Post spawn 75 degree water. Been catching decent sized 3s and 4s on secondary points 10' deep. I've also marked fish in 20+ near main lake points around isolated structure. I suspect the larger post spawn females are in deeper water and near the ledges too. 

 

What do you guys recommend for big Texas rigged worms? Haven't fished them much and would like to put in time with it. What rod length, power, and action are advisable? TIA.

I fish my big worms with a Gamakatsu magnum g-lock hook, 17-20lb fluoro, a dobyns fury 735 (although a 734 would work as well, I like the power and action of the 735), with a high speed tatula ct. 

 

Some of my favorite worms are yum mighty worms, xcite baits maximus worm, zoom mag ol' monster, culprit 12" worm, and 7" senko. Weights from 3/8 up to 3/4

Croakhunter pretty well nailed it. 

 

But I'm gonna be the guy, have you tried big cranks? 

Just now, NittyGrittyBoy said:

Croakhunter pretty well nailed it. 

 

But I'm gonna be the guy, have you tried big cranks? 

I'm in a kayak. Would love to throw a 10XD but can't the drag of the lure just pulls me to it. Working on a dual anchor system at the moment to keep me stationary for my 6, 8, and 10XD. 

 

Going to throw jigs too but the grass is coming in now. Hopefully it's not too bad yet for them.

Lake Havasu? Smallmouth or LMB?

Tom

I tend to select hook size based on the thickness of the piece of plastic rather than length.

 

Rod length is personal preference, 15-20' offshore structure, 7'3" to 8', in heavy fast or extra fast.

 

Weight size I'll throw a 10-14" worm with anywhere from 1/8-3/4 oz

 

Reels & lines doesn't matter!

50 minutes ago, WRB said:

Lake Havasu? Smallmouth or LMB?

Tom

Yessir Havasu. Largies. Trying to crack 7lb 3oz this year. There is also the big bass brawl kayak series going through summer. Every one puts $10 in the pot and  with biggest bass winner takes all. 

The LMB in desert lakes tend to prefer purple with red highlites in soft plastics including Havasu. Big bass at Havasu can't pass up a tiger salamander (water dog) now illegal in both AZ and CA.

I would look at Uptons Customs worm, his 9" straight tail is a big worm and 13" is as big as I use today. The double wide Beaver 5.20 DWB-016 for SMB is another choice.

Big Smallmouth in the 5 lb range tend to locate around the fish attractor structures, big LMB in tule pockets. 

Owner CPS hooks in 4/0 to 6/0 work good with the big worms and beavers.

Tom

Manns Jelly worm

Rage Recon for swimming it on down. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

I've fished the larger Mann's jelly worms, and Zoom monster too. This year I plan on trying the Mister Twister mag 12 buzz worm. Warmer weather or night fishing is when I've done best. I use a 6'6 med heavy casting rod, lead weights, and 4/0 hooks.

I use the zoom ol monster or magnum trick worms in deeper brushpiles during summer. Last year I tried the Netbait c-mac 11 inch worm it also works well.

I use either a 4/0 or 5/0 ewg hook. depending on which worm I am using.

My rod setup is a dobyns fury 734, with a Diawa Tatula ct. 

I usually use 40 pound braid for big worms. I am usually fishing farther from the boat and it helps with hooksets and feeling the bites. Our waters are stained and  I don't think line visibility is much of an issue in deeper water.

Rigging big worms and tackle isn't any different for me then any other worm presentation except everything is sized to match the hook with diameter and power needed to control the bass after it's hooked. 

I like the owner CPS Twistlock Flipping hooks around heavier cover and a Twist lock open gap laround moderate or sparsh cover because the spring keeps the work body from filling the hook  gap. Rod, reel and line is my standard jig /worm rod with 12 lb Big Game or 14 lb FC fishing deep rocky structure or 25 lb Armillo Nylon fishing tule cover edges and pockets, I don't use big worms punching or flipping heavy cover. Bullet weights 1/4 to 3/4 oz tungsten are smaller size for better feel and hook sets. I also like to use tempered faceted 8mm glass beads hologram brown or purple color.

Slow down the retreive and shake the big worms more often then hopping them and let the bass get the worm inside it's mouth before hook setting, timing takes practice.

Uptons colors I like are Aaron's Tragic, black grape w/blue neon,  Purple Thunder and Margurita red flake* RI Beaver in Big Texan. 

Tom

* good Havasu color.

The YUM Mightee worm and Strike King Bull Worm are both good ones. Zoom Ol' Monster and Netbait C-Mac are my go to baits if I want a swimming tail. 

 

I like to fish the straight tail worms on a swinging football head I pour just for them with a 7/0 monster worm hook but only 1/8oz head. It really lets them glide over rocks without snagging and they're plenty heavy to cast on their own so they don't need a bunch of extra weight. 

#1 presentation for ledge fishing:

 

 

Gamakatsu 5/0 ewg

Netbait C-Mac 11" (prefer this one due to scent)

Zoom Ol' Monster 10.5" (can find almost everywhere locally when I'm out of Netbait)

 

 

I usually throw them on a 7' MH/fast or 7'1" H/xfast rod. I use large worms a lot when fishing in Southeast during Summer months. 

 

35 minutes ago, Glenn said:

 

Just watched it on lunch 2 hours ago hahaha!

 

Thank you all for your feedback. I'm super amped up for the weekend fishing. Only running a 2D Sonar on the yak but my marker buoys arrive this afternoon. Anxious to get out there!

I have other brand worms and I should fish them more, but I always find myself rigging up a Mann's 9" or 12" Jelly Worm. I've used Jelly Worms for 45 years now and they have landed me hundreds of bass over the years. (Including my PB.) I did buy some big zipper worms this year and I'm saving those for a particular lake on the Arkansas border.