by Dustin Wilks,
At first site, the 12” Original worm seems like a monster bait only suitable for huge bass in Texas or Florida.
My first bass when I was a kid on the 12-inch was in Canada and it left a great memory. I saw the fish eat the bait on the bottom in clear water around 8 feet deep. Seeing that and feeling the classic thump thump thump as it sucked it in three bites was really cool.
Ever since that first fish I caught with the 12-inch Original, I’ve been hooked on it!
While this bait definitely increases your odds of catching a monster, it also gives you several advantages when it come to catching overall quality fish.
First is drawing power. With a small lure, you basically have to hit a fish on the head, but with a big lure you can bring fish to you. It is much more worth their while to put in some effort for a big reward. So bass will move a greater distance to eat it.
Second – similarly to the drawing power, this bait has a bigger presence so they can feel and see easier as well.
Lastly, it is just so much darn fun to use. I often use the 12-inch Original when fishing with friends just because I like to see their reaction. Not only is it deadly effective but surprising to many. You won’t catch too many small fish on it, but occasionally will catch a 12-inch fish on the big worm.
While bigger is not always better, in the summer it often is. Bass are at peak metabolism and need to eat a lot.
I fish this bait in several ways.
First is Texas rig. For weeds, I like to peg the sinker so the worm will go through any holes where big bass are lurking. If creek ledges or brush, an unpegged weight does better with less snags. I use a 5/0 hook and weight depending on depth and cover. Sometimes I’ll use an ounce if it is hydrilla, often though I find myself using 3/8 to 1/2 on less shallow 5 to 12-feet structure. A long MH to H rod is needed to take up slack and get a good hookset; usually I use 16-lb. fluoro, sometimes bumping up to 20 in thicker grass or thicker wood.
2nd is weightless Texas rig. Nothing is more exciting than seeing a bass engulf a 12-in. worm like a topwater bait. Shallow weedy lakes and stump filled flats, weightless is a great way to fish it. You may even try just a tiny weight to speed up the process of an 1/8 or less while swimming around shallow cover.
Lastly is the Carolina rig. The old C rig is almost forgotten in modern bass fishing, but certain days or if the bottom of the lake is very silty, the Carolina rig will keep your bait out of the silt much better. The lazy action can also be more appealing on some days. Usually 1/2 to 1-oz. weight works best.
Give the 12-inch Culprit Original a shot this summer – I think you’ll love the results!