The number of silicone jig baits is simply huge, and their variety is not only in color, but also in shape. Silicone baits can be either simple ribbons or complex frogs or crustaceans. But the most popular at the moment are twisters and vibrating tails.
Fishing conditions and fishermen’s own preferences differ greatly, and the fish bite in different bodies of water varies. Based on all this, we have compiled our own average rating of silicone baits, which takes into account many of our own and other opinions from fishermen. So, we present to you our rating of the twenty most interesting baits.
Our Top 20 silicone products
- Yum Wooly Curltail
- Megabass Counter Grub
- Hula Grub Gary Yamamoto
- Mann's Predator
- MIKADO FishHunter
- Relax Copyto
- Mann's Flipper
- Relax TVR
- Keitech Swing Impact
- FG from Action Plastic
- Lunkersity Salt Shaker
- Mann's Spirit 120
- Bass Assassin Curly Shad
- Lucky John Tioga
- Crazy Fish Angry Spin
- Crazy Fish Tipsy
- Bait Breath Bugsy 2.8
- Fish Up Wizzle Shad
- Keitech Easy Shiner
- Reins Fat G-Tail Grub
Mann's Spirit 120
The first participant in our rating is Spirit from Manns. This is a large silicone bait that has proven itself, first of all, in catching pike. Fishing with this vibrotail brings the best results in the autumn, when the water temperature begins to gradually decrease.
Alas, the silicone of the bait is painfully soft, and therefore the durability of the vibrotail leaves much to be desired. Due to the characteristics of the material, the Mann's Spirit 120 does not hold well on single and double hooks, and also has a high windage when casting. However, such a vibrotail is very good when hunting large pike from a boat or when fishing deep holes from the shore.
Catchable colors of silicone baits
All working silicone baits are very roughly divided into several groups.
Light baits
This group includes white, pearl and yellow baits. Due to their maximum similarity to the natural inhabitants of reservoirs, light-colored baits are the most popular among spinning anglers.
The predator is caught using bait of natural colors both in the morning and in the late afternoon, as well as in cloudy weather throughout the whole day. For this reason, a spinning player should have at least half of the total number of them in his arsenal.
Lures the color of machine oil
This is one of the most fashionable colors among jig and micro jig lovers. Sometimes glitter is added to the silicone to highlight the bait. Such baits are very effective when catching pike perch and pike perch, as well as a variety of peaceful fish. As a rule, silicone the color of motor oil is used from the moment the water clears until the end of the season.
Dark lures
Lures of dark colors can show excellent results in sunny weather, they are especially clearly visible against the background of a light sandy bottom. They often shoot out in cloudy water. Dark baits are best suited for simulating bottom plankton.
Red baits
During the summer heat or spawning period, many predators willingly grab red silicone baits. In addition, such baits are unrivaled when fishing for ide and chub. To imitate a worm or bloodworm, the best option would be red silicone.
Acid baits
Silicone of acid colors is used mainly in deep reservoirs, as well as in poor lighting. In addition, in the absence of a bite, it is precisely such equipment that can give a positive result.
Translucent lures
Transparent or translucent baits resemble a fry with its translucent body. The predator reacts to them both in bright sun and in cloudy weather. Completely transparent silicone is rare; mostly translucent baits interspersed with sparkles are used.
Ultraviolet baits
UV decoys are perfectly visible in sunlight. The most popular are ultraviolet brown baits, which appear purple in the light. In the overwhelming majority, during the day and when the bite is unstable, ultraviolet baits are the most catchy.
Lures with combined colors
Painting the bait with two or more colors is used to make the silicone more similar to the natural food of predators. Lures painted in two colors are considered more universal. The combined color is especially relevant when simulating fish. This technique is not often used for making shrimp and crustaceans. This group also includes baits with contrasting colors, which arouse increased interest among some predators.
Lures with sparkles
The presence of glitter on the silicone makes the bait more noticeable. The sparkles, like narrow mirrors, reflect the sun's rays, giving off an attractive glare. It is advisable to use such silicone in cloudy weather or in poor lighting.
