Fishing Big Worms for Summer Bass

Big plastic worms are a great way to catch bass in the summer. They are a versatile bait that can be used in a variety of situations, and they can produce big fish.

Here are some tips on how to fish big plastic worms for bass in the summer:

• Use a heavy rod and reel. Big plastic worms can be bulky, so you need a rod and reel that can drive the hook home. A 7-foot+ medium-heavy rod and a matching high-speed baitcasting reel with 15-pound fluorocarbon line are a good place to start.

• Use a Texas rig. The Texas rig is a great way to fish big plastic worms. It allows you to fish the worm close to the bottom, where bass are most likely to be residing. To rig a Texas worm, simply thread the worm onto a 5/0 or 6/0 hook and then pair it with a worm weight sized to match conditions.

• Fish the worm slowly. Bass are more likely to bite a big plastic worm if it is moving slowly. Fish the worm with a steady retrieve, pausing occasionally to let it sink to the bottom.

• Target bass cover. Bass will often hold in cover during the summer, such as rocks, stumps, laydowns, docks, and vegetation. When fishing a big plastic worm, work the cover thoroughly and vary your casting angles.

• Use the right colors. When fishing big plastic worms, it is important to use the right colors. Dark colors, such as black, brown, and red, are good choices in stained or muddy water. Lighter colors, such as blue, cinnamon, and watermelon, are good choices in clear water.

• Fish in different depths. Bass can be found in a variety of depths during the summer. Try fishing starting around shallow cover then work deep-water structure until you find where the bass are holding.

• Experiment with different retrieves. Bass can be finicky, so it is important to experiment with different retrieves. Try a slow, steady retrieve, a stop-and-go retrieve, or a twitching retrieve.

Strike King pro Mark Menendez spends much of his non-tournament fishing time probing TVA impoundments with big worms for summer bass. Take a few minutes and watch as MM describes his approach when using big worms to entice summer bass into eating…