Springtime is an exciting time for a little bass fishing after a long. cold winter. Since the days are getting longer and Sun higher in the sky, the fish start to invade the shallows, become more active, and feed more aggressively.
If you're looking to catch more bass this spring season, then one bait to add to your arsenal and consider fishing: the wacky worm. In this article, we'll explore what wacky worms are, why they're effective for spring bass, and how to fish with them.
What are Wacky Worms?
A wacky worm is a soft plastic bait that is rigged in a unique, almost comical manner. Instead of rigging the worm through the head and down the length of the worm as in a Texas rig, a wacky worm is hooked through the middle at 90 degrees to the worm's length.
This definitely creates a "wacky" appearance but provides a presentation that mimics the movement of struggling forage, making it an appealing target for bass.
Why are Wacky Worms Effective for Spring Bass?
Spring is a time when bass are starting to move from their winter haunts to their shallow spawning grounds. During this time, they are looking for food and tend be more active and aggressive as they feed-up for the coming spawn. Wacky worms are particularly effective during this time because they offer a slow and natural presentation that mimics wounded or dying bait, which is an easy food source for hungry bass.
How to Fish with Wacky Worms
Here are several tips on fishing wacky worms for spring bass:
Choose the right gear: Use a medium-light to medium power rod and reel combo, with a 6-10 lb test fluorocarbon line. This will give you low line visibilty plus the sensitivity you need to detect bites, while still having enough strength to fight the fish.
Rig the worm correctly: Hook the worm through the middle perpendicular to the worm length with both ends dangling below the hook. This creates the wacky appearance mimicking struggling forage that is so appealing to spring bass.
Pick the right worm: Technically almost any soft plastic bait can be wacky rigged, 4" to 8" straight tail worms (soft stickbaits, trick worms, finesse worms, etc.) usually work best.
Pick the right color: Match the color of the worm to the hatch. If you're fishing in murky water, choose a darker color like black or grape. If you're fishing in clear water, choose a lighter, natural color like green pumpkin or watermelon.
Fish slow and steady: Wacky worms are best fished with a slow and steady retrieve. This mimics the movement of a real worm and will attract the attention of the spring bass.
Pay attention to depth: Spring bass will be moving from deeper to shallower water, so adjust your depth accordingly. Start in the deeper section of flats near the break and work your way shallower, making sure to fish the entire water column.
Change things up: Though slow presentations and subtle colors are often considered the "standards" when wacky worming, never be afraid to change bait color or presentations. There are days when bass react better to more aggressive retrieves like using a quick lift/drop retrieve or using bright worm colors like bubble gum, chartreuse, white or merthiolate.
Fishing with wacky worms for spring bass is a great way to catch more and bigger fish this season. With the right gear, rigging, worms, color, and fishing technique, you'll be well on your way to some great days of catching this spring season.
Do you need to upgrade your wacky rig fishing gear this season?
Check out the great selection of wacky wormin' tackle offered by the folks at Omnia Fishing by clicking on the following link:
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