I like the large worms for search baits or to use on the deep weed line.  If i am in or near cover i will be on a baby brush hog or a beaver.

How about this scenario: a lake I usually fish has only really produced on a shakeyhead. But, there's lots of isolated grass clumps along the bank and they look pretty fishy to me. The water is on the clearer side of things (3-4 feet of visibility) so I'm still going to try a beaver-style bait, but I was wondering about a longish ribbontail worm too. With the fish liking a finesse presentation like a shakeyhead, would they typically be more likely to go after a worm versus a beaver-style bait...? I realize there isn't a surefire 100% answer here, more wondering if anyone has has a similar experience.

 

TIA!

I could fish nothing but worms for the rest of my life and not miss a beat . 

One nice thing about a creature bait like a Zoom Speed craw or rage bug, Mighty bug etc. is you can use them to cover water faster than a big worm to find fish.

 

A creature bait can be buzzed like a frog, swam on bottom, and often will help you find fish. I like a big worm but I find fishing them really slow is how they usually work best, but you can also fish a big 10" worm on the surface as well, so never limit your self to thinking a certain bait is only for Flipping etc....

 

A 10-12" worm does seem to get better bites overall. I just find I do better if fishing slow, I never catch fish if I work them quickly like I can a Creature bait which can be a topwater, swimbait etc.

my favorite creature bait is a lizard

On 9/11/2017 at 8:25 AM, adam lancia said:

How about this scenario: a lake I usually fish has only really produced on a shakeyhead. But, there's lots of isolated grass clumps along the bank and they look pretty fishy to me. The water is on the clearer side of things (3-4 feet of visibility) so I'm still going to try a beaver-style bait, but I was wondering about a longish ribbontail worm too. With the fish liking a finesse presentation like a shakeyhead, would they typically be more likely to go after a worm versus a beaver-style bait...? I realize there isn't a surefire 100% answer here, more wondering if anyone has has a similar experience.

 

TIA!

I've fished similar situations. As much as I am a large creature/worm junkie, I've found that downsizing to a smaller finesse jig with a small creature or beaver can work magic in high pressure/high clarity situations. A beaver would probably work well too, but there's just something about that flaring skirt that triggers more strikes. Try a small 1/4 or 3/16 oz jig with a smaller 3" beaver or creature. Baby brush hogs, 3" paca or chigger craws are good choices for trailers. You'll still get the big strikes too, like you normally would with a traditional size jig. Just be sure to work it really slow. I'll shake it and twitch it for a good minute near cover of any kind and watch them come out of the woodwork. This is the one scenario where I get way more bites on bottom than on the fall. Hope that helps.

On 9/18/2017 at 2:27 PM, BarefootBassin said:

I've fished similar situations. As much as I am a large creature/worm junkie, I've found that downsizing to a smaller finesse jig with a small creature or beaver can work magic in high pressure/high clarity situations. A beaver would probably work well too, but there's just something about that flaring skirt that triggers more strikes. Try a small 1/4 or 3/16 oz jig with a smaller 3" beaver or creature. Baby brush hogs, 3" paca or chigger craws are good choices for trailers. You'll still get the big strikes too, like you normally would with a traditional size jig. Just be sure to work it really slow. I'll shake it and twitch it for a good minute near cover of any kind and watch them come out of the woodwork. This is the one scenario where I get way more bites on bottom than on the fall. Hope that helps.

That is really helpful, I'll keep that in mind for the next time out. Thanks!