How to Rig Soft Plastics with the Super Baitlock System
Are you tired of losing expensive soft plastics, dealing with messy superglue, or throwing out torn baits after a single fish? At Thorne Bros, we have been experimenting with a game-changing solution: the Super Baitlock System.
Sam from Thorne Bros breaks down exactly how to use the Super Baitlock Sticks and Weights to maximize your hookup ratios, secure Elaztech/TPE plastics, and open up new rigging possibilities (0:01).
What is the Super Baitlock System?
The Super Baitlock is a durable, reinforced nylon bait-keeper peg (0:11). It features a built-in directional arrow and a specific hook alignment hole (0:18). This ensures perfect rigging every time (0:18).
Key Features and Specifications
- No Special Tools: Rig complex setups entirely by hand.
- No Superglue Needed: Holds TPE and Elaztech plastics tightly without chemical adhesives.
- Stackable Weight System: Custom Super Baitlock Weights slide onto the peg in 1/8 oz increments (0:11).
- Universal Compatibility: Fits seamlessly with almost all soft plastic brands and hook sizes.
- Enhanced Hookup Ratios: Allows you to successfully use smaller hooks on larger profile baits.
How to Rig the Super Baitlock (Step-by-Step)
Rigging the Super Baitlock is incredibly simple and requires no extra tools. Follow these core steps to prepare your bait:
- Add Your Weights: Slide your desired number of 1/8 oz stackable weights onto the Baitlock peg (0:11).
- Insert into the Plastic: Shove the Baitlock peg directly into the nose or body of your soft plastic (0:47). If the bait has a pre-molded hole, use that for an easier fit (0:54).
- Align and Hook: Locate the small alignment hole on the Baitlock (0:25). Push your hook barb through the plastic, line it up with the hole, and press it firmly into place (0:25).
4 Versatile Ways to Fish the Super Baitlock
While many anglers initially use this system for specialized Japanese dice baits and Coike-style plastics (0:42), Sam highlights several alternative rigging options that excel on the water:
1. Dice Baits and Urchins
Perfect for stabilizing highly textured baits like rig dice or sea urchin imitations (0:47). It provides a solid point of contact for your favorite hook (such as a Ryugi Talisman) so the plastic won't slide or tear away during hard casts (1:00).
2. Neko Rigging Flat Gills
Traditional Neko rigs rely on nail weights that can fly out during a fight. By inserting the Baitlock into a gill-pattern worm—like the Flux Gill—your weight stays perfectly locked inside the plastic (1:21). Simply pass your hook through one of the Baitlock holes and back out to lock it in place (1:45).
3. Hover-Strolling or Neko Minnows
Give your mid-strolling and hover-strolling minnows a unique action (2:01). Using a translucent minnow (like those from YG Labo) makes it incredibly easy to see the internal Baitlock mechanism (2:08). Shove the peg into the nose, slide your hook through, and you have a weight system that absolutely will not cast off (2:23).
4. Wacky Rigs & Creature Baits
You can use the system to cleanly wacky-rig a worm, a creature bait, or even a minnow (2:01). If the nylon peg sticks out too far past the profile of a downsized bait, you can easily cut off the excess material with a pair of line cutters (3:53).
Gear Up at Thorne Bros
Ready to stop losing your soft plastics? Pick up your rigging supplies directly through the online store or visit us in-shop to see them in person:
