Techniques for Fishing With Plastic Worms

The plastic worm is one of the best lures for fishing, especially for bass, but it takes a great deal of patience to properly use one. The Texas rig and the Carolina rig, two common setups for plastic worms, both require knowing the right techniques to be successful.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Texas rig technique

Things You’ll Need:

Rod and reel Plastic worm Offset worm hooks Bullet weights 1-ounce egg weight or bullet weight Glass beads Barrel swivel Fluorocarbon fishing line
Rod and reel
Plastic worm
Offset worm hooks
Bullet weights
1-ounce egg weight or bullet weight
Glass beads
Barrel swivel
Fluorocarbon fishing line

Step 1

Drive your offset worm hook through the tip of the thick end of your plastic worm. Make it come out the side less than an inch from where it entered and push up the worm so it's snug with the eye of the hook.

Step 2

Turn the point of the hook so it faces the body of the worm. Stick the point halfway through the dangling worm's body. Put a bullet weight on your line with the cone end facing away from the end of the line. Tie the hook rigged with the worm on your line. This is a Texas rig.

Step 3

Cast your worm into or a little past cover such as weeds, cattails and grasses. Allow the worm to sink to the bottom before you engage your reel. Watch the line carefully for any sign a fish has hit the descending worm--look for sideways movement or twitches. If you see movement, try to set the hook by pulling back hard on your rod.

Step 4

Raise the tip of your rod just a bit once the worm has hit bottom. Bring the worm up a few feet and then let it sink back down by lowering the rod tip. Retrieve a small amount of line each time you raise the worm.

Step 5

Reel in the worm through weeds or whatever cover you are fishing in. It will move freely without snagging on anything since you buried the hook in the worm. Work the worm up and down methodically to attract fish hiding in the cover.

Step 6

Set the hook when a fish bites your plastic worm. Try to lead the fish away from structures that could foul the line. Let the worm immediately sink back down if you fail to hook the fish--it may come right back and grab it.

Carolina rig technique

Step 1

A Carolina rig can be made using a Texas rig. Start by attaching to your line a 1-ounce bullet weight or egg weight, a glass bead and a barrel swivel, in that order. Tie a 3-foot length of fluorocarbon line to the barrel swivel to use as a leader, then tie on your Texas-rigged plastic worm.

Step 2

Fish the Carolina rig in cover in deeper water. Cast it and allow it to sink, watching your line for a bite. Retrieve it by lifting up the rod and then letting it drop down again. The heavier weight will stay on the bottom but the lighter worm on the leader will be stay in the weeds. The glass bead will bang against the weight and barrel swivel constantly as you reel. This sound can attract fish.

Step 3

Sweep your rod from side to side as you reel in a Carolina-rigged plastic worm. This movement makes the worm seem alive and natural. Always be prepared to set your hook.

Resources

Texas and Carolina rig instructions

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.

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