Bass not committing to bite

[bassbandit2]

Hey everyone. I'm throwing weighted 1/16 and weightless zoom trick worms- and like worms in various colors. I've caught a few and lost a few. But the fish keep picking up the line, taking it out and dropping it. That's happened like 50 times. What's this telling me??

 

Thank you!!

[MN Fisher]

Personally - I'd use a smaller worm if that's happening with that frequency. Maybe a Zoom Zlinky (5") or Finesse Worm (4.5") cause it sounds like they're 'short' biting.

[A-Jay]

6 minutes ago, Bassbandit2 said:

Hey everyone. I'm throwing weighted 1/16 and weightless zoom trick worms- and like worms in various colors. I've caught a few and lost a few. But the fish keep picking up the line, taking it out and dropping it. That's happened like 50 times. What's this telling me??

 

Thank you!!

That the fish may be simply picking up the bait by the tail and then dropping it.

Routinely a common theme with very small (like 6 inch) bass or small panfish.

A-Jay

[FishTank]

I dealt with this all day today, except I was using a Rage Tail Anaconda.  I switched to a smaller Berkley Powerworm and found myself catching a few bluegill.   The regular bass bite was really slow today though no matter what we used. 

[bassbandit2]

19 minutes ago, FishTank said:

I dealt with this all day today, except I was using a Rage Tail Anaconda.  I switched to a smaller Berkley Powerworm and found myself catching a few bluegill.   The regular bass bite was really slow today though no matter what we used. 

Ok good to know, I did down size to zoom finesse worm but same thing was happening. Bass bite slow, active bluegills. That's what I was thinking.

 

Thanks everyone for the help and tips! Much appreciated!

[diehardbassfishing]

Notice our bite is just like all the years before; except completely different.

 

 

Karl

[Bluebasser86]

I'd guess you're dealing with panfish or very small bass. They like to grab the tail of a trick worm and run off with it before they spit it out.

[Catt]

12 hours ago, A-Jay said:

That the fish may be simply picking up the bait by the tail and then dropping it.

Routinely a common theme with very small (like 6 inch) bass or small panfish.

A-Jay

 

Tighteyes ?

[Hook2Jaw]

You're getting bites?  ?

[Boomstick]

My first thought is you are getting smaller fish like panfish. Like others suggested, you could try a shorter worm and roughly the same size hook or just a size smaller and see if you land any fish.

 

I would take it one step further. Try using a shorter worm and seeing if you can recreate the same scenario. And if you can, then try a Ned rig in the same spot. If you're getting panfish or smaller bass, you'll likely land a couple and that will tell you. There is a spot where the same always happened to me but the shorter worm had no better luck so I threw a Ned rig and got some pretty good sized rainbow trout and some bluegill and rock bass.

[bassbandit2]

2 hours ago, Boomstick said:

My first thought is you are getting smaller fish like panfish. Like others suggested, you could try a shorter worm and roughly the same size hook or just a size smaller and see if you land any fish.

 

I would take it one step further. Try using a shorter worm and seeing if you can recreate the same scenario. And if you can, then try a Ned rig in the same spot. If you're getting panfish or smaller bass, you'll likely land a couple and that will tell you. There is a spot where the same always happened to me but the shorter worm had no better luck so I threw a Ned rig and got some pretty good sized rainbow trout and some bluegill and rock bass.

Oh wow I really appreciate the tip! I'll have to try that next time I'm at that spot thanks!

16 hours ago, Hook2Jaw said:

You're getting bites?  ?

I was, wasn't a very productive day caught 3 one was almost 3 lbs

[JustJames]

If I were you, it is time for UL set up. Those panfish are fun to catch as well especially when bass bite is slow.

[scbassin]

On 9/27/2020 at 11:10 PM, diehardbassfishing said:

Notice our bite is just like all the years before; except completely different.

 Huh.

 

 

 

 

[bassbandit2]

14 minutes ago, scbassin said:

 

Lol I was wondering the same

[diehardbassfishing]

Just the beer talking!

 

 

Karl

[bassbandit2]

1 hour ago, diehardbassfishing said:

Just the beer talking!

 

 

Karl

Lol! Makes sense!

[scbassin]

I thought that. I was laughing out loud, it was funny

[Sam]

Are you using scent?

 

Try MegaStrike or JJ's Magic on your plastics, especially your trick worms.

 

You may also be having the bluegills or small bass hit the bait but not eat it. 

 

Do you think you are setting the hook too soon? Try letting the fish run with it for about 3 to 5 seconds and then set the hook hard over your head.

 

Or, as the guys suggest, go smaller. A Zoom finesse worm may be the answer.

Experiment. That is the challenge of bass fishing.

[bassbandit2]

5 minutes ago, Sam said:

Are you using scent?

 

Try MegaStrike or JJ's Magic on your plastics, especially your trick worms.

 

You may also be having the bluegills or small bass hit the bait but not eat it. 

 

Do you think you are setting the hook too soon? Try letting the fish run with it for about 3 to 5 seconds and then set the hook hard over your head.

 

Or, as the guys suggest, go smaller. A Zoom finesse worm may be the answer.

Experiment. That is the challenge of bass fishing.

