by S B BLACK

Created on: June 10, 2009

There are hundreds of options available when it comes to fishing lures. They come in every size, shape and color imaginable and each one is designed to catch a specific fish. There is one "lure" out there that tends to be overlooked. It can be used to catch almost any type of fish and can quite often be found right in your own backyard. It is a worm.

When rigged properly a worm can be used quite effectively in spring and fall to catch any fish, large or small that is near the shore. The main goal is to make the worm look as natural as possible when cast into the water.

To rig your pole correctly all you will need is your pole with a good open-faced reel and a medium sized hook. Too large a hook will weigh down the worm and too small a hook will not hold the bigger fish. Starting with the head of the worm, thread the hook into the worm through the body until about the halfway point. Jab the hook out through the side of the body, leaving the tail of the worm to dangle free. Stretch the head of the worm up over the top of the hook and onto the fishing line until it looks like a straight worm with a hook out the side. The most important part is to be sure enough of the tail hangs free so it is still able to have live action in order to entice the fish.

This type of rigging allows the worm to look its most natural in the water. There are no bobbers, sinkers or swivels to detract from the bait or to weigh it down. The only thing the fish will see is the worm falling through the water.

The next step is to catch some fish. This will require a lot of moving on your part so be prepared to trek along the shoreline looking for structure in the water. This can be in the form of logs, weeds, steep drop offs or rock piles. Once you find a good structure flip your worm right out next to it and allow it to sink. If you don't immediately get a bite, reel it in. Try this only a few times in the same spot. If there is still no bite, try the other sides of the same structure. Continue moving along the shoreline from structure to structure using this same technique. If you aren't getting a bite, there are just no fish in the area.

This type of fishing requires some practice. Since there is no extra weight on the line it can be hard to differentiate between bites, snags and line movement from wind. That being said, this is still the simplest and most effective way to fish using a worm as bait.

Learn more about this author, S B BLACK.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.