The Man Who Caught a 10kg Bass with an Earthworm
On a cool autumn morning in rural Missouri, Thomas Reed, a 62-year-old retired man, decided to head out to Truman Lake — a spot he had frequented every weekend. But this time, he didn’t bring any fancy artificial lures like others often recommended. Instead, he brought only a jar of earthworms he had dug up from his backyard.
“They wiggle more naturally than anything you can buy in a store,” he laughed when retelling the story.
He picked a quiet corner of the lake, beneath an old oak tree. After hooking a large worm and casting near the deep water along the grassy edge, he sat back in his folding chair, sipping coffee and enjoying the peaceful morning.
Less than 20 minutes later, the rod bent hard. The line screeched, and the water exploded. A massive bass was on the other end, thrashing so violently that Thomas had to stand and grip the rod with both hands. The fight lasted nearly 15 minutes — his heart pounding with every tug.
Finally, he managed to drag it to shore — a giant largemouth bass, nearly 80 cm (about 31 inches) long and weighing 10 kilograms (22 pounds), nearly twice the size of a typical catch. He even had to use both hands to pull it from the net.
“Never thought a tiny worm could bring in something this big,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow with a grin.
The news quickly spread through the local fishing community. Some didn’t believe it until they saw the photo — Thomas smiling proudly next to his pickup truck, the enormous bass hanging from a makeshift scale, all thanks to a humble earthworm and a quiet morning by the lake.
Bass fishing — especially for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass — is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the U.S. Whether you’re fishing in a lake, river, or pond, using the right bait is essential for success. Below is a detailed guide on how to make effective homemade bass fishing bait.
I. OVERVIEW OF BASS
1. Common Types of Bass in the U.S.
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Largemouth Bass: Prefer warm freshwater environments like ponds and lakes with weeds or grass beds.
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Smallmouth Bass: Favor clear, cooler water, often found in rivers or rocky-bottomed lakes.
2. Feeding Habits
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Bass are predators, feeding on small fish, crayfish, frogs, worms, and insects.
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Most active in early morning and late afternoon.
II. BASIC FISHING GEAR
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Rod: Medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod.
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Fishing Line: Monofilament or fluorocarbon (10–20 lb test), or braided line in weedy areas.
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Hooks: Sizes 2/0 to 4/0 (EWG or offset hooks for soft plastics).
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Optional: Bobbers and sinkers for depth control.
III. EFFECTIVE HOMEMADE BASS BAITS
1. Earthworms or Nightcrawlers
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How to Get Them: Dig them up from your backyard or buy from bait shops. You can raise them with moist soil and vegetable scraps.
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Hooking Technique: Thread the worm from the head down the body to keep it wriggling in water — very enticing to bass.
👉 Best For: Largemouth bass after rain or early in the morning.
2. Bread and Garlic Bait
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Ingredients: Sandwich bread, garlic oil, cornmeal.
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How to Make:
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Crumble the bread.
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Mix with cornmeal and a little water to create a dough.
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Add a few drops of garlic oil to enhance scent.
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Roll into pea-sized balls.
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👉 Best For: Calm waters with smaller bass.
3. Fish Meal + Egg + Dried Shrimp Paste
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Ingredients: Fish meal, egg yolk, finely ground dried shrimp.
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How to Make:
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Mix all ingredients until the dough is sticky but firm.
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Store in a sealed bag and refrigerate overnight to strengthen the scent.
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Roll into small balls for bottom fishing.
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👉 Best For: Attracting larger bass, especially in warm water.
4. Live Bait: Minnows, Live Shrimp, Small Frogs
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How to Get: Use a cast net to catch baitfish or buy live shrimp from seafood stores.
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How to Use:
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Hook through the back or mouth to keep the bait alive.
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Drop near fallen logs, weed edges, or rocky spots.
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👉 Best For: Big bass — they strike hard and fast on live bait.
5. DIY Soft Plastic Lures
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Ingredients: Silicone, color pigment, lure molds (store-bought or handmade).
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How to Make:
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Mix silicone with pigment to create eye-catching colors (green, orange, purple, etc.).
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Pour into molds shaped like worms, minnows, grubs, or frogs.
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Let dry for 24 hours.
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👉 Best For: Reusable lures that mimic live bait movement.
IV. TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR BASS FISHING SUCCESS
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Use Scents: Garlic oil, fish oil, or artificial attractants can lure bass from far away.
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Vary Your Retrieval: If bass aren’t biting, try stop-and-go, jerking, or slow retrieval to simulate natural prey.
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Watch the Weather: Overcast days or after a rainstorm are prime times for active bass.
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Pick the Right Spot: Fish near grassy banks, submerged logs, or rock piles where bass tend to hide.
V. U.S. FISHING LAWS & REGULATIONS
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Fishing License: Most states require a fishing license for both recreational and sport fishing.
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Size and Bag Limits: Rules vary by state — always check with your local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to stay compliant.
VI. CONCLUSION
Making your own bass bait isn’t just cost-effective — it adds creativity and personal touch to your fishing trips. By using natural ingredients and adjusting to local conditions, you can craft highly effective baits that rival store-bought options.
Be patient and enjoy the process — because as seasoned anglers say:
“Fishing isn’t just about catching fish, it’s about connecting with nature.”
