I have never fished using this method but have recently read much about which hooks and worms work best and how it should be fished. I apologize in advance if this question is just stupid and I am missing the obvious.

My question is this: I used a #1 gamakatsu split shot hook and a 41/2 inch robo worm. I put the hook into the worm and dropped it into a bucket of water to see how well it would float. Well it doesn't float it sinks to the bottom. I don't understand how on a slack line the worm would be perpendicular to the line if it doesn't float. What am I missing here?

[movedhere] General Bass Fishing Forum [move by] five.bass.limit.

It helps to insert the tag end through the hook eye before attaching the weight.

The 4 1/2" robos float for the most part, so I think it is the weight of the hook that is influencing what you observed.  Actually a slowly sinking or hovering bait is my preferred type.

Why? because when it slowly sinks, it is far easier to twitch and re-twitch your semi-slack line with the weight remaining in contact with the bottom. That is practically a ringing dinner bell. If it isn't catching fish, the fish aren't there.  ;D

thanks for your answer. For some reason I had thought that the worm would be buoyant enough to float above the weight after it hit bottom. I understand the concept much better now.

I usually use a 1/4 oz in calm or shallower water and 3/8 in deeper water. As for the hook,  I use a 1/0

Gammakatsu octopus hook, really like this hook, always seem to hook them right in the top of the lip. I like to use a floating or neutrally buoyant with a hook (just what I have had the most success on). Ive been having good luck using Strike King 3X super finesse worms, they are smaller, soft, and very good buoyancy. Make sure you run the line that goes to your weight back thru the eye of the hook so it stays straight up.

I tried a Zoom finesse worm in the bucket and it did float better than the roboworm. I guess the salt makes the robo worm heavier.

I am going to try the finesse worm first. The Gamakatsu #1 split shot hook looks to be way to small, but That is all bps had on the rack so I guess I'll give them a try.

If it stays at least in the low nineties today, I'm going to give this drop rig a try.

Roboworms do not float until the salt has dissolved. 80% of the time a robo is what I have tied on my dropshot.