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Spring/Early Summer 2026
imitate small insects or simply provide just enough motion to trigger a bite from reluctant fish.
HOW FUZZY BAITS REACHED THE U.S. TOURNAMENT SCENE
One of the first major tournament successes in the United States with a fuzzy-style bait came when Kyoya Fujita finished second in the 2023 Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Seminole. Fujita relied on the O.S.P. Diced Rubber during that event.
For a time, Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) tackle manufacturers largely controlled the fuzzy bait market. However, at the 2025 ICAST Show, several domestic fishing tackle companies unveiled their own versions of fuzzy-style baits, helping introduce the concept to a wider audience of anglers.
BEST WAYS TO RIG FUZZY BAITS
Subtlety is key when fishing fuzzy-style baits. The small movements created by the skirt strands or rubber legs are what attract bass, so anglers should avoid overpowering the bait with large hooks or heavy jig heads.
Depending on the bait’s design and size, fuzzy baits can be rigged in several ways:
• Wacky rig
• Neko rig
• Dropshot rig
• Ned rig
Nut rigged wacky on a dropshot.
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