Hi all,

 

Being 3 weeks into fishing, I thought it a good idea to sanity check my soft plastics usage so here goes;

* Drop Shot, size 1/0 drop shot hook with a strike king 3x elaztech finesse worm size is 4” or KVD Drop Shot Shad 4"

Reason: I think the size goes well with a 1/0 hook and these are the most floaty bait

* Shaky Head, shop bough jig with size 2/0 hook and Roboworm straight tail 4.5”

Reason: This bait is slimmer than others so when skin hooking, I find it is easier to set the hook plus the Roboworm’s tail floats nicely

* Wacky, size 2/0 Finesse Wide Gap and Senko 5' Worm Weightless

Reason: is there anything else for this style ?

* Texas, size 2/0 EWG Worm hook and Zoom Finesse Worm 4.5”

Reason: Like Goldilock’s quest for the perfect porridge, I find these just right; Senko too thick while Roboworm too slim.

 

Being a newbie, please do not hesitate to let me know if something in my approach is quite right or there are better options out there.

 

Best wishes

 

Matthew

I might honestly implement some of these into my approach. Never thought of using a RoboWorm for shakey head fishing.

Please list why you like little lures?

You could spend your life looking for "better options" or you could use what you have and catch fish. I think your list is on point.

I might honestly implement some of these into my approach. Never thought of using a RoboWorm for shakey head fishing.

You haven't? Their 6" and 7" sizes are very common for it.

I use smaller lures as my lake isn't known for big bass plus being new to fishing, it is fun to catch a few rather than wait for the elusive big one.

Well...I think "sanity" is a bit overkill for the topic, hehehe.

This:

* Texas, size 2/0 EWG Worm hook and Zoom Finesse Worm 4.5”

Reason: Like Goldilock’s quest for the perfect porridge, I find these just right; Senko too thick while Roboworm too slim.

You mention a Senko is too thick and Roboworm too slim...a Senko is not a finesse worm. It's apples and oranges. I don't disagree with your Zoom choice though I've never used them, but a Zoom finesse worm & Roboworm aren't really used the same way as a Senko.

I find a Senko too thick for Texas, my bite ratio dropped but a Standard Roboworm too slim that's why I opted for the Zoom Finese worm, it is a little thicker and 0.5" longer to try and tempt the bigger fish

Your hookup ratio dropped because a 2/0 hook t-rigged into a senko is borderline too small. Move up to a 3/0 hook and watch that t-rigged senko shine.

And for the record, the zoom trick worm will do all those things and catch numbers AND size.

*shrug*

( I am not suggesting that the trick worm can replace a wackyrigged senko- but a weightless trickworm t-rigged does the job in the same setting many times. )

Thanks kikstand. My thinking was to use a smaller hook and slightly smaller bait as a way to catch more fish.

Thanks for the lesson.

^^^^ that is generally good thinking.

But largemouth especially will take on much larger prey than you would expect for their size. I catch a TON of 1lb bass on a shakey head trick worm. That's a 7" bait.

Your hookup ratio dropped because a 2/0 hook t-rigged into a senko is borderline too small. Move up to a 3/0 hook and watch that t-rigged senko shine.

And for the record, the zoom trick worm will do all those things and catch numbers AND size.

*shrug*

( I am not suggesting that the trick worm can replace a wackyrigged senko- but a weightless trickworm t-rigged does the job in the same setting many times. )

I believe the bag of Yum Dingers even recommends 4/0

Hi Bass&PanMan,

OK, so you want to use small hooks and baits. That is OK but not for every setup. I suggest you change your Texas rig to a 3/0 worm hook with a 6 1/2" Zoom Trick worm in Black or June Bug. I personally like June Bug Red. This is not a big sized bait that you can skin hook or not. I like a 1/16oz Tungsten weight. You can cast this a good distance and it will catch all sizes of Bass.

Even if you don't try this suggested combo you should have at least one setup that isn't Finesse. Maybe even a 1/4oz jig. You need to broaden your horizons if you want to be a successful bass fisher.

Frank

Thanks Frank, I am going to give the seemingly huge (6 & 1/2') Zoom Trick worm a go today.

 

One last question, is there any other purpose to the bullet weight when Texas rigging other than to help with casting distance ?

You might try a Baby Brush Hog TX rigged as a change from a worm.

On the shaky head you might try a Hag's Tornado. When rigged on a Texas rig or a Shaky Head the worm will stand completely vertical.

I find a Senko too thick for Texas, my bite ratio dropped but a Standard Roboworm too slim that's why I opted for the Zoom Finese worm, it is a little thicker and 0.5" longer to try and tempt the bigger fish

Thats why I use the 6" fat roboworms. Perfect diameter for shakeyheads IMO.

I've just got some so will give it a go today