| The variety of soft plastic baits for bass is mind | | | | to produce the desired results. One problem with |
| boggling. The choices available just in worms alone, | | | | floating worms is that they look no different than |
| are enough to cause confusion with the novice | | | | standard worms. Keep your floaters in a separate |
| angler, and hours of debate among the more | | | | bag or box in the original bag to keep them from |
| experienced. What size? color?, straight tail? curly | | | | getting mixed up with the regular worms.The "critter" |
| tail?, salt or no salt?; what rig to use them on, | | | | baits such as the soft plastic crayfish, lizards, frogs, |
| drop-shot? Carolina rigged?, weightless?, when are | | | | and hellgrammites, also catch a lot of big bass. The |
| the best times to use each one? Then add in the | | | | craw type baits often have air pockets not only in |
| endless variety of lizards, grubs, jerkbaits, freakbaits, | | | | the main body, but in the claws as well. Claws with |
| tubes, and creatures, and you end up with more | | | | air pockets float up off the bottom, putting it in a |
| questions than answers. In the following article I will | | | | defensive posture that triggers strikes from bass |
| try to list the most effective plastic baits and | | | | that are fooled into believing it is a real crayfish. |
| presentations that catch not only numbers, but big | | | | Experiment with different rigs, scents, and rattles in |
| bass as well, whether it is in a lake, pond or river, | | | | these baits until you find the most productive in that |
| just about anywhere in the country. There will always | | | | particular area. The floating worms and critters don't |
| be a new type of bait that one person or the other | | | | replace the old standbys, but they add another |
| claims is better than the others, but the following | | | | dimension to your fishing.Tube BaitsThere are as |
| baits and techniques will cover most any situation | | | | many different tube baits as there are worms, and |
| that you are likely to encounter.Plastic WormsThe | | | | more and more variations arrive each year. Some of |
| original artificial worm manufactured by Nick Creme, in | | | | the best tube baits we have used for catching |
| 1949, was a standard straight tailed worm, but it | | | | bedding bass, and bass that are holding in tight to |
| spawned generations of worm companies and | | | | cover, are listed below.Ringed TubesMany bait |
| hundreds of soft plastic lure designs that are the | | | | manufacturers have incorporated rings into their tube |
| mainstay of modern bass fishing.Straight tailed worms | | | | designs. Rings add bulk, trap air bubbles, and feel soft |
| are just that--straight, with no bends or kinks in the | | | | and lifelike to the bass. They allow for better |
| middle, no curly tails, paddle tails, no air pockets, no | | | | hookups by reducing the amount of plastic that the |
| flotation, nothing special at all, just a worm. | | | | hook has to penetrate. The first tube we ever |
| Regardless of their plain appearance, many times | | | | bought that had this feature was a 4 1/2 inch tube |
| straight tailed worms are much more effective than | | | | made by Larew. These baits are made with an |
| other fancier styles. This was proven to us first hand | | | | injection-mold, rather than a dip process, which is |
| one day in a New York tournament. The bass | | | | what you need to do to make a ringed bait. A lot of |
| absolutely refused to hit any other style of worm | | | | manufactures are now adding a skirt to the ringed |
| except a 6 inch straight tail in black, with a tiny bit of | | | | tube, which gives it even more bulk and a slower fall. |
| blue fleck in it. If you didn't have that particular style | | | | The pulsating motion of the skirt and tail seem to |
| of worm, you were out of the money that day. | | | | come alive when rigged Texas or Carolina style, or |
| Straight tailed worms are often at their best when | | | | used a jig trailer.Solid HeadThe first solid head tube |
| bass are suspicious of anything out of the ordinary, | | | | was introduced right after Denny Brauer won the |
| such as in highly pressured tournament lakes. Many | | | | classic. It is made by Strike King, but now there are |
| times in these situations the bass are put off by a | | | | many more manufacturers. This was a great |
| curly tail waving in the current. But the opposite can | | | | innovation, since it gave standard worm hooks |
| be true for the same fish, in the same lake, when | | | | enough plastic in which to gain a firm hold. The main |
| they are on their beds during the spawn. Many times, | | | | problem with finesse tubes is that the thin noses |
| the movement of a curly tail will cause the extra | | | | won't stay put on worm hooks.After these tubes |
| enticement you need to catch them. Plastic worms | | | | came out, many other new innovations followed, |
| aren't at their best in cold water, but then nothing is. | | | | such as longer and fatter tubes. Now there are many |
| When the water is cold, bass will feed only | | | | tubes in the 4 1/2 and 5 inch sizes. There are even |
| occasionally, and whether it is spring, fall, or winter, | | | | bigger tubes than that, they are Saltwater tubes, |
| the slow, slightly twitchy retrieve with a straight tail | | | | which we have used successfully in the California |
| worm will work wonders. But the key to this is | | | | Delta for BIG bass. Oversized tubes also are easier |
| working the worm slowly, only twitching it | | | | for bass to find in cover or muddy water.Tube |
