Plastic Worm Selection
How To Make The Right Choice

Choosing a plastic worm was once an easy task. There weren't many styles, 
shapes and colors. Not so today.
The choices can be bewildering. "Do I want an 8 inch ripple tail in bubble gum or a 4-inch slider in motor oil?" Yet, the variety of styles and colors offer bass anglers a better chance of catching fish. According to professional anglers choosing the right worm for the right situation can be relatively simple, with a little common sense and rudimentary knowledge of bass behavior. With the great variety of worms available today, one seems to fit every situation. In choosing a worm you must consider the two senses bass use most to determine whether they'll strike. No. 1 is feel, and No. 2 is sight. So worm action is the most important factor. For a bass to look at a plastic worm, then strike, the fish must sense the lure's vibrations, then see it move. Water temperature and clarity — which determine a bass's feeding habits — will determine the choice in worms. Although many anglers — professionals and amateurs — also choose worms based on the lure's color and scent, it complicates what should be an easy choice. The last thing a bass does before striking a lure is notice what color it is. And if the lure looks edible, the fish doesn't sit there and sniff; it either strikes the lure or leaves it alone. Following is a guide to help choose the right worms for any situation. For reference, cold water is defined as being below the 68 degree spawning temperature, and warm water is the post-spawn level beginning at approximately 75 degrees.

The Basics: Despite the variety of worms available, they can be divided into a few simple categories. Small worms are 4 to 6 inches long, and large worms measure 7 to 12 inches. Worms with little action and vibration are characterized by straight tails. Worms with intermediate action have ripple tails like the original Culprit. Worms with the most action and vibration have wide curls like the Gator Tail by Ditto. Bass, of course, are not as active in cold water as in warm. To identify prey, they rely more on sight than vibration in clear water; more on vibration than sight in stained water. In cold water, use small worms with little action; in warm water, choose large worms with more action. In clear water, use small worms with little action and vibration; in muddy water, choose large worms with lots of action and vibration. When big fish are abundant, use a large worm. Where small fish are plentiful, a small worm. A 12 inch fish is more likely to run away from a 12 inch worm than strike it. Use the same basic rules for choosing the color of your worm that you would for any other lure. In clear water, use bright and natural colors; in muddy water, use dark colors. Chartreuse is excellent for both muddy and clear water.

The Advanced Formula
Clear water, cold temperatures: Choose small, brightly colored worms with little action — Sliders, the Do-Nothin' and Ringworms. The Do-Nothin' is particularly good for fishing bottom structure.
Clear water, warm temperatures: This, most often, is a deepwater situation. You want a worm with little water resistance. Fish a 4 to 6 inch, brightly colored worm on light line. The worm should have little action and no curl in the tail. Bounce it on the bottom.
Stained water, cold temperatures: Choose a 4 to 6 inch dark-colored worm with little action.
Stained water, warm temperatures: This is where you want action in the worm. Three factors are important: noise, vibration and sight. Choose a bulky worm, and base lure length on the size of fish available. 
Muddy water, cold temperatures: Vibration is important. Choose a 6 inch, dark colored worm with a wide tail. Some professional anglers use plastic grubs with curled tails, rigging them Texas-style.
Muddy water, warm temperatures: Make a choice similar to the stained water, warm temperature situation — the largest and noisiest worms.

Despite the trends in size and color, the basics still hold true. Choosing a worm based on water clarity and temperature is the best route to success.