dips, doughs, chum and blood

Depth of ribs on dipworms isn’t as significant as the type and condition of “rubber” that the worms are made of. Ribbed dipworms actually are made of PVC plastic, with plasticizers added to keep the worms supple.

Tube-type dipworms are made of a different type of plastic, but both have shiny, oily-looking surfaces.

Those shiny chemicals on the surface of a worm can make it difficult for dipbait to adhere. Prochnow recommends washing shiny dipworms in a bath of warm water and a little dish soap. Rinse them in clean water to remove any traces of soap. In the field, he suggests blotting worms dry with a paper towel or cloth to remove any water, to improve dipbait adhesion when dipworms are poked into bait tubs.

Many dipbait manufacturers dislike foam dipworms because the sponge rubber tends to soak up water and releases the bait too rapidly. Wayne Scheffsky, owner of W-D-3 Baits in Geneseo, Illinois, agrees that foam dipbait worms must be selected carefully. “I make my dipworms from a special type of rubberized silicone sponge with fibers embedded in it,” Scheffsky says. “I prefer that sponge material because it lets my dipworms float even after they’ve been loaded with dipbait. I want my bait floating right at eye level when catfish come cruising by, looking for the source of the scent and flavor particles released by the bait.”