Bass Fishing Tips Using Plastic Worms

Types of worms

Certain types of plastic worms work better in certain conditions. It is important to have a varied array of plastic worms. The individual should not rely solely on one specific color or length. The stouter plastic worms that possess thick tails or more than one tail are the best choice for darker water where visibility is low. Thinner worms with a straighter tail are good for weeds and grasses where bass lurk. Often a larger worm will not elicit a reaction from a bass but a smaller one will. It is prudent to have worms of different lengths for this reason. Bass in clear water see lighter colors more easily. Those in dark water will detect darker colors more readily than lighter ones. The angler needs to try many colors and then settle on those that work best for her. It is a good idea to keep a notebook with such information. The effectiveness of certain colors may differ from one body of water to the next. Write down what works so that the guesswork and relying on memory is out of the equation.

Texas rigging

Every bass angler that uses plastic worms should learn how to "Texas rig" the lure. This term describes how to make it so the hook in the worm will not catch and snag on weeds, brush and other cover that bass inhabit. To Texas rig a plastic worm the angler takes an offset worm hook and thrusts it through the very end of the thickest end of the worm. She then makes the point poke out the side only about half an inch from where it was stuck in. The angler threads the worm up the shaft of the hook so it is right next to the hook's eye. He turns it around to face the dangling plastic lure and then shoves it into the spot on the worm's body opposite where it is. However, the hook should not penetrate out the other side of the worm. By staying inside the worm it transforms the lure into one that will make it through weeds and downed tree limbs without the hook catching on anything. When a bass does bite, the angler pulls back on the rod tip hard and sets the hook. This will bring the hook out of the worm and into the jaw of the bass. Anglers fish this type of presentation by dropping it into weedy areas and slowly lifting the rod tip up to make the worm rise off the bottom. People reel in the slack and then let the worm flutter back down before repeating this action. It is a methodical way to fish for bass but gets results.

Worm weights

Before tying the Texas rigged worm to his hook the angler puts a slip sinker on his line. This added weight lets the worm cast farther and keeps it down in the water at the desired depth where the angler will fish. Bullet weights are ideal for this job. The less weight the better as far as these fishing weights are concerned. When the worm has less weight in front, it will appear more lifelike as it is reeled through the water. The deeper the water the more weight is required. A 1/16 ounce weight will suffice in the shallows. A 1/2 ounce bullet sinker can do the job in water deeper than 18 feet. The angler threads the line through the hole in its middle with the weight's tapered nose facing away from where she will soon tie on the Texas rigged worm. To stop the weight from running up and down the line during retrieval and casting many individuals will stick a toothpick in the middle of it. After a few casts into the water the toothpick becomes swollen and waterlogged and the angler breaks off the ends that protrude. This leaves the middle of the toothpick in the weight holding it tight to the line.