im pretty new to bass fishing and was wondering if anybody had any tips on how to rig and fish beaver style baits like the gambler why not and the RI sweet beaver? and what other soft plastics you like to throw?

I like the R.I. Beavers (sweet, and smallie) and the Havoc Pit Boss. The Pit Boss's side "arms" swim on the fall or when you move it, the R.I. baits pretty much do nothing, but IMHO there is a time and place for both. I do a ton of different things with them, t-rig and pitch/flip/punch into heavy cover #1. But I also drop shot them, use them as jig trailers, drag them on football heads, skip them weightless under docks, and more that I can't think of right now.

Texas rig or as a punch/flip style bait. Also going to experiment with them on a larger shakey head. Hoping this will lift the claws and arms up enough to entice a few more fish.

Texas riged, punching flipping, or on jigs.  I've never been that impressed with the RI products... they really dont have much action.

 

Much better success with the dbomb and bully by power team lures.

The 2 best beaver baits are money and a nice car.

I have T-Rigged them and used them as jig trailers.  Many of the beaver type baits dont have much action, which is why I dont throw them too much.  I like the profile for a jig trailer, which is the way I use it 90% of the time.  The Strike King River Bug is the beaver bait I use for jig trailers. It is a nice size, but like the reaction innovations one, it doesnt have much action.

I am sure they are great baits, but I have more success with other styles of baits, especially for trailers

are you asking what baits my wife uses?

I mostly use them as jig trailers, because I like jig fishing. I just started texas rigging them but haven't had much success so far.

I like the R.I. Beavers (sweet, and smallie) and the Havoc Pit Boss. The Pit Boss's side "arms" swim on the fall or when you move it, the R.I. baits pretty much do nothing, but IMHO there is a time and place for both. I do a ton of different things with them, t-rig and pitch/flip/punch into heavy cover #1. But I also drop shot them, use them as jig trailers, drag them on football heads, skip them weightless under docks, and more that I can't think of right now.

 

I second the pit boss, great action and vibration, however when its colder I may throw a wooly bug or a regular beaver instead to kill some of the action and match the mood of the fish

Try rigging the Sweet Beaver on a 1/8 oz. weighted swimbait hook. Keeps the bait level on the fall, snag resistant and a very productive presentation. R.I. makes some fine baits.

The 2 best beaver baits are money and a nice car.

Nice, hahaha.

 

I'm really digging the D Bomb right now. In fact I picked up a bulk 25 pack in Candy Grass color this afternoon.

Try rigging the Sweet Beaver on a 1/8 oz. weighted swimbait hook. Keeps the bait level on the fall, snag resistant and a very productive presentation. R.I. makes some fine baits.

I do the same and have even went as heavy as 5/16 weighted swimbait hook.

Smallie Beavers on a shakey head are a fantastic, often overlooked option for clear, rocky lakes like Table Rock.

I fish mine on a jig trailer. I've never had much luck any other way.

I just picked up a bag of Xfactor busy beavers on sale at gander. Any body use these , they sure look like a winner to me, what do you think.

Bought a pack of pit boss last year have yet to land a fish on them. 

I had some small blue crayfish, not sure brand. Was mid-late summer, hot day, we went up the river from the lake we usually fish and I was catching them in a deep hole on the blue crayfish, couldn't find more of the exact brand so I got the dark blue havocs. 

 

I've tried them as trailers as well. 

Of late, deep grass lines and a D-Bomb or Pit Boss on a Bass Pro Dragon or Yum Punkin- Ed have been the ticket. I also very much like the Chompers Flip Shakey head for it. They really stand the bait straight up. Beaver baits I fish- DBomb, Pit Boss, Bass Pro Bull Hog, Zoom Z Hog and Z Hog Jr (jr is incredible so far), and not as much of the SK rodent. I just don't like the appendages.