5-inch Yamamoto Kut Tail Worm
3. Shaky Head
Rigging tip: Switch baits depending on fish preferences. Choose colors based on water clarity and depth. Where to use it: Reese fishes the shaky head under docks and around open-water rock piles from 6 to 20 feet deep. How to fish it: Try not to move the bait very much, says Reese. Simply shake it in place a few times with the rod tip, and then drag it slightly.
6-inch Roboworm Fat Straight Tail Worm
3 / 16-ounce Frenzy Baits NAIL
4. Paddle-Tail or Swimming Worm Rig
Rigging tip: Scott Martin says to adjust weight size based on the thickness of the grass – heavier for thicker grass, for instance. Where to use it: Martin has fished swimming worms for years on Lake Okeechobee and says the technique was developed there as a way to quickly cover vast swaths of grass. How to fish it: Fish the worm just below the surface with a steady retrieve. If he finds holes in the vegetation, Martin will“ kill” the worm and let it fall to the bottom
5- to 6-inch paddle-tail worm
4 / 0 offset worm hook 12- to 18-inch leader
4 / 0 Trokar extra-wide-gap hook
1 / 8- to 3 / 16-ounce River2Sea Tungsten Worm Weight
Zoom Trick Worm swivel
5. Floating Worm
Rigging tip: BFL angler Thomas Harris of Virginia rigs his floating worm with a braided main line. He connects a fluorocarbon leader to the braid with a swivel, which helps to prevent line twist. Be sure to use a floating worm. Where to use it: A brightly-colored floating worm works well around any type of shallow cover. Docks, wood and grass are prime locations, especially in rivers or off-colored water. The rig will work anytime the bass are shallow, but it excels in spring and summer. How to fish it: Harris rigs the worm with a slight bend near the top. This allows it to spin and rotate as it is twitched along the surface.
Bait option: 6-inch Creme Scoundrel
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