Does anyone use a swimming worm? If so what do you use and where.  Looking to try something in a lake that has heavy nasty grass, lillipads and some rocks.  Would this also be good for small or large mouth bass? and would it work on a river too?

Put one of these

on one of these

OOO what brand is that worm? Will it work in heavy grass filled lakes?

Strike King Rage Tail Cut-R.

Works in grass, wood, pads, rocks....you name it.  With 1/16 weighted hook, you can work it across the tops of pads and emergent grass...tossing into deeper cover, use 1/8 or 3/16

If I want it a little more finesse-y, I'll swap the Cut-R for a 7" SKRT Thumper

UV Speed Worm and Rage Cut R

 

 

 

Mike

Try fishing with some Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Worms.

Rage Tail Cut-R

I swim all kinds of plastics, simply Texas Rig em with 1/8-1/4 oz weight & speed reel it across the surface.

 

Y'all gotta try a Ultravibe Speed Craw 

I had Texas rigged 10 and 12 inch worms (both straight and ribbon tail) and swam them across cover or even pads with great success. Best let fish have it 3 or 4 seconds for one that big before you try for a hook-up.

 

Last winter I bought SAVAGE GEAR 3D Snake in the 12" model. Can't wait for a little warmer temperatures because I know how big a snake a bass will tackle much less a worm.  I'm sure we have all caught a 5" bass on a 5" jerk-bait... Imagine what a 10 pound plus bass will go after.

 

2 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Put one of these

on one of these

Do you just swim it or twitch it or drag it across the bottom? Ever use one w/o weight? Any favorite color while I'm at it?

There is no one way to fish a swimming worm.  You can buzz them topwater, swim like a traditional swim bait, or drop into vegetation or wood and fish like a Texas rig...all in the same cast if you choose.  Fish can be moody like my wife so sometimes you just have to figure out what they want.

12 minutes ago, RDB said:

There is no one way to fish a swimming worm.  You can buzz them topwater, swim like a traditional swim bait, or drop into vegetation or wood and fish like a Texas rig...all in the same cast if you choose.  Fish can be moody like my wife so sometimes you just have to figure out what they want.

Can you buzz them topwater with weight? I guess you'd have to reel it in pretty fast? I recently caught a couple decent size bass with Rage Cut R - for the first time with it! - by just reeling it in slowly. I need to try the other tricks next time, though. 

50 minutes ago, Eddie101 said:

Can you buzz them topwater with weight? I guess you'd have to reel it in pretty fast?

 

Hold you rod up & reel moderately fast, you'll be surprised how easy.

One of my most productive top water baits for the past few years has been the Magnum Speed Worm. 

I’ve done the same with a Cut R when they want a smaller, slower presentations. 
It swims better on top than the 4” speed worm. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

31 minutes ago, Mike L said:

One of my most productive top water baits for the past few years has been the Magnum Speed Worm. 

I’ve done the same with a Cut R when they want a smaller, slower presentations. 
It swims better on top than the 4” speed worm. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

When you say swim, do you jerk it or just add a slight twitch to a presentation? Sometimes I'd use 1/4 oz weight - is that too heavy for either of those applications? I'm thinking about maybe using 1/8 or even 1/16 when the water warms up a bit. 

@Eddie101 

Depending on where I throw it. 
If over a pad field, which is deadly, I’ll make a steady retrieve and drop in any hole. Once it hits I always shake a little, bring it out and continue. 
For that I only use the magnum with no weight. 
 

If swimming over submerged vegetation I use a steady retrieve.

I want it to stay just on top, never felt the need to twitch or jerk. 

If throwing through and around emergent grasses I’ll periodically drop it next to clump, shake, then continue in.

The only variation to a steady retrieve I’ll give the reel a few quick turns when approaching a clump before I drop it alongside. 

The only size weight I use is a 3/16. That’s for either sizes of the speed worm or Cut R. 
I use both or just one on every outing. 
 

Keep in mind down here the vast majority of the time the water depth is in the 2ft to 6ft range. 

 

 

Mike
 

 

14 minutes ago, Mike L said:

@Eddie101 

 

The only variation to a steady retrieve I’ll give the reel a few quick turns when approaching a clump before I drop it alongside. 
 

 

 

Mike
 

 

Appreciate that, Mike. I will change my routine next time I'm out there, and will definitely try that "quick turn" trick which I've used on a crankbait in the past, but never on a worm. Sounds like a winner!

Thanks for all the replies everyone! Going to try and get out today after some homework and chores around the house. Have a Happy Easter and Tight Lines!

The original swimming worm came from Florida. Use a Zoom Trick Worm or Creme Scoundrel. Put a good swivel about 12" up the line and rig the worm with a kink where it threads on the hook.                                                               This causes the worm to spin on the retrieve Doug Hannon sold a version of this one pre rigged years ago.

Try a Texas Rigged Rage Tail Lobster, bullet weight, reel it on top like a frog.

 

Try ribbontail worms reeled just under the surface.

So, who has the "best price" on those swimming worms these days? 

If you are fishing over grass and structure, I have three options depending on how muddy or clear the water is.... for clear water I like the Berkley Power Worm 7in with a 1/8oz bullet weight and a 4/0 straight shank.   For muddy water I like either the Rage Tail Anaconda or the Zoom O'l Monster with a 5/0 straight shank hook and depending on depth either weightless or with an 1/8oz bullet weight. 

Zoom Speed Worm is a confidence bait but the Gambler Burner Worm is a player, too.

 

Rage Cut R falls apart too easily. I went through an entire bag yesterday. What’s a more durable alternative?

Just now, lynxcat said:

Rage Cut R falls apart too easily. I went through an entire bag yesterday. What’s a more durable alternative?

Zoom ultravibe hold together really well for me. Lasts multiple catches.