Does Big Worm's make that much difference in the summer ? If so what is your favorite Brand, Size & Color & How do you fish it & Where. GodBless & Thank You Very Very Much
For the medium range, a ton of companies make a nice 7'' or 8'' worms, can't go wrong. I personally use the havoc juice worm for that.
For the 10'' I like good ol' power worms. I know a lot of people are fans of the zoom ol'monster as well.
For bigger than that, you'll have to ask them southern guys.
EDIT: I only answered this partially.
I like to rig it texas or punch, usually 3/8 all the way up 1+ oz depending on the cover. Pitch to wood, grass, etc shallow. Drag it on ledges in deep water as well. Very versatile. Basically anywhere you'd throw a jig.
I like a black/blue, green pumpkin, junebug, and red colored worm mostly, but plenty of other colors work im sure.
Big worms are not much different than any other bottom baits like jigs, just a different look/option.
Xcite baits maximus worm is awesome. Its tail floats and is a 10.5 inch straight tail. I use it for deep water. And the fish love it. Blacks/purples/blues/browns are my favorite color to use in any kind of big bait. Regardless of water clarity
Zoom Ol Monster 10.5" is my go to ribbontail. They have caught me some of my bigger fish.
The price on zoom plastics is hard to beat, and they flat out work!
Colors:
1. Watermelon Red and California 420
2. Black
3. Green Pumpkin
I like to slow drag big worms, feeling every blade of grass, or rock on the bottom. Bigger fish will eat it! Smaller fish will too though.
If you want even bigger they got the ol monster magnum which is 12 inch.
Netbait C-Mac is another option. The 11" worm is similar to the Zoom. I think slightly fatter.
They also have a 9" trick worm if you want something with a straighter tail.
I usually fish these when bank fishing. I will slap on a 1/8 up to 1/2oz weight on them depending on the depth of the lake and if I am dragging or swimming it.
If you fish at night these big worms work well, they catch fish of all sizes at night as well. (I use a dark color for night)
Rage Tail Thumper, Blue Fleck (purple); Texas rigged.
Particularly effective fishing ledges.
Probably 95% of my plastics are under 8" but I do on occasion throw a Rage Tail Anaconda or 12" Bass Assassin worm.
Colors: Falcon Lake Craw & Black-n-Blue
I throw big worms at night
10" Culprit ribbon tails and Fat Max are my favorite worms.
To answer your question, yes big worms make a difference in summer... if you want to catch big bass. If I were you I'd go with culprit 12" inch worms or 12" Zoom ok monster worms. Use a 5/0 to 7/0 hook depending on how thick the worm is.
Here are the reasons why they work so well for big bass in the summer:
1. Large bass are usually lethargic in the summer --- you need a slow moving bait.
2. A 12 inch worm is perfect because it is a big easy meal that can and they don't have to do much work to get it. Think about it this way: if you were really hungry and tired and saw a sign that said free burgers right next to you, there wouldn't be any reason not to take one and eat it just like a bass when it sees a huge juicy worm right next to it. If it were smaller the fish might not think it's worth the effort of catching for something that won't even be enough for the next while.
Long and skinny I like a Manns Jelly Worm in motor oil
Ribbon tail I always grab an Ol Monster first in june bug
Mike
I tried the Berkley Power worm in 10" last season. It work pretty well for me. I haven't fished it yet this season. A little too early here in the north country.
I use Net Bait C-Mac in 11" and Zoom ol monster 10.5.
A size 5/0 owner worm hook, 16 lb sniper flouro.
Black/grape, green pumpkin, and watermelon for colors.
Tungston bullet weight- 3/16 thru 3/8 usually.
Culprit Fat Max 9" in black, black or black.
Especially at night.
Tom
On 7/1/2017 at 12:05 AM, Mike L said:Long and skinny I like a Manns Jelly Worm in motor oil
Ribbon tail I always grab an Ol Monster first in june bug
Mike
I am in agreement with Mike--Mann's Jelly worm in Motor oil or Blackberry. In a ribbontail I use an Ol Monster in Black or Plum. Also throw the Mann's 8" Augertail in Black or Tequila Green and have good results
Zoom ol monster. Favorite color is candy bug.
I love throwing big worms in the summer!
