Worms / Stickbaits
- Buoyancy
- Salted sinking or buoyant materials, model-specific
- Working layer
- Weightless, drop-shot, Texas, wacky and Ned presentations differ; choose the rig first.
- Example size
- 60–150 mm
- Example weight
- Added weight 0–10 g
- Tackle notes
- Use light to medium tackle for the hook and total weight; match hook size to body thickness.
Use and limits
When & Where
Finesse work, less active fish and longer presentations in a small area.
Limits and common errors
Buoyancy, salt and rigging change action; not every worm on a Ned head stands upright.
Retrieve steps
- Choose protected Texas rigging for cover or wacky/drop-shot presentations for clear areas.
- Control the fall, watch the line and let the worm settle after a small shake.
- Move a short distance each time and set appropriately for the hook after confirming a take.
Rigging options
Texas rig
A bullet weight and offset hook with a protected point to reduce fouling.
Carolina Rig
A forward weight and a swivel-linked leader separate bottom contact from the softbait.
Drop Shot Rig
A hook above a weight holds a softbait in a small area above bottom.
Wacky Rig
A mid-body hook lets both ends of a worm move on the fall and shake.
Ned Rig
A small mushroom head and short plastic for a compact presentation; standing up requires suitable buoyancy.
Free Rig
Line slides through an eyed weight before the hook, allowing separation during the fall.
Weightless Rig
No weight at all, just a soft plastic on a hook (usually a dense stick worm or soft jerkbait). It sinks slowly and naturally under its own weight. In wacky rigging, the hook goes through the middle of the worm so both ends quiver as it sinks.
Neko Rig
A nail weight is inserted into the head of a stick worm, and the hook goes through the worm wacky-style, a little toward the head. The worm “stands” head-down on the bottom, and its tail wags when you shake it.
Target examples
Target links are starting points; match the model to fish size, depth and cover.
References and scope
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife · Texas Rig ↗
Bullet weights, plastics and protected hook points; adapting weight to depth and cover.
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife · Wacky Rig ↗
Mid-body hooked worms and slow-fall presentations.
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife · Drop-Shot Rig ↗
Presenting a soft bait above a bottom weight.
- Z-Man · Ned Rig ↗
Mushroom heads and buoyant plastics; an upright posture depends on the combination.