How To Work Plastic Worms
Author; Don Chalmers
Selecting the right worm would be the first step. The next one and more important is using it with the right presentation. Because plastic worms can be very versatile anglers have developed numerous retrieve methods for them. The following are some descriptions of some of the most effective methods in using them.
Bottom bumping – This is a standby retrieve for a majority of worm fishing After casting the worm, wait until it sinks to the bottom and let the line go limp. Then point the rod tip at 10 o’clock and hold it until the worm sinks back down and the line goes limp again. Repeat this lift drop methods until the worm clears the area where the bass should be.
Swimming- The name is pretty much accurate to the description of the retrieve. Instead of allowing the worm to sink to the bottom, swim it at some intermediate depth, either in a straight pull or with a series of twitches.
You can use two types of rigs. One being the paddle-tail or swimming-tail worm rigged Texas style. You want to add the least amount of weight so the worm is castable.
The second rig would be a 6-inch straight-tail worm threaded onto a hook so it has a crook between the eye and the bend of the exposed hook. This crook causes the worm to spiral during the retrieve. ( I prefer to use a swivel to prevent line twist). Fish either of these rigs parallel to boat docks and logs, along grasslines and over mossbeds. The texas rigged worm will pull through heavy cover but the spiraling rig is not weedles so use discretion where you cast it.
Flipping and Pitching- Flipping and pitching is for fishing the heaviest cover bass might hide in. The worm is rigged texas style with the slip sinker flush against the hooks eye. Position yourself close to the target area. Strip enough line off your reel so the worm dangles near the reel. With extra line held in your hand. Engage the reel and gently swing the worm into the target spot., releasing extra line through the rod guides. When done correctly the worm’s entry into the wateris quiet. Lower the worm into the cover then jig it up and down a few times.To make a pitch cast, point the rod toward the target while holding the worm on a taut line, in the other hand. Use the rod tip to swing the worm pendulum style toward the target and allow it to pull line off the reel.
Doodling- This is a vertical finesse technique and is usually used for clear deep reservoirs for bass. That re either holding near the bottom or are suspended.. The worm is rigged texas style and has a 3/16 ounce sliding sinker and a glass bead between the sinker and worm. There are two ways to doodle. In deep water lower your worm to the bottom and engage the the reel . Then jiggle the worm with short , continuous jigging hops ( about 4-6 inches) while trolling back and forth over the target zone.. In shallow water, the technique is virtually the same except the jigging starts as soon as the bait hits the water and is kept up until the worm hits the bottom.
Dart fishing- This is also a finesse method utilizing the same light tackle and small worms a doodling.. The main difference in dart fishing the worm is rigged behind a 3/8 or 3/16 ounce jighead which has the eye sticking out the top of the head. The forward weight gives it a swimming or gliding action as it is retrieved.. Either pull this setup with little action or shake it.
Wacky worming- Take a 6 inch straight tail worm and add a casting weight by pushing a small roofing nail ( head sheared off) into the head of the worm. Then hook the worm by running the point through the middle of the worm, leaving the point exposed. This rig is usually used in the spring to catch bass spawning in vegetation. Cast it as close to the beds as possible . Then either retrieve it just under the surface or let it fall to the bottom then hop it back up slowly.
Dead worming- In clear water where angler pressure is heavy, bass may dart away if a worm plops in from above. But if given enough time the bass will return to their original location. Waiting for this to happen takes a lot of patience on the anglers part. Sometimes this dead sticking will work when no other techniques will. To dead stick cast a texas rigged worm next to a grassy patch, stump ,dock, or what ever structure you might find.. Let the worm settle to the bottom. After it hits the bottom let the worm sit for at least 20 seconds.. Then move the worm very gently and wait a few more seconds. Only shift the worm two times. If no bites try new location.
