Swimming Worms: To Thump or Squirm

SWIMMING A WORM over and through shallow grass is a mainstay in Florida, and this ploy can draw strikes anywhere in the country where bass lurk in similar cover. The most popular worms for this presentation sport squirming-action tails, such as Zoom’s UltraVibe Speed Worm or Yum’s Thumpin’ Dinger. Thumping paddletail worms are another option, such as Gambler’s Paddle Tail Worm.

Since these types of baits are employed for the same presentation, when should you thump or squirm a swimming worm?

Zoom’s swimming worms have been go-to baits for Bassmaster Elite Series veteran Gerald Swindle for more than 15 years. He Texas rigs these baits with a 4/0 straight-shank VMC worm hook and varies