The 3 Best Big Worms for Bass

A soft plastic worm is the most used lure in all of bass fishing. For decades, the soft plastic worm has been at the forefront of bass fishing and one great way to take your worm fishing to the next level is to upsize your baits.

Using a bigger worm might get you a few less bites, but the bass that you catch will be much bigger than average size bass.

All year round, but especially during the hot summer months, a big, magnum worm is one of the absolute best ways to catch huge bass. These are the 3 best big worms for bass fishing.

Two Types of Big Worms

There will essentially be two styles of big, magnum sized worms. The first one is the classic ribbon or curl-tail worm. T

hese ribbon tail worms have a large curled tail that swims and twirls in the water when you are retrieving the bait.

The second worm style is the straight tail worm. The straight tailed worms don’t have any swimming action, but because they are so long and soft, they are constantly bending and snaking around in the water.

Both worm styles are fantastic, but generally you will rig them each a little bit different.

Best Big Ribbon Tailed Worm:

1. Zoom Ol’ Monster

As the original BIG WORM, the Zoom Ol’ Monster has been catching lunkers for decades and decades.

The Zoom Ol’ Monster worm is the ultimate big worm, setting the standard for all other similar baits.

This lethal creature is unrivaled in waters across America, from Florida to California and everywhere in between.

Tournament anglers swear by the Ol’ Monster, using it with a Texas rig, a Carolina rig, or even a mag shaky head.

This monster worm has a reputation for delivering either a substantial catch to complete your limit or the fish of a lifetime.

With its impressive length, slender profile, and curled tail, it’s a perfect weapon for targeting sizable bass, but don’t be surprised if the alluring action generated by Zoom’s soft, supple plastic tempts bass of all sizes to strike.

Zoom Ol’ Monster worms are serious business!

• 10 1/2 in. magnum worm
• A favorite big worm of tournament anglers for years
• Outstanding when targeting large bass
• Slender body and massive curled tail
• Salt-impregnated
• Quantity per pack: 9

Best Big Straight Tailed Worms:

2. 6th Sense Ridge Worm

Breaking the mold of traditional big worms, the 6th Sense Ridge Worm was created to be versatile, natural, and displace more water in ways that bass aren’t familiar with seeing.

Featuring a solid head section with reversed ribbing and a long spade-like tail with a long ridge running down the middle, the 6th Sense Ridge Worm moves a tremendous amount of water to create a strong underwater vibration and large presence to lure in big hungry predators.

The tail also generates an enticing waving motion with each twitch of the rod tip that causes fish to strike out of pure instincts.

Fortified with a heavy dose of scent to trigger more bites and make fish hold on longer, giving you more time to set the hook, the 6th Sense Ridge Worm is a new take on the big worm category and will help you put more fish in the boat. 

• 10 inch worm
• Flat, waving tail for more water displacement
• Unique body shape and action
• Salt Impregnated
• 7 per pack

3. Xcite Baits Maximus

As one of the only straight tail, finesse style worms over 10 inches in length, the Xcite Baits Maximus is an absolute beast.

The Xcite Baits Maximus Worm offers a big-time underwater profile and a tremendous high-floating action.

Since it’s a high-floating bait, it works extremely well on a Carolina-rig, Texas-rig, or even on a drop shot aka a “Bubba Shot.”

Infused with X-Factor Attractant to call fish in from greater distances and available in a variety of colors, the Xcite Baits Maximus Worm has accounted for some huge bass across the Country, and it’s always a great choice when you need that kicker fish.

• 10.5-inch worm perfect for deep-water fishing
• Stands straight up and floats when rigged on X-Lock
• Ideal for deep-water shakey head rigs
• Quantity per pack: 5

When to Fish a Big Worm

In my opinion, there’s really no wrong time to fish a big, magnum sized worm. Pretty much all year, you can catch bigger than normal bass when you upsize your worm choice.

But certainly the most popular and “best” time to throw a big worm is during the summer time. When the water temperatures get super high, bass need to eat bigger meals to keep up with their metabolism.

But just like us, bass get quite sluggish in the hot, hot summer conditions. So a big worm gives them the best of both worlds. It is a big meal that is also very slow and easy for them to eat.

During the summer months, just swap out your standard sized worms for a magnum on just about all of your rigs and techniques and you will definitely upsize the bass you are catching.

Reeling this In

Upsizing your soft plastic worms is a proven strategy for targeting larger bass. While you might get fewer bites, the quality of the fish you catch will significantly improve.

Whether you opt for the classic ribbon-tail action of the Zoom Ol’ Monster or the unique displacement and enticing movement of straight-tail worms like the 6th Sense Ridge Worm and Xcite Baits Maximus, these magnum baits are highly effective.

Especially during the warm summer months when bass seek substantial, easy meals, a big worm can be your ticket to landing that trophy fish. So, don’t hesitate to go big—your next personal best might be just a cast away!