NLBN lures definitely make a bold take just with their name; that’s “no live bait needed,” in case you were unaware.
These unique soft plastics claim implicitly to catch more fish than real bait, and as soft plastics, they’re a little different from the metals that we focus on here at Johnny Jigs since our specialty is slow pitch jigging.
All the same, NLBN lures have developed a loyal following and forums are a-buzz with questions about if they’re worth it, how to rig them, what techniques to use, and more.
Here are a few things to know.
A Basic Overview of NLBN Lures
NLBN lures have amassed a cult-like following in the past few years, and like DOA soft baits, are extremely popular, especially for inshore species like redfish, striped bass, snook, and tarpon - though there are definitely other gamefish that’ll inhale them.
They specialize in paddle-tail style swimbaits, but they also make straight-tail options as well as “K-tails” which are super-realistic and have a forked tail like a real baitfish. The company also makes a proprietary line of shrimp-shaped soft plastics.
In terms of realism, NLBN lures are among some of the best in the market and deliver much more than you’d expect, even if you’re familiar with the holographic realism of Storm swimbaits, which for many years have been a staple in this sphere.
NLBN lures, which are available in multiple colors and sizes, feature startlingly lifelike and convincing profiles; the soft plastic medium used to make them is usually treated with a pearlescent substance that makes them shine, almost like a real fish.
Moreover, they feature realistic eyes and even 3D scales that arise from the form of the mold, adding to the realism.
The NLBN Jighead System
With NLBN lures, the whole bait system goes beyond the soft plastic itself, and the company has come up with a series of proprietary hooks and jig heads that are designed to be used with their soft plastics and which will (potentially) revolutionize how you think about rigging.
Specifically, NLBN has developed a special type of jig head that they call a “hot head.”
These jigheads are balanced to minimize body roll and finished with a special paint that perfectly matches the color of paired NLBN lures, completing the finishing touches on the realism. They’re also made with super-strong Mustad hooks.
But that’s not the best part about these jigheads. They feature a “screw lock” system, consisting of a high-strength stainless steel screw near the base of the jighead. You “screw” or twist the soft bait into this and it serves like a retainer, far superior to the ineffective barbs of other jigheads.
The screw lock system alone is a reason to be attracted to NLBN lures, as this system helps prevent the soft bait from fouling on the hook or being ripped off the jig altogether, improving the durability and longevity of the lure while adding to the realism of the presentation at the same time.
How to Rig Them
How to rig an NLBN lure will depend on the style and size of the lure, as well as whether you’re using a hook or a jighead. With that said, this short section will focus on the basics of rigging a 3” paddle tail (one of their most popular and versatile patterns) on a jighead. All in all, it’s not that different from rigging any other soft plastic bait.
First, line the bait up next to the jighead so you can get an impression of where the point of the hook should come out of the lure once you thread it on.
Press the point of the jighead’s hook onto the nose of the lure and feed the lure through to the point that it will sit squarely on the jig, then press the point of the hook up through the back of the soft plastic.
From there, twist the screw lock into the nose of the soft plastic, being sure to clear the point of the hook and barb with the bait so it doesn’t get fouled on the hook. This will help prevent tearing the bait as well.
How to Fish Them
One of the simplest ways to fish NLBN lures, specifically their paddle tails, is to troll them just as you would a plug or a spoon.
However, NLBN lures can also be effective when specifically presented to gamefish that are haunting structure, whether that be pilings, jetties, seawalls, or while wreck fishing.
Select your soft bait based on the forage the fish are targeting and pair it with a jighead that will enable you to get to the appropriate depth and hold it there, if necessary.
Then, you can try a variety of different techniques. If fishing vertically over structure, speed jigging the soft plastic will draw in a lot of strikes from wreck dwellers like grouper and snappers.
If you’re casting to structure like rocks, troughs, or pilings, a pause on the drop, followed by a series of stop-and-go cranks on the reel handle will likely draw strikes - usually on the pause or the drop. You can also try a twitching retrieve which is often effective at enticing bites from wary or finicky fish.
A straight retrieve, also known as “burning” the lure, can also be effective when fishing on or around structure, especially if you need to cover a lot of water in a short period of time.
If You Still Have Questions About NLBN Lures
Hopefully, you found this high-level overview of NLBN lures helpful, but if you still have questions before hitting the water (or before stocking up on soft baits and jigs), get in touch with us directly and we’ll be more than happy to help you out.