I been throwing some of the big zoom worms and some of the 8 inch lizards. Just wondering what weight everyone throws for these bigger baits. I had been using a 1/4 but just wondering if it would hurt to go up to a 3/8?

The weight is determined on the depth fished and the amount/type of cover. I use 1/16 oz when swimming through shallow vegetation, none when surface fishing, 1/8 -3/16 when fishing timber or deep hydrilla, and heavier when fishing deep-the deeper I fish, the heavier weight I use.

The rate of fall I want accomplish determines what weight I use; sometimes I'll throw 3/16 oz in 20' of water and 3/8 in 10' of water.

i should have mentioned that the depth i fish with these baits are anywhere from 8 to 25 foot.

I really think depth and wind have much more to do with it, and, like Catt said, the rate of fall you want. I almost always want as slow as possible. However, in 25' of water you have to use a fairly big weight to get it down there in less than 30 seconds. I would say my general rule is 10' or less = 1/8- 3/16, 10-15 equals a 3/16- 1/4 and 15+ = 3/8-7/16

1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 for me. Half ounce is when I want my plastic to stay in contact on the bottom without bouncing especially in strong current.

I'll mostly use 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and sometimes even 3/4 or 1 oz on a C-Rig or fishing really deep.

Wind and depth determine what I am going to use.  most of the time I choose as small of a weight as possible to still feel good contact with bottom.

However, in 25' of water you have to use a fairly big weight to get it down there in less than 30 seconds.

What you in a hurry for? To see how many fish you can pass by?

So regardless of want the bass want y'all give em what y'all want?

A Carolina Rig is not a presentation that requires any rate of fall to be successful

Now a Texas Rig or a Jig-N-Craw will get bit on the initial fall making rate of fall extremely important.

^^^^^Agreed, but I know my limitations.

More often than not if I have to stand there and wait 45 seconds for the bait to get to the bottom I'm not going to wait long enough.   Something I need to work on for sure.

well lets say you go to a 3/8 do you have a possibility of when the fish bites the plastic that they will feel the weight or not?

well lets say you go to a 3/8 do you have a possibility of when the fish bites the plastic that they will feel the weight or not?

That's why I don't use Florida rig

What do you do with a jig?

Ya can not separate the weight from the bait because the weight is the bait.

Get the picture?

Don't worry about the bass feeling the weight instead worry about the proper rate of fall. Rate of fall is key to making the bass strike once the bass has decided to strike its instincts will tell it a certain amount of weight is expected.

that is a good point.