New Worm Design?

[gonfishn]

I'd love to come up with something that would appeal to the majority of bass anglers, I know, I'm probably asking to much, uh?  I like the Zoom U-Tail worm shape but I think it's a bit too thin, needs a bit more girth (maybe).  It'd also be nice to create a "family" of worms in a true 6 inch -8 inch - 12 inch, etc.  I'm thinking that the U-Tail is probably the most popular shape?  What'd you guys think?

[Fish2DMax]

My 2 cents - the U-Tail has declined in recent years due to the finese craze. I use a lot more straight tails than I do U-Tails - particularly the Swamp Crawler. While we're on the subject my favorite U-Tail of all time, hands down, was the Manns Manipulator. It was poured with the flat ribbon tail in a circular shape and you pinched off the connections to make the tail flow out behind. The body had good mass to it but you'd probably want it to be larger and longer.

 

My advice would be to concentrate on larger worms. I know it's a niche market but its what I see in my part of the country. You can always start big and scale back the size for rev2.

 

BTW - Zoom came out with a longer 7.5" version of hte Swamp Crawler this year... but not in the colors I want (yet).

[Tree_Fish]

I'll have to disagree about the decline of the u-tail, there may be a finesse craze going on but I have caught some of my biggest fish on a U-ail. I also like the gator tails. When the fish are feeding these tails just move water and drive the fish crazy. I might throw a straight tailed worm on a dropshot or on a bluebird day but the majority of the time you will find me fishing the big tailed baits. Both styles have a time and place but I can honestly say I have never caught anything over 5 pounds on a finesse worm, while I have caught several 9+ on U-tails.  I think a lot  of it depends on the fishery and your geographical location. Are you trying to make a bait that catches fish or appeals to fisherman? Both is your best bet if you're trying to sell em. My advice would be to experiment and do some research for your neck of the woods. What is your lakes primary forage? What do you usually fish in your area? Is it a good producer? What do other people fish in that area? See if you cant find tournament results where people talk about what they were throwing to win. (I almost always ignore plugs by pros, they say what they have to in order to keep their contract, and a lot of local guys will lie about what they caught fish on just to try and keep you off their colors/holes. Take any secondhand info with a grain of salt!) When you go fishing strike up as many casual conversations as you can, hang out at local tackle shops and see what you can hear. I don't pay any attention to colors but when I hear talk about structure I start listening. Then I try to match the type of bait to the structure I want to fish. For me there are a lot of determining factors when I am trying to design something new but this is where I start

[BuckMaxx]

manns manupilator in purple fire tail or black with chart. tail was the ish back in the 80s. I also used to love the culpit works with the big U tail. I don't use worms much anymore bt man do I have some great memories on those!!

[RLC]

Love the gator tail that ditto use to make.wish somebody would make these in the newer colors.Bears has the gator tail mold.

[Travis]

For a smaller worm I always liked Hank's worm as nice larger tail.  Also had some sort of kangroo pocket worm (had two areas to insert rattles or scent) but had nice tail.