How do you tell if a plastic bait is a floater? Will it say on the package or is there something specific I need to look for?

Some will say on the package but even some floating baits need a very light hook to keep from sinking them. Zman baits are about the highest floating baits I've seen.

The packaging usually doesn't indicate if the soft plastic is a floater, it may say it sinks. Most high production injection molded soft plastic have neutral flotation, meaning they suspend in the water. There are a few super floaters that are made with foam or air filled soft plastic, the problem is they tend to be less flexible then other soft plastics. Several good hand poured worms are available that combine both soft flexible soft plastic and they float very well. Roboworms are an automated hand poured worm that combine high floatation with soft flexible designs.

Unfortunately you must buy a package and test the worm by putting it in water, push the worm under water, it should rise to the surface on it's own within a few seconds. Trial and error!

Tom