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