Part II

Once the water temperatures start to rise, you can go with more action in a big worm. Curly tails, speed worms, shaky worms, U tails, and ribbon tails are just a few.

The weight that you use will determine the action of the worm. Carolina rigs are a good in between method. The worm is put just on the hook. The weight will take the worm down fast and then the length of the leader will allow for a slower speed to the bottom. The beginner should not use a Carolina clacker. The Carolina clacker takes some practice, to get use to it. The short distance on the shaft makes it harder to pick up on the bite before it comes in contact with the weight. Once you throw out a Carolina clacker you have to pull in the shaft length to give a free feel on the fish. A Carolina rig with a sliding bullet weight allows for much more freedom of movement before the fish feels the weight. A tournament of 96 boats was won on a Carolina rig, by letting the fish run some distance before setting the hook.

Texas rigging a big worm has many advantages. You can put on whatever weight suits the presentation you are looking for. Areas that have short thin grass are a good place to use a small bullet weight. The small weight will not dig too far into the bottom. You want the worm to glide through the weeds. Gambler’s rattlin’ weights are also good for this tactic. They are also good when using them in wood. Get a weight behind a branch and just shake it. Some states don’t allow lead so check each state for their laws.

I have used just a hook when fishing shallow, in thick weeds. I like to let the worm slide through the weeds and down into holes. There are times when you can’t see the holes. You just have to feel the worms drop into them. 

The fish will determine what they want for a tail. Cold front conditions will usually call for less action, or speed.  I am a fan of Creek Critter Baits when it comes to colors. I like the really vivid colors Randy makes. His color selection is incredible. Although his prices are very reasonable, I would recommend looking at his selection with research and time. The same color in a Creek Critter is much better than most others. He makes a 10” floating worm that is fun to fish. Who doesn’t like a top water bite?

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Written BY;

Peter Kjenstad