There are so many different soft plastic worms on the market that are used for largemouth bass fishing. Take a look below at some of the popular ways to rig the more common 6 to 8″ plastic worms that most anglers use. To learn more about the different types of worms, click on the following worm categories farther down on this page.
Types of Soft Plastic Worms
Chunk Worms
Chunk worms have gotten very popular for smallies. The Ned rig has made them one of the most popular action baits on the market. However, you don’t need the fancier Ned rig jighead and the more expensive Ned worms to catch smallmouth bass. Take any of your extra soft plastic worms that you would normally use for largemouth bass and cut off a 3.5 to 4.5″ inch piece of worm. Rig it on a jighead and you’re set to go.
Curly Tail Worms
Curly Tail Worms are some of the most common soft plastics that are used for smallmouth bass. The curly tail swimming action is hard for these bass to resist. Whether you swim them or hop them along the bottom, you can catch a lot of bass with these worms.
Finesse Worms
Finesse worms are extremely popular for smallmouth bass. A drop shot rig and a finesse worm is the most common way to fish these baits, but you do have lots of options since finesse worms are very versatile.
Floating Worms
Floating worms are unique since they float up off the bottom. Most anglers fish these baits on a Carolina rig or drop shot rig and they’re probably the best 2 rigs to fish these baits, but they also look good on a variety of others as well. Shaky head jigs, the Florida rig and even swimbait hooks make these soft plastic baits look good. As the baits lift off the bottom and float up, they are much more visible and very appealing to a hungry bass.
Paddle Tail Worms
Paddle Tail Worms are great baits for smallmouth bass. Hop them along the bottom or fish them like a jerkbait and you can do really well with them.
Ringworms
Ringworms are one of the better action baits you can use for smallmouth bass. Most ringworms come in the standard 4″ size. These smaller worms will catch lots of small bass, but they will also catch plenty of bigger smallmouth bass too.
Swimming Worms
Swimming Worms are becoming more popular with some of the newer types of swim worms to emerge on the market. These worms work great on a variety of rigs, but the weighted swimbait hook, shaky head jig or Florida rig are probably the best ways to rig these worms.
Wacky Worms
Wacky worms may be the most popular types of worms to fish weightless. The wacky style rig has swept the country and bass anglers can’t get enough of this technique. You can use some different rigs when fishing wacky worms, but these worms were made to be fished weightless or with a light weight jighead.