| occasionally, allowing the worm to stay in the strike | | | | CrittersThe 5 inch Sala Tube from Mister Twister, |
| zone as long as possible, where the sluggish bass will | | | | features a solid head and a body shaped like a |
| notice, and possibly hit it.These worms also work well | | | | salamander. This bait also has eyes. This is part of |
| for bedding bass, but don't hesitate to put on a small | | | | the Exude line of baits, which contains a water |
| curly tail worm if the bass won't pick up the straight | | | | soluble scent that gives the plastic a slimy feel when |
| tail. The fact that most straight tail worms are not | | | | wet. These baits work very well on bedding bass in |
| floating models can be an advantage. While floating | | | | lakes all over the country. Because it has a lizard type |
| worms have a lot to offer in terms of waving around | | | | shape it produces a stronger reaction from bedding |
| just off the bottom, bass are in the habit of | | | | bass than a regular tube does. We like to use this |
| searching and feeding off the bottom. Eels, worms, | | | | tube in heavy cover also, on 20-25 pound test line. |
| crayfish, nymphs, frogs, and other prey are often | | | | When we fish real nasty cover, we use it on a jig |
| found there. Smallmouth in particular make a habit of | | | | with braided line, such as "Spiderline."Another new |
| routing in the rocks and gravel to find a meal. Plastic | | | | type of tube is the tube craw. This bait mimics a |
| worms, rigged weedless, and worked slowly across | | | | crawfish well, and can be worked in all types of |
| the bottom, look more like natural prey trying to hide | | | | cover. Another craw type tube bait is the Yum Craw |
| and escape than something floating off the bottom | | | | Bug. The tail of this bait is curled under like a crawfish |
| and waving around.To accomplish this, the standard | | | | on the move. We always use this tube when fishing |
| Texas rig with a bullet weight is best. The Texas rig | | | | for bass that have received a lot of pressure. It |
| keeps the worm from getting hung up, and the | | | | seems to get strikes from heavily pressured bass |
| weight gets the worm to the bottom and keeps it | | | | that you wouldn't normally get. We usually rig this bait |
| there. The Carolina rig is another option for the | | | | on a 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu hook, with a 3/16 ounce |
| straight tail worm. This type of rig allows for a | | | | bullet sinker, and 14-20 pound test Spiderline Mono. |
| deeper, slower, even retrieve. The straight tail worm, | | | | They make a small 2 inch craw now also, which we |
| and even retrieve, make this rig resemble an eel, | | | | use for drop-shotting. I like to use the Craw tube in |
| although in smaller sizes, the bass may see it as a | | | | muddy water, because it is more buoyant than |
| slim baitfish, or even a large dragonfly nymph.We | | | | regular tubes and moves more water. Rattles can |
| found that these straight tail worms are excellent for | | | | also be added to this tube to increase it's |
| fishing in the river. We cast them across the current, | | | | effectiveness in muddy or stained water. There is |
| using a high rod technique, to minimize drag and allow | | | | also a tube now called a Fork Craw, which I like to |
| the worm to drift with the current. Often a little | | | | use when fishing grass. It is thinner and slides through |
| twitch will provoke a strike, but the twitch should be | | | | vegetation more easily and presents a smaller profile |
| subtle, just enough to move the worm a little bit. We | | | | which is great for clearer water.Another new type of |
| also cast the worm straight upstream, which works | | | | tube is the Double-tail tube, which has two curled tails |
| very well in the rivers since they require less weight | | | | that appear as wings. Luck "E" Strike also makes a |
| to sink naturally and can be fished dead with the | | | | new tube called a "Ring Daddy." It was designed by |
| current to resemble a dead or dying shad or other | | | | Rick Clunn who believes the rings give off a |
| baitfish. Both Texas and exposed hook riggings work, | | | | hydrodynamic signal that appeals to bass. I have used |
| but the Texas seems to be the best if there are any | | | | this bait effectively when pitching and flipping. When |
| snags or it is a rough, rocky bottom. Tackle is | | | | we need to skip a tube under docks, we like to use |
| important when fishing straight tail worms, since | | | | Strike King's new baits called the Tube Craw, Wild |
| much of the fishing depends on slow techniques. I like | | | | Thang and Tube lizard. They have smooth bodies |
| to use a real sensitive rod, such as a G. Loomis, with | | | | which make them ideal skipping baits. I use them on |
| the reel spooled with a sensitive line, such as Stren | | | | a 4/0 hook with a 5/16 ounce bullet weight. The Wild |
| Sensor, or any other sensitive line. Using an outfit like | | | | is a great bait for after the spawn, and it catches |
| this makes it easier to detect strikes, but you should | | | | huge bass. It is 5 inches long, has a hollow body, and |
| always maintain contact with the worm, even when | | | | a shredded tail. I always use this bait when I believe |
| Deadsticking it. I like to use a small weight to | | | | the bass are looking upward. I like it in the summer |
| accomplish this. Cross-stream casts in the current will | | | | months, and I have fished it with a swimming motion |
| usually maintain some tension, but upstream casts | | | | very successfully. The tube lizard is a great bait for |
