“A plastic worm is the most universal bait a fisherman can have in his tacklebox,” said Joe Thomas, former Bassmaster Tournament pro and host of Stihl’s Reel in the Outdoors. He and the other ...

When learning how to fish for bass, an essential first lesson for beginners is to master a few essential fishing rigs that use soft baits—whether they’re worms, crawfish, tube baits, or creature baits ...

There is a plastic worm rig that's so outlandish its creators just had to call it the "wacky worm." It looks silly, yet works like a charm for catching largemouth bass. It has become the secret go-to ...

Selecting the right hook can make or break your presentation. In this REEL Quick Tip, professional angler Ott DeFoe explains how to match hook styles with soft plastic baits for maximum effectiveness.

When the fishing turns summertime tough, bass anglers get downright wacky. Plastic worms may catch more black bass during summer than any other lure. There are all kinds of ways to rig them. One that ...

The Texas rig and Carolina rig are both staples in bass anglers' arsenals. Out of all the setups considered to be the best bass rigs, they're the two most traditional ways to throw plastics for ...

Summertime blues are a rare affliction for anglers who feel the tug of a hard-fighting black bass when the weather turns hot. Check their fishing rods, and a good number of them will have a plastic ...

The plastic worm has come to be regarded by a majority of fishermen as the most effective and versatile bass lure. But it takes more than just sticking a rubber worm on a hook to catch bass. The Texas ...

Many bass anglers regard plastic worms as the single most effective lure for big bass. A worm's long, thin profile and lifelike action suggest a wide range of prey. Yet in spite of their ability to ...

One of the most unusual designs in plastic-worm hooks in years is an odd-looking affair that Eustis tackle consultant Bing McClellan calls his Spastic Plastic Rig. The hooks have a corkscrew at the ...

Innovations often come about by accident. It happened 65 years ago, when Nick Creme, an Akron, Ohio machinist, invented a game-changing fishing lure. Creme decided he was tired of digging for ...