The first big bass I caught oh those many years ago came on the banks of an Indiana farm pond when I was just about the height of the surrounding field grass. I found a plastic worm on the ground, slid it onto my hook, and what shortly followed was a jumping 3-pound bass – plus a screaming 6-year-old kid.
My fascination with plastics in all their shapes and sizes continued through the years and the Sugar Cane worm, a recent newcomer to the ever-increasing Big Bite Baits lineup, has already become a favorite of mine.
From Rojas
The new Sugar Cane worm is yet another intriguing design by Big Bite pro Dean Rojas. Rojas' lures have the well-earned reputation of being innovative, functional and productive (look at how his Spro BronzEye revolutionized the frog category). And the Sugar Cane worm is no exception. Some of the details, even though they're small, truly matter.
One example: The ribbed body has a hook pocket. The pocket not only assists in proper hook placement, but also allows the lure to literally collapse around the hook for a positive, quick hookset. The hook pocket is something you see on a lot of baits by Rojas, and it works just as well on the Sugar Cane worm. Less plastic in the right places makes for better lure movement and allows the hook to penetrate more quickly.
A few other key design characteristics:
> A classic-style paddletail, but with a "V" on one side to trap more water
> The tail tapers into a sleek, thin rear body that then tapers back up to a stout fore body
> The fore body is ribbed on one side, turtle-backed on the other
> The ribs and turtle-backing transition into a stout nose that holds a hook well
My Impressions
I've extensively fished the Sugar Cane worm in the 5" and 7" sizes. In extremely clear water, the 5" size has become one of my favorite shakey-head worms. In fact, the second cast I made with this worm in 45-degree water resulted in a 3 1/2-pound largemouth.
Rigged with the flat side of the tail down, in cold and clear water, the Sugar Cane worm offers a streamlined profile with notably subtle movement. Even the slightest shake of the slack brings the package to life.
I'm convinced the 5" size would also be a great choice for splitshotting, and for any BassFan who frequents small lakes, ponds or gravel pits.
If you turn the worm to the side, so the tail's in a vertical position, the lure shakes and throbs on the retrieve and sends the tail in all directions. This action creates a more aggressive, reaction-style retrieve.
Cut a 45-degree angle in the paddletail and you have an excellent trailer for a spinnerbait or ChatterBait.
The bigger brother is the 7" Sugar Cane worm, which hearkens to the older-style paddletail worms so popular in the South years ago. It's a proven, successful lure style for big bass, and the 7" version has all the bulk and movement to be deadly around weedlines, whether Texas-rigged or fished on an old-school open jighead. The 7" should also be formidable on a Carolina-rig, because I feel it'll move and settle the right way.
Final Thoughts
Big Bite Baits continues to create lures with innovative designs that not only attract, but trigger fish into biting.
It's been refreshing to see these fish catching-creations that are more than just reinvented wheels. Like the company's name, the products bring the big bite to you and I harbor no hesitation in recommending the new Sugar Cane worm to BassFans.
Notable
> A 10-pack of Sugar Cane worms retails for about $4 in a mix of classic and some funky colors.
> Sugar Cane worms are so new they're not available everywhere yet. But the BassFan Store has a bunch (click here).
> To learn more about other products from Big Bite, visit the company's homepage.