Oh yeah i know, also had trick worms. Same happening. I went 2 days later it was the same results. If i let them take it, it's like when a bass runs with the bait and the line moves... Then they drop it. That just keeps happy.. No I'm not using any on the plastics scent. I'm familiar with all the techniques, I've bass fished for many years. I appreciate your help. Judy wondering what i can do to make them take it. I've fished this pond and only as of the cooler weather this started happening. 

 

Thank you

[Sam]

Do you think the pond is in transition? Turning over with the cooler water temperatures and eliminating the thermocline?

 

When that happens the bass get confused and may not eat for a few days until they get acclimated with the new water temperatures and oxygen levels.

 

 Or maybe the bass have gone deeper into the middle of the pond.

 

You can 1) aggravate them into taking your bait; or 2) wait for them to start feeding again; or 3) hit the pond a half hour before sunrise; or 4) stay a half hour after sunset.

 

Bass will usually always eat a Zoom trick worm. What concerns me is why they are not holding onto the worm longer. That is why I suggested a scent. Maybe it is time to experiment with a scent to see if that makes a difference.

 

Let us know what happens if you do use a scent.

[bassbandit2]

Thank you for all your help. I'll look into getting some scent for the plastics. Thank you again

[bassbandit2]

On 10/2/2020 at 12:15 PM, Sam said:

Do you think the pond is in transition? Turning over with the cooler water temperatures and eliminating the thermocline?

 

When that happens the bass get confused and may not eat for a few days until they get acclimated with the new water temperatures and oxygen levels.

 

 Or maybe the bass have gone deeper into the middle of the pond.

 

You can 1) aggravate them into taking your bait; or 2) wait for them to start feeding again; or 3) hit the pond a half hour before sunrise; or 4) stay a half hour after sunset.

 

Bass will usually always eat a Zoom trick worm. What concerns me is why they are not holding onto the worm longer. That is why I suggested a scent. Maybe it is time to experiment with a scent to see if that makes a difference.

 

Let us know what happens if you do use a scent.

Hey, I didn't get around to getting scent. But I got out for a bit today same pond and wacky hooked the trick worm and got 3. I'll try this the next few outings and see what happens.

[garroyo130]

On 9/27/2020 at 4:53 PM, bassbandit2 said:

But the fish keep picking up the line, taking it out and dropping it. 

How long are you waiting to set the hook?

 

On 10/2/2020 at 12:15 PM, Sam said:

What concerns me is why they are not holding onto the worm longer.

When I fish a trick worm im using 6 or 4lb test line and fine wire hooks. Tap ... tap hookset. If I wait until the line is moving one of two things will happen. 

 

A. I'll miss the fish

B. I'll gut hook the fish

[Sam]

4 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

How long are you waiting to set the hook?

 

When I fish a trick worm im using 6 or 4lb test line and fine wire hooks. Tap ... tap hookset. If I wait until the line is moving one of two things will happen. 

 

A. I'll miss the fish

B. I'll gut hook the fish

1.  Go up to 8 pound fluorocarbon line.

2.  Use a medium heavy spinning rod.

3.  Use a 2000 or 2500 spinning reel

4.  Use a jig head in lieu of a fine wire hook, something like this: http://providertackle.com/store/

     It is the jig head the pros use and it was invented by a bass pro fisherman. The jig head has a       strong 3/0 hook which will help keep the fish hooked.

5.  Always keep finger on the line except when you are casting and reeling the trick worm back to       you. Set the hook as you feel the tap-tap, Don't dilly dabble. Set the hook hard.

6.  Relax and let your normal hand movement or a little hand movement shake the trick worm on the bottom. 

7.  If you use no weight and are moving the trick worm on top of the water or cover like a snake move your rod tip a little but try to control the trick worm by using your reel by reeling in the slack and then popping the worm t the right and left with your rod tip to make it move like a snake as you reel in the slack line.

8.  When you feel the tapping you set the hook hard over your head. You can point your rod tip at where you believe the trick worm is in the water, reel in the slack very fast, and then set the hook, keeping rod tip at 10, 11 or Noon during the fight.

9.  Always keep an eye on your line. If it moves you wait two to three seconds and set the hook.

10. Use scent on all plastics so they will keep the plastics in their mouths longer.

11. After making the hook set, never, never, never allow any slack in the line.

12. Try your luck with these basic colors: watermelon, green pumpkin with black flake, and Junebug.

13. Experiment. Try other colors and presentations. Go with a pink and see if that entices the bass. Put hook in middle of trick worm and fish it wacky style. Rig it up wacky style and put a 1/16 bullet weight on top of the hook's eye. Or use a nail or a Neko nail and fish it Neko style. Add a trick worm to your buzzbaits and Chatterbaits. Try your trick worm on the lightest Slider head you can find (1/8 ounce) and reel it back to you very slowly. Throw it onto the bank and then bring it into the water slowly. Fish the trick worm slow or fish it fast. The bass will tell what they want.

 

Just remember to find a jig head at your favorite tackle store that has a 3/0 strong hook. If you can bend the hook with your hand/fingers then pass on that specific brand and type.

 

Let us know about the fun you will have with your trick worms and what you catch!

 

Just a few suggestions to improve your trick worm fishing.