Big 12" Worms

[birdi23nls]

I want to start using bigger plastics like 12 inch worms or even bigger to see if they do indeed catch bigger fish. It makes sense that they would, but the biggest worms I use are 9 inches and they catch a lot of nice fish but some small and average size fish as well.

Questions:

What is the best way that you have found to rig 12" worms? Texas? Carolina? Wacky? What size weight? What size hook?

Do worms this big regularly catch larger than average fish in a given body of water?

thanks

JAred

[elfish16]

I fish 10-13" worms all the time and they are fun to fish. You can get some big fish for sure but you won't completely rule out the smaller 2-3lbers.

Texas rigging is the best from my experiences for sure. You can use a 5/0-7/0 hook. I have a 13" worm I fish on a regular basis and its gotten me fish up to 12.5lbs and fish as small as 1.5lbs.

You won't get the same number of bites as a normal worm but you do increase your bigger bite chances going with something that big.

Eric

[Oldschool]

Fishing giant worms or worms 12"+ requires you to slow down. If you T-rig with a 3/8 or heavier weight and use large 7/0 hooks, unless you are using Zipper type or 16" worms, you tend to fish the worm too fast for big bass and you may be better off with a jig.
The split shot rig or slip shot rig using #7 round shot or 3/16 oz Pro-Jo black brass weight and pegged glass bead (slip shot) and a straight shank 4/0 to 5/0 worm hook will usually result in bigger bass. You should skin hook the bigger diameter worms. This type of rigging doesn't require you to impart any action other than lifting up and over rocks and wood. The worm gluides and the bass react to a big moving creature and take a good look before engulfing the worm. This presentation takes patients.
If you can't stand fishing that slow, than the T-rig is a better choice.
Check out Upton's Customs.
Tom

[birdi23nls]

where can you buy those upton worms? they have links but I don't see them actually for sale on the links that I went to???

[Rob Dickson]

Josh Upton
951-663-2821

[Brian Linehan]

Rob is right. Call both of these companies as they are the best!!!

Basschow (Stephan)
909.884.7650

Upton's Customs (Josh)
951.663.2821

[Oldschool]

where can you buy those upton worms? they have links but I don't see them actually for sale on the links that I went to???

http://www.uptonscustoms.com/products.htm
Direct mail order and Anglers Marine carries them.
Tom
PS; hope posting the link is OK?

[JJCJR]

Western Plastics makes 11, 12 and 16 inch worms. Lures from Western Plastics are currently mentioned in last month's issue of BM magazine. One of the fall outs of that article are the number of orders received for 11 and 12 inch worms.

You can order Western Plastics Products through your local tackle dealer (619 697 9869 - Western does not sell directly to the public) or go to http://www.anglersarsenal.com/productCat2007.ctlg to see what we're talking about. Custom colors are always accepted.

Cannot add better to the suggestions already offered by the posts above but as already been mentioned, when you think you're fishing slow, slow down. Though Lures from Western Plastics are buoyant, in this time of high water levels, fishing submerged brush, dead-sticking is another productive method. Make sure to use an offset hook and " skin hooking" the lure increases your hook-up ratio. Bass will usually hit those types of lures from the side or right at the head.

[Marty]

You know what is nice about fishing a big worm – is that you know when the Bass hits you bait – No mush bits or picking it up and swimming away. It is Ka-Pow!

[birdi23nls]

I know that there are a lot of upton fans. They do seem like fish catchers. Do you guys think that are better than yamamoto's 12" worms? if so why?

[Kevin]

Uptons are way softer, have way better colors, and float better. Yamamoto's are much harder and the colors are very limited. Don't get me wrong, the Yamamoto bib worms work good, I just think the Uptons/Bass Chow are much better.

[Oldschool]

Manns 12" jelly worms work and are inexpensive if price is a major factor.
If you are fishing in off color water and aggressive big bass (rare in CA) or night fishing the injection molded mass produced worms work at times.
Tom

[Garrettt]

Ive caught fish with uptons worms. DS, Trig, Crig, Nailrig, wacky, flylined, even on a chatterbait. They work.