FISHING TIPS FROM JAY YELAS

Jay Yelas' Word On Worms

EDITOR'S NOTE: Jay Yelas of Tyler, Texas, has fished on the B.A.S.S. Masters tournament circuit for many years, qualifying for the BASS Masters Classic often and winning the 2002 BASS Masters Classic.

QUESTION: What suggestions can you offer about fishing plastic worms?
ANSWER: If I fish a Texas-rigged worm, then I'll use a light sinker because I'll get more bites than I will on a heavier weight. Sometimes I drop down to a 1/16-ounce, especially when I fish water 1- to 10-feet deep. I get twice as many bites as I will on a 3/16-ounce.

QUESTION: With what size of plastic worm do you usually fish?
ANSWER: I normally fish a 4- or 5-inch worm, and sometimes up to a 6-inch worm. When I use a spinner bait, I like to fish a clear blade. That's something many people don't do. Instead of a metal, gold or silver blade, I'll use clear blades with metal flakes in them. I'll throw them into clear water just to get less splash. I make sure I have a split ring. I never tie a knot directly to the crankbait because that allows the crankbait to act freely. Some come with the split ring attached, but if not, I attach the split ring. Then I'll tie my knot directly to the split ring.

TOMORROW: JAY YELAS' LINES OF CHOICE