Stick baits are really similar to crank baits. The big difference is that they have weighted tails making the plug float sit upright, or stand up in the water. When moved across the surface, stick baits move side to side. This type of action and the splashing it causes is quite interesting for many species of fish get curious or angry at this kind of injured bait that comes into their line of sight. Lots of strikes are vicious and it is not unusual for fish to get hooked on the side of their heads as they aggressively attacks the bait.

For the best result stick baits are jigged with the rod tip held up, using a quick action, dancing it quickly across the surface. A six to ten foot rod works best. Toss a stick bait close to a mangrove or near a school of red fish. Then move that lure fast on the along the surface. After a while slow down so that the splashing, walking action is kept up as long as possible and the fish lock onto it. Other anglers have success with a different technique, jigging slowly, using stick baits similar to the standard floating plugs.