| require a retrieve as fast as the current to keep | | | | the spawn, through the post spawn period.Soft |
| slack out of the line and make sure that you detect | | | | JerkbaitsSoft Jerkbaits like the Zoom Super Fluke are |
| all the strikes.Straight tail worms are also great for | | | | great substitutes for a hard Jerkbaits when the grass |
| deep jigging. The jigging action makes the worm | | | | is too thick to use a hard bait with treble hooks. This |
| seem alive without a curly tail waving around in the | | | | bait was the best producer for the top ten finishers |
| water. Again, the key here is sensitive tackle, as the | | | | in the finals at Lake Gaston. We had tried many |
| bass will often hit the worm on the fall. Straight tail | | | | other baits that day, but the Fluke was the winner, |
| worms are serious bass takers. If a bass follows | | | | hands down.There are a variety of different rigging |
| another type of worm but doesn't take it, then try a | | | | techniques for soft plastic Jerkbaits, but I want the |
| straight stick of a worm. They may not look like | | | | maximum action I can get with this bait, so I use a |
| much, but can take serious limits of bass when they | | | | really large offset hook made by Eagle Claw. This |
| are off their normal feed.Worms/Floating Worms, & | | | | hook is bigger than what most anglers use for the |
| CrittersFirst, almost all plastic worms float. Usually, | | | | Fluke, but the bigger hook not only adds casting |
| just adding any hook to the worm is enough to sink | | | | weight, but it shifts the weight to the rear of the |
| it. This allows a variety of bottom presentations, but | | | | bait and causes an exaggerated "walk-the-dog" action |
| they are not that great for working on the surface | | | | on the retrieve. It's a great bait for bass in weed |
| as a topwater. True floating worms have air blown | | | | pockets, or in deeper, thinner grass like the situation |
| into the PVC mix to create enough flotation to keep | | | | we ran into on Lake Gaston. This bait definitely gave |
| them on the surface. Many times over thicker cover | | | | you an advantage that day. I use a light/dark pattern |
| these worms shine. When the bass are active, and | | | | with these baits, but occasionally go to colors like |
| would be hitting a buzzbait, or other topwater bait, | | | | watermelon and green pumpkin, in the clearer water |
| but the cover doesn't allow it, these floating and | | | | sometimes. I use this bait a lot in place of a surface |
| curly tail worms, can be fished right on the surface, | | | | bait like a rat, and if a bass blows up on it and |
| and worked quickly over thicker vegetation like a | | | | misses, which happens a lot in heavy scum and grass, |
| buzzbait. This has drawn some tremendous strikes | | | | then I just maneuver the bait to the hole created by |
| throughout lakes and rivers all over the country. Most | | | | the bass and let it sink. Most of the time the bass will |
| of these floating worms will float with a hook up to | | | | still be there and take the Fluke on the drop, |
| about a 3/0. Some of the more popular companies | | | | something I can't do with the rat.All of these baits |
| that manufacture these worms are Riverside, Bass | | | | and more can be very effective for big bass at |
| Pro Shops, Culprit, Bass Assassin, Creme and others. | | | | times. At night I use a 10-12 inch worm for some |
| Carolina Fish and Fur offer some great hand made | | | | huge bass. But none of these baits will work for the |
| floating worms. Most of the companies also make | | | | beginner or intermediate angler unless you are fishing |
| other floating baits, such as Mann's, who calls them | | | | in the right spot. Some of the best advice I can give |
| Floating Creatures, and they come in frog and lizard | | | | is: Fish slowly, when you think you're fishing slowly, |
| shapes.Air pocket worms have a bunch of pockets | | | | slow down some more. Fish some of the smaller |
| of air, such as the Riverside Air Worm, and others | | | | lakes and rivers. With emphasis on tournaments, |
| have single large pockets, like on the Culprit Burst | | | | many anglers forget about the great fishing in some |
| worms. Bass Pro Shops sold some worms a few | | | | of the smaller lakes and rivers that you can't fish in a |
| years back that we had a lot of luck with, that were | | | | bass boat.Don't make your fishing too complicated. |
| called Caterpillar worms. They have a prickly or spiny | | | | Use a few basic baits to start, then expand after |
| exterior that holds air bubbles. Most of these worms | | | | you have learned how to use those starter baits. Find |
| not only take numbers of bass, but also take big | | | | the right depth; You can't catch fish if you fish above |
| bass. We have been in many tournaments where the | | | | them or below them. Learn how to use the |
| big bass was taken on a small worm or creature bait. | | | | electronics on your boat properly.Fish as often as you |
| These floating baits also work well when rigged to | | | | can, nothing can replace the knowledge you get from |
| work over deeper structure such as brushpiles or | | | | being on the water a lot. The first few years I |
| weedbeds. A lot of these worms are designed to | | | | started fishing, we spent at least 8 hours a day, 3 or |
| hold different scents also. Some are designed to | | | | 4 days a week fishing. Get out on the water as |
| have the scents injected right inside of the worm. All | | | | much as you can, nothing replaces hands on |
| floating worms vary in their flotation ability with | | | | experience. |
| various hooks, so some experimentation is necessary | | | | |