Whether you’re an expert angler or a newbie looking to get more involved in this recreational activity and are already experiencing fruitless fishing days, you should be aware that there are techniques you may use to deceive the fish you’re after into coming onto your fishing hook.
One of these techniques is the floating worm approach, which is a fun and effective way to capture spawn fish or bass that many anglers like. Trick worms and the ways in which you might employ them are the topics covered in today’s blog post.
Table of Contents
What is a trick worm?
Trick worms are soft plastic worms that are used as fishing bait to ensure that you catch a good catch even when the weather conditions are less than ideal for fishing and the fish you’re hunting are a little more reticent. Because they are available in a variety of natural colors, they can be used in a variety of fishing situations. They are also available in a variety of bright hues, including yellow, pink, and white.
Trick worms are available in a wide range of sizes on the market, but the most of them are between 6-7 inches in length. Trick worms that have been salt-impregnated and segmented along their straight tails can be found. While fishing with a white spinnerbait, it is recommended that you use a lime trick worm, and when fishing with a chartreuse spinnerbait, it is recommended that you use a white worm.
There is a large assortment of floating worms available for purchase, allowing you to simply choose the ones that will match your exact requirements. Fishing with trick worms on a Carolina or Texas rig has produced excellent results for anglers targeting largemouth bass in lakes and ponds, according to reports. The post-spawn season is a fantastic time to make use of them.
Rigging trick worm
Using a trick worm with no weight, which may be used in the same way as a floating topwater lure, is one of the most prevalent methods of obtaining a fish. Some preparations must be made in advance in order to ensure that this fishing technique is successful.
It is preferable to use a barrel swivel above the fishing hook in order to prevent the fishing line from twisting (about 6 inches or so). If you choose, you can attach a 2/0 offset hook to your fishing line as a backup. You will need to insert a toothpick through the eye of the hook in order to prevent it from slipping down. In most cases, however, an offset hook with sharp points is recommended.
While some anglers prefer a conspicuous fishing line with trick worms, others prefer a less apparent fishing line with trick worms, even if it means detecting strikes may be more difficult. Whatever you choose will be determined by your particular preferences, your level of experience, and your eye vision. It is recommended that you use a stronger line if you want to get a good hookup. With the rig, you can use either casting tackle or spinning tackle.
The Texas rigging method
Although there are a variety of rigging methods available, one of the most popular among anglers is the so-called Texas rig. Soft-plastic worms are effective for catching bass in a wide range of water and weather situations. No matter if you’re looking to catch a large number of bass or a single bass, the Texas rig will ensure that you’re effective regardless of the sort of water or cover condition you’re fishing in.
A few basic procedures are required in order to prepare your trick worm for its big catch using the Texas rig method. Once you’ve decided on your hook and the soft-plastic worm you’ll be using, be sure to insert the point of the hook into the tip of the worm and bring it out the bottom of the lure approximately 14 inches from the tip of the worm, as seen in the photo.
Afterwards, simply draw the hook through the tip of the trick worm until the eye of the trick worm is positioned inside the tip. Having done so, twist the hook so that its point is facing back towards the plastic and put it into a point at the other end of the bait to complete the process. Because of this, it is extremely crucial to have the worm straight after rigging in order to prevent the line from twisting.
The trick work is appropriately constructed if the hook’s barb is contained within the plastic and both the barb and the point of the hook are covered by the bait in order to avoid hook-ups on the trick work. Even so, it is not recommended that the point of the hook emerge from the opposite side of the worm.
Carolina rig vs. Texas rig
Different targets and weather conditions call for different rigging methods. There are various fishing rigs you can go for depending mainly on the amount and thickness of the cover, the catch you’re targeting and weather conditions. The Texas rig is a great choice when fishing in heavy cover and trying to lure bass out of the vegetation in sunny and calm weather conditions.
The Carolina rig, though, is better when you need to make a longer cast and thus cover more water as it includes a heavier weight which keeps the trick worm closer to the bottom ensuring a more natural look and movement. If you’re out there for bass, the Carolina rig is a better choice as such fish roam in open water when the weather gets windy and cloudy.
Texas-rigged trick worms are ideal for catching bass when the fish moves on the spawning nest or right after the spawn when it guards its fry. Pitching the Texas-rig soft plastic worm into the bass nest and moving it in front of the bedding fish will surely trigger a strike. You can use this rigging method even in the post-spawn season.
Lightweights of 1/8 ounces can be matched with the Texas rigs, which renders it ideal for fishing in shallow waters. Carolina rigs can be matched with heavier weights that reach even 2 ounces without reducing the trick worm action. This makes them perfect for fishing deep water bass.
How to fish for bass with a trick worm
You must follow certain procedures in order to ensure that your trick worm fishing session is a success if you plan on using the trick worm to lure bass into your boat. The equipment you’ll need is a fishing rod and reel or a high-quality and sturdy bass fishing rod and reel combo, 3/0 to 5/0 offset fishing hooks, fishing line, and, of course, trick worms and other artificial bait.
Choose a line that has been tested to at least 8 pounds and attach the offset hook to it with a clinch knot to secure it. It will be necessary to thread the loose end of the line through the hook’s eye, twist it around the main line multiple times (6 or 7) and thread it back through the loop that has formed above the hook’s eye to complete the process. Wet the knot just a little bit and then tighten it up.
To put the worm on the hook, use the Texas rig technique. This means that you should position the top of the trick worm adjacent to where you will insert the hook, which will have to be pushed through the top and center of the trick worm for 12 inches. Then, using the flat side of the trick worm, push it out the other end. Keep in mind that the worm should be placed immediately after rigging.
You can then throw the trick worm near brush, docks, or rocks and wait for it to settle before continuing. The fact that there is no weight when fishing with the trick worm means that it may take a few minutes. Allow the worm to be carried freely by the water as it gets closer to the bottom of the tank. This will give it a more natural appearance.
Retrieving
There are a variety of techniques for fishing with the trick worm. It all relies on what you want to get out of your fishing trips, as well as the weather circumstances and cover situations that you encounter. The trick worm can be fished in a variety of ways, but the twitching method is the most effective since it is widely considered to be the most effective. As a result, it is preferable to twitch it under the surface, stop, and then allow the trick worm to sink.
In order to create that bouncing motion when retrieving, make sure to begin by elevating the tip of your rod many times before starting. Reel the trick worm a couple of feet and then release it to allow it to drop back to the bottom. Continue in this manner until you have successfully recovered the worm.
If the bass comes up to hit the worm, you will be able to see it coming up to strike it. If the trick worm is swallowed by the fish, it’s as if it’s never existed. That is one of the reasons why so many fisherman prefer vivid colors on their lures. When fishing with the worm in clear shallow water, you will be able to see when the fish strikes the bait because the water is clear. If the trick worm sinks and therefore disappears from your sight, the only way to tell if you’ve caught something is if the line jumps or moves in some way.
If you feel the fish approaching and taking the worm, don’t set the hook until you’re sure it’s there. If you make any movements before it actually accepts the bait, it will sense your presence and flee before you have a chance to set the hook.