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How do you rig your earthworms? #13428253 02/05/20 07:09 PM
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Osbornfishing Offline OP
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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? popcorn

Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Osbornfishing] #13428392 02/05/20 08:47 PM
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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.

Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Vogey] #13428634 02/05/20 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Vogey
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: Osbornfishing] #13428878 02/06/20 03:17 AM
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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!

Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Osbornfishing] #13428919 02/06/20 03:56 AM
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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! thumb



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! cheers


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Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Osbornfishing] #13429036 02/06/20 11:36 AM
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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.


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Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Osbornfishing] #13429178 02/06/20 02:08 PM
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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. woot

Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Osbornfishing] #13430714 02/07/20 03:48 PM
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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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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.


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Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Osbornfishing] #13431790 02/08/20 02:15 PM
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Smithaven...Gulp Alive 1" minnows will definitely give worms a run for their money...and way less messy.

Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Vogey] #13431893 02/08/20 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Vogey
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.


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Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Osbornfishing] #13432009 02/08/20 05:47 PM
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Bills2006...are you fishing lake Havasu on your trip ?

Re: How do you rig your earthworms? [Re: Vogey] #13432017 02/08/20 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Vogey
Bills2006...are you fishing lake Havasu on your trip ?


Yes I am. Also Lake Mead, and Elephant Butte in New Mexico.


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