8 Plastic Worm Rigs to Catch More Bass

Want to catch more bass, even when they’re being super picky? Plastic Worm rigs are a seriously versatile and effective way to do it. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just getting started, understanding worm rigs can up your fishing success. Let’s break down 8 essential worm rigs that every angler should know.

In this post, I’m covering the essentials, from the classic Texas rig to more specialized setups like the Neko rig and Drop Wacky rig. It’s all in a super-fast format, inspired by a video I made.

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Why Plastic Worm Rigs?

So, why should you even bother with worm rigs? Well, for starters, they’re incredibly versatile. You can use them in practically any condition and around all sorts of cover. Think about it: clear water, murky water, heavy weeds, open water – plastic worm rigs can handle it all.

Plus, they offer a super realistic presentation. Bass are predators, and they’re always on the lookout for an easy meal. A well-presented worm rig can mimic the natural prey that bass are used to seeing, triggering those all-important strikes.

And let’s not forget about depth control. Whether you’re fishing shallow or deep, there’s a worm rig that can get the job done. From weightless rigs that glide along the surface to weighted rigs that plunge to the depths, you can effectively target bass at any level.

The 8 Plastic Worm Rigs: A Quick Rundown

Alright, let’s get into the meat of it – the 8 plastic worm rigs that every angler should have in their arsenal. We’ll go through each one, covering what it is, how to rig it, and when to use it. Let’s go!

Rig 1: Tiny Child Rig

What it is:

This is a finesse presentation. Think of it as the “dessert” offering when bass are being super pressured or finicky. It presents a small, easy-to-eat meal that even the most reluctant bass can’t resist. And almost nobody fishes it, so it’s a different look that triggers bass.

How to Rig It:

• Cut a Senko in half (or use a Z-Man TRD). The Senko is a classic, but the Z-Man TRD is super durable.
• Thread it onto a Size 1 EWG Worm hook.
• Insert a 1/16 oz nail weight into the head of the worm. This helps it sink slowly and gives it a natural action.

When to Use It:

Use this rig when the water’s clear, the bass are pressured, or you need a slow, subtle retrieve. It’s also killer around docks and other structure where bass like to hide.

Gear Recommendations:

• Senko: Grab a Senko here
• TRD: Here’s where to get a TRD
• Gamakatsu EWG Hooks: Get your Gamakatsu EWG Hooks here
• Nako Tungsten Nail Weight: Nako Tungsten Nail Weight

Rig 2: Floating Worm

What it is:

This is a classic rig that suspends a worm right above the bottom. The floating action can be irresistible to bass cruising just above the cover.

How to Rig It:

• Thread a Zoom Trick Worm onto a Size 2/0 EWG Worm hook. The Zoom Trick Worm is perfect for this.
• No weight needed. You want that worm to float!

When to Use It:

This rig is amazing over submerged vegetation, around docks, or anytime you want a slow, enticing presentation. It’s also great for targeting bass that are suspended in the water column. it’s also a killer in the spawn periods. For some reason, the bubble gum and methiolate colors can bring out the aggression of spawning bass.

Gear Recommendations:

• Zoom Trick Worm: Here’s a Zoom Trick Worm
• Gamakatsu EWG Hooks: Get Gamakatsu EWG Hooks here

Rig 3: Weightless Texas Rig

What it is:

This is a super versatile rig that allows the worm to glide and fall naturally. It’s all about that natural presentation, mimicking a wounded baitfish, leeches, or other prey.

How to Rig It:

• Texas rig a 6th Sense Boosa worm onto a Size 2/0 EWG Worm hook.
• No weight needed. Let the worm do its thing.

When to Use It:

Fish this rig in shallow water, around cover, or anytime you want a super natural presentation. It’s also deadly when bass are feeding on the surface.

Gear Recommendations:

• 6th Sense Boosa: Here’s a 6th Sense Boosa
• Gamakatsu EWG Hooks: Gamakatsu EWG Hooks

Rig 4: Neko Rig

What it is:

This is a unique rig that creates a tantalizing action as the worm falls. It’s perfect for triggering reaction strikes from bass that are holding tight to structure.

How to Rig It:

• Bite off the tail end of the Yamamoto Sensei worm
• Insert a VMC Mushroom Nail weight into the tail end.
• Use an O-Wacky Tool to place an O-ring around the worm. This is key to preventing the worm from tearing.
• Insert a Gamakatsu Oktopus or Trokar Wacky hook under the O-ring.

When to Use It:

This rig shines in deep water, around structure, or anytime you need to trigger those reaction strikes. It’s also a great choice when bass are being finicky and need a little extra enticement.

Gear Recommendations:

• Yamamoto Sensei Finesse Worm: Here’s a Yamamoto Sensei Finesse Worm
• Gamakatsu Octopus: Gamakatsu Octopus
• Trokar Wacky: Trokar Wacky
• VMC half-moon Wacky Weight: VMC half-moon Wacky Weight
• O-Wacky Tool: O-Wacky Tool

Pro Tip: Apparently, “Red Bug” was the color that won the 2025 Bassmaster Classic. Keep that in mind!