My my go to 3:
Zoom ol monster (the legend)
Culprit fat max (little more body, I like to tell myself it's a big fish worm but lil guys chew it too)
Uptons straight tail 10 or 13" (fished like a big shaky head)
Uptons Customs 9" and 13" straight tail worms in Aaron's Trajic and black grape w/blue neon. I fish the 9" year around and both during summer nights.
Berkley 10" ribbon tail Power worm in black w/blue flake at night.
Owner 5/0 #5103 with black 1/4 oz bullet weights and 8mm bead using 14 or 16 lb Sniper FC.
Tom
On 6/30/2017 at 7:50 PM, Ghostshad said:Does Big Worm's make that much difference in the summer ? If so what is your favorite Brand, Size & Color & How do you fish it & Where. GodBless & Thank You Very Very Much
IMO, big worms don't make that much of a difference. It's where you throw them that does. Deep structure with isolated cover is my #1 choice and my #2 is any transition area with deep water access. I have three worms that are my confidence big worms; A Zoom OleMonster, Mann's Jelly Worm and Net Bait's C-Mac. The deeper I fish, the darker the worm I throw.
It made the difference for me today. Only think they wanted for my buddy and I was this 12" power worm on a swing head. I think they're very much worth a shot and I'd fish it anywhere you think there's bass! Not just a deep water bait.
I use the Netbait Cmac and Zoom Ol' Monster quite a bit during the summer months.
Had some luck Thursday with an ISG Mongo Bass Intimidator ring worms on a homemade 1/8oz swinging football head with a 7/0 monster worm hook. It's a big, slow gliding bait with that light head. Almost looks like a huge leech in the water.
Thanks a lot @Bluebasser86 now I'm gonna have to get some of those worms
Big worms in my arsenal...
Zoom mag II
Zoom ol monster 10.5"
Zoom big dead ringer 8"
Havoc juice worm 8"
I have never had a lot of luck with the big worms . The only exception was some larger fliptails years ago .
On 7/1/2017 at 2:53 PM, CroakHunter said:Thanks a lot @Bluebasser86 now I'm gonna have to get some of those worms
I do what I can to help feed the bait monkey
They're a big worm, the one in that picture was trimmed down because it was torn up from catching fish. Not only are they 11" long, but it's a pretty wide bait too.
But I enjoy slinging the big worms during the summer months, and black seems to be a solid color for me.
@Ghostshad: Thanks for asking this! I've wanted to ask the same thing. I live about three and a half miles from the ends of the earth in western Massachusetts. The most exciting form of entertainment here (except for fishing) is to go to the local Dick's Sporting Goods and watch them unpack the new tackle. I had pretty much relegated my choices to Zoom Ol' Monster and Culprit 10- and 12-inch worms, but your question has provided me with a plethora of options in one easy-to-find reference.
To all the folks who responded, a big, "Thank you!" Ya just never know who will benefit when you take the time to share your time and experience!!
Could someone give advice about fishing them in shallow water?
I use multiple large worms in the summer, usually texas rigged or Carolina rig. I10 inch power worms in black with blue tail, watermelon, and grape. Strike King bull worms in 8 inch and 10 inch in black, geen pumpkin, and watermelon. 7 inch senkos in green pumpkin, watermelon red, and black with blue tip.
@Outdoor Zack: I'm not exactly an expert, but for me, success usually comes when I cast beyond my target. The big worms can make quite a commotion when they hit the water. To fish a laydown I cast up to or onto the shoreline and drag/hop it through the target area. When fishing lily pads, I cast beyond my target area and s-l-o-w-l-y work it across the pads to the point/hole into which I want it to sink. I hope this helps.
On 7/1/2017 at 8:25 PM, GrumpyOlPhartte said:@Outdoor Zack: I'm not exactly an expert, but for me, success usually comes when I cast beyond my target. The big worms can make quite a commotion when they hit the water. To fish a laydown I cast up to or onto the shoreline and drag/hop it through the target area. When fishing lily pads, I cast beyond my target area and s-l-o-w-l-y work it across the pads to the point/hole into which I want it to sink. I hope this helps.
Thanks
On 7/1/2017 at 8:06 PM, GrumpyOlPhartte said:
To all the folks who responded, a big, "Thank you!" Ya just never know who will benefit when you take the time to share your time and experience!!
His name is: THE BAIT MONKEY
@papajoe222: I locked that little sonuvagun in my cellar, but every now and then he sneaks out ...
