Overall Favorite Soft Bait Company 2025

Lard_Bass reply :

I know this is a tough question, but which company do you gravitate to? I know each company has their special bait, but which one does the bait monkey consistently push you to?

Factors to consider: Variety, Quality, Cost, Availability (ease of finding)

I typically gravitate to 3 companies: Zoom, Yum, and GYCB. Zoom has been a dominant purchase for me but Yum has been coming along lately. I like GYCB a lot but cost typically tempers the bait monkey.

Gorgebassman reply :

Im a big fan of berkley baits ever since they started producing them although I buy alot of zoom and lately some smaller bait producing companys like reaction innovations and *** company I still think powerbaits have a advantage when it comes to fish holding on to the baits.

Nick B reply :

Strike King and Berkley are my favorites

Lard_Bass reply :

Here's my Powerbait story. Last summer, I went camping with my son and his Cub Scout Pack. I had a cheap rod that I bought to learn how to freshwater fish on. Well, there was a small fishing tournament over the 5 days and I was in 2nd place with a 17 inch bass (length not weight was the contest). On the last day of fishing, I cast a Tequila Sunrise Powerbait Worm around a rock while in a rowboat.

Well, I thought I got snagged up on some rocks and my son starts laughing that I lost yet another lure. I keep reeling and, lo and behold, there's about a 20 inch bass on that I am dragging. I never set the hook and the bass eventually opened its mouth and spit out the worm. My son laughs that the Mr. Bass didn't like the fake worm I gave him. I cast around that rock and, on 2 more occassions, a bass hit the worm, I dragged it to my rowboat, and the hook was never set (I only had small hooks left in my box). I had the 3 winning bass on the last day but couldn't bring it in.

I got home and the bait monkey took over. I went to Cabelas, bought a new spinning reel, 2 new rods, and ton of hooks. Ever since, I have been hooked on fishing. This story reminds me that I need to give Powerbait another look.

guest reply :

Zoom, zoom!!!!

Alpster reply :

Culprit.

Ronnie

Maxximus Redneckus reply :

I voted manns hard to find aroudn here but i bought all i could 3 yrs ago when walmart had um on clearance i have over 300 bags of manns jellys worms and auger tails thing is i caught my biggest bass ever in 1985 on a 8 inch purple jelly worm 10-4 i live in maryland and thats a big basss the yr before that i caught a 9 -4 on a augertail manns i have many zooms and a few berkleys also i never know where ill be at in the USA so im stocked

CrazedL.IFisherman reply :

Id be a Manns also because they have quality soft baits, and this small tackle shop in Maine that i go to always seems to have old mann soft plastics that ive never ever seen before, i purchase them and they always seem to work

guest reply :

Gycb makes great designs, the senko, hula grub, and fat ika, are brilliant.

But the fact is that the knockoffs have improved to the point where paying the price for a bag of senko doesn't make sense. The good knockoffs are just as good and so much cheaper.

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Where is Wave Worm on the list?

Lard_Bass reply :

Quote
Where is Wave Worm on the list?

Unfortunately, I only could put 10 companies in the poll.

roadwarrior reply :

Quote
Gycb makes great designs, the senko, hula grub, and fat ika, are brilliant.
But the fact is that the knockoffs have improved to the point where paying the price for a bag of senko doesn't make sense. The good knockoffs are just as good and so much cheaper.

Well, let's not get into to that again...

I fish GYCB, almost exclusively.

The exceptions are a couple of tubes, the El Gordo from Micro Munch Tackle and 3 1/2" Mizmo (Kent's Classic).

erice97699 reply :

I use a lot of reaction inovation products so I have to put them at number one

2. gycb

3. Robo worm

4. Zoom

Eric

bass109 reply :

My top favorites

Zoom

Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits

Berkley

dont like yum and mann's soft plastics

ww2farmer reply :

I voted Yum, Zoom would be a close second, then it's a toss up..........I like some stuff from this company..some from that. Culprit, BPS GYCB, Mizmo, Syzmic, Berkley,Strike King,Mann's, are all well represented in my "collection"

Bud reply :

the one and only GYCB

earthworm77 reply :

Those companies make some good baits but why limit yourself to the mass produced brands knowing that the guy in the next boat can throw the same thing you are. I learned early on to be different is to be successful. Go explore some lesser known manufacturers, better yet a garage hand pour operation.

Siebert Outdoors reply :

Quote
Those companies make some good baits but why limit yourself to the mass produced brands knowing that the guy in the next boat can throw the same thing you are. I learned early on to be different is to be successful. Go explore some lesser known manufacturers, better yet a garage hand pour operation.

I 2nd Earthworms post. Alot of handpour's small business make better baits and usually reasonably priced. The main benifit is custom colors and softness

Lard_Bass reply :

Quote

Quote
Those companies make some good baits but why limit yourself to the mass produced brands knowing that the guy in the next boat can throw the same thing you are. I learned early on to be different is to be successful. Go explore some lesser known manufacturers, better yet a garage hand pour operation.

I 2nd Earthworms post. Alot of handpour's small business make better baits and usually reasonably priced. The main benifit is custom colors and softness

You guys want to share some of those mom and pop shops that we should try? Links would be nice.

Deuceu72 reply :

GYCB all the way! ;D ;D ;D

Zoom would be 2nd........

Siebert Outdoors reply :

Lardbass,

Here are a few I have delt with and had great sucess on their lures.

