I've gone back and searched some old threads on plastic worms and there have been some recent threads on manufacturing plastic worms too.

Everyone has their personal preference and favorite worm, but how much does it really matter to the bass? Isn't the question of whether a plastic worm is sucessful (in the business sense)really just a matter of marketing (whether that be by mass marketing by the big companies or local or word-of-mouth marketing by the small companies)?

How much does it really matter to the bass? If you put a 6" black plastic stick worm in front of the same bass under the same conditions, isn�t he likely to hit almost any �brand� just the same? I realize there are differences in styles and colors of worms that may matter under differing conditions, but if it�s the same style and color of worm, I wonder if it really matters if it is a Zoom, a Cr�me, a Berkley, or hand poured in someone�s garage.

Isn�t it just a matter of marketing to get the buyer to feel confident that it works? Does the fish really care?

I think it matters but thats just my opinion. Certain brands have shown to be better fish catchers to me. I can't answer gor anyone else but I think some are better brands than others. I am not talking about solely choosing high end stuff but I am saying that certain brands have a way of catching more.

I think it boils down to confidence. If a person thinks a certain brand catches more fish for them, that's what they use and that's what the fish bite. It's more the "Indian than the arrow".

Lure companies have to catch fishermen, not fish. Most (not all) could care less if their product actually works, as long as it gets sold.

i think it matters in terms of water displacement and minor color changes.

i have seen instances where the guy in the front of the boat fishing the same setup exactly is not getting bit on one color of the same bait, but the guy in the back pitching a differnt color is getting hammered....

I think it does matter (obviously). Too many times I have seen people throwing baits that are very similar and *should"* work and like others have said, the catch rates can very a lot. Bass aren't smart, but they are highly conditioned animals that will react to something different. They will also stay away from stimulus that have negative consequences assocaited with them (like being caught).

I think if you fish with something new or something that is different than what everyone else is throwing you will get more bites. It can be a new color, action, smell... SOMETHING. That's just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

And I actually care if my baits work or not. I wouldn't feel right selling a product that I didn't actually believe in...

Not a soft plastic, but take Yellow Magics for instance. When these hit I was saying "I WILL NOT pay $15 for a dam pop-r." Then I got schooled first hand on the fact that even though they look dang near identical to me, the Pop-R was out fished about 15 to 1. So little differences matter.

Before you wippersnappers were born years..uhh..decades ago, I was there when the first worms came out.I believe there was just one color,and I don't think it was the old red harnessed prerigged worm.I think that came a little later.It was BLUE.and we called them "blue worms" not plastic worms.The next color was red but it was more of a strawberry color.We rigged them with a gold wire live bait hook and put a split shot above them.We caught a ton of fish with both and even the red harnessed worm.I don't think I have even seen the blue color in years.But the point is I too believe we over think the colors. Even the texture of the old blue worm was tough and ridgid.You could fish all day with one worm.When the next color came out,purple, we thought that was a big deal and began using them more.Sometimes we just have to try something because its new. But like you, I don't think the fish care as much as we do.

In a round about way, your point is actually consistent with Acuna's point. It may be that "something different" is the key (at least for a certain time period until it's not different any more. In the old days you speak of, fish had never seen a plastic worm (blue, red, or otherwise). That may have been why they were so sucessful then.

There have been studies that contradict this theory.In the study they concluded that 25% of all bass will never be caught, 25% will be caught once and learn from it to avoid it, and 50% will be caught over and over.

All will catch fish if you thrown it enough, but some work better than others.

Dumb question..... was that you in the front or in the back?

actually both of us were up front.. but i was the one who wouldnt change colors... we had 23# that tourney day, got second in a CABA on tawak. once i switched to the same color.. we caught all our fish in a 200 yard stretch..

I believe it is all about the marketing and they have to catch fish. If the public doesn't know about a product then no one will buy it. If they don't catch fish then you wont have any one buying more or telling their friends about it.

For any bass to see a worm some fisherman has to buy it and use it. Thats where the marketing comes in. Marketing is about influencing people to a directed outcome. Just because something is marketed it does not mean that it is or is'nt a real advantage. Are some plastics better, more effective than others - yes.

I believe salt makes a difference.

I believe scent makes a difference.

I believe design and the knowledge to apply that design make a big difference.

Lastly, I believe confidence is the supreme difference and that is where marketing can be a huge difference maker.

If you believe in a product and believe you are going to catch fish then half your battle is won before you get to the lake.

I have boxes of worms I don't use cause I have more confidence in the worms I do use cause they catch fish. My go to favorite very special perfect fish catchin worms are my bestest friends and marketing won't change my mind.

But what if I caught a fish on a worm outta one of them boxes, NO! that will never happen super pshco addict insane I'd freak totally loose it man. Those freakin worms don't catch fish and the ones I got tied on do thats it. I aint thinking about it no more.