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How to Fish With Plastic Worms

How to Fish With Plastic Worms
Soft plastic fishing baits designed to resemble worms often need to be used in weedy portions of a body of water. To use these baits without having to constantly worry about snagging them on the vegetation that fish inhabit, they need to be rigged in a particular way. The Texas rig is the most popular method for preparing lures for this scenario.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

How to Fish With Plastic Worms

Things You’ll Need:
  • Rod and reel Worm weight Offset worm hook Plastic worm Toothpick
  • Rod and reel
  • Worm weight
  • Offset worm hook
  • Plastic worm
  • Toothpick
Step 1
Thread onto your fishing line a worm weight. These weights are cone-shaped and go on your line with the cone end facing away from the hook. Tie an offset worm hook onto your fishing line using a Trilene knot or a clinch knot.
Step 2
Thrust the hook through the top of the thickest end of your worm but only thread half an inch of the worm onto the hook. Push the worm all the way up next to the eye of the hook, turn it toward the body of the worm, and press the hook into the worm's body. This is a Texas rig.
Step 3
Cast your worm out into weed beds, water lilies and other types of aquatic vegetation. Let the worm slowly sink to the bottom. Be alert for a possible bite during this period.
Step 4
Raise your rod tip a bit and make the plastic worm flutter up from the bottom about three or four feet. Slowly drop your rod tip to allow the plastic worm to sink again, but reel in any slack as you do so.
Step 5
Repeat this procedure to lead your plastic worm through the vegetation in a methodical manner. Exercise great patience during this type of fishing. When a fish hits your Texas-rigged worm, it will do so with enough force to push the hook through the worm. When the fish strikes you need to set the hook hard by pulling back forcefully on the rod tip.

Tips & Warnings

 
Push a toothpick into your worm weight and break it off to keep the weight from traveling up and down your line when you attempt to cast.

Article Written By John Lindell

John Lindell has written articles for "The Greyhound Review" and various other online publications. A Connecticut native, his work specializes in sports, fishing and nature. Lindell worked in greyhound racing for 25 years.

Write for Trails.com

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