When it seems like the fish have just disappeared, it’s time to break out the smaller baits. Often for me, the perfect solution for a really tough bite is the finesse worm put on a light slider head and used with light line. Now I’m a big bait equals big fish kind of guy but, even big fish will often not pass up a natural looking, small presentation when they pass up everything else.

Slider heads offer a distinct advantage over the Texas-rig in a number of situations. The weight being part of the hook means that the weight does not slip away from the bait. This makes the slider head more natural looking when swimming or suspended. The bait looks more natural when being lifted and when falling. The small wire hook allows little interference in the action of finesse worms or grubs but has surprising holding power. When worked in brush and grass the slider head carries the worm down through the cover and makes it easy to keep the feel of the bait. When a bass strikes a slider rig they most often inhale the entire bait in one quick move. This makes feeling the strike easier especially, in situations where the bait is suspended.

I generally use a 1/8oz Charlie Brewer slider head on a spinning rod with 8-lb line. I prefer a 5" finesse worm made by the SOS bait company. The SOS baits are very tough but still have a lot of action and, I like the natural color selection. SOS baits are pre-scented, made with Hog Lard and, have a natural slick finish. Many times suspended fish are caught on this rig by many of my clients while they are just swimming it slowly back to the boat. This works great for suspended fish. It is perfect for working vertical bluffs. Dropping the slider rig down the steep rocks, swimming it back or just shaking it in place suspended down over the cover can all be successful methods of using slider rigs. Often clients get good fish tossing it into scattered grass and get bites when nothing else will do the trick. It’s perfect for tossing under docks and around boathouses. The bait stays together and looks natural when it starts falling under a dock. It’s also easy to throw under cover with a spinning rod. It is a perfect bait for locating fish during periods of low activity such as very high pressure and other conditional changes. Whatever the conditions that apply to your waters, the slider head with an SOS finesse worm is a simple, effective way to put persnickety bass in the boat.

For information on SOS plastics check out www.soscompany.com

Or, Call 1-800-352-4977