Plastic worms has changed the way that peoples fish for bass because many decades ago people invented plastic worms. However, many experienced angler encounter several problems when using plastic worms as their fishing bait. For example, the plastic material of the plastic worm may tear.
Furthermore, the action of the plastic worm may dissapears. Finally, the plastic worm may fail to produce bites from the bass fish that is present in the fishing location on the days when using the plastic worm baits. By understanding the common problems with plastic worms, an angler can adjust the plastic worm baits so that they will perform effective.
This information will allow an angler to avoid simply changing the color of the plastic worm baits. Instead, the information will allow an angler to make the necessary adjustments to improve the performance of their plastic worm baits. The good news is that solution exist for all of the common problems with plastic worms.
The following article will explain the common problems with plastic worms and how to solve each of these problems to create more fish bites and better experience when fishing with plastic worm baits.
Common Problems With Plastic Worm Baits
1. Splitting or Tearing Plastic Worms
One of the most common problems with plastic worms is that they may split or tear after the angler has cast the bait only a few times. This can occur if the point of the hook is too close to the plastic worm or if the angler is using a hook that is too large for the plastic worm.
When plastic worms split or tear, they typically no longer exhibit the movement that they should when being cast into the water. Furthermore, the appearance of the plastic worm can look more like prey that has been harmed rather than an attractive bait to catch the attention of bass fish. To avoid this problem, anglers should use a lighter gauge hook that is sized for the plastic worm that is being used.
If the anglers use Texas rigging, burying the point of the hook just under the skin of the plastic worm will create a balance between keeping the plastic worm from getting hooked on weeds and keeping it from tearing.
2. Improper Sinking or Floating Speeds
Another problem with plastic worms is that some plastic worms may sink too quickly or may float on the water. This is typically caused by the weight of the plastic worm.
If the angler nose hooks the plastic worm to a straight tail plastic worm without any additional weight, the plastic worm may sink too slow to match the mood of the bass fish in the water. Adding a bullet of weighted material to the plastic worm or using a weighted plastic worm hook will solve this problem. A finesse plastic worm will typically contain a great deal of salt to maintain its flexibility.
These worms will sink very quickly in the water. If the water is clear or if the fish is suspended in the water column, this fast sinking of the plastic worm will spook the bass fish. Using a lighter salt formula for these plastic worms or using unweighted rigs will allow for a more natural movement of the plastic worm in the water.
3. Fading Color and Dye Breakdown
A third problem with plastic worms is that they may fade in color. This is typically true for plastic worms that contain bright colors like watermelon red or electric blue. If these plastic worms are exposed to direct sunlight for a few hours or if they are used in waters that contain stained material, the dyes in the plastic worms will break down so that the plastic worms lose their bright colors and turn to an unappealing gray color.
To avoid this problem, anglers should store their plastic worms in opaque bags or boxes rather than in clear containers. Some fishermen will even add a drop of dye to their plastic worms to preserve their favorite colors.
4. Worms Not Staying Attached to Hooks
A fourth problem with plastic worms is that they may not stay attached to the hook when the fishermen are fishing.
This is typically caused by the plastic material of the plastic worm stretching down the shank of the hook until it reaches the eye of the hook. This problem typically occurs if the fishermen use plastic worm hooks without a keeper barb or if they insert the plastic worm into the hook in the incorrect manner. To fix this problem, use plastic worm hooks that have a small wire or screw lock near the eye of the hook.
Thread the head of the plastic worm onto this keeper first before placing the body of the plastic worm on the hook. This will ensure that the plastic worm stays in place during every cast of the plastic worm.
5. Twisting and Entangling in Fishing Line
A fifth problem with plastic worms is that they may get twisted and entangled in the fishing line.
If using Texas rigging or Carolina rigging to fish with plastic worms in areas with heavy cover in the water, the soft plastic worm will spin on the hook as it is cast into the water. This will twist the fishing line and ruin the casting of the plastic worm. Adding a small glass or plastic bead between the plastic worm and the hook will reduce the spinning of the plastic worm.
Additionally, the sound that the bead makes when the fishing line moves will attract more bass fish strikes. Using a swivel on the Carolina rig will also eliminate this problem. Using a swivel will isolate the leader of the plastic worm from the main fishing line.
6. Water Temperature Performance Issues
Finally, the temperature of the water in which the fishermen are fishing can affect the performance of plastic worm baits. Plastic worms will lose their ability to wiggle when the water is below fifty degrees. A plastic worm that wiggle when the water is warm in the summer may appear lifeless when the water temperature drops.
Using a softer plastic formula or plastic worms with a thin diameter will help anglers avoid this problem. During the summer, temperatures can reach extreme heat that will melt some plastic worms. To avoid this problem, anglers should store their plastic worms in a cooler or a shaded compartment in the fishing boat.
By understanding each of these common problems and the solutions to each problem with plastic worms, fishermen will have a better fishing experience when they fish for bass. The next time that one of the angler’s plastic worm baits does not work for the bass fish, take a few minutes to diagnose the problem. Often, a small adjustment will fix the problem.
These solutions are the reasons that plastic worms remain an essential fishing bait in all fishing tackle boxes everywhere.