Every once in a while, a bait that we have been using for some time will slip through the cracks without getting reviewed. The Hag’s
Tornado is one such bait. We have been using this worm for the past couple of seasons with very good results on a number of rigging options but haven’t gotten around to doing the write-up—that is until today.
We all have our favorite worms that we tend to use day in day out as well as season in season out. Often, we are reluctant to make a change and when someone finally convinces us to try something a little bit different, what do we instinctively do?
We take a half-dozen casts with it, not really learning how to use the product, and pronounce it a loser. With that, we go right back to what we were throwing, exercising the patience of Job, and may eek out an acceptable day if we’re fortunate just because we’ve caught some fish with it in the past.
Such was the case when I first got the Hag’s Tornado. The fact of the matter was that I simply didn’t know how to fish it nor was I willing to take the time to learn. However, that changed one day when I had a well-planned, very long day on the lake. All my usual prep went into this outing except for one little thing. I forgot to check my supply of worms. Yes, within an hour I had exhausted my almost non-existent supply of my favorite worm and while digging through the tackle box searching for an acceptable alternative, I ran across the Tornado in the F5 version.
Rigging The Hag’s Tornado
I started throwing it on the same rig that I was using at the time which was a simple Texas rig with a 1/8 ounce weight. I have to be honest in that I was never a big fan of baits with all the ribs on them. This worm has some serious ribbing! But I didn’t have a choice so I kept using it and started hooking up. Watching the bait in shallow water was an eye-opener in terms of how well the tail floats up off the bottom, as well as how little effort it takes to make that tail quiver.
After a little more experimentation, I gave it a go using a Picasso Shaky Head with a screw type keeper. This seemed to be a marriage made in heaven! This set-up allowed the Tornado to really take advantage of its built in action more than any other rigging option. Every little jerk, rip or pull of the rod tip resulted in some lively action from the Hag’s worm as well as when the jig bumped into anything on the floor of the lake.
Hag’s Tornado Colors And Rattle Chamber
The two colors that I now depend on the most are Tilapia and Storm Chaser with a little Purple Haze thrown in for good measure. I use the F5 more than any of the other size but will use the F4 for drop shotting. These have been the most productive for me due to the fact that I usually fish fairly clear water. However, the Tornado comes in lots of colors including some that I wouldn’t hesitate to try given I were fishing stained to muddy water.
Speaking of the aforementioned conditions, the Tornado has another little feature that is ideal for helping the fish to find it. There is a built in rattle chamber that allows you to insert a worm rattle into the spine of the bait, about an inch from the end of the tail, without tearing the worm. I have taken advantage of this but it does affect the way the worm stands up as opposed to using it plain.
The other two ways that I like to use the Tornado are weightless, just like a senko style bait, and on a wacky head with some weight added to the head of the lure. With these three options, you have several effective presentations that can be made using the Hag’s Tornado.
If you haven’t given any other worm a real chance in a season or more, this is definitely one to put on your short list to give a try.
Hag's Tornado F5 | |
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Overall Rating | |
Versatile and effective addition to your tackle box |
See ya’ on the water …