With all the techniques, lures, and equipment available
to the today’s anglers, the Texas rigged worm is still a simple
way to catch bass. The soft plastic worm can be fished deep
or shallow,
fast or slow, and with spinning reels or bait casting reels.
From beginners
to pros, it is a simple, fun, and productive way to catch
bass.
A Texas rigged worm has three basic components:
hook, sinker, and worm. For this article I will use a 7.5-inch Culprit
worm. I prefer a Mustad 3/0 Mega-Bite Ultra Point hook with one-sixteenth
to one-eighth ounce bullet weight. With this basic setup depths of
ten
feet can be probed with great efficiency. For water depths greater
than ten feet, try using a one-fourth to three-eighths ounce weight.
Thickness
and size of the worm will help determine the hook size. For a big ten-inch
worm and a small four-inch worm, use a 5/0 hook and 1/0 hook respectable.
Rigging is simple.
Place a sinker on the line then tie on your choice of hooks. Thread
the hook into the first quarter
inch of the worm. Move the head of the worm high enough to cover
the knot on the hook. Position the barb of the hook next to the body
of
the worm. The trick is to penetrate the worm with the hook so the
worm lies straight on the hook. With the Mustad Mega-Bite, the point
will
come out of the other side of the worm and lay next to the worm.
Finish the rig by pulling the body slightly forward and burying the
point of
the hook into the worm to make the rig weedless. With other styles
of hooks like j bends, the hook can be positioned into the worm so
the
point does not penetrate the worm (see drawing). Instead it lies
just under the exterior of the worm.
It takes practice to learn how to rig the worm on
your hook without kinks. However, it is important to have a
straight worm that swim properly. When using a Culprit worm,
it is also important to note the way the tail curls. Placing
the hook along the seam of the worm will make the tail undulate
more.
I have
seen it make a difference in the number of bass caught by
two anglers. Again, a beginning angler should practice rigging
the worm
until
he
or she has it down.
Color can be a very confusing part
of fishing. However, tequila sunrise, plum, and pumpkin seed are good
basic colors that will handle most water conditions. Color is not as
important as the rigging and presentation.
There are two basic presentations to
use when fishing a Texas rigged worm. First, the easiest is a simple
lift and drop technique. After the cast, slowly lift the rod tip. Allow
the bait to fall back to the bottom while keeping contact with the bait.
Then simple repeat the lift. This technique is great for finding cover
or structure. Working the worm over stumps, treetops, or other cover
will often produce strikes. Fishing drop offs and sloping points is
another area that may hold fish. Slowly work the worm through these
areas.
The second technique is called swimming.
Swimming is not simply reeling the bait back to the boat.
The angler has to visualize the contours of the bottom. Keeping the
lure
just
of
the bottom is the key. Use this technique against walls,
docks, and other straight edged structure. After the worm contacts
the
bottom, slowly lift the rod tip. Reel with a slow constant speed
as you hold
the rod in the 10 o’clock position. If you feel the bottom,
increase the speed of the retrieve. Occasionally, allow the
lure to make
contact with the bottom while still reeling. This will help
you keep the
lure
close to the bottom.
Now I have brought you up to the strike. Most strikes
are easily detected which makes a worm a good technique for the
beginner. The strike or bite is normally a “tap” or “tap-tap” feeling
bite. The bass biting the sinker or worm causes the tap. Watch your
line
all the
time while worm fishing. Occasionally, the line moves backwards
or sideways which may be the only hint that a bass has the worm.
Also,
set the hook
anytime you feel tension or heaviness on the line. Most strikes
are detectable but a bass can engulf the bait without you feeling
him.
Setting the hook should be done as soon as a strike
is detected unless you are fishing in the winter. In the winter everything
slows down. Give the bass a brief moment to take the worm into his mouth
when the mercury drops. However, the rest of the time drop your rod
slightly then set the hook with a quick upward motion of the rod. Originally,
it was thought that letting the bass swim away with the worm for several
seconds before you set the hook was proper way to catch fish. I prefer
to take up the slack and set the hook immediately following the tap
or strike. The hook set should be done with great force. However, having
the proper amount of line between you and the fish and using a hard
snap of the rod will drives the hook home. A good heavy action rod,
by Fenwick or Berkley, helps create a more powerful hook set.
Worms come in many
different shapes and sizes. From the original Culprit worm
to the new Tassel
Tail Worm, each shape will produce fish. A six-inch worm may
produce better in some areas and times of year than a 7.5-inch worm.
Try a few from each size range and design.
Texas rigged worms are
easy to use and produce in all types of fishing conditions.
From a touring professional
to a pleasure angler, worms are versatile baits that should
be in every angler’s arsenal.
Thanks
to the following sponsors:
Culprit www.culprit.com
Berkley and
Fenwick rods www.purefishing.com
Jeff Bruhl is a member of the Louisiana Outdoors Writer Association, pro angler, and a pharmacist. His website, www.marshbass.com, covers freshwater fishing across Louisiana and the gulf coast. Each Saturday morning between 5-7 am CST, a bass fishing report can be heard on the Outdoors with Don Dubuc Radio Show (www.dontheoutdoorsguy.com) on 870 AM from the New Orleans station. Jeff has made numerous television and radio appearances on shows like Paradise Louisiana, The Big Fish, and ABC26.com. From tips on youtube.com to weekly reports on his website, his articles and reports provide tips and tactics for bass anglers in the sportsman paradise. Jeff’s sponsors include Abu Garcia, Xpoint hooks, Bud Light, Louisiana Fish Fry Products, Power Pole, Stanley Jigs and Spinnerbaits, Skeeter, Dockside Marine, Rat-L-Trap, and Berkley. For more information about fishing in Louisiana, drop Jeff an email at jeff@marshbass.com.
