John’s Note: Quite possibly the most-versatile bass lure ever created, the plastic worm belongs in every angler’s tackle box. His daddy was oil. His mother was heat, and his mentor was a fisherman. He swam into the world of bass fishing years ago and left such a definitive mark on the sport that no angler would consider searching for bucketmouths without him. Many sportsmen believe he is the most lifelike bait around, and some say he has the most action of any lure. And most agree that when bassing is tough, the plastic worm is the weapon on which you can rely to catch bass. Study these tactics to learn more about how the worm is bringing bass to the boats for the pros.

One of the advantages of the Texas rigged worm is that it can be fished in, through, over or beside any type of cover.

A worm rigged this way is totally weedless and can be thrown into any type of cover where bass may be holding. Using a 7 or a 7-1/2 foot flipping stick, the worm can be flipped to the heart of the cover and allowed to drop through the structure to where shallow water bass are holding.

However, as Gary Klein, (http://www.garykleinfishing.com) nationally-known bass pro from Weatherford, Texas, explains, “Many times, especially when the water is falling, bass become extremely skittish. If you cast a heavy lead and a big worm in on top of them, you will spook them. You can tell if you are spooking fish if you cast in, and you watch the bass move away from the cover when the lure hits. When I see this happen, I know that the fish want a soft presentation. I’ll flip my worm into the limbs of the bush and allow it to hang there for a minute. Then slowly and easily, I will let the worm down into the water.

If I am fishing logs, I may flip the worm up on top of the log and then pull the worm carefully off the log, so that it slides into the water. If there is a bass lying under that log, it will attack the bait and won’t be spooked by it.

The softest presentation that you can make is to flip the worm onto the bank and drag it into the water, so that it makes absolutely no sound. Then you know for sure that you won’t spook the bass. And, if that fish prefers a slow, quiet bait, you can catch it. I really believe that there is no deadlier tactic for catching shallow water bass than flipping. And the best two baits to flip, in my opinion, are the plastic worm rigged Texas style and the pig and jig.”

To get “How to Win a Bass Tournament: Personal Lessons from 8 Pro Bass Fishermen,” “Reelfoot Lake: How to Fish for Crappie, Bass, Bluegills and Catfish and Hunt for Ducks,” “Catch the Most and Biggest Bass in Any Lake: 18 Pro Fishermen’s Best Tactics” and “How to Bass Fish Like a Pro,” click here.

About the Author

John Phillips, winner of the 2012 Homer Circle Fishing Award for outstanding fishing writer by the American Sportfishing Association (AMA) and the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors.

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