How are you supposed to "feel" your lure hit the bottom of the lake?

Question

I would like to learn how to fish soft plastic worms better, but when I weight them and cast them out, I'll wait and wait and wait until the worm hits bottom. The thing is I can never feel when it has. When enough time goes by I'm positive that it has but I'd have no way of knowing. I hear of tips with worms and jigs to hop the lure along until it hits the bottom again, and "feel" for the structure. What is preventing me from feeling it? Do i need a heavier weight? Please any and all information about this subject will help.

I think I should mention that this is for Largemouth Bass. I'm getting tips to use bobbers,so please don't give information about other fish besides Largemouth Bass which will strike a lure from the bottom.

Answer 1

I have fished The FLW tour and the Bassmasters tour. Since your begining use 12 lb. test line and an 1/8 or 3/16 weight. Rig your weight texas style. Use smaller worms around 6inch . Color wise junebug or green pumkin work just about every where in the country. When you cast out watch your line. Try to keep slack out of your line. when you line goes slack its on the bottom or a fish has picked it up. Usally if a fish has picked it up you will feel a thump or your line will move off. Once on the bottom slowly drag your worm only 6inches to a foot at a time. You will feel rocks and brush as it moves along. When you hop your worm its not as easy to feel whats on the bottom. Always remember trying to catch a bass with a worm is like playing with a cat with a toy on a string. The bass follows the worm sometimes just watching it. Stop it alot and let it lay there then drag or hop it quickly away. Worm fishing is one of the funest ways to fish for bass. Hope this helped. Bud Goeke You can google me to see I was telling the truth about fishing the tours. Goodluck

Answer 2

Bass Fisherman gets my vote on this one. He is a walking fishing encyclopedia. I rarely feel the worm hit bottom but watch for the line to go slack instead. My current worm rod is an All Star WR1, 6 1/2 foot, fast tip, medium heavy action. I can feel practically everything the worm bumps into with it.

Answer 3

Drop the worm straight down giving it all the slack it needs. Count while it is sinking. When the line begins to collect on top of the water, your worm has hit bottom. This will not always be accurate because water depths vary, but you will have some idea of how long it takes. Also, try using a lighter action rod as you will be able to feel vibration easier.

Answer 4

couple of suggestions...

thing about getting some braided fishing line. it has very little stretch and is very sensitive. you can get 17lb test that is about the same diameter as 6lb, etc. it's more expensive yes, but you don't wear it out much.

keep an eye on your line as it is sinking. keep the slack out and you'll notice when the weight stops sinking, because it hit the bottom. a heavy weight with about 1-3 foot leader is good. you can actually get floating plastic worms. the weight is on the bottom, and your worm will float a foot or so off the bottom, depending on the length of the leader.

Answer 5

hitting the bottom of the lake won't get you many fish. they like live things swimming around. my advice would be to use a smaller weight and add a bobber on the line as well. that way the worm will dangle but not hit the lake bottom giving you better chances of landing some nibbles.

Answer 6

what u need to do is count to 10 to 15 seconds after casting with a weight on your lure. in that time it should be at bottom.

Answer 7

rest your line between your thumb and index finger(like your barely pinching it) and you should feel it slide between your fingers when it stops it is on something that is probably the bottom.