I use nightcrawlers tipped on my jig and think it makes a difference. I did not use anything on my jigs this winter. There was so many fish it did not matter. I have used the nitro worms. The store near my home has them. Can not say they worked any better just something a little different. I am interested in trying the brighter green worms from Cabela's. A few years ago I had the oppurtinity to site fish a steelhead. It is the best learning experience you can have. When I drifted a plain jig it spit it as fast as it took it. I then tipped the jig with sandshrimp and the fish held on much longer. It did not take my bobber down but I was able to see it shake its head and it was all over.