Maya Ellison
Bass fishing with plastic worms is a popular technique, especially in the summer months when most fish live offshore. There are many different types of worms, rigs, and techniques to consider when bass fishing with plastic worms. The Texas rig is a popular choice, which uses a bullet-style slip sinker, an offset hook, and a plastic worm of your choice. Other factors to consider when bass fishing with plastic worms include the size of the worm, the weight, the colour, and the type of hook. It's also important to pay attention to the area, season, and time of day when choosing your rig.
How to bass fish with plastic worms
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rig type | Texas rig, Carolina rig, wacky rig |
| Rig weight | 3/8-ounce or less, 1/2-ounce or bigger, 3/16- to 1/4-ounce |
| Worm type | Stick, ribbon tail, vibe tail, floating tail, scented, finesse worms, Berkely finesse worms, Cut-R Worm, Strike King Fat Baby Finesse worm, Zoom green pumpkin finesse worms, trick worms, weightless stick worm, Yum Dinger, Powerbait Power Worm |
| Worm size | 7", 10", 11", 12" |
| Worm colour | Green |
| Hook type | Wide gap bait hook, worm hook, 2/0 EWG hook |
| Line type | Braid with a fluorocarbon leader |
| Line technique | Maintain a little slack in the line |
| Rod type | A rod with some backbone |
| Fishing location | Ponds, lakes, shallow water, deep water, grass, timber, grass clumps, bush piles, submerged grass, outside grass line, brush piles, rock or rock piles |
| Fishing technique | Cast and retrieve with a slow jigging motion, cast upstream and let the current bring the worm downstream, drag, hop, flip, jig, twitch, rip, jerk, swim |
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The Texas Rig
To set up a Texas Rig, start by selecting the appropriate hook. You can use either a straight shank or an extra-wide gap (EWG) hook. The straight shank worm hook is ideal for fishing around grass as it has a streamlined profile that allows your bait to move in and out cleanly. On the other hand, the EWG hook is better for hooksets. Next, attach a bullet-shaped slip sinker to your line by inserting the line into the pointed end of the sinker. The weight of the sinker will depend on the heaviness of the structure and the depth you want to reach. A tungsten weight is a good option as it transmits contact well and is often smaller than a lead sinker of the same weight.
After setting up your hook and sinker, insert the point of the hook straight into the top of the worm. For a Texas Rig, the plastic worm is typically hooked through the nose, and then the hook is inserted back into the worm's body. This creates a lifelike and weedless rig, allowing the worm to slip through weeds and grass without getting snagged. You can also add scent to your plastic worm to make it even more attractive to bass.
When fishing with a Texas Rig, look for areas with cover such as grass, docks, brush piles, or isolated grass patches. Bass tend to hang towards the bottom of shallow water, so these locations are ideal for a Texas Rig. Cast your rig into these areas and let it reach the bottom. Then, lift the rod tip up, reel in any slack, and repeat until you make your next cast. You can also "hop" the Texas Rig along the bottom with quick twitches of the rod tip.
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The Carolina Rig
To set up a Carolina Rig, you'll need the following components:
- Bobber Stop- Peg X Stoppers
- A weight: A bullet or egg sinker of an appropriate size for the depth and fishing conditions. You can use a Tungsten Weight- Swagger Barrel Weight or a Lead Weight- Eagle Claw Egg Sinker.
- Bobber Stop- Peg X Stoppers
- A swivel: A barrel swivel to attach the leader line to the mainline. You can use an SPRO Power Swivel (Size 4).
- A leader: You can use a Mono Leader- Maxima Ultragreen (20 lb).
- A hook: A hook of the appropriate size in either EWG or offset for rigging a plastic snagless worm hook is preferred. You can use an Owner Oversize Worm Hook 11/0, a Large Worm Hook- Owner Jungle Wide Gap 6/0 or 7/0, or a Standard Worm Hook- Gamakatsu Offset EWG Hook 5/0.
