Soft Dad™ Rigging and Tuning"Weedless"
Rigging the "Weedless" Soft Dad™
The Soft Dad™ can be rigged in multiple ways using the included Trinity Rig System. Depending on whether your screw eye is already attached to the hook, follow the appropriate method below.
Option 1: Screw Eye Not Attached
- Locate the designated hook slot on the top of the bait between the rear air chamber and the joint.
- Insert the hook through the slot with the hook eye entering first until it exits the body.
- Rotate the hook toward the nose of the bait.
- Begin threading the screw eye into the nose of the Soft Dad until it sits flush with the silicone.
- Insert the hook eye into the open screw eye and crimp it closed securely so the hook cannot come free.
Option 2: Screw Eye Already Attached
This is the most common setup when using an 8/0 Owner Beast Hook.
- Thread the screw eye into the nose of the Soft Dad until it is fully seated and flush with the bait.
- Rotate the hook underneath the bait.
- Push the hook point through the designated hook slot and out the top of the bait.
- Ensure the bait is perfectly straight on the hook.
That's it—the Soft Dad is now rigged weedless and ready to fish.
Removing the Hook
To remove the hook, simply reverse the process:
- Pull the hook back out through the designated hook slot.
- Unscrew the screw eye from the nose of the bait.
- Install one of the other included rigging options if desired.
Recommended Weight Placement
The Soft Dad was designed to be highly customizable. While every fishing situation is different, we recommend the following starting point:
- One 0.9g tungsten nail weight between the rear air chamber and the joint.
- One 0.45g tungsten nail weight between the rear air chamber and the brushed tail.
This setup provides an excellent starting point for achieving the intended swimming action.
Troubleshooting Tip
If the Soft Dad is rolling, tracking to one side, or not gliding properly, first verify that the hook is centered and the bait is rigged perfectly straight. Most swimming issues can be corrected by adjusting the hook position before changing weight placement.
Check Alignment
Before fishing, make sure:
- The bait is perfectly straight.
- The hook exits the center of the body.
- The bait is not twisted or kinked.
A properly aligned Soft Dad will swim and glide significantly better than one rigged crooked.
Pro Tip
For improved hook-up ratios, lightly lift the hook point upward so it barely catches your fingertip when rubbing across the bait's back. This helps maintain a weedless presentation while allowing the hook to penetrate more easily during a strike
Pro Tip 2: While rod twitches can be effective, we have found that subtle reel bumps often produce a more natural hunting and gliding action. Instead of sharply moving the rod, try briefly speeding up the reel handle and then returning to your normal retrieve speed. Many anglers find this creates a smoother, more consistent action and allows the bait to hunt naturally.
Retrieve Options
The Soft Dad was designed to be versatile. Experiment with the following retrieves.
Glide It
A slow, steady retrieve that produces the Soft Dad's signature gliding action.
Dead Walk It
Use subtle rod twitches and pauses to create a natural hunting action.
Burn It
Speed up your retrieve to trigger aggressive reaction strikes.
Chop It
Use short, sharp rod twitches around cover to create erratic movements and trigger following fish.
Final Tuning Notes
Every Soft Dad is hand-built and tested. Water conditions, line size, rod position, retrieve speed, and rigging can all influence the bait's action. Don't be afraid to make small adjustments to find what works best for your situation.
The Soft Dad was designed to be tuned and customized to match your style of fishing and the conditions you are facing.
Need Help?
If you have any questions about rigging, weighting, tuning, or getting the desired action from your bait, contact us at:
Our support team is always happy to help you get the most out of your Soft Dad.
