Early season plastics...should I be using smaller worms?

[RandyFish]

I hear Deitz often talking about jig worming, using a 4" worm.

I suspect that I may be missing something -- particluarly early in the season before bait get larger

I normally jig worm (or Tex. and Carolina rig) with my standard worms, normally 6" or 7"....

Should I be using smaller plastics to start the season -- and can this be as simple as cutting a 6" ribbon tail down a bit?

Is this an area where ring-stle worms and/or 3"-4" grubs are most appropriate?

I just simple never fish a worm smaller than 6" inches...is this a tactical error?

RandyFish

[Deitz Dittrich]

RandyFish- Not so sure I would call it an error...However, I do think yo should add it to your tackle box. I often fish a 4" worm, ad do so early season, mid season and at times even late season. The 4" worm that I fish is a straight tail worm, another words it just kind of tapers off to nothing. Here is a picture of what I use, brand is not important here, as many companies make one.

I will often fish this on a mushroom head jig or just a round ball jig like you would fish for walleye with. Or at times I will fish it as a texas rig, but between the sinker and hook I will put a glass bead. The sinker I use is brass in this situation, its called a brass and glass rig... the sinker clicks into the glass bead and makes noise... I have done quite well on this rig in clear water...

I will also throw the 4" worm often on a carolina rig, or split shot rig...

To answer your question, there are many times when a 4" straight tail worm will out produce a 6" ribbon tail worm. Situations when the fishing might be tougher, like pressured waters, high pressure weather systems, cold fronts ect...

Honestly, give small plastics a shot, I dont think you will be sorry!

Deitz

[Stratosman]

They are another tool to have, under the right conditions, they will outperform larger profile baits, cold fronts in particular during the post spawn period will have the fish in a very lethargic mood. I have done very well on finesse plastics early in the season, either like DD said on a jig head or using a 1/16 pegged worm sinker. I do like the straight bodies or "stick" style baits, my favorite has to be a Zoom finess plastic in cotton candy color. Give it shot this spring.

[cheektowaga]

I'm fairly new to fishing plastics, only really got into it a few years ago, and my bread and butter has been a 4" power grub.

my question for these flat plastics or stick baits is what kind of action do they produce. I've always been skepticle of them because I can't imagine that they do much to lure a fish.

Is it the way it is worked? Or does it just plain work with little movement?

[Stratosman]

You just answered your own questions, the lack of action is why they produce well in cold water and under cold front conditions. When the ribbon tail or larger worm shys away bass, the stick bait can shine. Deadsticked or simpley twitched, or worked like a conventional texas rigged worm.

[FlipR70]

HHhhhhmmmm ...

I've always shyed away from the smaller plastics because I don't like the constant pecking of of bluegills, perch, & the like. Is this a problem for you guys?

Mainly curious,

FlipR70

[Deitz Dittrich]

FlipR70.. you have never had a 6" worm pecked by bluegills?.. them things will hit a 9" worm! So why worry about it.. I dont think you will notice that you are getting more hits on the shorter worm, You will just notice that you get less bass bites on slow days if you dont down size.. which is worse?

[Superduty]

You won't find a curly tail worm of any kind on my front deck until I feel the fish are done with the spawn. In my experience, prespawn and spawning fish respond best to subtle presentations. Even when fishing a bigger jig this time of year, I won't use any type of "action tail" trailer-just a straight tailed plastic chunk or worm. Try texas rigging a french fry type bait. It may look stupid but it catches fish!

[FlipR70]

Quote:

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FlipR70.. you have never had a 6" worm pecked by bluegills?.. them things will hit a 9" worm! So why worry about it.. I dont think you will notice that you are getting more hits on the shorter worm, You will just notice that you get less bass bites on slow days if you dont down size.. which is worse?

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Deitz,

I hear what you're saying. I'm just looking at the mister twister / exude site. Do you have a typical worm you use - it is a drop-shot worm? Mainly curious.

Also, are you going to be at the Minneapolis Sportsman's Show again this year. If so, I'll make sure to drop by the Exude booth again this year.

Thanks,

FlipR70

[Deitz Dittrich]

Flip- Yes its the drop shot worm... thats what they call it.. I use it for everything.. and yes I will be working the Twister booth at the sportshow every day of the show again this year..

[river rat316]

Whens that show?

[mamohr686]

A couple of early season plastics that have been killer for me are the yamamoto senko and the smallie beaver. Senkos come in every size and color. I rig them texas style without a weight and a wide gap hook. The bait swims as it falls and gets bit by larger fish in shallow water. A new bait that has been rocking the pro tournaments lately is the smallie beaver by reaction innovations. There is a good article on how to fish this bait in the last months bassmaster magazine. use a 2/0 hook and a small 1/8 screw in florida style weight and let if float near any structure. It's a cross between a tube and creature bait. It also works well on smallies.

[Bassboy1645]

I donno were yall fish, But in my part of mn, The chunkiest bass wont even imagine hitting any thing bigger than four inches!!!!!!!!!! A four inch power grub is my favorite, but just about any small plastic will produce under two conditions: The weather, and your presentation. If the bass are still spawning where you fish when the season opens, drag these little plastics ( Texas rigged of course) Over their beds. More than one of my biggest bass has taken these plastics on a retrive like this. Try it out and let me know what ya think!!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!

[Ray Esboldt]

I use small plastics all year long. A 4" ringworm threaded on 1/8 oz. mushroomhead is often the first thing I pick up when I hit the water. Yep, gills and perch torture the thing, but bass rarely hesitate to gulp one when put in front of their snout. And, I'm not talking just buck bass and bank runners. Big fish dine light frequently.

Early season, I'd say a 3" grub has been my best pre-spawn bait over the years. I do like a broad tail, none of those grubs the walleye fishermen covet. But, I've caught enough early season fish on cranks, jerkbaits, and pig-n-jig to not disqualify them as a good option.

It really does depend on the weather. The fish are up and active when the water warms, then they're deeper and neutral when a cold front hits. Fish and choose your baits accordingly, but when in doubt fish as methodical as your patience allows.