are there any ways to make each worm last longer?? i thread about 3/4 of the worm onto my leader, and after 5-10 casts my leader has ripped through most of the worm, or has ripped so that my hook, which started off near the tail of the worm is now near the top resulting in short strikes ...i've seen some of the new plastics that claim to be nearly indestructable in some bass mags, might have to give those a try...i've been going through a bag a trip now, i'd like to be able to make them last and have them stay put on my leader where my hook will stay near the tail...any suggestions???

If you are tearing up the worm prematurely, then take a look at "why". Are you threading the leader up through the worm with a threader, or running the hook down through the worm? What kind of knot are you using on the hook? If it is an egg loop and you are threading the hook down through the worm, the knot will tear the worm more that using a threader. However, it is way more convenient to do it that way, so just put a small piece of yarn (half inch) in the egg loop after the worm is threaded. That will keep it from tearing through. Or you can change the knot you use on the hook to whatever you use for your swivel, it won't tear up the worm when you run the hook down through it. If you are side drifting the rig, try using a small corkie above the worm to keep the worm head from hanging in the rocks.

Or use blue worms...I hear they are tougher (j/k)

i use a large sewing needle to thread the worms onto my leaders, and i always use a bead or small corky between the hook and worm...i use an egg loop knot and occasionally will tie a tiny piece of yarn in the loop to hold scent, but the knot is not a factor in the premature destruction of my plastics...maybe it's the brand of plastics...my favorites are the seducers, they've got super action and come in at least 4 shades of pink, 2 sizes(4 1/2" and 3"), but them being that soft and supple sacrifices durability...anyone else??

Aahh, the age old question... extending the life of the pink worm...

... I might suggest a visit to the doc for a viagra prescription...


GS

pjilpac33, since i use pink worms almost exclusively for steelies, i have found using a bead inbetween the hook and the worm ineffective, but i have heard of using a sequin, there found in your local craft store, or your wifes craft stuff...ive never used them, but they might be the ticket, i just cant find them in clear.. **berkley boy**

I second the bead thing. I have used the worm exclusively as of late. Those things produce some serious results. Yamamoto's worms seem to last a bit longer than berkeley or seducer. If you can find em.

Usually, it's a submerged limbs, or root wad that does damage to worms. If you tangle with the shrubbery, you either end up losing your gear, or messing up the worm to where it has to be replaced. Fish like this type of habitat, so you are going to go through a good quantity of worms to catch fish. No way around it.

Rocks tend to grab your lead or swivel, but don't seem to kill the worm. If you're presentation is weighted correctly, it should bounce along on the rocks with no problems for a long time. Usually, your lead/swivel will get pinched in a rock and you lose the entire setup. Worm is still probably just fine...sitting on the bottom.

If you're not hookin' in to submerged woody debris and you're worm is failing, I'd start to examine how I was casting that worm.

The proper cast for a worm is a gentle, smooth, high, big arced cast. You want that worm to gently land straight down on the water. More often than not, most people cast a worm like a corky/yarn combo - hard, straight, and skip it off the water two or three times. Casting this way will almost *always* destroy a worm in a short few casts.

If that still doesn't help, I'd look in to a new worm. Here's a hint - Try some of those bass boys for your source of worms. They will be cheaper, more robust, and in all, and really darn good product. I get my worms in bulk for around .10 a worm.

Finally, I expect to lose around 20 tied up worms per person, per day of fishing. Or, if I'm fishing with Bob, ramp that up to at least 30! (Sorry Corey! ) Tie up a roll full, and it's no problem.

Bob - next February I'll bring my own roll (or 3) of worms. You probably still haven't caught up from my day of donating your worms to the fish and river!

thanks for all the responses, these worms really do produce well and i have been fishing them exclusively in all drift fishing situations and when it's float and jig time, 75% of my jigs are tipped with el wormo..those seducer 10 packs have been costing me $4 each, i agree parker, i am digging through magazine stacks right after this post for my old bass pro shop catalogs, maybe i'll finally be able to afford to get one of these beasts i've been catching on the worm mounted ...and a lot of the damage to my plastics is probably due to root wads and such...one more question: after getting snagged up and breaking off several pink worms in the same hole, do those fish holding there become conditioned to the worm and refuse to hit it any longer?? i see quite a few accomplished anglers on the bb's talking of using pink worms, but i never see anyone else on the rivers i fish using them(that is until my fishing partners see me hook hog after hog on 'em)..long live the pink worm!! tube jigs are my next experiment

worms, what worms parker??? steelhead won't bit a pink worm will they??

Sounds like a lot of good advice.

You might try pulling a bobber stopper with a drop of super glue on it into the wormhead.

Also most of my soft plastics will repair fairly well using a lighter to melt ragged parts together.


"When anyone asks me how I can best describe my experience in nearly forty years at sea, I merely say, uneventful. Of course there have been winter gales, and storms and fog and the like. But in all my experience, I have never been in any accident... or any sort worth speaking about. I have seen but one vessel in distress in all my years at sea. I never saw a wreck and never have been wrecked nor was I ever in any predicament that threatened to end in disaster of any sort."
E. J. Smith, 1907, Captain, RMS Titanic

Try "Prolong".

Rigging them on a jighead with a stinger tied in the tail may work for worms under floats. I have only caught cutthroat on worms so far, you you guys must be pulling my leg.