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Tips on Plastic Worm Fishing |
Plastic worms are excellent bass baits, especially for
largemouth bass. These plastic worms come in a large variety of shapes, colors,
sizes and actions, and can be fished in a number of ways under different
conditions.
When choosing plastic worms, try to stay with 6 to 7 ½ - inch sizes. Look for
those with the action tails, they attract bass from a greater distance. When the
bass are less active turn to the worms with less action for a more subtle
presentation.
Good colors to use the black, purple, blue, green, or brown plastic worms. The
worms that are peppered with the metal flake seem to work even better. Now when
fishing very clear water avoid the flashy worms. Try to match the colors you use
with the natural bass foods, such as crayfish, leeches, or baitfish. In stained
or murky water, use the brighter, larger worms with more action. The black is
also good under these conditions.
Fish the plastic worms Texas-rigged for weedy areas, the worm stays in place
better and the action is more pronounced. Use heavier line 10 to 14 pound test
when fishing worms around cover, but beef it up for the thickest cover. A long
weed lines or open water the heavier line is not necessary, especially for small
mouth bass.
When fishing plastic worms try to feel the cover you are fishing, Try to keep
contact with the bottom and skim the bait over cover. Disturbing the cover will
attract more fish and you will get more strikes.
Usually when a bass takes the worm all you will notice is a slight twitch
in the line, a spongy heaviness in the rod tip, or a slow movement of the line
toward the cover. If you are looking for spectacular hits from bass, try using
top-water baits or buzzbaits. Bass simply suck in a worm, but they can also blow
it out just as fast. That is why you should always be a line watcher. When to
set the hook is debatable. Some anglers like to wait a few seconds. Other
anglers recommend setting the hook immediately.
Plastic worms can be cast all along weed lines, tossed into pockets and holes in
weed beds, or pitched to the shoreline cover, such as brush piles, docks or
trees. If rigged weedless , with the hooks imbedded in it the worm becomes the
ideal lure for catching bass in most all conditions and practically any type of
cover you would encounter.
The visual attraction of these baits have also been augmented by adding scents
that make them taste and smell like real prey.
When selecting your hook size. Consider the size of your plastic worm
Generally, size three and four worm hooks work well with 6 ½ to 7 ½ inch worms.
Use sharp hooks of course. They have greater penetrating power and need a less
powerful hook-set.
For largemouth. Use 4 to 8 inch worms. Drop down to 4 inches or less for
smallmouth bass. The small black worms, which resemble leeches, are great. They
can be fished with smaller non-weedless hooks and split-shot in the more open
situations these larger bass inhabit. The simple Carolina rig, with a larger
hook, worm, and shot also works well for finessing those largemouth in
open-water situations.
If you are not using plastic worms for bass fishing yet you are missing out on
great action. They are cheap, effective and an exciting way to catch bass.
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