How to fish with Ringworms / Super Do’s?

I’m new to fishing walleye on the Mississippi and this message board is a great way to get started. I’ve been reading a lot of fishing reports that talk about Ringworms and Super Do’s. How do you actually fish with these plastics? Do you vertical jig with them? Do you tip them with a minnow? Does it matter what color of jig head you use based on the color of the plastic? I purchased Chartreuse Pepper, Pro Blue and Purple ringworms along with Electric Blue Supper Do’s. Any recommendations on size of jig and color are also appreciated.

I’ll jump in and get the answers rolling. I’m far from an expert but have had some success in the past year making the transition from meat to plastics. Hopefully one of the IDA guides or fieldstaff will chime in and fill some of the holes that my reply leaves behind.

Superdoos are a very good vertical bait. Use a large enough jighead to reach and remain in contact with the bottom, let the ‘doo fall and then give it a sharp 6-12″ snap up, then hold just off the bottom. Hold for a while. 10-20 seconds or more. Then drop, snap, and hold. I catch a lot of saugers on ‘doos, mostly because of where I have been fishing these baits since November: deep holes without a lot of current. Ringies can be fished vertical, but also pitched to riprap or wingdams, or dragged upstream or downstream.

Jighead color is something that probably requires a day-today diagnosis. Some guys will tell you that contrast is the key. Others will say that it a plain head is best. I think the best approach is to have a selection on hand, and sort through several body/head combos until the fish tell you what they want.

As I said before, James or Dustin or Jarrad or Steve or Don (I know I left some others out….sorry!) are experts at using these baits and can be a treasure trove of info and tips . Use the search feature of the website to find reports from November-March of the past couple of years to get some interesting ideas about colors, techniques and general locations.

I can offer my limited experience and then the others can give you there thoughts. I so far this year have been vertically jigging ringworms and paddletails. In my stretch of the river so far this year, I have been using 5/16-3/8 size jig heads. When I vertical jig, I find bottom, then lift the ringie or paddletail up about 6 inches and let it hover without moving it, for a 5 count. Then repeat. As far as color of jighead and plastic, that is the best thing about the BFT line. You can match the colors or mix them for a contrasting colors. I personally have better luck lately with odd looking colors Sour apple jig/catalpa orange paddle, purple jig/chart pepper ringie, keep mixing until you find something they want. One thing about the plastics, usually the fish hit hard

Thanks for the feedback brooktrout and amWatson. The technique sounds similar to vertical jigging. Do you also use a minnow when using a ringworm or superdo?

Nope…..Just the plastic! Use a heavy enough head (1/8-1/4) to feel the bottom at vertical. Hold it a couple inches off the bottom and “Twang” …they’ll hit it! Good luck

For dragging purposes,in the low flow I’m using 1/8 oz. heads.

I can not speak for the other anglers, but personally I do not use any meat with the plastics. I think that defeats the purpose of the plastics. In my homble opinion, the action of the plastic is the key, and a minnow or crawler just screws that up. I try to concentrate on swiming the jig correctly, and usually have to remind my self to just slow down, subtle and natural is better. In fact, a superdoo just off the bottom will dance its arms from current alone I beieve. It is most important to just keep it still, to me that is the hardest part, it still does not feel right to me. I am no guide or tourney pro, so this is just my opinion. However, I have done better with swimming plastics and hovering superdoos than I ever did jigging a minnow around all the other boats. I will say, I usually do not catch as many, but I do catch better sized fish.

Hope this helps

Bob.

Bob B. has it nailed. His advice and explaination is right on.

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I can not speak for the other anglers, but personally I do not use any meat with the plastics. I think that defeats the purpose of the plastics. In my homble opinion, the action of the plastic is the key, and a minnow or crawler just screws that up. I try to concentrate on swiming the jig correctly, and usually have to remind my self to just slow down, subtle and natural is better. In fact, a superdoo just off the bottom will dance its arms from current alone I beieve. It is most important to just keep it still, to me that is the hardest part, it still does not feel right to me. I am no guide or tourney pro, so this is just my opinion. However, I have done better with swimming plastics and hovering superdoos than I ever did jigging a minnow around all the other boats. I will say, I usually do not catch as many, but I do catch better sized fish.

Hope this helps

Bob.

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I too have noticed that we don’t catch more fish, but the ones we usually catch are better sized. My buddy tried a stinger hook yesterday and soon took it off. You can tell the stinger or minnow affects the action of the tail, especially on ringworms.

It hooks the tail and will not allow it to work properly.

I’ll be getting rid of the darn stingers the next time I go plastic…Wondered about that. Still caught fish with only plastic and a stinger but that makes sense.

Sh8tcan the stingers. If you’re getting short strikers bite 3/4″ off the head of the ringie. It’ll also give you something to chew on while waiting for the big one to hit.

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I’ll be getting rid of the darn stingers the next time I go plastic…Wondered about that. Still caught fish with only plastic and a stinger but that makes sense.

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The fish we have been getting on plastic have been injesting the jig almost to their gullet! No need for a stinger!

Put on a really big treble with lead melted on it.Hook the worm or doo on one of the hooks.Cast across the river,at the dam,and jerk like hell. not only will you get a lot of fish,youll also get a lot of new gear.

And meet new people too!

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And meet new people too!

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Just think of all the friends a guy could make doing this!

Bob has definately pinned that answer down. Quality versus quanity when fished properly!