Worms worms worms!!

[Boett43]

There is soo many different kinds of plastic worms out there, if anyone could give me a general idea on what kind of worms to fish when..I recenlt just started using plastics often, all i have been using is the tradditonal texas rigged senko on a weighted hook. Ill take Any Opinions Thanks!!

[Alpster]

Get yourself a package of 7-1/2" Culprit worms in black shad color. Texas rigged with a 3/16 oz bullet weight. Fish it in heavy cover very slowly. It will open up a whole new world of fishing plastics. JMHO

Ronnie

[.dsaavedra.]

Get yourself a package of 7-1/2" Culprit worms in black shad color. Texas rigged with a 3/16 oz bullet weight. Fish it in heavy cover very slowly. It will open up a whole new world of fishing plastics. JMHO

Ronnie

x2

also get some 10"ers in tequila sunrise.

when it comes to worms, fish em slowly in heavy cover. and for me, the bigger the worm the better. dont be deterred by a big 10" worm...bass certainly arent!  ;D

[Paul Roberts]

You do not NEED a lot of worms configurations, but different options can help at different times.

Every winter I go through and decide what I can get rid of to lighten my load. I just went through my worm box with a critical eye again and found little (two worm configurations) I was willing to remove one a recent whim and the other a holdover from a really great daylessseee30 years ago).

Admittedly there are some potential redundancies, but a lure box evolves over time and not only does each lure have a niche but some simply get my adrenaline pumping when I tie one on. The separate compartments help keep worms from bleeding into each other and make all easy to see and get at. So, here's my worm box exposed!!

My worm box is a 10x7 6-compartment poly box and weighs 1# 14oz. ready to fish.

Compartment 1: Low density stick-worms for a slow fall. I fish them weightless, often wacky-rigged. I have them in two sizes (4, 6), and two colors an orange for low visibility conditions (so the bass, and especially I, can see them), and a pale translucent for very high visibility conditions when bass are apt to reject the bright opaque worm.

Compartment 2: High density stick-worms for a faster fall rate and/or deeper water, also fished weightless, often wacky-rigged. Again, two sizes (4, 6), and two colors a dark (opaque-ish), and a pale translucent.

Compartment 3: Black 6 swimming-tail worm for darker days and active fish. These worms trigger bass really well and can be fished relatively fast with a bullet sinker. I use them for active bass where only a worm can go through algae and heavy cover. I've also discovered a couple neat triggering strategies to sighted fish with these. I also have in this compartment, in a plastic bag to protect them from bleeding, 8 black/pearl swimming-tail for flipping dark shady hides in dingy water that subtle flash is a deadly trigger.

Later in the year I'll add some 9 swimming-tails for warm summer water where there are large bass. Large lures do select and attract larger bass. In the past I've targeted and caught larger than usual bass using worms up to 13.

Compartment 4: Black straight tails. I have two: First, a very slim and subtle 6 for educated and/or skittish fish under darker conditions. Second, a 6 heavy bulky worm that can cast a mile to spooky or distant fish. This one could be interchangeable with the stick worms but they are a holdover from my youth andwellI couldn't not have them there if just for the memories (the pulse of adrenaline I get when I tie one on).

Compartment 5: Translucent worms, both 6 straight and 6 ribbon-tails, same as Compartments 2&3 but translucent. I believe they out-fish opaques in high vis. waters.

Compartment 6: Finesse worms. I have semi-translucent, slim 6 straight tails, and semi-translucent slim 6 swimming-tails. I believe these out-fish larger opaque worms for skittish/ pressured fish especially in high visibility conditions. They land quietly and are subtle in the water. The slim bodies allow me to fish a Texas-rig with lighter line. The extra kick of the swimming-tails can be a great trigger that works on the drop, or when either swum or accelerated.

Do I catch fish on all of them? Yes. They are selected for conditions, mostly. OK, applying the 80/20 ruleIf I had to choose one worm to cover the most circumstances, it would be a 6 semi-translucent straight-tail. A sandwich baggie full of these and I'd be set to go. Thank goodness I have a large back-pack so I don't have to just bring a baggie!

No, 4-inchers?, you ask? They're in my finesse jig box. But that's another whole box of stories.

[Guest avid]

I break worms down into a couple of categories.

short

long

curley tail

straight tail

Colors are easiest to think of as "light or dark"

Everybody has their favorite worm, in a favorite size and color.  

Prolem is they all work.

I would recommend getting an assortment in the categories listed above.

No need to bypass the wal-mart.  You can get find soft plastics their.

good luck and have fun.

avid.

[Munkin]

Worms specifically or soft plastics in general? For some reason I have't used a curly tailed worm in years. The worm I use the most is a Zoom finesse worm because it just works. Creature baits and lizards work really well so I would pick up some. Below I will post the soft plastics that I would not be without.

Zoom finesse worm- green pumkin, black, smokey joe

Zoom baby brush hog- green pumkin 90% of the time I use this color

Zoom 6" lizard- black, white, tequila sunrise, natural blue

Kinami flash 4"- natural shad, gold shad, watermelon

Wincos jerk shad- pearl glimmer (this is a hand poured fluke that sinks)

Zoom tiny fluke- the 2.5" one in albino for drop shotting

If you notice I do not used a lot of different colors as I have learned they are not needed. When in doubt use green pumkin as it just works everywhere.

Allen

[Boett43]

Thanks everyone for there thoughts, Im deffinitly gonna have to head out to wal-mart soon. I just have one more question how do i know what hook size to get for worms, is it based on length or what, cuase ive had it where the hooks only go down about 1/3 of the worms body wich leaves a lot of body and no hook? hopefully someone understands this question haha

[Guest muddy]

I use two: 7 inch Ripple Tail ( Rippers/***)

            Floating /Straight tail ( Usually 6 inch) *** and Zoom

T rigged, weightless mostly, some times with some split shot about 8 inches ahead of the worm

I know many will disagree I think all these colors are highly overblown and i stick to 3 shades of black, geen and brown, Most of the worm and carwfish like forage here comes in those colrs so thats all I use, works great for me.

[Paul Roberts]

Bass will slurp in the whole worm. The hook only needs to extend no more than a 1/3 the length.

Depending on shank length of hook style you choose:

4' #1

6" #1/0 or 2/0

7" #2/0

8" #3/0

9" #3/0 or 4/0

10' #4/0 or 5/0

For slim worms I like a standard worm hook. For fat worms I like a wide-gap.

[The Next KVD]

I usually use a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG for all of my worms.  The only exception is a 10" Powerworm or Culprit. Then I go up to a 5/0 EWG.

I use only two styles of worms really:

7.5" and 10" ribbontails

6" straight tail

[alger319]

my go to worm is a Zoom finesse or trick worm, fished weightless-lightweight bullet- or shakyhead

[Jeff H]

Start simple.  Go the Alpster route for now and let your adventure take it's course.  Won't be long and you'll have more than you need like the rest of us.

[doublem5148]

zoom finesse  worms!!! 1/8th sinker  2/0 hook is a deadly combo

[Joel W]

I just love worm fishing.  

Spawn: 4 & 5 inch stick worms wacky rigged.

skipping: 5 & 6 inch stick worms on a 3/0 EWG hook.

Pitching into weed holes and along inside and outside weed bed lines: 7 inch Power Worms Tx rigged on a 5/0 EWG hook with a 3/8-1/2 oz bullet wt and bead. Will switch up to a 10 inch worm by mid summer. The big "girls" really like that size.

4 3/4 inch Zoom Finesse worms for Drop Shotting.

6 inch Zoom Trick worms for shaky head.