Bass Fishing Tips Using Plastic Worms

Decide on a Worm to Use

In general, anglers who are targeting big bass, or who are fishing in waters where big bass live, should use big plastic worms. This often means worms that are 10 inches or longer. It is important to note, however, that worms of such large sizes likely will mean a reduction in bites from smaller bass. On the other end of the spectrum, a 3- or 4-inch plastic worm is effective under cold-front or cold-water conditions, and in areas where average bass size is small. It should be noted that even the largest of bass will hit a small plastic worm.

Decide How to Rig It

There are three main plastic worm rigs: Texas rig, Carolina rig and weightless rig. A Texas rig involves threading a bullet-shaped sinker on the line above the hook, then tying the hook to the line. Thread the tip of the worm onto the hook so that the hook point protrudes about 1/4 of an inch down the worm. Then pull the worm tip up the hook until it is at the top of the hook. Then rotate the hook 180 degrees and impale the hook point into the worm. The hook point should not protrude through the worm.

The Carolina rig involves sliding a cone-shaped sinker and one to three beads onto the line, then tying a swivel on the end of the line. A leader should be tied to the other end of the swivel, and a hook tied at the end of the leader. Hook the worm as you would a Texas-rigged worm.

The third rigging option is to use no weight and just fish the worm on its own. This is particularly effective in shallow areas, under docks, and around emergent vegetation. The Texas rig is effective around heavy cover, especially in deeper water, while the Carolina rig excels at locating bass scattered on clean bottoms.

The Right Equipment

Having the right equipment is an important part of worm fishing. Most anglers choose baitcasting reels and rods. The reels should be spooled with 10- to 20-lb. line, and the rods should be medium-heavy or heavy action and 6.5 to 7 feet long. A sensitive fishing rod is critical to successful plastic worm fishing, since bass rarely hit a worm hard. Instead, the hit is often little more than a tick, tap or the feeling of something different. It also pays to watch where your line enters the water, since sometimes the only evidence of a hit is your line jumping slightly or moving sideways.

Experiment With Colors

While plastic worms that feature dark, solid colors often perform best in murky water, and natural-colored or translucent-colored worms often perform best in clear water, there are no rules as far as color goes. As a result, it is a good idea to carry a variety of plastic worm colors with you and experiment with different colors. Sometimes the bass will show a distinct preference for one color over another, while other times they will hit any worm thrown in front of them.

Go Against the Grain

Some of the general worm-fishing rules are these: Use a large worm in murky water and a small worm in clear water; use a small worm when bass are inactive. Because these are well-known pieces of advise, it can pay dividends to turn conventional wisdom on its head. Try using a 10-inch worm in clear water, or under cold-front conditions when bass are inactive. You likely will be showing them a lure they rarely see, and a 10-inch worm is better at provoking a reaction strike from a bass than a 3-inch worm.