Xcite Baits Xtreme Stix Stick Worm – 4 & 5 Inch

Xcite Baits Xtreme Stix – 4-Inch & 5-Inch Stick Worm

Whether you are slowing down for pressured bass or working around docks, grass, and shoreline cover, Xcite Baits Xtreme Stix offer two different stick-worm profiles in one convenient listing. Choose your size and color before adding to cart: the 4-inch Slim Xtreme Stix comes 12 per bag, while the 5-inch Xtreme Stix comes 8 per bag. Both sizes are listed at $6.49 per bag.

The manufacturer describes the 4-inch worm as a salt-free, naturally buoyant finesse bait with a subtle shimmy. The 5-inch version uses a proprietary durable floating plastic designed for versatile presentations. Buoyancy can help a worm stand up or move naturally on the right rig; actual posture depends on the hook, weight, line, and bottom conditions.

Which Size Should You Choose?

• 4 inch | 12-pack: A smaller, subtle profile for clear water, pressured bass, ponds, and finesse techniques. Try a drop shot, wacky rig, split shot, or an appropriately sized shaky head. For Ned rigging, consider a shortened piece when necessary to fit the jighead.
• 5 inch | 8-pack: A larger stick-worm profile for weightless presentations, weedless Texas rigs, shaky heads, and Carolina rigs. Choose it when you want a bigger silhouette or a longer fall and glide.

Xmark Outdoors — Suggested Rigging

1. Weightless Texas rig: Insert an appropriately sized worm hook into the nose, bring it out briefly, rotate the hook, then lightly skin-hook the point back into the body so the worm hangs straight. Cast to grass edges, laydowns, and docks; let it fall on controlled slack line, then twitch and pause. Match hook gap to the worm diameter. Start with our Mustad Impact Keeper Wide Gap Hook and check clearance before rigging. Read the Texas rig guide.

2. Weightless or wacky rig: For a weightless presentation, fish the straight-rigged worm on a slack-line fall with occasional twitches. For a wacky presentation, hook the worm near its middle with a suitable wacky hook, leaving both ends free to flutter; let it fall and watch the line for subtle bites. A dedicated wacky hook is not currently confirmed in Xmark's catalog. See the weightless stick worm guide and the wacky rig guide.

3. Shaky head: Thread the nose onto the jighead's keeper and rig the body straight, with the hook point exposed or lightly concealed as cover allows. Work it with small shakes and pauses on rock, gravel, and sparse cover. Try the Missile Baits Warlock Shaky Head; choose weight and hook fit for the worm. Compare approaches in Ned rig vs. shaky head.

4. Ned rig: Use a suitably sized section of the worm, thread it straight onto a Ned jighead, then drag, hop, or deadstick it along bottom. The 4-inch worm is a natural starting point, but shortening may improve fit and presentation. Pair with the Gambler Power Ned Jig with Weedguard and read how to fish a Ned rig.

5. Drop shot: Nose-hook or lightly Texas-rig the worm on an appropriate drop-shot hook, attach a weight below the hook, and gently shake on semi-slack line without pulling the bait far from the target. The Missile Baits Rattle Shot Drop-Shot Weights provide weight options; a dedicated drop-shot hook is not currently confirmed in the catalog. Learn the tradeoffs in Ned rig vs. drop shot.

6. Neko or Carolina options: For a Neko rig, insert a Missile Baits Neko Weight in one end and hook near the middle with a suitable hook; work it with small bottom-contact lifts. For a Carolina rig, run a sliding sinker above a swivel and leader, then rig the worm on a compatible hook; drag across open bottom. Optional components include Gambler Brass Rattle Weights and the Mustad 77500 Rolling Swivel. Consult Ned vs. Carolina rig for when to switch.

Fishing Techniques & Tips

• