I'm a believer!

[Flywatersmallie]

So a few weeks ago, I bought a TON of bass tackle from a guy on the cheap. I figured that it was well worth the stuff I would use anyway, tubes for a lifetime, a few spinnerbaits and a few cranks. Now, I ordinarily fish river smallmouths. Last night, it was pretty slow, 1 10" fish after 2 hours, all the usual producers didnt do anything,  nothing on grubs, spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, not even a look at a topwater. Just fooling around, I threw out one of the thousands of worms (t-rigged) that were included in the deal. Over the next hour and a half, I landed 12 more fish between 14-17" and had countless missed hits. I think I literally got bit on every cast.

That leads me to a couple questions, first, what kind of rod do you guys use for fishing worms? Im assuming something fairly stiff and fairly long. I was using a 6' medium action St Croix Premier. I assume I just didnt have the backbone to drive the hook home, so to speak. Second, how do you fish these things? I was just dragging it across bottom, VERY slowly. Thanks!

[Newman12Fan]

I am by far no expert, but I have a 7' medium/heavy Field and stream (dicks sporting goods) rod with 12 pound test.  I put on a 1/4 to 3/8 bullet weight and t-rig the worm.  I cast out and let it sit.  I still have not become great at maintainign contact with the worm on descent, so I know I have missed some bites there.  Then I give it a little pop to move it, and gently real in the slack.  Again let it sit there.  Many people on here will tell you to let it sit for 10, 20, even 30 seconds.  I am not that patient.  I might get a good 5 sec sit.  Then repeat the process.  Watch the line for movement and anytime you "feel" something that does not seem right set the hook.  I feel nibbles a lot, and have learned no matter what set the hook, you will catch more then you will lose.

Good luck

[GonzoFishing]

What exactly is a T-rig? Is it the same as wacky style?? Thanks

[Flywatersmallie]

texas rigged

[GonzoFishing]

texas rigged

Ahhh, I see! Thanks dude!

[fishbear]

Personally, I like a Med. rod with a fast action for plastics.  Now if you are Trigging, that would work for light weights.  For heavier weights you need a MH fast action rod, IMO.

Sounds like you had fun, and catching fish is always the best, and you learned that what you normally use is not always the best thing to use.  That is tough to learn sometimes, I know it was for me. ;D ;D ;D

[mdmaynard]

What exactly is a T-rig? Is it the same as wacky style?? Thanks

Here is a diagram http://www.bassresource.com/fish/texas.html

[Captain Rhino]

Do you guys have any recommendations for colors and types (size, style, etc.) of worms? I have some, but I'm never sure which ones to use.

[roadwarrior]

Rod: 7' spinning rod, Medium Power/ Fast Action

Reel: 2500 series Shimano Symetre or Stadic

Line: Y0-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6

Worm: 5" Senko, watermelon with black flakes, green pumpkin with black flakes or black with blue flakes

Rigging: Weightless, 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hooks

8-)

[Captain Rhino]

Rod: 7' spinning rod, Medium Power/ Fast Action

Reel: 2500 series Shimano Symetre or Stadic

Line: Y0-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6

Worm: 5" Senko, watermelon with black flakes, green pumpkin with black flakes or black with blue flakes

Rigging: Weightless, 4/0 EWG Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hooks

8-)

I have heard a lot about these Senkos. I think it is time to get a few of them. They look a little steep for worms, in price, but it sounds like they are well worth what you pay for them.

[The Rooster]

What kind of hook were you using for the T-rig where you missed so many fish??  I usually always use EWG 3/0 hooks, but recently I read on here in one of the articles to start using a straight shank hook because of the way it's designed, it said that the J bend of the hook will be aiming at the roof of the bass' mouth as you set the hook and it comes forward, whereas the G shape of the EWG hook sometimes misses the fish cause the eye of the hook along with the weight is directly inline with the point and it can act in the way a weedguard does and prevent the hook from catching as it exits the bass' mouth.  Made sense to me when I read it.  Now I'm gonna go try it, all I've ever used is EWG hooks but I miss a lot of fish, more than I catch with those.  Hope that straight shank will help me, and it might help you too.

[Sam]

Follow Roadwarrior's post.

Go with watermealon; watermealon with black flake; pumpkinseed; pumpkinseed with black flake Senkos, or a "stick bait" from other manufacturers.

Can't go wrong.

I caught four tonight - one on a drop shot with a black 4-inch Zoom finesse worm and the other three on a 4-inch watermealon with black flake Senko fished Wacky style.

Read, read and read the posts on this forum regarding worm colors; rods; reels; weights; hooks; line; and whatever.

Have fun with your stick baits.  Senkos are super and the *** baits are sensational.

Now go back and do some fishing.  

[Flywatersmallie]

Out last night again, tried a few things I read on the main page and some tips from you guys here... Well, I didnt hook up all the times I got bit but, maybe at a 40% clip. Some of those could have been smaller fish too just grabbing at the tail. Anyway, landed 11 last night, I really dont think these fish have EVER seen a worm before. Lots of guys throwing cranks and live bait for walleyes, this is a different animal to be sure.