How to Rig a Fishing Pole for Plastic Worm Fishing

Fishing is a popular hobby that provides you with a serene setting, a relaxing sport and sometimes a dinner. With the variety of fish in the U.S., one would think a huge variety of baits would be needed. However, one good worm--real or plastic--is enough to catch a majority of fresh-water fish and even a good number of saltwater fish as well. To get that worm into the water and hook a whopper, let's take a look at how to rig a fishing pole for plastic worm fishing.

Things You'll Need

• Fishing pole
• 50 yards of fishing line
• 3 feet leader material
• No. 1 hook
• 1- or 2-oz. lead weight
• Knife
• Plastic worms in different colors

Instructions

1. Load your reel with 50 yards of fishing line, preferably 15-lb. test mono filament. Leave 3 feet of line hanging freely from the tip of the rod. Tie a loop at the very end of that line. Tug to test that it does not pull closed.

2. Tie a loop on one end of your leader line. Make this loop the same size as the one on your fishing line. Attach the looped ends by pushing your fishing line loop through the loop on the leader. Take the open end of the leader and put it through the loop on the fishing line. Pull taut. By using the loops, you can set up more than one type of worm by repeating this step with two or three other segments of leader and store these pre-set worm leaders.

3. Secure your No. 1 fishing hook to the free end of your leader with a solid knot, cutting off any excess with a sharp knife. Taking your worm in hand, push the tip of the worm onto the hook. Push it 3/4 of the way up the hook. Attach the rest of the worm at the midpoint by pushing it onto the hook so that only the tip and barb of the hook are showing. The plastic worm should move in a realistic motion.

4. Use a weight if fishing in moving water. Add the weight by making a circle on the leader line about 2/3 of the way up. Push it through the weight's hole. Loop it under the leader, and pull. This technique will allow you to move it up or down depending on how you want to fish it. The closer to the hook, the less realistic the movement will be. The farther up the leader, the more float and free movement the worm will have.

Tips & Warnings

• A good selection of colors and sizes of worms is imperative. Different times and waters will often change fish feeding habits. The more options you have, the better your chances will be.