The jig is without a doubt my go to bait if I were given the choice. Conditions on the water however often dictate that the bass may prefer something different. Sometimes it needs to be a bit more subtle, or maybe a different color scheme, or even just a new action in the water. A jig and a soft plastic bait can be interchanged for each other in almost any fishing situation, and choosing the right one can make a big difference in your catch.
There are very few times when I get on the water with only a jig or only some sort of soft plastic tied on my rods, I have some combination of two or more selections to choose from during the day. Being prepared at the beginning of the day helps limit the “I should have tried this or that” excuse. It is much easier just to pick up a new rod instead of re-rigging the one you are using. I would prefer to stay with a jig as much as possible since my confidence is there, but making the switch is often important in catching the fish.
Perhaps the defining moment to prove this to me was the 1998 Bassmaster Classic that Dad won. We were both on some fish that we thought would give us each a shot at winning. Both of us were catching them on a jig during practice, but Dad made a switch to pitching a tube bait during the tournament and of course won the event. I on the other hand was stubborn and stuck with the jig, and finished 20th. From that point on I have always had an alternative bait to supplement my jig fishing.
There are hundreds of soft plastic baits that can catch bass, but the key is to get confidence in a select few, then you can make that adjustment between baits a bit more comfortably. I personally have three that are always in the boat and ready to go; the Strike King Flip-N-Tube, Rage Craw, and 7” Finesse Worm. I carry all three in the same colors that I do jigs so it is easy to match the water clarity and other conditions. Each has situations where they compliment the jig perfectly.
Flip-N-Tube: Since the ’98 Classic, this has been a staple for me. The built in solid head makes it more durable when fishing through heavy cover. The tube really shines when the bass are feeding on baitfish, especially in the fall. Fishing it Texas-rigged allows you to fish it in any cover with the same technique as you would a jig. The tube generally will get more bites than a jig making it useful when the bite is slow, like on blue bird days after a cold front. It also fishes easier than a jig through vegetation, allowing you to be more efficient on the lake.
Rage Craw: When the water temperatures are warm, say above 65 degrees, I like my baits to have a bit more action when they are in the water. The Rage Craw is a perfect fit in this situation. It is compact, making it easy to get into tight places, but still puts out a lot of action in the water. It is also easier to fish than a jig through vegetation, making it easier on you to make your presentations. I have had great luck swimming this bait over submerged grass as well. The key for the Rage Craw for me is the warmer water temperatures.
Finesse Worm: This is the bait that has saved many days when the bite was extremely tough for me. I rig it with a Strike King Shaky Head (designed by KVD), but still fish it on a baitcasting reel, not a spinning reel. I will go to this bait when I am casting a jig, say on rocky points or along bluff banks, where there is not a lot of heavy cover. You will almost always improve the number of bites you get, which can save the day when you need to fill a limit before weigh-in.
The big key with all of these baits is that they can be fished in the same strike zone as you would fish a jig, and the presentation is very similar to a jig. In fact the process also works in reverse, if one of these baits is working, making the switch to the jig can put that kicker fish in the livewell.