Not talked about much these days, but it used to be common during the summer months. What worms were typically used back then—something like a Zoom Dead Ringer, or something different?

I like the Zoom Ultravibe speed worms. I usually save a few that get torn up & will occasionally use as Spinnerbait, bladed jig or Jig trailers. 
 

They work great on shakey head jigs too. 

Zoom Z craw cut right down the middle get two trailers out of one Bait 

Back in the 80’s, it was common to fish a worm on a jig if the fish weren’t eating the whole worm, but just grabbing the tail.  The concept was the bulky head of a jig would prompt the fish to eat it better.  My choice back then was a Ditto Gator Tail worm.  Years later there was a trend to fish football jigs with a brushhog.  With the development of so many trailers now, I don’t even consider a worm as a trailer.

I save all my plastics, I use them in various ways. Then I melt them down and use them again.

When I do use new worms for trailers, I like ribbon tail or curly tail. I just cut them down or split the tail on a straight tail.

 

Love worms for jig trailers. Dead ringer is a tad thin for a thick jig hook but it’s my main worms for fishing, I use the 4” on light wire round ball jigheads. I would imagine it works fine but I can never keep the hook going straight thru it. I like U tail or speed worm better on skirted jig with thick hook. Also straight tail senko is good. Zoom fat Albert is another great jig trailer 

My best worm trailer on a flipping jig has always been the mag speed worm/senko.  I just save old worms for both.  Hot tip - the speed worm gets flapper ripped and doesn’t kick but that remaining flap is a great dead action beaver tail style attractant on the fall still.  Also you take it off completely and then it’s basically a fatter senko style trailer.

I have tried ribbon tails on jigs and the tail always seems to get fouled up in the skirt and weed guard and the semi exposed hook point.  I’m sure it would work fine but I think for that look I’d just go for a punch skirt on a t rig ribbon tail.

 

I just saw this in another thread the other day. A member posted a picture of a mop jig with a 10 inch worm as a trailer. Definitely gonna give worms a go soon and see what happens.

 

Edit: it was @GreenPig

On 12/30/2025 at 12:06 AM, Columbia Craw said:

Back in the 80’s, it was common to fish a worm on a jig if the fish weren’t eating the whole worm, but just grabbing the tail.  The concept was the bulky head of a jig would prompt the fish to eat it better.  My choice back then was a Ditto Gator Tail worm.  Years later there was a trend to fish football jigs with a brushhog.  With the development of so many trailers now, I don’t even consider a worm as a trailer.

i have 4 black / blue tail gator tails left, always used as a trailer

It's been a while but I use to use a 5in single tail grub from Yamamoto. 

On 12/31/2025 at 9:04 PM, detroit1 said:

i have 4 black / blue tail gator tails left, always used as a trailer

no replacement at all for this now days is there?

 

I usually have some sort of tore up worm lying on the floor of the boat. I'm not to picky and have used lots of different worms, lizards and craws. I have a sack full of bitten down Yum Dingers that I use for trailers and Neds.

I don’t use them on a traditional bass jig, but add one to a ball head jig as a down sized offering.