Micromunch tackle

Joesjigtrailers

Ghostbaits

I was thinking more about this topic and I figured out that last year I doubt I bought 5 packs of off the shelf plastics. Every thing I ordered/bought were from the three previously mentioned people.

Side note: I do not get anything for free from any of those companies. I buy it just like everyone else.

uiubassmaster reply :

DO I HAVE TO PICK JUST ONE!!!!????

guest reply :

Have to admit that I do not throw a lot of plastics but when I do, Micromunch and Creekcritters get the nod. Like EW77, give them something that they don't see 25 a day.

squid reply :

GULP GULP GULP

ARfishermen08 reply :

I LOVE YUM SOFTBAITS!!! I always fish with another person in my boat and secretly used yum while they use another soft bait. Often the exact color and size, i seemed to catch atleast twice as many fish as the other guy, and often bigger. I finally had to tell them my secret. I especially love the YUM Big Claw or Ribon tail worm.

Brad_Coovert reply :

GYCB, ZOOM, NetBait, Reaction Innovations, Gambler...

Heck, I seldom meet a plastic I do not really like.

They all work.

Brad

BassFishingMachine reply :

I chose GYCB but Berkley and YUM work just as great for me too.

Matt Fly reply :

Zoom, Culprit, Berkley, Gene Larew, and Lake Fork Tackle.

Matt

Tucson reply :

Quote
Gycb makes great designs, the senko, hula grub, and fat ika, are brilliant.
But the fact is that the knockoffs have improved to the point where paying the price for a bag of senko doesn't make sense. The good knockoffs are just as good and so much cheaper.

My thoughts exactly!

TournyFish001 reply :

I like at least one product from each of those companies- right now my faves are R.I. smallie beaver and Roboworms 4.5" straight tail- excellent baits, my go to baits... One not mentioned is netbait they have good stuff also- I own a lot of plastic baits as I am sure the rest of you guys do- I don't think I can walk out of a sporting goods store without a couple bags of baits...

cbfishalot reply :

#1 GYCB

#2 Zoom

#3 Roboworm

SwampMan reply :

I voted for Zoom. Hands down my favorite. Second place would be berkley, they have good worms. I hate GYBC, way to overpriced! $6 for $.80 worth of plastic?

Craw reply :

Zoom and GYCB are neck and neck for me.

hi_steel_basser reply :

I voted zoom. GYCB is definitely second. I will have Roboworms soon, the bait monkey says so.

RiskKid. reply :

GYCB and Zoom, I've heard GYCB is the best tasting one out there

hookem12_0 reply :

It is too hard for me to try to pick just one. I can narrow it down to 2. Culprit and Zoom. I love to fish Culprit 10" and 12" worms. I also love to fish Zoom lizards, ol' monsters, ultravibe speed craws, and baby brush hogs.

RoLo reply :

I have to go with Zoom for their sheer number of various lures:

Horny Toad, Trick Worm, Super Fluke, Critter Craw, Brush Hog, Etc!

As for Yamamoto...well if Gary's livelihood depended on me,

he'd be walking around with his pockets turned inside-out ;D

Roger

eastkybass reply :

I use Berkley alot but also use Yum and a few others. I think it is Berkley because that is what I started using and caught some of my first fish on. Get loyal to something and it is hard to get away from it.LOL :

bass109 reply :

is zoom baits the oldest company out of the list?

RoLo reply :

Quote
Is zoom baits the oldest company out of the list?

I don't know their *** dates, but I would guess that Zoom, Yum, Yamamoto, Gambler and Wave Worm are relative newcomers

when compared to Crème, Manns, Culprit, Gene Larew, Mister Twister, Lunker City, Charlie Brewer, Zipper, Berkley & Strike King.

Roger

Raul reply :

When it comes to soft plastics I don 't have a "favorite".

Ky_Lake_Dude reply :

ZOOM,Berkely,and Strike King.

bass109 reply :

zoom is just cost effective, and works. ;D

powerman970 reply :

In this order: Zoom, NetBait, V&M, Culprit.

V&M would top the list because they float so well and are irresistible on a Shaky head but they tear up really easily.

RI_Bass_Guy reply :

I can't pick just one. Some companies great tubes but bad worms. Others make awesome senko's and bad trailers. Some baits are actually too soft. GYBC are great lures, I love the fat Ika, But if a bluegill or perch even sniffs at them they are ripped up. When wacky rigging GYBC senko you need to use a o-ring or split ring or the senko will rip right off on a hard cast or when bit by a small fish.

Take Yums buzz frogs for example, for some reason they almost always roll over on me, But Zoom horny toads never roll.

So I think a variety of bait companies is the only way to go.

It is a preference thing. Some of the best soft plastics I have bought lately came from EBay. Like from Earthworm77.

Those are my thoughts.

the ohh face reply :

I got to go with berkley for amount of fish caught, GYCB close second as a new favorite, and zoom third for their large selection.

liquidsoap reply :

GYCB and Zoom are the only plastics I own.

GYCB senkos, ikas, and creature baits..

Zoom Trailers, trick worms, finesse worms, lizards, and flukes.

llPa1nll reply :

Quote
the one and only GYCB

What else can you say. When he is right he is right. I totally agree...

Rattlinrogue reply :

I like Strike King,Zoom,GYCB,and FLW.I voted Strike King because I tend to use their flippin' tubes and 3X products more than the others.These are all fine baits IMO.

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Overall Favorite Soft Bait Company 2025

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