:
- What size and color jig head to use
- How to rig them if the tail keeps getting caught on the hook
- What not to do when you rig these grubs
- And much more
Check out the video below!
How To Rig Gulp Swimming Mullet [VIDEO]
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Unlike other soft plastics, like paddletails or jerk shads, I don’t like to rig these lures on weedless wide gap hooks — I only rig these on jig heads.
I prefer a red or chartreuse jig head, and I use a 1/8 oz jig head or heavier, depending on depth and current.
And when it comes to picking a jig head to use with these lures, hook size and shank length are very important.
You don’t want the hook to come out of the middle of the body in this lure because it’s pretty thick, and there might not be enough room to get a good hook set.
You also don’t want to the hook to come out too close to the tail because that could affect the action.
Ideally, the hook will come out right after the belly and before the tail, like in the picture at the top of this post.
The jig head I like for these lures is the Saltwater Assassin Pro Elite jig head.
Now that you know what jig head to use with these lures, let’s talk about how to rig them.
2 Ways To Rig Curly Tail Grubs
To rig these lures the traditional way, just slide the hook point through the center of the nose and out of the back so that it looks the picture at the top.
When you do this, just make sure that the grub is straight on the hook.
One mistake anglers make is that they rig it crooked on the hook, or they try to put the hook too deep into the lure and it gets bunched up.
When this happens, the lure may spin in the water and you probably won’t catch anything.
The other way to rig these lures is to rig them upside down.
One problem that can sometimes happen with these lures is that the tail gets caught on the hook.
The reduce the chances of this happening, you can rig it upside down.
It’ll have pretty much the same action and you’ll be able to catch just as many fish.
Conclusion
Curly tail grubs, like the Gulp Swimming Mullet, are my go-to lures for juvenile tarpon in backwater creeks.
They also work great for redfish, trout, snook, and flounder.
To rig them, use a jig head and put the hook through the center of the body and out of the back, making sure that the lure is straight.
And if the tail gets caught on the hook a lot, you can just rig it upside down.
You can get the Gulp Swimming Mullet from Amazon here.
Have any questions about rigging curly tail grubs?
Do you rig them any other way?
Let us know in the comments below!
And if you know someone who likes to use these lures, please TAG or SHARE this with them!
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Related articles:
- LITTLE-KNOWN PADDLETAIL LURE RIGGING SECRETS (THAT INCREASE STRIKES)
- BERKLEY GULP SWIMMING MULLET REVIEW [UNDERWATER FOOTAGE]
- TOP 3 FISHING LURES THAT CATCH BASS AND REDFISH
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Thanks for the tip. I have never used this bait, but I found a package in my garage. Nice coincidence.
You’re welcome James!
Do you ever rig a curly tail on a Carolina rig?
Hey Richard!
I haven’t tried that but i’m sure it would work under the right conditions!
You got some great tip
Thank you William!