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How do you rig your earthworms?
#13428253
02/05/20 07:09 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,849
Osbornfishing
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,849 |
Since this forum has so many successful sunfish anglers, I wonder how you rig your earthworms? Do you use whole worms, half pieces, or small sections? Do you find more success with a float or on the bottom? One hook or two?
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Osbornfishing]
#13428392
02/05/20 08:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,818
Vogey
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,818 |
That's a really good question, and am looking forward to the responses. For me, if the fish are really active it doesn't seem to matter all that much. I usually take about a third of the nightcrawler and just thread it on. This leaves about a quarter inch extending past the end of the hook. I try to put the un-torn end off the end of the hook so there is some movement (wriggling) Covering all of the hook seems to make it a little less likely to catch weeds, moss etc. I use one hook, drop shot, setting the hook around 4-6 inches off the bottom. I believe the closer to the bottom, the better chance of catching red ear, but for the other sunfish it's not all that important how far from the weight you set it. I very seldom use a float, but have on occasion when the bottom is super scummy, or full of that slimly mossy stuff.
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Vogey]
#13428634
02/05/20 11:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 535
Catyakker
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 535 |
That's a really good question, and am looking forward to the responses. For me, if the fish are really active it doesn't seem to matter all that much. I usually take about a third of the nightcrawler and just thread it on. This leaves about a quarter inch extending past the end of the hook. I try to put the un-torn end off the end of the hook so there is some movement (wriggling) Covering all of the hook seems to make it a little less likely to catch weeds, moss etc. I use one hook, drop shot, setting the hook around 4-6 inches off the bottom. I believe the closer to the bottom, the better chance of catching red ear, but for the other sunfish it's not all that important how far from the weight you set it. I very seldom use a float, but have on occasion when the bottom is super scummy, or full of that slimly mossy stuff.
Retired AF Security Police Chief TPWD ELITE ANGLER
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Osbornfishing]
#13428878
02/06/20 03:17 AM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610
Gitter Done
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 17,610 |
I am sure you will get some super good advice! I personally do not target sunfish but love reading the post here. The anglers who post here are pretty good!
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Osbornfishing]
#13428919
02/06/20 03:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,772
banker-always fishing
Pumpkin Head
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Pumpkin Head
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,772 |
I use worms 95 percent of the time while fishing for sunfish. As mentioned above I usually use about a third of the worm and thread it over a size six or eight cricket hook. I thread the worm completely over the shaft and leave about a quarter hanging from the tip of the hook. During the summer while fishing deep water I usually use half a worm. I mainly fish from the bottom and will work the worm with a slow to medium retrieve. The only times I fish with a float is if the bottom has a lot of moss or hang ups or the fish are suspended. I cast where ever I think a fish might be! I call worms "The Bait of Champions"! All species seem to like them especially big sunfish! Side Note: As for weights. I use a split shot. The size depends on the water body I am fishing and how deep I will be fishing!
IGFA World Record Rio Grande Cichlid. Lake Dunlap. John 3:16 Sinner's Prayer. God forgive me a sinner. I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior !
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Osbornfishing]
#13429036
02/06/20 11:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,087
BillS2006
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,087 |
I usually use about half a worm threaded on the hook, covering the point. I use three setups depending on the water bottom. I use a split shot about a foot above the hook, a drop shot rig and a weightless hook under a small bobber in some brush and lily pads. I pretty much let the fish and the bottom make the call, but I try to keep it simple.
Transgenders: God made them, the devil changed their minds.
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Osbornfishing]
#13429178
02/06/20 02:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,067
Laker One
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 19,067 |
I use nothing but artificial lures and soft plastics while fishing for the sunnies. I also use a fly rod! Get great results throwing small spinner baits and small crank baits along with soft plastics such as jigs,sliders, worms, minnows,etc.
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Osbornfishing]
#13430714
02/07/20 03:48 PM
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Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,849
Osbornfishing
OP
TFF Team Angler
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OP
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,849 |
This is my favorite 2-hook worm set-up. I put a whole earthworm on the rig. It is really good for suspending, dropping, or even trolling. The fun part is that it will not only catch sunfish, but bass, drum, catfish, tilapia, crappie, and carp.
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Osbornfishing]
#13431710
02/08/20 12:04 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,975
Smithaven
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,975 |
I fish in a lake with a lot of junk on the bottom. I use a 3/4 inch slip bobber with a #3 split shot with a #8 Aberdeen hook set just above the bottom. I cut a 1 inch length of night crawler with bait scissors and thread it on the hook, then cast toward a likely spot and slowly retrieve the bait. I do not let the worm just set still in one spot unless the fish are really active.
Like Chuck, I have never found any other bait, natural or artificial, that will out perform worms.
. Seventy five years of chasing the elusive sunfish.
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Osbornfishing]
#13431790
02/08/20 02:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,818
Vogey
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,818 |
Smithaven...Gulp Alive 1" minnows will definitely give worms a run for their money...and way less messy.
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Vogey]
#13431893
02/08/20 03:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,087
BillS2006
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,087 |
Smithaven...Gulp Alive 1" minnows will definitely give worms a run for their money...and way less messy. I'm hoping the Gulp Alive minnows will work while I'm on vacation in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico. I'm hoping to get some photo ops with some bluegills and red ears.
Transgenders: God made them, the devil changed their minds.
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Osbornfishing]
#13432009
02/08/20 05:47 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,818
Vogey
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,818 |
Bills2006...are you fishing lake Havasu on your trip ?
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Re: How do you rig your earthworms?
[Re: Vogey]
#13432017
02/08/20 06:03 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,087
BillS2006
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,087 |
Bills2006...are you fishing lake Havasu on your trip ? Yes I am. Also Lake Mead, and Elephant Butte in New Mexico.
Transgenders: God made them, the devil changed their minds.
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