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Spring 2024
page 54
Split-Shot Rigging Option #2: I will also rig my split-shot rig just like a lighter Carolina-rig. I will slide either a 1/16- or 1/8-ounce worm slip sinker on. At the end of my line, I will tie a small swivel. I will then tie a 16- to 18-inch line onto the swivel and tie a light wire Gamakatsu EWG worm hook onto the end of the line.
Split-Shot Rigging Option #3: If I want to keep my worm higher in the water column, I will shorten my leader to 12-inches and use a floating worm or a Z-Man Jerk ShadZ (floats) as my starting bait choice. This will keep my bait higher in the water column, and I can get my bait noticed a little more when fishing in clear water conditions. When rigged and ready, make a cast and let the rig sink to the bottom; the line will go slack when the sinker is on the bottom.
Split-Shot Retrieve and Set: I will slowly sweep my rod to the side, moving the bait along the bottom, then reel up the slack. This keeps the bait on the bottom and in the bite zone. When I get a bite, I will either see my line swim away or feel my line get tight. When that happens, I slowly reel up the slack and sweep-set the hook.
This is also an excellent presentation for kids or new anglers to use and catch bass along the way.
FLOATING WORM IS AN ALL-SEASON OPTION
The floating worm is a tactic that I use all season. I adjust my presentation equipment according to the cover conditions and time that I am fishing. If fishing around lily pads or targeting shallow weed edges, I will use a 7’ spinning setup spooled with a 14-pound braided line with a 12-pound monofilament leader. The mono leader will keep my worm from sinking more than a foot or two in the water column.
Retrieving a Floating Worm: With this presentation, I will make a cast and try a few different retrieves. I can slowly swim the bait back to the boat or fish the bait with a few twitches and a pause back to the boat. If the bait is getting out of the strike zone, I can lift the rod and reel my bait towards the surface again and start over.
This is an excellent presentation to skip under and around docks and other shallow fish holding cover around the shoreline or cover where you cannot get other baits into. I do not know many bass that will not come up and hit a slowly falling bait that looks like it is a dying baitfish, working its way to the bottom. Add to that the worm is unweighted, so it will not get hung up, daring bass to eat it as it slowly flutters to the bottom.
Lower Water Column: If I need to get my worm deeper in the water column, I will use a setup with a fluorocarbon leader and a heavy EWG worm hook. These adjustments will get my bait deeper in the water column, allowing me to fish deeper weed tops or cover. I can still skip this bait around the shallower cover but also hit the deeper cover. Use this presentation to your advantage.
This is an excellent follow-up bait to throw when the bass start to make shallower movements in the spring or fall parts of the season. It is good for blind casting areas in search of bass getting ready to move into an area, getting ready to spawn, or even starting to spawn. I work the floating worm looking for any signs of bass.
As A Follow-Up Presentation: The floating worm will also excel when the bass start to move back into the shallows to put on the feed bag in the fall period of the calendar getting ready for the frog migration. This is a great follow-up bait to present to a bass that has missed a moving bait. I do not hesitate to grab my floating worm presentation and make a quick cast to the spot where the bass came up and missed. The bass often will stay trying to locate the food they just missed. If you do not get a bite in a few casts, pick up your moving bait and start your hunt again. More often than not, I will hookup and land the follow-up bites on my floating worm back-up presentation.
For fishermen who can remember the early days and these three forgotten tactics I talked about, it is time to grab a few bags of baits you may have stuck away and give them a little water time this season. If you are new to bass fishing, head to your favorite tackle retailer, grab a few bags of each and hit the water. These tactics will be welcome additions to your current mix in catching bass in your part of the country. •