Can you use the dreaded pink worm behind drift gear? (pencil lead weight and leader). I know the tips page advises pulling it behind a plug but I need to work on my drifting and the covered hook (texas rigged? in bass talk) seems to be an attractive idea for a drift rookie. As an aside, as mgt. at a CNC machine shop, I could make some really trick molds. Is the chemistry available to the general population for hand pouring worms, tubes perhaps jig bodies?

PS- sorry about the four letter word "b**s"

I fish pink worms a ton for catch and release on the skagit and sauk rivers. when I'm not pulling plugs I go straight for my "beeny wheeny"! I think that winter runs hit a pink worm harder than bait. Yes bottom bounce them! thats the only way I fish them.

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I have seen the pink worm catch steelhead on Cook creek (mass hatchery fish) rigged as a drift. I have also caught steelhead plunking the pink worm on the Quinault River.

pink worms as drift gear is an excellent producer of winter and summer steelies in BC. just as effective under a float to.

I've had real good luck fishing the pink worm on a plain 1/4oz jighead below a float just as you would a jig. Works great!

There is a section for making custom soft plastic baits http://www.steelheader.net/bait/custom_soft_plastics.htm

To make the beanie weenie just use pink color and use either a injection mold or a tray mold. Tray molds make a flat sided worm.

I have done well drifting the worm. I prefer the Yamaguchis beacuse they are thinner and provide more movement with its little curly tail. I fish them with the hot pink w/ charteuse spin n glows. I also know a couple people that swear by the Exudes fished with a large birdy. If you are going to fish faster water fish with a corky or winner or some sort of non-spinning bobber because in faster water a spinning bobber will twist and tangle your leader.
I fish both single and double hook setups. I prefer the double setup because I only have to put the first hook into the very front of the head and let the second hook dangle which allows for maximum movement but when fishing for wild fish I stick with a single because a trailer hook can severly damage a fish if the fish takes the front hook.
Ryan

Again ... no comment ... that is meant as a hint!

Uh yea......I like to drift fish pinks worms, The takes are just like plug takes...no doubt about it. I use a lighter than I woud use with drift bobbers.....less snags and more natural presentation......
Hold on tight becaue they really hammer them HARD!!!!!!!!

3 words " Hold on tight!!"

At recent clinics, two guides suggested rigging plastic worms upside down. Hook tail end first, leaving a third or more dangling. Hook comes out by head. This creates a worm with an upside down "u" appearance. They claimed this rigging gave the best action under a float. Haven't tried it yet.

Many of the pink worms sink, so the use of a pink corky above it will keep it off the bottom and out of snags a little better when using drift gear. The new Exude worms float so this isn't a problem. I wouldn't bury the hook "Texas" style because you're not likely to get good hook penetration when setting. Steelhead have pretty tough mouths.