blaylock Loc: Okla/Mexico

usually 3/8.....shallower water go lighter

BackfireAZ

There are a few more things to think about.
1. The deeper you go the more weight to get it down quickly.
2. Size of your bait. A small four inch worm will drop fine on 1/8th. But a bulky eight inch would need 3/8ths to drop at the same rate.
3. Wind, to maintain bottom and feel you
L need more weight if it’s windy.
4. The cover, if your in open water lighter is great. If you’re trying to break through cover you’ll need 1/2, or 3/4 or even 1oz.
So think about the depth and the cover in the places you fish. You’ve been going weightless so I’ve got to say, lighter weight is often really good to trigger bites. Then the other step is heavier to trigger reaction bites as bait sinks down fast. So get a few lead weights in lighter size like 1/8, 1/4. Then have some 3/8, and 1/2. Test out both.

TexDanm Loc: East Texas

I use weights from 1/16 to 1/2 oz depending on the size of the worm and the type of rod and reel that I am using and the depths that I am fishing and the type of bottom structure that I'm working. There that was clear as mud! The thing is I use different size worms. I love 4" worms with light lines and small weights for working fairly shallow water especially in ponds and small bodies of water or in bigger places when the bite is slow. I move to 6" worms for the deeper waters and when I am casting farther. A larger weight gives you better contact and feel of what the worm is "crawling" over. Some times in places that I know have some really big bass I will go to 10" worms and the weight depends totally on water depth.

When I am fishing in fairly open water I like to use a spinning rod. I use a 6 lb line for the 4" worms and 10 lb line for the 6" worms. If I am fishing in brush and wood I am going to go to a casting reel with a much heavier line so that when I set the hook I can turn the fish towards me and get it up and out of the cover as fast as possible so that it can't wrap me up and break me off. Heavier lines and casting reels will be easier to cast with more weight so I shift my weight size up. Longer casts need more weight than short casts. Another thing about the weight is where are you getting your hits. Often if the worm makes it to the bottom and doesn't get action in the first couple of hops I just reel it in and cast again. The bite is a response to the falling worm and then some times I want to crawl and hop it all the way back. If the bass are hitting on the drop I like lighter weights for slower falls. I hope that there was some information here that you will find of use.

finschasers69 Loc: taylor co. w.v.

temp.of water will dictate how heavy you want to be bigger plastics need more weight lighter baits finesse baits use the lightest you can go with ps remember. your hook if weighted or not .also sometimes fish are suspended as well in the water column. you have to keep contact with the bottom at all times when fishing deep