I have often spoken about my use of “finger jigging.” In this article, I will discuss the best types of soft plastic bodies to use with this open-face spinning technique.

In the past, I have covered my favorite B‘n’M Fishing, fast-tipped spinning rods (Crappie Cast, The Difference, and Super Sensitive), with the Sam Heaton Super Sensitive as my favorite, which are key to helping with the constant, bouncing action. Lures were also discussed, but mainly, the technique can be applied to just about any soft plastic lure. But a few are definitely much better than others, and work for about any species.

I started using the technique with a 1-1/2-inch Berkley Power Minnow, which has a straight tail with a fork on the end. It provided the right bounce and slight circular motion. It provides a major key as to what types of lures are best to use: Something with a straight, flexible tail, with or without a fork.

While you can go as small as an inch long, I prefer something at least 1 1/2 to 2 inches, such as a Natural Forage Baits Phat Shad or T-Shad, and QC Lure Works’ Lock 14 Minnow. These not only provide good lure action, but are also large enough to insert a jig head such as the B-Fish-N Tackle Precision H2O head, using as light-as-possible a jig for the best action.

On the other end, I don’t like going any larger than 5 to 6 inches, which applies to jerk shad and plastic stick-style worms. A NFB FT-Shad is perfect for this size and will work with a Copperhead type of hook, which gives the jerk shad a different approach, rather than just jerking and pausing. While the Copperhead hook is no longer manufactured, you may find some old stock; if not, you can get TTI-Blakemore Hitch Hikers and fasten them to a hook with a 60-degree bend in the shank, near the eye.

A couple of other NFB shad-style lures are the Drop Shad and Lil’ Killer. The Drop Shad has a tail similar to the T-Shad, but the lure is around 3 inches. The Lil’ Killer has a little thicker tail and around 4 inches in length.

Z-Man also has an excellent lure that works for bass and crappies of all sizes, simply called a Jerk ShadZ. It is best teamed with an EyeZ jig head, because of the double set of shank barbs that hold tight to the Elaztech plastic used in Z-Man products.

Straight-tail, plastic finesse worms are always a good choice, especially in warmer weather. I like 3- to 6-inch worms and sometimes go to a 7-inch. My favorites are Natural Forage Baits’ R4, Mann’s 4- and 6-inch Finesse Jelly Worm (very hard to find), and QC Lure Worx’s 3-inch Enforcer.

Stick worms, such as the 5-inch QCLW Meatstick, can be excellent for this style of fishing. But due to the thicker tail, it is still not as good as the previously mentioned, smaller- and thinner-tailed lures. Being thicker, it can be rigged with a ProX Wide or Copperhead hook without a weight, or with a jig head in whatever weight is needed. It can then be used like a jerk shad, but jigged along with the constant action from finger jigging. The weight of the worm makes it easy to cast without the weight, plus it will sink slowly, making it perfect for fishing multiple depths and across the tops of weeds or brush.

If you have a favorite straight-tail, smaller worm or shad/minnow type soft plastic body, give it a try with finger jigging.

To see more details on the finger jigging technique, go to the Dan’s Fish ‘n’ Tales/Shoot ‘n’ Plink YouTube channel and do a search at youtube.com/dansfishntales. There are videos on the basics of the technique, rod/reel selection, and several others where the technique was used.

Looking for some new fishing techniques to try this season? You’ll find plenty of suggestions in every issue of MidWest Outdoors. Subscribe on our website.