Yimm Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 I do not fish plastic worms alot but I have a new worm/color that has been getting alot of action. Although I am catching some fish, I am missing a ton!! I was using a six inch but have moved to 4 1/2 inch to try to improve my catches and short strikes. My question is sometimes I feel I am moving the worm to much or to fast. and sometimes maybe I am moving it too slow(eveyone says slow!!) I also feel maybe I am acting to quick or aggresive to the initial bump. Maybe not aggressive enough. Any suggestions or advice?? Some of the bites/hits may be smaller pan fish that are prevalent in the lake. Thanks in advance for any advice!!! PS-The killer was last night I called it a day after numerous bites. Not one minute later a guy pulls in a 5 pounder from the exact spot I was fishing. AHHHHHHHHHH!!! Quote
DINK WHISPERER Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 So many variables go into this that it is hard to explain them all! You have to pay close attention and let the fish tell you exactly what they want on any given day. We went out this week and had a similar problem. We where getting bit on every other cast with a T-Rig but couldn't hook up(some were Blue Gills Though). After downsizing with no success we decided to regroup! We changed to a heavily scented Powerbait worm and landed 15 in 1 1/2 hours(including two 4lbers)! The extra scent made them take it in all the way and hold it as well. Just a thought! Quote
bassman31783 Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 I guess my biggest question would be how are you rigging the worm & what size of hook are you using. Matching the right sized hook for each worm is one of the most over looked ingredients in worm fishing IMHO. If your T-rigging your plastic try exposing the tip of the hook a little. If that doesn't help then try switching to wacky style. Quote
Clark Stewart Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 without more info i'm just spitballing. I had the same problem today with some creature baits. I ended up changing out my 3/0 offset hook for a 3/0 ewg hook. That helped a ton. What also helped was for me to wait a second before setting the hook. I have a bad habit of not waiting long enough - especially when I'm fishing a frog! I know that sounds elementary but once I started watching the line move off I would lower the rod tip while reeling in slack until the rod tip was nearly on the ground then I'd cross their eyes. Man that sounds condescending. But my hookups did increase. Once they're on I like to give it another hard jerk like I'm setting the hook all over - it helps to really seat the hook in the jaw. Seriously I'm sure you just had an off day. Hope that helps! Quote
Koop Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 We went out this week and had a similar problem. We where getting bit on every other cast with a T-Rig but couldn't hook up(some were Blue Gills Though). So whats the problem, don't you primarily target the gills? ;D Quote
Yimm Posted August 2, 2009 Author Posted August 2, 2009 I was T-Rigging with a 2/0 hook for both the 4 1/2 an 6 inch worms with tip exposed. I liked the previous reply for a scented Powerbait worm. I have never used any scented products. Any suggestions on what to try?? Quote
Koop Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 I was T-Rigging with a 2/0 hook for both the 4 1/2 an 6 inch worms with tip exposed. I liked the previous reply for a scented Powerbait worm. I have never used any scented products. Any suggestions on what to try?? I dunno I like a 3/O hook for a 5" worm, don't have many issues with hookups, as for the scent, *** has a good scent on their worms. Or you could buy a tube of mega strike, which I absolutely love, I grind it into all my jig and spinnerbait skirts. For worms and soft plastics... JJ's Magic the clear (unless you want to dye it) without a doubt. If your married... don't open JJ's in the house or your wife will come into your fishing room and think your cooking spaghetti. Quote
Incheon Basser Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 I was T-Rigging with a 2/0 hook for both the 4 1/2 an 6 inch worms with tip exposed. I liked the previous reply for a scented Powerbait worm. I have never used any scented products. Any suggestions on what to try?? I dunno I like a 3/O hook for a 5" worm, don't have many issues with hookups, as for the scent, *** has a good scent on their worms. Or you could buy a tube of mega strike, which I absolutely love, I grind it into all my jig and spinnerbait skirts. For worms and soft plastics... JJ's Magic the clear (unless you want to dye it) without a doubt. If your married... don't open JJ's in the house or your wife will come into your fishing room and think your cooking spaghetti. aggred 2\0 for a 4" worm is good 2/o for 6" worm... i say it's to small for a t rig.. also.. game fish hit baits in different ways.. bgills strike in what i call the machine gun tick. bass give a tap tap or nothing at all ... the cats thud'in run Quote
Super User bilgerat Posted August 2, 2009 Super User Posted August 2, 2009 Worms can be tricky in that fish sometimes just pick them up and 'carry' them instead of inhaling them. It can be fine line between a fish doing this and aggressively attacking the bait. Set the hook too fast and you yank the worm out of it's mouth. Wait too long and you risk gut hooking the fish. As for the guy pulling a fiver from where you were at, you could have had a bunch of smaller bass or panfish playing with your bait. The big boy showed up and chased them away. That's when the other guy showed up and got the big one. It's an old trick catfishermen use. They load up the hook with a big ball of worms knowing the little fish will gather around and peck at it. The bigger fish will notice this and move in to see what the fuss is about, chasing the little ones away. Quote
Super User Paul Roberts Posted August 2, 2009 Super User Posted August 2, 2009 It's possible for larger bass to bite short. But, my guess is many were small fish. Keep fishing. Good bass, taking well, aren't all that difficult to hook on a T-rig. 2/0 is OK with a slim 6", 3/0 better, esp for bulkier bodied baits. Perseverance, sharp hooks, and a strong hook set should get you through this learning phase. Over time (not long after some success) you'll be able to identify small fish bites from larger ones. Quote
skillet Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 When I started using EWG hooks, it helped me. With a little time you should be able to tell the difference in the types of bites. Better to set the hook on bream than miss a bass ... skillet Quote
Steven Ladner Posted August 2, 2009 Posted August 2, 2009 Without a doubt try JJ's Magic. x2 on JJs Quote
Yimm Posted August 3, 2009 Author Posted August 3, 2009 Thanks for all the greattttttttttt replies!! I did order some JJ's Magic. Quote
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