Classic Baits: Rigworm

Wade's World Fishing: The Berkley Powerbait Rigworm is a 6-inch soft plastic worm that is pre-rigged with a leader through the body and three small weedless hooks. The Rigworm comes ready to be clipped onto a small snap swivel and fished as-is right out of the package. This is how the first plastic worms were used – pre-rigged. Some pre-rigged worms had small propeller spinners at the head of the worm. Others, like the Powerbait Rigworm, came without additional “hardware.”

The Rigworm has a kink molded into the middle of the body that imparts a fish-attracting spiral action as the bait is retrieved. The worm can be fished weightless, but most users add a small clamp-on sinker just ahead of the swivel to cause the worm to sink. Ringworms can be fished virtually anywhere, even in vegetation when the hook guards are in place. This bait is mostly used in shallow to medium depths (up to 10 feet).

Berkley Powerbait Rigworms can be purchased wherever Berkley baits are sold. Visit the Berkley web site: www.berkley-fishing.com.

Here are additional tips for fishing pre-rigged worms for black bass.

Use 6- to 7-foot light to medium-light action spinning rods and 8-pound test line.
The best retrieve is slow and steady. After casting, allow the worm to sink to bottom, and then slowly swim it back to the rod tip. The kink in the worm will provide the action.
Try skipping a Rigworm under docks and overhanging limbs, into boat slips, and other hard-to-reach spots. To do this, attach a small weight to the nose of the worm.
Always carry needlenose pliers to remove hooks that are deeply embedded in a fish’s gullet.