Floating worms, the name is misleading but they catch a lot of bass. They don't really float but rather sink at a slow rate. Usually they are fished as a sight bait; by that I mean you see the fish take it, but at times you'll need to let it go under and "feel" the strike. Bass don't make jarring strikes on these baits but rather you will feel a small tick or just see the line move. Colors for these baits can be anything from nature shad to bubble gum. Why a fish would eat something as bright as the sun is a secret only the bass know, but they will and that is all we as anglers really need to know.

The bright color does help the angler in watching for the strike in stained water or when dragging it through weeds. There are different ways of hooking the bait; the most common being the Texas rig, where the hook is hidden back into the body of the worm making it weedless. The wacky worm style is with the hook point exposed, the hook is stuck through the center of the worm so that when it is twitched it flexes then straightens back out. A weed guard is needed on this hook as the point is exposed, dead sticking with this rig is one of the most productive methods. Cast it out and let it float to the bottom, wait a few seconds then move it a couple of inches and let it sit again. When Bass are hitting slow this can trigger a strike but it takes a lot of patience.

I will tie a swivel to my main line then add about ten inches of leader and tie on the hook when fishing a floating worm, this helps keep line twist down and adds just enough weight to give it a different look.

These baits are not just for shallow water, I fish them around boat docks in 30 foot of water, here I don't allow it to reach the bottom but only let it sink a few feet. Bass suspend under the docks will often swim out after an easy meal and the floating worm is a little different look than spinner baits and crankbaits or even jigs that they may see several times a day.

By fishing slow and using light line I have caught bass fishing behind other anglers, useful in our high pressured lakes where on any given Saturday there could be 300 anglers or more fishing the same areas as you.

When bass are moving up to their spawning beds the floating worm can be one of the best baits, keeping it in their face long enough to make them strike it. When fishing bedding fish, often the male bass will take it first; then if you work it slow the larger female will move in to protect the nest. I feel these fish should be released as soon as possible to insure they can spawn and give the lake next years bass a chance. I will not target bedding bass in a tournament; it is my choice; there are always some bass that have already spawned out and those that have not yet moved in to spawn that can be caught. And just because I can see a fish, doesn't mean I can make her bite, these fish are shallow and that means they are nervous and spook easy.

As always Catch all you want, keep only want you need and release the rest for the future of fishing.