Floating Worm Questions

[Guest]

I've never used floating worms and would like to give them a try. Is this a technique that can be used in summer? If so, do you use the "hot" colors (methiolate, pink, & yellow) that I've seen mentioned in articles or do you go with more natural colors. Other than the Zoom Trick Worm, are there any other brands of floating worms on the market?

Thanks....Joe

[Waterdog]

Joe, you can use any COLOR worm that you want to, the BRIGHT colored worms are mostly so that YOU can see them, however, I have found that white seems to work as good as most (shad imitation). You can use any style worm/grub and length of worm that floats your boat.

The best set ups for this technique that I have found are the following.

1) When using this in heavy cover or an area that has a lot of veggies, I use a standard worm hook, straight shank or offset; your choice, and Texas rig your worm. The best way to help keep line twist to minimum is to tie on a swivel to your mainline and tie the other end of the swivel to a leader of about 12"-14".

Depending on your expertise with various equipment, you can use med-hvy bait casting rod with 20-30 mono and your choice of reels, or heavy spinning tackle. The reason for the mono instead of braid is that you want the bass to TAKE the worm; with braid you may be a little to quick on the trigger to allow the fish to become hooked. Many times the fish will swim with the bait, but you always have those really nail it as well. You'll have to "listen" to the bass.

2) Open water: You can leave your hook exposed and play with the length of the leader. All else is the same.

When fishing open water you can drop down in line size and weight of rod to whatever you are comfortable with. Personally I like to fish open water with 8-10 lb. test line and a medium wieght rod.

Hope this at least gets you started. Good fishing and God bless.

Jim

[Johnny C]

Jim has this covered real well..The bright colors work real will early in the morning or in colored water..Up here in the Mother Lode I like the natural colors..A watermelon / purple trick worm looks just like a bluegill..The blue glimmer looks like a shad and they always eat green pumpkin..They are a lot cheaper than senkos..Also try a nail weight and rig wackey..This is prime time for this bait...Good luck man!!!!

[basstamer]

I love to rig up a methiloate trick worm on a wide gap hook and fish it around weeds-only "trick" I do with it is to take advantage of that big ol tail! I stuff a worm rattle in that baby and go to town.Trick worms are about the only floating worm i have ever used-best reason? Fish love to eat em! tight lines and good luck
Scott

[Johnny C]

They are my favorite texas rigged worms too...

[Guest]

*NM*

[Waterdog]

Thanks Johnny. Coming from a Pro like yourself, that means alot.

Jim