 Like
most methods of fishing, some require additional skills
like " reading the line". Others require us
to use our "sixth sense" to detect those soft
or delicate bites from bass. Well welcome to the world
of worm fishing, because this is a combination of everything
I just mentioned and more!
NOTE: -When I use the word worm, I am also referring to
other soft plastic shapes and creatures, which can be
fished by these methods.
The need for sensitivity with worm fishing, albeit a four
inch or a twelve inch worm is the number one skill you
must perfect if you are to be successful. When I first
began fishing worms as a child dangling them under a bobber,
the worm did all the work! Now, when using the plastic
worm, you will have to make the imitation look so good,
that the fish just cannot refuse it.
Weightless worming is one of my favorite methods of fishing
with just a hook and the worm. To successfully use this
method the line must be lighter than you would normally
use for Texas or Carolina rigging. I recommend no lighter
than 6lb and no heavier than 12lb test. A 6-foot light
spinning outfit will work well. Use a 1/0 hook for 4 to
6 inch worms, a 2/0 for 6 to 8in worms, 3/0 for 8 to 10
in worms and 4/0 or 5/0 for the really large worms over
10 inches in total length. Simple cast the worm into cover
or onto a lilly pad located at the edge of a weed line.
Allow it to fall slowly, watching the line for twitches
or a sudden change in direction. To the fish, the worm
will look as if it has fallen from the overhanging tree
or from the top of the pads. Allowing the worm to reach
the bottom. Do not retrieve line, just shake the rod and
the worm will twitch on the bottom as if it is struggling
to get back to the surface. This method is often very
productive if the fish become finicky in they're feeding
habits. This is often caused by fishing pressure, a sudden
change in the weather, or water levels going up or down.
Using a floating worm over cover is also a very exciting
method of worm fishing. Bright pink and yellow are perfect
for this application as you can see the worm clearly and
often watch the worm disappear as a bass engulfs it! Drag
the bait in small movements over the cover, and then let
it sit in spaces between pads or at the edge of weedbeds.
Texas rigging is used on Long Island with great success
and it is a concept devised to get the worm to the bottom
quickly and through thick cover. Heavier line to 18lbs
test is required and a heavy action rod so that you can
muscle the fish out of the weeds or fallen tree cover.
A 6 to 6 1/2 foot bait-casting or spinning outfit will
work with this application. Your needle nosed or cone
shaped lead should fit tightly on top of the worm or slightly
away from the head dependant upon conditions. I like to
place the weight against the head if I am deep in thick
cover. I find that the worm cuts through the weeds and
surface cover quickly, minimizing snags. I will place
the weight a 1/4 of an inch away from the head of the
worm if the cover is not too dense. I have found that
using a toothpick will secure the weight to the line.
Just insert the toothpick into the lead head and snap
off the excess. The wood will expand in water making the
fit tighter. Placing the lead away from the worm allows
a more fluid movement and gives the appearance that the
worm is following something small. Bass like to ambush
other smaller fish or creatures when there are apparently
chasing something else, and so are not aware of the bass
being present. Your presentation should be hopped or dragged
along the bottom and paused so that the fish can get a
look at the offering. Slow to moderate retrieval is best.
As the weight is close to the worm, set the hook with
a firm upward movement, this will ensure a good hook set.
Carolina rigging is not so common here on Long Island
but if you find yourself in an open water situation without
too much cover (Lake Ronkonkoma is a perfect example)
this method can prove very effective. With a 7 or 7 1/2
foot bait-casting rig, your main line can be as heavy
as 20lb test. Rig a 1/2 or 3/4 ounce ball or pear-shaped
lead and attach a link swivel. In rough weather conditions
you can upgrade your lead weight to 2 ounces if necessary.
(You may like to add a glass bead in between the weight
and the swivel, which can be effective as a sound attractor,
but I have often had fish bite the bead rather than the
worm and so given false bite indication). This will stop
the weight from sliding down to the hook. Next attach
a length of lesser breaking strain line (12 to 15lb test)
to the swivel which will determine at what distance from
the bottom you want your worm to rise and fall from. I
like to use a four-foot length of line but dependant upon
water depth and clarity you may decide to make the leader
from 18 inches to six-foot in length. Attach your hook
dependent upon worm size (as mentioned above) and make
your cast. Retrieve is slow and deliberate, dragging the
weight along the bottom of the lake or pond. Long agonizing
pauses may also be necessary, waiting to feel for those
tell tale tugs from hungry bass. When you feel the resistance
from a fish, your strike should be hard and to the side,
not upward, as that can often pull the bait out of the
fish's mouth. A side ways hook set will pull the bait
into the corner of the mouth and your hook up ratio is
increased.
When Carolina rigging, you may also want to use a floating
worm. This is often used if there is structure on the
bottom, which might snag the bait if dragged. If you do,
allow time for the worm to return to an upright position
over the weight before beginning the retrieve. Many other
lures can be fished by this method, I have Carolina rigged,
small crankbaits, floating rattletraps, and even jerkbaits
with great success in open water. Don't forget, if you
can show fish different lures in a presentation they have
never, or could never have seen before, you have a greater
chance of catching.
The next installment of the Freshwater Angler will spotlight
the need for a positive catch and release program plus
general conservation tips and hints.
Tight Lines!
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