A single do-it-all bass bait does not exist. When you consider depth, habitat, seasonality, and weather, there are simply too many variables to only rely on one presentation. That being said, you'll be hard pressed to find a bait as versatile as the stick worm. Minimalist in form, this soft plastic can resemble a menu of bass forage items, while bringing a user-friendly simplicity that can be rigged in many ways.
Bass anglers, whether targeting largemouth or smallmouth, should carry an array of stick bait colors, sizes, and rigs. These soft plastic finesse baits can be especially effective during the spawn when bass are bedding. Though stick baits can be rigged in a number of ways to target fish in different depths and areas. Every bass angler should know these seven ways to rig a stick bait and be ready to throw them at a moment's notice.
1. Wacky Rig
One of the most commonly used stick worm techniques, the wacky rig is great for skipping under trees, sight fishing to bedded fish, taunting fry guarders, or leading bank cruisers. There are two rigging options: either insert the hook through the worm's center or tuck the hook under an O-ring. The latter helps minimize damage during a bite/catch to maximize bait life. With the hook placed in the worm's center, both ends wiggle to create an enticing action, even with minimal rod work. Wacky rig tools assist by streamlining the process. Essentially, a hollow tube with a narrow end for stacking the O-rings allows you to slip part of your stick worm into the hollow tube and slide an O-ring onto the worm.
2. Neko Rig
To transform a wacky rig to a Neko rig, adjust the hook position closer to the head (through the side or in-line with an O-ring), and add a nose weight. The benefits of this rig include longer casts, greater accuracy, and a faster fall rate for deeper fish. For wacky and Neko rigs, VMC’s Crossover Rings are made with a dual-channel hood that allows either parallel or perpendicular hook placement. Specially designed Crossover Pliers include ring holding compartments in the handles and angled jaws for stretching a ring open and sliding it onto a stick worm.
Also, nail weights with skirt strands at the top add visual appeal with color and movement. VMC offers the NKS Neko Skirt with rubber strands, but industrious types can craft their own terminal tackle accents.
3. Texas Rig
A Texas rig is a great option for short casts and pitches to shallow bass, whether bedded or cruising. In close range scenarios and/or sparse vegetation, an unweighted Texas rig works well. However, adding a pegged bullet weight affords longer, more accurate casts, and the ability to navigate thicker weeds. Punching a stick worm through heavy cover can be effective when craws and beaver style baits fail to entice. Just make sure to increase to a 1- to 1.5-ounce weight. Learn more about how to fish a Texas rig here.
4. Jig Trailer
From flipping jigs to finesse football jigs, a slender trailer profile can entice finicky fish. Try this with various levels of skirt trimming/thinning until you find the right profile that triggers bites. And don’t hesitate to drag a skirtless jig fitted only with that stick worm.
5. Dropshot
While a 3- to 4-inch stick worm offers a plumper form for the standard dropshot look, you’ll elevate the ruse by wacky rigging the bait. This could resemble a distracted baitfish looking the wrong way and leaving itself open to a broadside attack, or it could simply offer a more visible target. In any case, the perpendicular alignment typically yields a good hook placement.
6. Ned Rig
A 3-inch stick worm on a mushroom style jig head closely mimics gobies, darters, crawfish, and other basement dwelling forage. With can’t-screw-this-up simplicity, the rig works for dragging, hopping, or scooting presentations. Just know your habitat and choose an open hook or weedless configuration. The latter could be a weed guard design, or a Ned head with a wide gap hook made for Texas rigging. This rig works very well during the spawn when fish are on beds.
7. Carolina Rig
Carolina rigs are closely associated with lizards and creature baits, but slimming down the profile with a stick worm gives finicky fish a more subtle look. Match the worm length to local forage and drag your rig over gravel, shell, and small rocks, or rig a longer leader and fish it through light grass. Learn more about how to fish a Carolina rig here.
Other Stick Worm Tricks
Enhance your stick worms by dipping the tail in a complementary dye. I prefer Chartreuse as it mimics the high-vis trim common to a bream’s tail and dorsal. You’ll often see orange trim, so take note of your environment—especially when a big fish yacks up a recent meal. A screw-in spinner tail will also level up any stick bait presentation. It offers another accent element that checks the visual and vibration boxes. Stick with the standard selections—a willow-leaf blade for flash and dazzle and a Colorado blade for the thump needed in lower visibility.