Carl,

As a general rule of thumb, try using 1/4 oz jigheads for rubber worms during winter steelheading and 1/8 oz. for summer steelies. Or just use the bigger one for moderate flows (add weight to that up the line a couple feet for heavier flows, if necessary) and the smaller size for low flows (also cut the worm down to @ 1/2" to 3" for clear water). ...

I like to use Mark's shinny nickle plated brass jigheads for the pink worm. It weighs slightly less than 1/4 oz., and works real well in braod ranges of atger conditions; from gin clear water up to almost murky water. If needed I add one of those 1/4 oz. barrel line lead weights with the rubber center to hold it up the line about 30" from the worm jig; putting it at 1/2 oz. to get down in stronger and deeper currents. They are easy to quickly put on and take off for good water type flexability.

Edit: BTW, I came up with a new killer worm rig up and presentation. New to me anyway. I have used the 'pink conehead' above threaded pink or black worms, and also very small Spin N Glos instead of the cone. Works real well drifted and swung. What I'm trying now works even better so far. I thread 3 1/2" of rubber worm onto a hook leader; or a double hook rig, which is a bit challenging to do, but gets better rolling action with the slight bend I can put in the worm. I im-bed the lower hook about 3/4" above the tail so that the worm covers it over onto the upper part of the hook bend. This angles the worm tail into a curve that puts a wiggle roll to it; which is killer in clear water as is. But for a little bit to moderate water color I slip a corky and then bead down the leader onto the worm front, and follow those with various colors of size 3 spinner blades (depending on water color) with the use of an 'in leader' plastic spinner clevis. This allows you to use the blades without a spinner wire and not have to be concerned with weakening the leader as a steel clevis can do. I use enough slinky lead to do a combo of drifting then swinging this rig thru holding water. Works great! I haven't tried this on a baitdiver with long leader yet, but I know this should be steelie deadly with good scent added to all that action, blade vibs, and color. I will put up some pics of some of them I made in a couple days or so. You will love this rigup!

RT

[ 12-31-2001: Message edited by: RT ]