- 1). Spool a fishing reel and 7-foot, medium-action rod with 8-lb. test fluorocarbon or monofilament fishing line.
- 2). Tie to the end of the line a size 1 or 1/0 hook using a Palomar knot. When tying the knot, leave an 18- to 20-inch tag end.
- 3). Attach to the end of the tag line a drop-shot weight that is heavy enough to remain in constant contact with the bottom. Those weights generally weigh between 3/16 of an ounce and 1/2 an ounce.
- 4). Attach the straight tail worm to the hook. One option is to thread the worm up the shank of the hook. Another is to slide the hook through the top of the worm. The top is the thicker end.
- 5). Drop the straight tail worm rig to the bottom. Good areas to fish these lures are the edges of vegetation, drop-offs and the edges of humps and reefs. Rocky shoals are also good, especially when bass are spawning. Look into the water and drop the rig into any bowl-shaped depressions you see.
- 6). Move the rod tip slightly to cause the worm to quiver. If you know that fish are in the area, keep the rig in the same spot for a minute or more. Otherwise, reel it in and cast again after about 10 seconds.
- 7). Set the hook when you feel a bite, which may feel like a "tap tap tap" or unexpected weight. Swing the rod upward to set the hook in the fish's mouth.
previous post