Plastic lizards have become a very popular soft-plastic bait. They are a little bulkier and heavier than most plastic worms, which makes them perfect for fishing weightless in the shallows. Lizards are a great spring-time bait, however, you can catch bass on lizards from spring through fall. They are one of the best baits for targeting largemouth bass.
Tackle Recommendations
Rod, Reel & Line
Soft Plastic Lizards are usually fished with a baitcaster with heavier line and a heavier rod. 10 to 30 pound test line is the norm for targeting largemouth bass and northern pike, although, you may go lighter or heavier depending on the situation. For smallmouth bass, anglers will usually go lighter with spinning gear.
Best Rigs
Shaky Head Jig
The shaky head jig is a great way to rig a lizard bait. Hop it along the bottom and make sure you have plenty of pauses. The lizards sits up off the bottom with these jigs and it looks really good. Give the bass a chance to eat it. Most of your bites will come on the pause.
Drop Shot Rig
A drop shot rig is another effective rig for fishing with lizards. Hop it along and give it a chance to fall towards the bottom. Most of your bites will come on the fall.
Carolina Rig
The Carolina rig is one of the best way to fish a lizard bait, especially the floating lizards.
Swimbait Hooks
Swimbait hooks work great for fishing with lizards. It gives the bait a gliding action as it falls to the bottom and it allows the bait to sit up off the bottom a little bit too, which helps draw more strikes.
Jighead
A simple jighead can be very effective too, especially for using smaller lizards.
Florida Rig / Texas Rig
Many anglers love to use the Texas rig. It works well with a lizard bait.
Underspins
Underspins can be an effective way to rig a lizard bait. Lizards have a lot of action when you swim them, so you can fish them like a swimbait for a variety of bass and northern pike on an underspin.
Best Fishing Techniques
Hopping Along the Bottom
Hopping these baits along the bottom with a pause is a very effective way to fish them. Make sure you give the fish a chance to eat these baits as most of your bites will come on the pause.
Flipping and Pitching Around Cover
Many anglers prefer to use these baits when fishing around all types of cover for largemouth bass. Make sure you have heavy enough line when fishing around all those potential snags.
Swimming Them
Because of the many legs that lizards have, you can swim these baits also and have some pretty good success.
What Eats Them
Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass
Northern Pike
Walleye
and some other fish too
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