On 7/1/2017 at 8:12 PM, Outdoor Zack said:Could someone give advice about fishing them in shallow water?
I fish a zoom ole monster in shallow grass/structure with a 1/4 or 1/8 once bullet weight pegged. Fish it like hopping a jig, finess it up and let it drop and sit for a bit and repeat. All my 4 plus lb bass have come from this technique this summer.
I only fish a big worm one week out of the year on my annual vacation at Kentucky Lake. My worm of choice is a 10.5" Zoom Ol' Monster in plum.
On 6/30/2017 at 8:55 PM, CroakHunter said:Xcite baits maximus worm is awesome. Its tail floats and is a 10.5 inch straight tail. I use it for deep water. And the fish love it. Blacks/purples/blues/browns are my favorite color to use in any kind of big bait. Regardless of water clarity
That is a terrific bait on the 5/8 mag shakey head that they have .
The Big Bite Bait Kreit tail is my favorite ribbon tail , I usually fish it on a T-rig with a 3/8 or 1/2 oz sinker .
For those who have caught fish on big worms, set the hook right away? Or wait a second or two to allow the fish to get it all in its mouth?
Largemouth bass strike nearly everything by the head or front end of something moving. One exception can be big worms that are bit as they fall down through the water column can be grabbed in the middle or by the tail end. If you are retrieving a big worm along the bottom the hook set can be as quick as any other size worm. On the fall I usually wait a few seconds unless my line is moving, then I set the hook quickly.
My retrieve technique with big worms is a slow drag then pause and shake the rod tip into slightly slack line pause and drag about 1' and repeat. Big hopes and longer lifts rarely work for me. Keeping in touch with the structure and cover with a slower retreive takes time, concentration and dedication to fish big worms, the results are usually worth the effort.
Tom
On 7/7/2017 at 2:10 AM, WRB said:Largemouth bass strike nearly everything by the head or front end of something moving. One exception can be big worms that are bit as they fall down through the water column can be grabbed in the middle or by the tail end. If you are retrieving a big worm along the bottom the hook set can be as quick as any other size worm. On the fall I usually wait a few seconds unless my line is moving, then I set the hook quickly.
My retrieve technique with big worms is a slow drag then pause and shake the rod tip into slightly slack line pause and drag about 1' and repeat. Big hopes and longer lifts rarely work for me. Keeping in touch with the structure and cover with a slower retreive takes time, concentration and dedication to fish big worms, the results are usually worth the effort.
Tom
Excellent Reply. The information i was looking for. Thank you.
Culprit 12" junebug, it's caught so many of my PB's and friends PB's, usually go with the lightest weight you can get away with, it's looks more realistic, I use either a 3/16 or a 1/4 lead weight unpegged and a 5/0 owner round bend, I wouldn't use it for flipping brush because the tail gets caught up in the limbs, but if you want a great all around the ZOOM ol' monster 10 1/2 is perfect
The key to catching any worm fish is to fish it as slowly as possible, it gives the bass a better chance at grabbing the whole thing, and it looks more realistic, big bass get big by being smart, so a more realistic presentation will always get you a more big bites,also try to target as much structure as possible, bass will always hold to structures
Culprit 12" junebug, it's caught so many of my PB's and friends PB's, usually go with the lightest weight you can get away with, it's looks more realistic, I use either a 3/16 or a 1/4 lead weight unpegged and a 5/0 owner round bend, I wouldn't use it for flipping brush because the tail gets caught up in the limbs, but if you want a great all around the ZOOM ol' monster 10 1/2 is perfect
The key to catching any worm fish is to fish it as slowly as possible, it gives the bass a better chance at grabbing the whole thing, and it looks more realistic, big bass get big by being smart, so a more realistic presentation will always get you a more big bites,also try to target as much structure as possible, bass will always hold to structures
On 7/7/2017 at 12:34 AM, BassB8Caster said:For those who have caught fish on big worms, set the hook right away? Or wait a second or two to allow the fish to get it all in its mouth?
I don't play games when I'm fishing big worms. If I feel the pick-up, or the worm feels light or heavy when I go to move it, I set the hook without hesitating. I also use 5/0 hooks because there have been times when that big worm came back doubled up on the hook point. Sometimes they ball that big worm up in their mouth. I don't give 'em the chance and if by some brain fart on my part they do, that big gap is insurance.