Rig 5: Floating Wacky

What it is:

This is a simple rig that suspends a worm in the water column. It’s a fantastic choice when you want a natural, subtle presentation that’s sure to entice even the most wary bass.

How to Rig It:

• Thread a Zoom Trick Worm onto a Gamakatsu Octopus hook.
• No O-ring or weight needed. Keep it simple!

When to Use It:

This rig is best used in clear water, over grass, or anytime you want a super natural, subtle presentation. It’s also deadly when bass are cruising just below the surface.

Gear Recommendations:

• Zoom Trick Worm: Zoom Trick Worm
• Gamakatsu Octopus Hook: Gamakatsu Octopus Hook

Rig 6: Shot Wacky

What it is:

This is a finesse rig that combines the wacky rig with a specialized hook that looks like a small jig head. It’s perfect for when you want a small, subtle presentation that still gets down to the fish and keeps that “shimmy” of the classic Wacky rig.

How to Rig It:

• Thread a smaller worm (e.g., Realis Wriggle Crawler, Yamamoto Finesse Worm) onto a Zappu Inchi Shot Wacky hook.

When to Use It:

Use this rig in clear water, around docks, or anytime you want a small, subtle presentation that still gets down to the fish. It’s also a great choice for targeting panfish. It’s another wacky presentation that fish probably haven’t seen in your area.

Gear Recommendations:

• Realis Wriggle Crawler: Realis Wriggle Crawler
• Zappu Inchi Shot Wacky hooks: Zappu Inchi Shot Wacky hooks

Rig 7: Wacky

What it is:

This is the classic wacky rig. It’s a proven fish-catcher that’s been around for years. If you’re looking for a reliable rig that can catch bass in a variety of conditions, this is it. Some of my best days every year come on a wacky rig. If you’re only going to fish one plastic worm rig, in my opinion, this is the one.

How to Rig It:

• Use an O-Wacky Tool to place an O-ring around a Yamamoto Senko.
• Insert a Gamakatsu Octopus or Trokar Wacky hook under the O-ring.

When to Use It:

This is an all-around rig that’s effective in various conditions. It’s a great choice when you’re not sure what the bass are biting on. because they’ll probably hit this. It slowly sinks with a vibrating “shimmy”. It’s nearly irresistible to bass.

Gear Recommendations:

• Yamamoto Senko: Yamamoto Senko
• Gamakatsu Octopus: Gamakatsu Octopus
• Trokar Wacky: Trokar Wacky
• O-Wacky Tool: O-Wacky Tool

Note: In the video, I used orange just so it would show up better. I typically use Green Pumpkin. But orange can be a great color too, especially in the spring! And some folks like the Berkley General too.

Rig 8: Drop Wacky

What it is:

This is a combination of the drop shot and wacky rig. It’s perfect for presenting a worm vertically in deep water.

How to Rig It:

• Tie a Gamakatsu Drop Rig hook to your line.
• Thread a finesse worm onto the hook, wacky style.
• Add a dropshot weight below the hook.

When to Use It:

Use this rig in deep water, around structure, or anytime you need to present the worm vertically. It’s also great for targeting suspended bass.

Gear Recommendations:

• Gamakatsu Drop Rig hooks: (No link available)

Tips for Success

Alright, so you know how to rig ’em, but how do you fish ’em? Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your worm rigs.

• Line selection: For most plastic worm rigs, fluorocarbon line is a great choice because it’s nearly invisible underwater. Monofilament is a good option for topwater rigs, as it floats. Braid is great for heavy cover, as it’s super strong. But, I almost always use braid to a fluoro leader. It works.
• Rod and reel setup: A medium-action spinning rod is a good all-around choice for worm fishing. A baitcaster can be used for heavier rigs and around heavy cover. Or you can be one of the cool kids and use BFS for all of it – like me. 😛
• Hooksets: With worm rigs, it’s important to let the bass take the bait before setting the hook. Give them a second or two to really get it in their mouth before you reel down and give a solid hookset.
• Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to try different worms, colors, and retrieves. The more you experiment, the better you’ll become at figuring out what the bass want.

If you’re interested in BFS for Bass Fishing, this article has additional information. I’ve found that Bait Finesse System gear really helps present some of these rigs in a more subtle way.

Conclusion

So, there you have it – 8 essential plastic worm rigs that every angler should know. Worm rigs are incredibly versatile and effective. With a little practice, you’ll be catching bass left and right. Now get out there and try these rigs! Don’t be afraid to adapt them to your local waters and fishing conditions.

What are some of your favorite plastic worm rigs? Share them in the comments below! Also, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to the YouTube channel for more fishing tips and tricks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Plastic Worm Rigs for Bass Fishing