Using plastic worms to catch bass

This week is part three of a four part series about "plastic worm" fishing methods. Plastic worms are by far the most versatile lure there is today. The plastic worm comes in many sizes, shapes, colors and styles and can be used in almost any imaginable situation using many worm methods.)

Part III

"Carolina Rigging"

The Carolina rig is the one of the oldest and most effective fishing methods used by today's tournament anglers in their search to catch largemouth bass. In tournament competition it is one of my more important tools in catching a limit of bass and securing top finishes.

The Carolina rig consists of nothing more than a half ounce, three-quarters ounce or one ounce slip sinker weight (weight size depends on depth of water you're fishing) threaded on the line ahead of a red or chartreuse bead ahead of a swivel. A two to seven foot leader line is then attached to the swivel (leader length depends on type of structure you're fishing: grass, rock or others), with a plastic lizard such as a Keeper Custom Worm six or seven and a half inch curly tailed worm or a Keeper four inch lizard, attached. They should always be rigged weedless to reduce hangups on structures.

The advantage to this method of rigging is that it allows the weight to bounce along the bottom while the worm or lizard floats behind the weight off the bottom which makes a more life like action to the bass. Also the weight and bead clack together while also banging against anything in its pathway making a noise underwater that helps attract bass and promotes impulse strikes on the worm or lizard by the bass.

The best time to use the Carolina rigging method is when bass are holding right off the bottom or suspending near the bottom. This method is easy to learn and anyone can catch fish with this method.

Good fishing

Chris Foster

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