Targeting smallmouths more this year. How big a finesse worm will a smallmouth eat? I know most guys throw a 4-5", but the state record here in OK was caught on a Trick worm, which is more like 6.5". The Kansas state record (where I used to live) was caught on a 5" senko, which is also a pretty big finesse worm.

 

What's the biggest straight tailed worm you'll regularly throw for smallmouths? What situations, for you, warrant throwing a bigger worm? What kind of tackle/rig do you throw the big worm on most?

The more stained the water the larger the profile.  Don't underestimate what a Smallmouth can eat.  Their not a LMB but they can haul in almost anything you are going to throw at them.

 

To answer your question specifically I have thrown as large as a Zoom Trick Worm for finesse at them.

Smallmouths will eat any size lure, there are a lot of big ones caught on musky lures.  But, most times you do give up some bites the bigger you go. That is personal preference, more bites or larger average size fish.  At times smallmouth really get keyed in on certain prey and will ignore about anything else.  When they are feeding on small prey, like young of the year perch, bigger baits can be ignored.

Want some fun? Try Texas rigging a 7" Senko......then hang on!

Want some fun? Try Texas rigging a 7" Senko......then hang on!

Seriously? Tell me about this... Some big smallies in my area.