In my observations and what I've heard, the 2 most common ways the pink worm is used for steelhead fishing is driftfishing and floatfishing them with the same leader and lead weight rigup. 3rd is likely backtrolling them on double hooks with a diver, as you would a sandshrimp. For these methods the best around are the Vision worms, mostly in Washington but spreading, and the Seducer worms from the Oregon coast. However, if you haven't tried pinching off about 1/2" off the larger end of the 4" pink worm and threaded it around the hookshank of a quality 1/4 oz. jighead, leaving about 1 1/4" dangling upward of the jig, scented, and floatfished you are missing out on a very productive way to fish these killers! And you lose less gear this way. I like the 4" pink Berkley Powerbait worms for jigs the best - why is stated below. ....

I have used both the Vision/Seducer worms and the 4" pink Powerbait scented "Steelie Crawler". The reason I think the latter is better on jigheads is they are ringed and slightly more ridgid and this works very well with the Mark Anderson style jighead rigup (he has shown me this season). We leave the 1 1/4" over-hanging tail skewed around the hookbend such that it sticks up at about a 70 degree angle rearward when the jig hangs flat, hookpoint up. What I have noticed from observation comparison is that the Berkley worm tail wiggles up and down better than the slinkier handpours when the float bounces on riffles. I think it's the ensuing action that makes the difference for the Berkley when using jigheads. I like them in Mark's gold or silver jigheads for clearwater flash, or in pink when the water is a little colored. Black works fine, as does white with black dot eyes. And while pink may be the best worm option, it isn't the only color worm that works well. So does the black with chartruse tip. Try the trans red and trans purple, with shinny gold or brass jighead, in gin clear water! Float them about a foot or 2 off bottom. Steelies pull the pink worm float under more aggresively than they do egg clusters. Set it - fish on! ...

And who is going to be the first to rig up a 6" pink worm to land a big springer? Unless someone already has.

[ 04-26-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

Try a little pink sluggo! There non scented but we fish selective with them! They hqave been responcible for some very nice catches this season. B Gray is the master of the jig head/sluggo bobber rig.

Bob D

Those seducer worms are great. Can you say Lil thumper. I have had good success on that Lil bugger. I haven't tried the vision worms, but they make the color I like so much, so I'll have to get some.

Don't be scared, the pink worm is your friend.

Mike

I'm starting to think they'll hit any pink worm under the right conditions but it makes sense about the rings on the Powerbait maybe giving it more action.

Just to be safe, I stick to unscented ones when I'm in C&R, selective rules water.

So is there a consensus that the Powerbait worms would be technically illegal on a C&R, no-bait section of river? Or not?

By the way - ixnay on the luggosay.

Bruce

Oh yeah, if we're going to be plugging our favorite brands - I get all my jigheads (and jigs) from Rainbow Jigs . I haven't gotten ahold of any of their gammy heads but I'm looking forward to it.

Springers on a pink worm. Very interesting Mr. Jones....

[ 04-11-2001: Message edited by: B. Gray ]

I've been messing around with the pink worms for awhile now and have found another method that works well for them. They make these hooks for walleye fishing that are similar to jigs except they float and have little faces painted on them and wooble in the current. I think they are designed for trolling or something but never used them as your supposed to so I don't know. Anyways, take them in your favorite coloer (pink/white or Chartrouse/white) and take about an inch of the 4" worm. I drift this the same as a corkie but increase the leader length just a little. I've never seen this method before but I've had excellent success with it. The jig I'm talking about is the uppside down one in the lower right corner at: http://www.caribou.ca/english/catalog/jigs.html

Very interesting rc.... I too have been buying up a lot of bass stuff. Not only different 'fishy' looking jigheads, but a multitude of wiggly rubber bass 'thingys' to try on steelies. Some you just know are going to work before you ever try them!

I have been tying a few jigs with pink woms on them. Great idea! Thanks for the tips RT. You still da man!

Anyone try the 6" pink worm with shrimp oil for springers yet? Try tipping it with a small piece of eggs or sandshrimp tail. ...

The first guy that hooks one up a tributary with this rigup wins a brand new ... ah, nah ... is just a darn cool fisherman!

RT

Not to throw a kink in anyones armor....but when did it become the so called "Mark Andersons" style to thread a worm on a jig head???
I was doing it long before I ever heard it on this BB and it wasn't Mark that told me about it....But he was the first to use those cute little brass ones....Os

Must be an Oregon thing

Btw I landed a nice springer last year on a proto-type "worm collar" and power-worm

[ 04-19-2001: Message edited by: Osprey ]

Os, I call it the Mark Anderson rigup for me, not for some kind of commercial name or something; because he showed it to me. And for you to have learned that before I did, I must say you are one sly ol' dog.

[ 04-26-2001: Message edited by: RT 1 ]

Haven't caught a springer, but have caught a fall king on a worm on a jig. Actually, want another worm alternative? Try using a pink leech fly. I set up a standard driftrig, but instead of a hook w/lure or eggloop I tie a leech on it. I've found it swims much better then a worm. Has more of a natural drift. You can tie them up on a jig, similar to a rabbit fur jig, instead you add about a 3-4 inch tail then tie up towards lead head.

I feel just about anything can catch a fish if put in the right situation. I also feel if you think you've thought of it, someone probably already has. Taking credit is impossible. I know I have tied up some really wild out there flies. I ran across an old (and actually color illustrated) steelhead flies book from the 50's and a couple of MY flies were in there with names. But I understand what RT is saying. But I still take credit for my new jigs and I'll have those out to you soon, I promise RT. I have given some to Os and he forwarded some to Yall. I'm still in redesign and remodification. But they've worked pretty good so far.