Bps Floating Worms

[greyleg33]

I recall reading an artical some time ago (can't remember where) about bass reaction to plastic baits. I believe underwater filming was involved. The gist was that bass are more likely to hit a floating bait than a bait dragged on the bottom. I decided to give it a try. Results follow:

I first bought BPS salt impregnated 6" floating worms. I wanted as small a hook as possible so as not to weight the worm. The only offset shank wire hook I could find was an Eagle Claw. 2/0 worked well because the worms are relatively narrow. To present I could think only of Carolina or Mojo and I used Mojo setting the weight about a foot above the hook.

Now I didn't run any double-blind tests but I've been chasing these critters about 50 years and I believe I catch more fish this way than with a T-rig. It may be relevent that I fish mostly in the West and vegetation is nearly nonexistant.

One other thing: color. As you go through this forum you will find many opinions on the best color. My opinion is that color is not of prime importance. The best color is the color that gives you confidence. If you think it will work, it will work. I'm from the old school. My go-to colors are white and grape.

[Sam]

Greyleg, good post. For everyone's information, here is what Dr.Keith Jones of Berkely says about a bass' vision for the strike zone on page 151 of his book:

"The visual field of a bass consists of two large monocular fields to the side (as well as above and below).

Where the monocular fields cross, there are also smaller areas of binocular vision. There are also blind spots where the bass’s view is obstructed by its body.

Contained within the visual field is the strike zone, that area wherein the bass will attack food objects within sight.

The shape of the strike zone indicates the animal’s bias for striking objects lying ahead and slightly above.

The size of the strike zone depends on several factors, including water clarity and the mood of the bass.”

[RLinNH]

I have never Carolina or Mojo rigged in my life.I want to try something new next time I go out though. I'm thinking of something similar to the set up you're talking about in this post, only I i am going to use a senko. My question for you is, what type of wieght do you use for a Carolina rig?

[MCS]

So what's the deal with the bass that have the eyes turned down? I watched a vid and they consistently were turned down the the guy was saying because they were bottom feeding on crayfish. So wouldn't that indicate the strike zone floating versus dragged depends on the type of forage the fish are feeding on? Would a bass with the turned down eyes strike a dragged bait more readily than a floating?

[Bigbarge50]

I asked Judy Wong (a top female pro) at this years BPS seminar in richmond about using a senko on a carolina rig which she advised...... because senkos sink so fast, I was curious because basically the senko would just drag along the bottom (she was not a fan of hopping). She said no, go for it.

I use a float in front of a worm...... Of course I am no use on this topic first hand bescause I stink with a c-rig, but will keep trying.

[bassh8er]

I came to the conclusion last year that I only throw basically 2 colors of plastics. If another color was working better, I wouldn't have known. I have since thinned out my tackle to those 2 colors. Keeps my plastics inventory down and my wallet fuller.

[greyleg33]

RLinNH, I use an egg sinker for Carolina and a bullitt weight for Mojo.