How to Fish a 17mm Urchin Bait for Pressured Bass

When bass have seen the same worms, jigs and minnow-shaped baits all season, showing them a different profile can make a difference. An urchin-style soft plastic gives bass a compact target surrounded by flexible tentacles that move with very little input.

The Nako Shikaku 17mm Urchin Bait was designed for this type of finesse presentation. Its compact TPE body, responsive tentacles and multiple rigging options make it a versatile choice for pressured bass, suspended fish and bottom-oriented presentations.

What Is a 17mm Urchin Bait?

An urchin bait is a compact soft-plastic bass bait with tentacles extending around a central body. Instead of imitating one specific forage species, it creates an unusual shape and subtle movement that can trigger curious or pressured fish.

The Shikaku has a 17mm core, an overall diameter of approximately 3.5 inches and a weight of 3/16 ounce. The center body gives it enough presence to cast and track, while the flexible tentacles create movement around the entire bait.

When the bait moves, the tentacles fold inward. When it pauses or reaches the bottom, they spread back out. This change in shape gives the bait action without requiring aggressive rod movement.

Why Fish an Urchin-Style Soft Plastic?

Subtle Action With Minimal Input

The tentacles have slim, flexible bases that respond to small rod movements, current and changes in retrieve speed. A light twitch or short lift is often enough to make the bait come alive.

This makes an urchin-style bait useful when bass are following conventional lures without committing.

A Different Profile for Pressured Bass

Bass in heavily fished water regularly see straight-tail worms, craws, jigs and minnow profiles. The round body and multidirectional tentacles of an urchin bait give them a less familiar target.

The goal is not to overpower the fish with action. It is to present a compact bait that moves naturally while staying in the strike zone.

Durable TPE Construction

The Shikaku is made from stretchy, tear-resistant TPE. This material helps the tentacles remain flexible while allowing the bait to handle repeated rigging and multiple fish.

The 3D profile is also easy to track on forward-facing sonar, making it useful when you want to watch the bait approach suspended or target-oriented bass.

Three Ways to Rig the Nako Shikaku

Each Shikaku package includes two Nako ZN Treble Hook 3102 hooks in size #4 and two Nako Power Wacky Hook 7111 hooks in size #2/0. That gives you three practical ways to start fishing the bait.

1. Treble Hook Rig

A treble hook holds the bait around its center and leaves multiple hook points exposed. This presentation works best in open water, around suspended fish or over relatively clean structure.

Use small twitches followed by pauses. The tentacles collapse as the bait moves and spread when it stops, creating a clear change in profile.

Because the hook points are exposed, avoid dragging this setup through heavy grass, brush or snag-filled cover.

The included Nako ZN Treble Hook 3102 lets you fish this presentation without purchasing a separate specialty hook.

2. Wacky Hook Rig

A single wacky hook gives the Shikaku a simpler presentation with fewer exposed hook points. Rig the hook through the center portion of the bait while leaving enough hook gap for a clean hookset.

Fish it with short lifts, light shakes and longer pauses. The TPE tentacles continue moving even when the bait is nearly stationary.

The included Nako Power Wacky Hook 7111 is a practical starting point for this setup.

3. Wacky Jika Rig

A Wacky Jika rig places the weight below the hook, allowing the bait to move separately from the weight. It combines bottom contact with a compact, highly mobile presentation.

This setup is useful around rock, grass edges and bottom-related bass. Let the weight reach the bottom, shake the bait in place and then move it a short distance before pausing again.

Avoid overworking it. The Shikaku produces its best action when the tentacles have time to open between movements.

How to Fish a 17mm Urchin Bait

Start by casting or dropping the bait slightly beyond the target. Let it settle before adding any rod movement.

Use this basic cadence:

1. Let the bait fall or reach the desired depth.
2. Pause long enough for the tentacles to spread.
3. Add one or two small twitches or light shakes.
4. Pause again.
5. Move the bait a short distance and repeat.

If bass follow without biting, reduce your rod movement and extend the pause. If fish are active, try a sharper twitch followed by a sudden stop.

When using forward-facing sonar, watch how the fish responds to the bait rather than repeating the same retrieve. A fish that approaches but will not commit may react better to a longer pause or a slow fall.

When to Throw an Urchin Bait

A 17mm urchin bait is worth trying in several common bass fishing situations:

• Bass are heavily pressured by other anglers.
• Fish follow conventional finesse baits without biting.
• Bass are suspended and visible on sonar.
• Fish are holding around rock, points or grass edges.
• You need a compact bait that can stay in one area.
• The bite calls for subtle movement instead of a fast retrieve.

You do not need forward-facing sonar to fish an urchin bait. It can also be cast to visible cover, isolated rock, dock edges, grass lines and other high-percentage targets.

Choosing a Shikaku Color

The Shikaku is available in three proven bass fishing colors:

• Green Pumpkin: A dependable natural color for clear to moderately stained water.
• Watermelon Seed: A subtle option for clear water and light-colored forage.
• Wine Red: A darker alternative for low-light conditions or when you want stronger contrast.

Water clarity, available forage and fishing pressure should guide your starting color. If fish inspect the bait without committing, changing color can be as important as changing the retrieve.

What Comes in Each Package?

Each package contains:

• One Nako Shikaku 17mm Urchin Bait
• Two Nako ZN Treble Hook 3102 hooks, size #4
• Two Nako Power Wacky Hook 7111 hooks, size #2/0

The included hooks let you test multiple presentations without building a separate specialty-hook setup first.

How to Store a TPE Urchin Bait

As with many TPE baits, keep the Shikaku in its original package and store it separately from conventional soft-plastic baits. Mixing different soft-plastic materials can cause them to react, deform or stick together.

Avoid leaving the bait in excessive heat or direct sunlight for extended periods.

Try a Different Finesse Profile

The best finesse bait is not always the one with the most action. Sometimes it is the bait that stays in front of a pressured bass and moves just enough to look alive.

The Nako Shikaku combines a compact 17mm core, responsive TPE tentacles and three practical rigging options in one package. Whether you are targeting suspended fish with sonar or working bottom structure with a Wacky Jika rig, it gives bass a profile they may not be seeing from every other angler.

See the available colors and package details for the Nako Shikaku 17mm Urchin Bait.