Phosphorescent baits
Any spinning angler’s arsenal should include phosphorescent baits that can accumulate light. Such baits work at depth in low light, as well as at dusk. A regular flashlight is suitable for charging phosphorescent baits.
Lunker City Salt Shaker
Second in our review was Lunker City Salt Shaker. A fairly rigid and durable vibrotail, which, unlike other, softer baits, does not deteriorate so quickly.
In the spring and summer season, it is better to use a hinged mounting option with this bait, while with the arrival of the first autumn cold snaps, you should reduce the activity of the silicone by attaching it to a single hook of a jig head.
Pike perch bite well on baits with a length of 3.5 inches, but pike often prefer larger specimens of 4.5-5 inches.
The best silicone lures for pike
Crazy Fish Vibro Fat
Rating: 4.9
A typical jig vibrating tail with an optimal balance of softness/hardness has in fact become the most productive bait for catching toothy predators in domestic reservoirs. It’s easy to explain these preferences of pike: Vibro Fat has an attractive texture and color (matte or with glitter that creates micro-glares on the surface of the silicone), intense tail movement, as well as a base scent, of which there are only 6 in the series.
The total length of the silicone bait in the series varies from 71 to 120 millimeters, which ensures the proper amplitude of the swing of the tail when retrieving. The Vibro Fat (like the Fork Tail) works well with both offset hooks and jig heads. However, consumers give greater preference to the latter, encouraging jig fishing. Due to its low cost and high degree of catchability, we can say with confidence that this Crazy Fish development is the best in the rating for catching toothy predators.
Advantages
- abundance of color variations within the series;
- availability in the line of three sizes (2.8, 4 and 5 inches);
- high tail strength;
- the presence of six attractants in the line (flavors of shrimp, squid, fried garlic, anise, fish oil, etc.);
- optimal balance of softness/hardness;
Flaws
- not found.
MIKADO FishHunter
This bait can be recognized by its slab-like but elastic body, pronounced “ribs” in the tail part and a small depression in the head part. The traditional play of such a silicone can be characterized by a high frequency but a small amplitude of vibrations, which, by the way, is what pike perch really likes.
For example, 3-inch models with bright, aggressive colors work great for zander and pike in the summer. FishHunter closes the top three in our bait rating.
FG from Action Plastic
Model 3 FG has been successfully used in leader rigs for quite some time, demonstrating high efficiency, especially in perch fishing. For jig fishing, the 5 FG model is used, which goes well with doubles and single offsets in articulated rigs.
With such a bait you can make fairly accurate casts over impressive distances, looking for pike perch or large pike. The disadvantages include the softness and fragility of the silicone material, but this is to some extent compensated for by the low cost of the baits. Also, the FG 5 does not work well in very strong currents.
Twisters
Twisters are silicone baits that imitate the behavior of various worms and frogs in water. In shape, twisters have an elongated body with notches, as well as a tail, which is made in the shape of a sickle. Thanks to her, he plays in the water. It is believed that these baits were the first and they are usually called the parents of all silicones. And even today a lot of baits are made according to the principle of these same twisters, first things first.
The first silicone baits discussed by Soviet fishermen were Mister Twister. Yes, it was in the Soviet Union that American-made silicones were widespread. They had an elongated body and a sickle-shaped tail, which is probably why today such baits are called twisters. The American name is grub, which translates as larva.
Today on the fishing market you can buy a wide variety of models of baits, with two tails, single, triple and various colors from transparent to green. The situation is the same with sizes; I have seen twisters for microjigs about 2 cm long and simply huge, 25 cm baits. Moreover, these baits catch in the same way, only they are adapted to different fishing conditions and equipment. Some are used on a lead leash, others in combination with a sbiruino rig.
I think it would be superfluous to give examples of well-known manufacturers and modifications of baits. And you don’t really need it, since even in small fishing stores you can find several dozen different brands of silicones. And the uses of such baits are also very diverse; for some, twisters were a training ground in jig fishing, and for others they constitute an arsenal of the most catchy and frequently used baits.
The bait is essentially universal, but is not suitable for long-distance casting. Due to the large windage of the bait, the twister is very difficult to deliver over a long distance. Well, if there is no need for fishing at a long distance, then there is simply no replacement for such a silicone bait.
