Do You Know How To Split Shot A Berkley Trout Worm?

If you are fishing in a lake that contains stocked rainbow trout, a great way to land a grip of  trout is to "split shot" a trout worm.  For many trout fishermen (including myself) the term "trout worm" makes the mind turn to small live worms such as red worms, but in this case live fishing worms are not what I am referring to.  Rather, I am referring to the trout worms that Berkley makes which are impregnated with Powerbait, which as you should be aware is one of the most effective trout baits on the market.  Well, these little four or so inch long floating worms are a great bait to use for rainbow trout that live in a lake.


One of the most effective techniques that I've come across for using Berkley trout worm is called split shotting, and it's as simple a technique as you will find.  The technique is best utilized in a lake that has been stocked with rainbow trout.  You can be fishing from a boat or from shore and because of the way the trout worm is rigged you want to use a fishing rod that may be a bit longer than you are used to?  In many trout fishing scenarios, I prefer a five or so foot long ultralight fishing rod.  Well, when I am split shooting a trout worm, I prefer to use a an ultralight trout rod that's at least six and a half feet long. Why do I do this?  Mainly because using a longer fishing rod, enables me to cast my lightweight trout worm rig much easier. 

Next we have the line that your reel is spooled with.  Make sure that the line that you are using is no heavier than four pound test.  You want to use either two or four pound test line any time that you split shotting a Berkley trout worm.  This means that your line will not only be invisible to the trout, but the lighter line will also aide in your ability to cast the tiny trout worm.

The rig itself starts with a #8 or #10 light wire (or Aberdeen) hook, which is tied to the end of your line.  A single split shot sinker is now pinched to the line two to six feet up the line.  The size of the split shot will vary depending on the depth of the water that you are fishing.  I find the BB size is usually a good starting point.  A Berkley trout worm is now threaded onto your fishing hook.  Make sure that the worm is rigged onto the hook is a completely straight manner with no "kinks" in the worm itself.  This will make sure that the worm achieves the proper "action" in the water. 

 Now cast your split shot rig into the water and allow it to sink to the bottom.  Now slowly reel the worm in, occasionally lightly twitching the tip of your rod as you reel.  Working the trout worm too fast will result in very few bites, so remember the slower you work the work the trout worm the better.  Work the water column, by varying the depth at which you let the worm sink, as you will often find that hungry rainbow trout will be a different depths within the water column. Varying the color of the worm can help as well.  I have found that pink, white, and red are effective colors.

Well, now you know how to split shot a trout worm.  As you begin implementing this simple trout fishing technique I think you will find that is as effective a technique as you will find for catching stocked rainbow trout.