Summer 2006

Try This Wacky Way To Catch Bass

By ED NOONAN

Catch more bass, big bass with the Venom Salty Sling.

The black bass, both large and smallmouth alike, is the most sought after of all the freshwater gamefish. Their tenacious attitude when at the end of the anglers line and their antics once they realize they have been hooked, is second to none. The largemouth, when hooked, will try to gain his freedom by heading for the heaviest cover he can find; whereas the smallmouth quite often will head for the surface where he will tail-walk his way across the surface frantically shaking his head trying to throw the hook which is followed by a drag-pulling run for the bottom. The antics of both these bass will test not only the stamina and abilities of the angler, but also the soundness of their tackle.
With the growing popularity of catch and release and catch-photograph and release (CPR) the most popular baits used by bass anglers have been artificial; and there are now literally thousands of choices that come in all sizes and colors. As a bass fisherman for many years I know that my definition of a good bass lure has been one that first catches the anglers then the fish. I have a box full of good looking bass baits but when I get to the lake, there is one lure that always hits the water first, and it should definitely be in your bass-kit Ñ the wacky worm.
If you fish bass you should not be surprised because this bait has probably caught more large and smallmouth bass in the last five years than any other. I fish this bait, both in tournaments and when guiding, at least 90 percent of the time. The worm I use is the Venom (www.venomlures.com) 5-inch Salty Sling. It is offered in 24 different colors and all work.
To rig this bait I use a 3/0 Eagle Claw L741BP Kahle Hook which is pushed all the way through the center of the Salty Sling exposing the hook. This hook has been around for more than 20 years and its unique design with the point of the hook pointed toward the hook eye instead of towards the shank, makes it highly effective for a solid hookup. What this means is more fish with less effort.
Unlike other plastic-worm bait fishing, I fish this lure without any weight. This allows for a more natural life-like action when the bait is in the water. Because of the absents of weight, most anglers will find that the best tackle set up is a high speed spinning reel, at least 5.1:1 gear ratio, spooled with 10 pound test line on a medium action graphite 6-foot rod. The braided lines like Spider Wire, Fire Line and Stren Super Braid work quite well not only because of their strength and low stretch characteristics, but also their super sensitivity allowing the angler to feel the bite.
The beauty of this wacky worm technique is the simplicity needed to catch fish. Cast the Salty Sling out, when the bait hits the water do not close the bail, hold the rod tip at about 2 o'clock and let the bait float freely for a few seconds and then close the bail. You should have a slight bow in the line. Continue to let the bait flutter to the bottom but watch the line for twitches where it enters the water or you feel a slight tick. When either of these occur, reel up the slack and SET THE HOOK. Quite often the bass will strike as the Salty Sling is falling.
If the Salty Sling makes it to the bottom without a hit, slowly take up the slack until you can feel the weight of the bait on the bottom. Using only the rod tip jiggle the bait several times and move it off the bottom 6 to 12 inches and then let it fall back to the bottom. You can repeat this action all the way back to the boat or reel the bait in and cast to another area.
You would think that with the exposed hook the Salty Sling would only be effective in open and obstacle-free waters Ñ not the case. Floating it down the outside edge of a weed line works great but donât be afraid to toss it into the weed opening, rocks, etc. If you are fishing the bait correctly, which is slowly and moving it very little, you will feel when the Salty Sling is hung up. DonÕt yank it, that only makes it worst. Lift the rod tip and gently giggle the bait. When it comes free stop and let if fall freely again. If a bass is watching or pursuing your snagged bait, quite often this will trigger him into striking.
If you want to catch more bass this season a wacky rigged Salty Sling will do it for you.