One of the Hottest Finesse Soft Plastics on the Trout Ponds This Season!
- phil32990
- 7 minutes ago
- 2 min read

Here’s an in-depth review of Leland's Trout Magnet Cross — one of the hottest, most effective finesse soft plastics for trout anglers:
Overview
The Trout Magnet Cross is a 1.85-inch unscented soft plastic lure that blends the classic Trout Magnet shape with the subtle action of a worm. It’s designed for a highly natural, finesse presentation in freshwater that drives trout wild.
Design & Action
Unique Hybrid Profile: The Cross sits between a traditional Trout Magnet and a worm bait — giving you the best of both worlds. Its elongated, slender body provides lifelike movement that mimics natural forage in the water column.
Unscented: Built without scent, which is ideal for clear water or pressured trout fisheries where overly scented plastics can spook fish.
Versatile Action: Works well when drifted under a float, twitched against current seams, or fished near structure — producing subtle wiggle and crawl movements that trigger strikes.
How to Fish It
Jig Head Pairing: Best used on a light Trout Magnet jig head or similar ultralight jig. The balanced presentation allows it to swim horizontally rather than plummet, improving its natural look.
Float Tactics: Drifted under an EZ Trout Float or similar setup, it excels in small streams and spring ponds.
Weightless or Tungsten Rigs: You can fish it weightless for ultra-slow presentations or on a tiny tungsten jig for added balance in current.
Performance & Fishability
Goose customers report these types of soft baits as extremely effective for trout, panfish, and even bass on ultralight gear — with many saying they consistently put fish in the net when other lures struggle.
Pros
👍 Pros
Excellent finesse action and natural profile.
Works well in both still and moving water.
Unscented, ideal for clear/pressured trout waters.
Affordable and versatile for different presentation styles.
Bottom Line
The Trout Magnet Cross 1.85" is a simple but smart addition to any trout angler’s tacklebox. Its hybrid profile gives it subtle but enticing movement, making it ideal for picky trout or pressured fish in clear water. Whether under a float, fished slowly on ultralight gear, or presented through current seams, this soft plastic deserves a spot if finesse trout fishing is your game.
