Hooking bass using 7 inch plastic worms. How to improove your catch ratio?

[FishingRebel]

Anyways, I am having a lot of trouble hooking bass using plastic 7 inch worms.. I get bites occassionally, but I seem to not be able to hook em. At times I would hook a bass, a nice one, but some how I was not able to drive the hook deep enough and the bass would fight its way and unhook itself. Anybody having this problem, or not having this problem? Any tips? Oh, by the way, Im using size 4 hooks.

[Standard]

I use a lot of 7" worms on 2/0 or 3/0 hooks, and never had a problem getting a hook set. How are you rigging them? I usually use a texas rig, either texposed or with the point of the hook very close to the surface of the worm.

Although, if I'm getting a lot of short strikes I usually switch to a shorter worm, or different plastic. The 5" jerk shads and 3" beasts work pretty well for the bass in my area.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Fish Reb- I assume you meant 4/0 Hook?... what Rod/Reel/Line combo are you using? And can you take a pict of how you rig the lure on the hook? this may help in finding out what the problem may or may not be.

[Pherris]

I throw 7" senkos on a 3/0 ewg and usually fish it wacky. I have found that if I T-rig it I get bites but I think they are grabbing the tail and because the worm is so big you either have to really let then take it or you will get more misses. With wacky I think they have the hook in there mouth when they first grab it an my hook up ratio in substantially increased. Good Fishing!!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Like Deitz said, I'll assume you mean 4/0 and not size 4. 4/0 should be a pretty good size for a 7 inch worm.

I find on lakes with big sunfish populations (especially those species with bigger mouths) that a lot of the bites I feel are sunnies attacking the worm, not bass at all.

Show us how you're rigging it and I'm sure we can help.

[Fluker]

A lot of unknown's, but here are my guesses based on assumption.

1 - Maybe too limber of a rod? Possibilily using a spinning rod, or a medium action casting rod? You want enough backbone to get a solid hook set. MH action recommended.

2 - Hookset? No one could really tell you this unless they watch you do it. Want to have a buddy video tape your hookset and post it here? LOL Seriously though, if you're not getting enough line movement, that could be it.

3 - Hook? All hooks are NOT created equal. If you are not using Gammy's, i recommend buying a 5 pack of 3/0 or 4/0 EWG hooks and trying them. See if it makes a difference. (If so, you can choose from other brands of hooks, I just select Gammy's as that is what I use.)

4 - Worm size? Mentioned by someone else above as well. Are the bass in the lake you normally fish relatively small? Maybe they aren't taking it all the way in. Could be the fish are short hitting as well. I have had days when I've lost fish and missed fish a lot, but it's never been consistenly every day, so I can't imagine this being the problem.

Hope this helps.

Chuck

[Daze Off]

Only thing I might add to what already has been shared it that in my experience a straight shank round bend hook tends to give a better hookset/penetration with worms than an EWG or even an offset shank round bend. A bit more challenging to rig correctly but worth the slight extra rigging time.

I do use the EWG's for most other things though.

Daze Off

[EBass]

Could be plain ol bad luck to.

My buddy missed/lost 4 fish in a row then got a 19".

Gotta have a 7' rod - I use medium action, but sufix braid for line. (Floro leader in clear water)

3/0 should be about right and I too use gammy's. They are light wire so should penetrate better, but they also bend easy to. Buy bulk:)

Also, have you tried to change the color?

[FishingRebel]

Thanks for the replies guys... But yeah, as for equiptment, I use a 7' medium heavey pole and the Shimano Curado 7 gear ratio baitcaster. My equiptment, I think, should be more than enough for fishing 7 inch worms. So you guys have a good hook ratio then?