Detecting Strikes On a Plastic Worm

      The first thing to get to know is how a bass bites a plastic worm.  As a rule, bass will see a worm moving along the bottom and approach from the front or back of the worm and simply open their mouth.  This sucks the worm into their mouth and you may or may not be able to feel this action.  If the bait does not feel or taste right, the bass can blow the worm out very quickly.  This action is felt as a “tap” or “thump” in the rod and/or line.  All of this can take place within a second. 

      For many years the so-called experts told us to wait a few seconds after the first tap to set the hook.  Learning from above, this kind of strategy cost many a bass fisherman a good fish.

      In order to detect strikes while fishing a plastic worm, you need quality equipment that is sensitive and strong enough to get a big bass out of heavy cover.  Most rod manufacturers have specialized rods made for worm fishing.

     The reel used for worm fishing needs to be a good quality reel with a low gear ratio, gears capable of handling big bass and have a very smooth drag system.  The type of reel is your choice.

     Line is also your choice or preference.  Monofilament, braid, or fluorocarbon all work well as long as they are abrasion resistant.  Remember to size the line according to the conditions of the water you will be fishing.

     The next item is the worm weight.  Always use a worm weight as light as you can and still maintain contact with the worm.  Oversized worm weights will deaden the strike thus making it harder to detect.

     Here is an excerpt from a two part article, "A Forgotten Successful Technique For Catching Bass The Texas-Rigged Worm – Part 2", written by Carlton “Doc” Holliday.

     “There are a couple of other things you need to learn to enhance your ability to detect the strike.  You need to learn to be in contact with the line as you are fishing a plastic worm.  You can do this by letting the line run over or between your fingers as it is reeled directly after the cast.  By maintaining this contact, you will feel the strike.

     You also need to train yourself to be a line watcher.  Many times you may not feel the strike at the rod or by feeling the line, but if you are a line watcher you will see the line stop, move sideways or “twitch” which indicates a strike.  Watching the line is particularly effective for detecting the strike while the worm is falling.  You must have that contact and visualization in order to detect strikes and keep the slack out of your line.

     Here is a quick simulation of a bite that you and a friend can set up in the back yard. Take your rod and reel, with a Texas-rigged worm on it, and throw it out.  Have a friend hold the line tight or put a little tension on the line.  Now have your friend just flick the line with their finger lightly.  This is the “tap” or “thump” and how a strike will feel. 

Other types of strikes may include:

• Sometimes as the worm is falling to the bottom, the bass will suck the worm in before it hits the bottom.  This strike is hard to detect.  When you pick up the slack, the worm feels heavy or like it has pressure on it.  Do not hesitate set the hook.

• Sometimes when you cast the worm and it settles to the bottom, a bass will pick it up and just swim off with the worm before you can get the slack out of your line. This scenario is perfect for line watchers because the minute you see the line move, set the hook.

• There is one more scenario for a strike that is very difficult to describe and detect.  You are fishing grass or moss flats and you cast your worm out and allowit to go to the bottom.  When you pick up the slack, it feels as though it is hooked on a piece of grass or moss so you just keep it tight for a few seconds and all of a sudden you feel that tap and you set the hook – nothing there.  The tap you just felt was the bass spitting the worm out.  Any time it feels heavy or hung on grass when you retrieve your slack, set the hook.  It does not cost anything and it could be a bass.

     To set the hook on a Texas-rig:

• As soon as you feel the bite or think you have a fish, reel down to the 3:00  position.
• Set the hook with a lot of force.
• Do not wait or count to three, at the first tap, set the hook!
• A hard, forceful hook set is required.  The best description is to “Try and cross his eyes”.  When a fish eats a plastic worm, the bass balls it up in its mouth, and youmay have to penetrate the worm a few times before you hit lip.
• If you think you did not get a good hook set on your first one, go ahead and set the hook again, but do not give the fish any slack in the line.”

     If you will try some of these tips and techniques, you will become more consistent in catching bass on a plastic worm.  Remember to catch all you can but keep just enough for you and your family to eat.