- A bead: A small plastic or magnetic bead is placed between the weight and the swivel to protect the knot from the weight and to give the rig some added clicking attraction. You can use a Glass Bead- Top Brass Precision Glass Bead.
- A plastic worm: Creature baits are a natural choice for a Carolina-rigged worm. Look for a worm with lots of appendages for movement as it glides around behind the weight.
When using a Carolina Rig, it's important to play with leader lengths. Sometimes a short leader is preferable as it allows you to have more control over the bait's movement. You can also experiment with different types of worms and weights. For example, straight baits work wonders in grassy, clear water. Additionally, maintaining a little slack in your line can help increase your chances of hooking a bass.
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The Cut-R Worm Rig
To rig the Cut-R Worm, Faircloth uses a 3/16- to a 1/4-ounce weight to keep it higher in the water. This weight range is also ideal for beginners as it is easier to feel the weight without sacrificing action. Faircloth's favourite way to fish this rig is by swimming it around grass.
When using the Cut-R Worm Rig, it's important to remember to stay back from your target and make long casts. This is especially effective when fishing around cover such as grass, brush piles, or rocks. The Cut-R Worm Rig is a great choice for fishing in these conditions as it is weedless and can be fished slowly and tightly to the cover.
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The Finesse Rig
The Finesse Worm can be rigged in several ways, including the shakey head rig, Texas rig, Carolina rig, and even weightless. Each rigging method has its own unique advantages and can be used to target specific species of fish. For example, the shakey head rig is ideal for fishing in deeper waters or when you want to keep the bait close to the bottom. The Texas rig, on the other hand, is perfect for fishing in heavy cover or around structure.
One popular finesse worm is the Zoom Finesse Worm, which is known for its compact size and ability to remain suspended horizontally in the water, achieving a natural appearance. This worm is particularly effective on a Drop Shot Rig, producing bites even on challenging days. To rig the worm, attach the line to the hook using a Palomar knot, leaving at least 6" of the tag line. At the end of the tag line, tie on your drop shot weight. Thread the hook through the nose of the plastic worm, and you're ready to start fishing.
Another finesse worm worth considering is the YUM Dinger, which is slightly smaller and flattened at the end to fit snugly on the jig head. It is designed with an air pocket that holds the tail end of the bait higher in the water column. The Ned rig, developed by longtime outdoor writer Ned Kehde, uses lightweight mushroom-style jig heads and extra-small soft-plastic baits like the YUM Dinger. This rig is ideal for fishing in heavily pressured waters and coaxing bites from bass that won't commit to most presentations.
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The Wacky Rig
To set up the Wacky Rig, you can use a wacky-style hook, or a large worm hook. If you want the worm to last longer, you can thread a small rubber O-ring over one end of the worm, slide it to the centre, and insert the hook under it, rather than through the worm. This will also help to create the fluttering action. The worm can be any colour, but green has been known to work well.
Once the rig is set, cast it out and let it sink. Jig it a few times and repeat. It is important to keep a tight line when the rig is falling, as this will allow you to feel any bites. You can also use a hook with a weed guard if fishing in or around weeds or structure. The Wacky Rig is a great option for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, and can be used in rivers and lakes.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to fish with plastic worms is to use a Texas Rig, which includes a bullet-style slip sinker, an offset hook, and a plastic worm of your choice. Cast your bait and use a slow jigging motion on your retrieve. You can also try a Carolina rig with a floating worm.
Let it sit for a few seconds, then twitch it. Reel it a few feet, then repeat. If you feel a bite, count to three, slowly take out the slack, and set the hook by quickly and forcefully moving the rod tip upwards in a 2-3’ arc.
The type of worm you use depends on the conditions. For fishing in algae-coated ponds, a Texas-rigged ribbon tail works well. For shallow water, use a smaller worm with a small weight to create more action. For deeper water, an 11-inch worm will sink on its own.
