10" Worms - When? How?

[Crestliner2008]

Picked up a couple of packs of these monster worms for fishing some local ponds for LM's. This season will be my first with these big worms. Some folks have told me to start right now with them, as most bass are off the beds around here. I was thinking these are more of a summer-time presentation? What say y'all?

Then, I've always fished the 6" & 7" worms texas rigged, with about an 1/8 oz. bullet weight, slip style. Should these bigger worms be used weightless? Like a big Senko or Beaver? Or is a little (or a lot) of weight better?

Thanks for your suggestions.

[A-Jay]

Crestliner2008- I'm in the same boat. I've had a few 10"-12" worm for a few seasons. After watching Bassmaster veteran Paul Elias go ballistic down in Texas last year, I picked you some snake like jelly worms and 10" power worms. However, I've never really made a serious bid to fish them long enough to gain the confidence I have in the 6"- 7" size. And as is often the case for me with new baits, I have not scored the bite I was hoping for with them either.

So I'm looking for any and all info also.

A-Jay

[Steven Ladner]

Down here with the temp being over 90 during the day, right now is the time to use them. I'm not sure about you since your up in mass., their a great summer time bait.

8-)

Now about the weight, it all depends on what depth your fishing and such. The big worms I fish are Zoom Ol Monsters and I t-rig them with a 3/8-1/4 oz. bullet weight. They are also great for using on a c-rig though.

It may take a while to build some confidence with them since you won't catch as many as you would with 4-7" worms. Your bites might be few and far between, but when you do hook into a lunker, you'll be looking forward to using them next summer.

[Avalonjohn44]

I am thinking of switching to a 10 inch worm all of the time.  I do ok on a normal size powerworm, but last summer and so far this spring, I'm doing better on the larger bait.  I love them.  I'm going out with just anacondas, a buzzbait, and a spinnerbait today...

[Blade-Runner]

10" Worms make a good night bait, too.

And, I've caught many, many smaller bass on these big worms, so don't totally believe you're going to have fewer bites.

My favorites are the classic 10" Berkley Powerworm, the Zoom Ole Monster, and the Yum 10" ribbontails.

5/16 oz. bullet weight and a 4/0-5/0 hook. Or carolina rigged.

Or go with the secret method in weedy waters - weightless. Snaky...

[Big-O]

As we all know, fall rate is often the determining factor that causes the strike. Don't forget the slow seductive fall that a keel weighted hook adds to any worm especially the big ones.....This is the horizontal fall that sinko style stick baits have yet with increased action and a life like creature looking bait all wrapped into one package.

Back in the day when fishing any soft plastic bait over thick grass, I would go weightless or squeeze a split shot on the bend of the hook for increased fall rate yet maintaining a very weedless application since the nose of the bait never points down and the bait settles on the grass instead of sticking down in it.

Although this was somewhat slower than the normal Tx rig set up due to fall rate, the results were tremendous with this horizontal fall technique. I have said it before and will say it many times more that "keel weighted Soft plastics over grass have been responsible for many of my bigger Bass over the years and that will continue in the future, I'm sure.

Big O

www.ragetail.com  

[DINK WHISPERER]

They only produce for me in the hotter months like right now!

[FishDontLikeMe1301600221]

bigger the better...12" all the way,bass seem to take pride in attacking and mauling anything that looks like a snake.and best color..WHITE t-rigged!!!!!

[booneangler]

so when you feel the bite on these do you set the hook like when you feel the bite on a 6 inche lizard or a 7 inch worm or do you wait till they swim with it or when you feel a tap do you set the hook?

[dmac14]

I would say wait a bit, but be careful if you have a heavy weight cause they'll feel it. That is why I like the carolina rig for the big worms. they can grab it and swim with it and not feel the weight, also worm has a weightless work with all the benefits of weight. Just slowly drag it across points on hot summer days

[FishDontLikeMe1301600221]

wait,i like mine weightless for a more natural slow fall,but i really like them ontop over pads and slop now thats it gettn warm out,if i weigh it down its car.rigged all the way i use these alot with AMAZING results,love them, http://www.bogbaits.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=125

and

http://www.bogbaits.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=145