Twister installation
When installing a twister on a jig head, you must first attach it to the body of the bait, this allows you to select the hook of the correct length and approximately mark the point where the tip of the hook will come out of the bait. Don’t forget that a twister has a top and a bottom; some people simply don’t pay attention to this and in vain. Correct installation of the twister will only work if the tip of its hook sticks up and the crescent tail sticks down. Then you need to pierce the front part of the bait with a sting. And then you need to pull it onto the hook so that it comes out at the previously designated point.
Hula Grub Gary Yamamoto
A catchy krakozyabr in our rating of silicone baits. A very popular and very unusual twister in our territories with two small tails and a silicone skirt. Yes, yes, exactly the twister. An excellent bait for flipping fishing, which involves fishing difficult, snag areas at a short distance.
This silicone is usually mounted on a special jig head; otherwise, Texas equipment is used. The very high windage of this unique twister negatively affects the casting distance, but the play of the bait during the vertical retrieve attracts a variety of predators, especially the voracious pike. It is also worth noting that Hula Grub Gary falls into the category of “edible” silicone baits.
Megabass Counter Grub
This twister is made of “edible” and very elastic silicone, which is the first feature of the bait. The second feature is the unique geometry of this high-quality silicone.
The optimal length of the Counter Grub is 7-8 cm; it is these medium models that turn out to be the most catchy, and pike, perch, and pike perch bite on them. Also note that this twister is not so easy to break, it lasts longer than usual. The disadvantages of the bait include only poor fixation on the offset hook.
Yum Wooly Curltail
Our rating of silicones is rounded off by another wonderful “edible” twister with active play, good durability and an affordable price. The noise and visual effects created by silicone during wiring, as well as the aroma of the bait, make it very, very attractive to various predatory fish.
The twister goes well with both single offset hooks and double hooks. The game remains stable both in calm water and when fishing in a solid current. As practice shows, baits of all sizes work, and not only pike and pike perch bite on them, but also perch, asp, and chub.
The best universal silicone baits
Reins Rockvibe Shad 2”
Rating: 4.9
As we promised, the 2-inch version of the icon bait of the magnificent Rockvibe Shad series, which has become widespread among all castes of fishermen at the domestic level, stands out in the ranking. Made in a fundamentally similar style, this model has a highly intense game with characteristic vibrations that attract not only perch, but also trophy predators such as pike, pike perch, trout (when fishing on the current), asp and many others. In fact, all its advantages come down to versatility, manifested in the form of fish caught.
It’s strange, but among the user reviews there are no complaints about the high price of the Reins Rockvibe Shad 2” that accompanies the older models of the series. Thus, without obvious vulnerabilities, this silicone bait becomes the best in its segment, pulling up the entire series on its oversized bodies.
Advantages
- design;
- high strength of the tail section;
- a huge list of fish caught;
- excellent when fishing with jig;
- the intensity of the game, complemented by small vibrations and sideways movements;
Flaws
- not found.
Kosadaka Vibra
Rating: 4.8
Another variation on the theme of what an authentic and effective twister should look like. In an effort to create something out of the ordinary, Kosadaka created the Vibra silicone bait - a clumsy silicone bait with high drag, a distinct ridge at the base of the tail and a small droplet at the tip. This model is produced in three lengths: 50 (a specimen that is attractive for small and medium-sized perch), 70 (universal dimensions that allow you to catch both perch and medium-sized pike, chub, pike perch) and 90 (a jig bait that is effective in hunting trophy zander and pike) millimeters.
In view of the modest cost of Vibra, it is also noteworthy that packaging is produced in small batches from 3 to 15 pieces (depending on size). According to consumers, this is an excellent consumable for everyday use, with which you can both catch a spot and maintain the stability of the bite throughout the entire fishing trip.
Advantages
- low price for sets of 3-15 pieces;
- abundance of colors;
- three standard sizes in the line;
- high efficiency in all variations;
- original shape with high drag and sweeping movements of the tail (due to the presence of a corrugated drop);
Flaws
- not detected.
