The Swimming Worm

[Mobasser]

I was reading an article last night about a Florida angler, Jesse Payton, who was credited for inventing this rig. A straight tail worm is threaded onto a #2 hook, and left with a bend on the hook shank. A leader of 15lb test line is tied directly to the hook, the other end a good quality ball bearing swivel, which is tied to your main line. This worm rig is cast and fished with a slow, steady retieve, around shallow weeds and other cover. It's never meant to be fished on the bottom. A weight, either a split shot, or bullet sinker is placed above the swivel, to give casting distance. The bend in the worm is there to cause the lure to spin on the retrieve, and the swivel to prevent line twist. It's supposed to be a great rig around shallow cover. I've never used it myself, but, I recall Doug Hannon marketing his version of this rig years ago, with a pre tied leader and swivel. Has anyone used this rig?

 

 

[frogflogger]

We did that when creme worm first came out - showed it to my dad and that was all he used. It is still a fish catcher - one of those rigs that was figured out by fishermen all over the country, like the t-rig, credit gets given but usually it is figured out by numerous guys in different parts of the country.

[Black Hawk Basser]

The Swimming Worm has been featured/mentioned in In-Fisherman many times over the years.  I have never tried the technique.  I'm pretty lazy when it comes to pre-rigging anything.

[Log Catcher]

I have not tried or heard of doing this. I have some Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed worms and I still fish them like a standard Texas rig most of the time.

[OnthePotomac]

Coincidence this came up.  I hit the mighty Potomac yesterday and it was a no wind beautiful day.....but the water was muddy in the big trib I usually fish, so I started throwing a SK 6' rage vibe tail worm On a 1/8th slip sinker and a 4/0 Gammie straight shank wide gap Texas rigged.  First cast parallel to the bank 4' out in 2' of muddy water and a 2lber inhaled it.  It works.

[Mobasser]

2 minutes ago, OnthePotomac said:

Coincidence this came up.  I hit the mighty Potomac yesterday and it was a no wind beautiful day.....but the water was muddy in the big trib I usually fish, so I started throwing a SK 6' rage vibe tail worm On a 1/8th slip sinker and a 4/0 Gammie straight shank wide gap Texas rigged.  First cast parallel to the bank 4' out in 2' of muddy water and a 2lber inhaled it.  It works.

I was curious about swimming a worm, as I've mostly always slowly hopped a t rig. Like most things it's nothing new. I think it was first used back in the 60s. I plan on trying it myself this summer

[tander]

I remember doing this back in the 80's/90's. I probably got it from Doug Hannon. I don't think I used any weight other than the swivel. I used a bubble gum work or a junebug worm. Might have to try it again. Last 2 times I went fishing, I used a old system, slider fishing. Caught 30 in 2 days.