One could argue that plastic worms are the most popular and proven summer bass lure ever made. The subtle presentation of a worm works wonders in a variety of conditions, especially during the warm summer months.
During the hottest months, many anglers are using worms to target cool, deep waters where bass go to escape the sun’s heat. The one trick that can level up your worm game, though, is tying on a big plastic worm when most others are throwing a 4 or 7-inch.
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Summer Appetite
Believe it or not, the warmer summer temperatures actually boost bass metabolism, which causes big bass to get hungrier and makes a big meal more appealing. If you tend to tie on a 7-inch worm when you’re targeting bass, this is the time to get yourself a bag or two of YUM, Powerbait or Zoom 10-inch ribbontail worms to capitalize on this change in bass behavior.
Flavor of the Week
When it comes to color patterns, each angler swears by his/her tried and true color. Where big worms and summer bass are concerned, though, I’d start with plum, black with clue fleck or green pumpkin. These natural patterns will get you started on the right foot. Bonus Tip: My personal favorite is a black grape 10-inch Berkley Power Worm. 60% of the time, it works every time. You’re welcome.
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Where to Target
If you’re out on a lake or reservoir, focus your worm efforts on weedlines and brushpiles in water around 20 feet deep. Texas rigged, your worm will punch its way through thick vegetation and branches without snagging, so you can cast without fear. If you fish smaller ponds, I’d focus heave your worm out to the deepest sections and let it sink. More often than not, the ribbontail’s action on the fall will draw strikes before the worm hits bottom.
Gear Up
When you’re worm fishing, go with 15-pound line or even braid if you’re spending a lot of time in the weeds or laydowns. To rig the worm, I’ll use a 3/8-oz bullet weight and either a 4/0 or 5/0 offset worm hook. You’ll also need to make sure you’re using a large enough rod when using big worms, such as a 7’ BPS Johnny Morris Carbonlite or St. Croix Mojo, in a medium heavy action. It will give you enough backbone to handle casting and setting the hook with these big lures.
Photo credit: Flickr
