| Every bass fisherman wants to catch more | | | | |
| bass. Even the pros share this sentiment with | | | | By a wide margin, the most commonly used |
| the rest of us. But for the beginner, it is a | | | | plastic lure is the worm. Plastic worms are |
| little different. As a beginner, you can and | | | | simple to use and easy to rig. They come in |
| will catch more bass with plastics. The use | | | | various lengths from about 7" to 11"and can |
| of plastic lures is one of the easiest | | | | be rigged with or without weight. |
| techniques to learn. There are a few things | | | | |
| to know that will help you along the way. | | | | A plastic worm should be retrieved with a |
| | | | "lift & fall" retrieve. Simply put, this |
| Shapes Plastic lures come in a variety of | | | | means you cast it out, reel in some line, |
| shapes. Everything from frogs to crawfish, | | | | raise the rod tip a little (from 10:00 to |
| worms and even smaller fish is available. To | | | | 12:00) to lift the worm, and then let it fall |
| have a well rounded tackle box, you need to | | | | back down naturally. Most bass will hit on |
| have a wide variety of different shaped | | | | the fall, so you need to pay attention to |
| plastics at your disposal. The one you use in | | | | your line and feel the strike through the |
| any given situation should match what is | | | | rod. This technique will help you take more |
| naturally fond in the area you are fishing. | | | | bass from the middle of the water. Don't |
| For instance, you should not fish a snake | | | | worry; you'll know when you get a strike. |
| lure in a lake where snakes are not a natural | | | | |
| inhabitant. | | | | When weather is a little warmer, bass will go |
| | | | deeper to find cooler water temps. During the |
| Colors There are just as many colors | | | | summer, the use of a drop shot type rig can |
| available as there are shapes. The color of | | | | boost your success greatly. A drop shot style |
| the plastic you choose can be very important. | | | | rig is easy: tie the hook about 18" from the |
| Every angler has a favorite that works for | | | | end of the line. On the end of the line, tie |
| them, so you just need to find the one that | | | | a small weight like a 3/8 ounce or ½ ounce |
| works for you. The basic rule of thumb is | | | | sinker. |
| that when the water is stained, a brighter | | | | |
| color may work better. A darker color may | | | | What happens here is that the weight sits on |
| work better when the water is clear. | | | | the bottom and the plastic worm floats about |
| | | | a foot and a half above, kind of like waving |
| Technique The most important thing though is | | | | in the breeze, so to speak. The "lift & fall" |
| how you present that plastic. What you want | | | | retrieve is still the preferred. Try a few |
| to do is make the lure act in a natural | | | | different retrieves to see what works for |
| manner. If using a bait fish plastic lure, it | | | | you. |
| should be retrieved in a way that makes it | | | | |
| look like a swimming or injured fish. When | | | | You can catch more bass with plastics and |
| using a worm, a simple twitch of the rod tip | | | | give more meaning to your fishing excursions |
| will elicit strikes from aggressive bass. | | | | when you master the basics. |