Floating worms for drop shot/Free Rig?

[OmegaDPW]

Of the mainstream stuff that I can find at Wal Mart or Bass Pro, what companies make floating finesse worms for drop shot style rigs? Or at least something very slow sinking?

 

I was told that the Z-Man worms do. I actually fished one today, but didn't really pay attention. I thought some of the Zoom trick worms were, but whatever I bought sink like a rock. 

 

 Do any of the mainstream stick baits float? 

 

Thanks in advance! 

[MN Fisher]

The original Zoom Trick Worm is a floater - if yours aren't floating, there's something wrong.

Strike King's Super Finesse Worm also floats,

 

Most Elaztech baits float - Z-Man and Strike King are the major players of Elaztech.

[PhishLI]

Z-Man Trick Shotz | Tackle Warehouse

 

Z-Man - Tackle Warehouse

[OmegaDPW]

28 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

The original Zoom Trick Worm is a floater - if yours aren't floating, there's something wrong.

 

I bought two packs a few months ago. I noticed that the packaging looked exactly the same but the sticker had two different options. Mine say Super Salt Plus. Maybe the other said "original" but I don't remember. I wasn't intentionally looking for a floating worm at the time but I'll check the little sticker next time and buy the other one. 

 Thanks!

[MN Fisher]

13 minutes ago, OmegaDPW said:

Mine say Super Salt Plus.

Ya - the more salt a plastic has, the faster it sinks.

[FryDog62]

NetBait T-Mac worms look the same but float much more consistently than the Trick Worm. Many of us that swore by the original Trick Worm for decades have switched to the T-Mac (check out the past reviews on TW). I also use GrandeBass Airtail Wiggler worms. Both superior to the Trick Worm IMO. 

[RRocket]

Check out the Keitech Custom Leach. Killer dropshot bait. You can rig it flat, so it looks like a worm or leechv with it undulating up and down. Rig it vertical and its more baitfish like with the undulating going side to side.

 

The segmented body moves like crazy at the lightest touch.

 

I should have sent you some! 

 

 

[rangerjockey]

The original trick worm or Danny Joe's float well. As MN fisher said the salt will make them sink.

[Catt]

DOUBLE Z CUSTOM LURES

 

Everything we make FLOATS, is GARLIC SCENTED and made right here in TEXAS! 

 

https://doublezlures.com/

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

DOUBLE Z CUSTOM LURES

 

Everything we make FLOATS, is GARLIC SCENTED and made right here in TEXAS! 

 

https://doublezlures.com/

Catt, have you used their floating lizard for Carolina rigging? Looks like a good potential option… 

[Catt]

@FryDog62

 

[garroyo130]

I recall reading or hearing somewhere that what you should aim for is neutral buoyancy when drop shotting. It stuck with me and because of that, I've avoided anything Z man for drop shotting. Lunker city ribsters are good.

[fin]

On 2/11/2024 at 9:05 PM, OmegaDPW said:

I bought two packs a few months ago. I noticed that the packaging looked exactly the same but the sticker had two different options. Mine say Super Salt Plus. Maybe the other said "original" but I don't remember. I wasn't intentionally looking for a floating worm at the time but I'll check the little sticker next time and buy the other one. 

 Thanks!

 

Yeah, you have to look at the label. Where yours says "Super Salt Plus", the others will say "The Original".

 

I think of them more as suspending than floating. If they rise in the water, it's so slow that I don't have the patience to see it.

 

When you buy them online, sometimes it's impossible to tell whether you will get Super Salt Plus or The Original.

[TOXIC]

Yamamoto has come out with multiple floating baits both Senko style and Shad Shape Worm for dropshotting.  Personally, since I Texas rig my dropshot baits, it makes no difference if they float or not.  If rigged right, the hook holds them vertical since the weight is below the bait.  I use a number of baits in the Yamamoto line to dropshot. 

[RRocket]

6 hours ago, TOXIC said:

Yamamoto has come out with multiple floating baits both Senko style and Shad Shape Worm for dropshotting.  Personally, since I Texas rig my dropshot baits, it makes no difference if they float or not.  If rigged right, the hook holds them vertical since the weight is below the bait.  I use a number of baits in the Yamamoto line to dropshot. 

I have done tank tests.

 

Sinking baits, even when rigged correctly, often fall over sideways.

 

Whereas the floaters never fall over sideways and are always tail up.

 

As with all things, YMMV.

[TOXIC]

@RRocket I agree if you don’t rig it right with the right line and hook, it will not be vertical.  My main dropshot bait is a Kut Tail or a pro Senko in addition to the Shad shape worm.  They won’t fall over no matter how you rig it because they are round.  Many times  I rig a Shad shape worm upside down as well.  😎😉

[RRocket]

19 minutes ago, TOXIC said:

@RRocket I agree if you don’t rig it right with the right line and hook, it will not be vertical.  My main dropshot bait is a Kut Tail or a pro Senko in addition to the Shad shape worm.  They won’t fall over no matter how you rig it because they are round.  Many times  I rig a Shad shape worm upside down as well.  😎😉

I can assure you they are rigged correctly in my testing. And of course length of bait matters, too. You might get a slow sinking 4" to stand, since much of that length has the hook in it. But something longer? Not so much.

 

As mentioned, I did have some that stood up.  But once any sort of disturbance (ie current) is introduced, most fall over whereas the "real" floating worms seem unperturbed by anything.

 

As always, YMMV.

[Bird]

Maybe it's time for me to be educated.

Does drop-shot require a floating bait?

I throw it quite a bit and never pay mind to whether the bait floats.

The knot that is tied keeps the bait vertical on a tight line.

Mainly using Roboworms and Zoom lizards with great results.

[RRocket]

2 hours ago, Bird said:

 

Does drop-shot require a floating bait?

 

No.

 

Preference and/or different look.

[thediscochef]

On 2/12/2024 at 7:21 AM, FryDog62 said:

Catt, have you used their floating lizard for Carolina rigging? Looks like a good potential option… 

BPS also makes a floating lizard

[TOXIC]

I have found that with a 1/4 oz teardrop QuickDrop dropshot harp weight and a #1 gamakatsu ewg hook with the bait Texas rigged, I can make a 5 inch Pro Senko sit straight out.  I fish it most often in gin clear St Clair water so I can see the bait.  Key is using lighter line and keeping it tight.  If you relax it will not.  Same holds true for a Shad Shape Worm (4”).  In my personal opinion keeping the bait horizontal doesn’t increase catch rates.   Once you add in hook weight and line they rarely sit straight.  I can’t comment on how nose hooking the bait changes all of that because I don’t nose hook my dropshots.  

[RHuff]

I've had pretty good success with the Shad Shape 

[wvhunt]

I just bought a couple bags of the "original trick worms".  I filled the bathroom sink up with water, tossed one in, and it sank like a rock.  

[paulmandude]

Zoom worms are confusing as to which float and sink. Luckily it doesn’t really matter. They both catch fish.

[OmegaDPW]

2 minutes ago, wvhunt said:

I just bought a couple bags of the "original trick worms".  I filled the bathroom sink up with water, tossed one in, and it sank like a rock.  

I hate that, but thanks for letting me know. I'll save my money instead of trying the originals.