I used to fish some club tournaments years ago, in the late 1980s. I made friends with an older club member who won and placed in the top three many times by using a Culprit 7.5" worm in blk/blue.                                                 Frank's methods of fishing were very simple, and he usually only carried three rods on board. His favourite time to fish these events was in the hottest time of the year.                                        One rod was rigged with a jig/ pork frog combo, one with a spinnerbait or Rattletrap, and the last rod was always rigged with a light T rig and a Culprit plastic worm. The spinnerbait/trap rod was his "search" rod. Marking out some good spots beforehand, he cast a spinnerbait at various depths looking for active fish.  Once he determined the fish were in that area, he moved in with the Culprit worm, and fished slowly, and worked the area over thourouly, before moving on.                                                        For me at the time, it was a lesson in simplicity, and I've carried Culprit worms along ever since.                  These worms were first sold in 1977, and as far as I know, have no salt or scent added. I mostly use the 7.5" model, but have used the 10" as well. The larger worm works great fished weightless, reeled slowly over the top of any weeds or vegitation. These are considered an old school classic plastic worm now. I like blk/blue, or any purple/grape shades. I've had the best luck over the years T rigging them, with a 3/0 hook and the lightest sinker I can cast.                                 Imitation could be considered a form of flattery, and, there's been many worms since that have copied the ribbon tail design. I love em.                                   Are you a fan of the Culprit worms? What colors do you like, and what's your favourite way to rig them?

I rarely use their worms, but the Culprit Incredi-Bug is probably one of the best, and most overlooked beaver/creature style baits out there imo.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Culprit_Incredi-Bug_6pk/descpage-CIBG.html

the FatMax is one of my go to baits....always have used Culprits, any color as long as it's redshad...........

Culprits were real popular in the 80's with the Mart Twain Lake crowd . Numerous tournaments were won with them . I used them some but relied more on lizards and Jelly Worms .

24 minutes ago, crypt said:

the FatMax is one of my go to baits....always have used Culprits, any color as long as it's redshad...........

My boss used to live in FL and he swears by the red shad culprit worm

2 minutes ago, BassNJake said:

My boss used to live in FL and he swears by the red shad culprit worm

I knew a lot of people who liked that red shad color .

The Fat Max and Original worms are fantastic. I haven't fished any yet, but they've been releasing some interesting craws/creatures too

 

In mid-Florida you're dealing with Florida-strain, so I prefer a plastic worm with some bulk, and the Fat Max fills the bill.

 

About 5 years back, Lois & I vacationed in Lac Seul, Ontario for northern pike.

One of our best producers was a Culprit Fat Max rigged weedless on a Mepps #5 Anglia.

 

Roger

Culprit has a very nice red shad color - but other Culprit colors frankly do not inspire confidence . Zoom colors such as their Green Pumpkin , Black and Blue flake , June Bug , Red Bug , Plum and Watermelon Red flake are gold standard colors for my worm fishing ... Tough to argue with Berkley Power Worms in Green Pumpkin or Black and Blue flake either .

I have been using Zoom worms for so long I didn't have any Culprit worms until recently. I have the 7.5" worms in Fire & Ice, Crawdad, and Grape Shad. Fire & Ice is the only color I have tried so far and caught a small one on it. I rig mine on a 3/0 hook with an 1/8 ounce sinker. Hope to be able to get out and try the others next week.

.....red shad, tequila sunrise, craw dad, fire n ice, june bug

Culprit Black Shad has been one of my go to worms for 20 years

I use to be a big fan. Of a smaller versions of Culprits. But they just dried up and are almost impossible to get locally. Very productive on river Smallies. Just moved on because I could not easily get them. 

10" & 12" in Black & California 420 Texas rigged with 6/0 & 8/0 EGW Gamakatsu. Primarily at night.

On 7/28/2020 at 3:51 PM, BassNJake said:

My boss used to live in FL and he swears by the red shad culprit worm

That was my go to bait for many years. I won a tournament using them. 

Used culprit worms almost exclusively in the 80's and 90's. That was also probably the last time I bought them. Same with Slug-o's. No particular reason, except that my fishing has changed. I'd rather throw a jig or creature bait than a worm.

Culprits were my main baits in the 80s. In my home lake, black shad was the color. Red shad second. In tannic water,  moccasin ,red shad , or black grape seemed to be best. In very clear water, motor oil.

If you could just pick one, red shad was it.

I still have them with me every trip. I did like the older, heavier ones the best. Now, they seem lighter so you cant throw them as far. 7.5 is my favorite size. My biggest bass on a culprit is 7 1/4  pounds.