The Complete Guide to Fishing with Reins Baits for Bass and Other Gamefish

Introduction to Reins Baits

Fishing is a popular hobby and sport enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. Any avid angler knows that having the right bait and tackle makes all the difference in catching fish. While live and natural baits have been used for centuries, artificial lures provide many advantages and have become extremely popular with modern fishermen. One type of artificial bait that has proven highly effective for catching fish is the reins bait.

What are Reins Baits?

Reins baits refer to a style of soft plastic fishing lure that imitates worms, grubs, and other prey attractive to fish. Unlike hard lures, reins baits are made from soft, flexible plastic or rubber that allows them to wiggle and pulsate in the water. This lifelike movement attracts the attention of fish and triggers them to strike. The name "reins" comes from the ring-like shape on one end of the bait that allows it to be threaded onto a hook or jighead.

Features of Reins Baits

Reins baits have several features that make them effective at catching fish in a variety of situations:

• Soft plastic construction - The supple materials allow the bait to wiggle and flutter on retrieve.
• Vibrant colors - From natural hues to bright neon, color helps attract fish.
• Scented - Many reins baits contain added scents attractive to fish.
• Variety of styles - Different shapes imitate different prey like worms, crawfish, shad, etc.
• Weedless - The smooth, tapered shape allows the bait to slide through weeds and debris.
• Durable - High-quality plastics resist tearing when struck by aggressive fish.

Popular Types of Reins Baits

There are many styles of reins baits on the market today, each designed for specific fishing situations:

Worms

The classic worm imitation comes in various lengths and colors. The long slender profile is ideal for mimicry of real earthworms and nightcrawlers. Worms work well when bass and other gamefish are feeding on the bottom.

Creature Baits

More exaggerated profiles and appendages better mimic crawfish, salamanders, lizards, and other surface prey. The erratic action triggers reaction strikes from bass, pike, and muskie.

Swimbaits

Elongated, fish-shaped baits with large paddle tails mimic wounded baitfish when retrieved. The strong vibration and shadow helps attract aggressive predators.

Grubs

Compact grubs have a subtle vibration great for finicky panfish, trout, and crappie. Mini grubs on small jigs are deadly for ice fishing.

Tube Baits

Hollow-bodied soft tubes worked slowly look like feeding worms or insect larvae. The gaps in the tubing allow the bait to undulate seductively on retrieve.

How to Fish with Reins Baits

One of the appeals of reins baits is how versatile they are. Here are some of the most effective techniques for fishing reins baits:

Texas Rig

Texas rigging threads the bait onto the hook shank and slides a bullet weight ahead of the bait. This makes the lure dense for long casts and allows it to fall naturally on slack line. Use with worm or creature bait profiles.

Neko Rig

The neko rig hooks the bait wacky style and uses no weight for a very slow natural fall. Let the bait sink slowly after casting. Deadly for finicky bass in cold water.

Jig Heads

Jig heads combine a lead head for casting weight and a hook in one. Thread grubs, swimbaits, or tubes onto the jighead and fish with lift/drop retrieves or steady reeling. Vary retrieves until you trigger strikes.

Drop Shot

Drop shot rigs suspend baits above the bottom off a vertical presentation. Use small hooks and let the lure sit still, quiver, or make small hops. Drop shots excel for tempting neutral fish.

Carolina Rig

A leader separates swivel and sinker from the hookbaited with plastic creature bait or worm. Imparts the action of a grazing creature for drawing big strikes.

Best Practices When Using Reins Baits

To maximize your success fishing reins baits, keep these best practices in mind:

• Match the hatch - Select bait colors and styles that match the local forage.
• Fish slow - Work baits at a crawling pace, pausing often.
• Watch the line - Tracking line movement indicates subtle strikes.
• Set the hook - Use strong hooksets with soft plastic baits to penetrate tough mouths.
• Use stronger hooks - Single hooks and wide gaps ensure solid hookups.
• Check your retrieve - Adjust cadence, pops, and pauses until you find what triggers fish.
• Change it up - Keep trying different rigs, colors, retrieves until you crack the code.

Conclusion

Reins baits are proven fish catchers across many species and fishing situations. Their versatility, lifelike action, and ease of use makes them a tackle box staple for anglers everywhere. Armed with an assortment of the latest reins bait styles and colors, and knowledge of the best ways to fish them, you can unlock your own successful days on the water. The right reins bait paired with good technique and persistence is a winning combination for catching your next big catch.

FAQs

What are the advantages of using reins baits?

Reins baits have a very lifelike action in the water thanks to their soft plastic construction. Their ability to mimic prey, versatility to rig in many ways, and availability in a huge range of styles and colors makes them effective at catching many species of gamefish.

What types of fish can you catch with reins baits?

Reins baits work well for catching bass, walleye, pike, trout, panfish like crappie and bluegill, catfish, and many other species. Different styles target different types of fish.

Where is the best place to use reins baits?

Reins baits can be fished anywhere from thick weeds, to rocks, wood, or open water. They shine when matching habitat and depths where gamefish are active.

What rigs work best with reins baits?

Texas rig, neko rig, jig heads, drop shots, and Carolina rigs allow reins baits to be fished weedlessly and match different movements of prey. Experiment to see what works best.

How do you care for reins baits?

Avoid prolonged sunlight and heat which can dry out the plastic. Store in cool, dry conditions in sealed bags to maximize lifespan. Check for tears after use.