How to differentiate and use slugs for bass fishing

Slug gives a good indication of the general appearance of these soft lures. This particular shape, long and narrow and lacking a paddle, is sometimes disconcerting, as it requires special animations to bring them to life. While fly fishing is one solution, it's not the only one.

Slugs, long soft lures distinguished from shads by their lack of a paddle, are particularly used for fly fishing. However, there are many different types that can be used in a variety of ways.

Overall shape and rigidity

Slugs take the form of a "stick", much longer than it is thick. However, there are two particular shapes:

  • A flat back, round belly and rounded flanks. As a rule, these shapes are associated with rigid plastic.
  • Slightly rounded back and belly and flat sides. These models are generally slimmer and taller than their predecessors, but also made from softer materials.

Fly-fishing

In fly fishing, you handle your lure by "darting" it, i.e. you make quick, dry strokes with your tip, causing the lure to move to the right, then to the left and so on.

This type of fishing, which generally takes place between two waters, is possible with both types of slug.

However, because of their rigidity, the former will produce stronger vibrations and have the property (especially if mounted flat downwards) of descending more slowly into the water layer.

The latter, with their suppleness and flat sides, have the particularity of undulating along the whole length of their bodies if you give them a wide, fast movement.

As long as they're long enough and fitted with a short shank hook, you can use them on the pull or on the fly with short pulls. When pulled at increasing speed, your slug will undulate along its entire length like a sandeel.

With certain specific models, it's even possible to obtain this specific swimming action on line fishing.

Scratch fishing

Slugs are excellent lures for fine, precise bottom fishing. Both shapes can be used for this purpose.

The rigid, round slugs are particularly effective for fast, jerky scraper fishing and I use the softer ones for the slowest, most minimalist fishing. In particular, I like to fly over the bottom very slowly and take long pauses with the seconds to decide on apathetic bass.

Weightless fishing

The last use I have for slugs is weightless fishing (unweighted) or very light weighted fishing.

For this type of fishing, I reserve the stiffer ones for fast fishing by walking the dog under the surface, like a sinking stickbait. This presentation is formidable on oyster beds...

For slow fishing in the cover, such as in the seaweed meadows, I'll mainly use the seconds, which I'll let drop naturally into each hole to flush out a resting sea bass. It's a slow and meticulous way of fishing, but very effective.

Some essential references

While there are many models to choose from, I personally use 4:

  • megabass X layer for its beads
  • lunker City's Slug Go
  • keitech Shad Impact
  • oSP's Dolive Stick, for its ability to undulate along its entire length

I often choose natural colors and sizes between 4 and 6 inches.

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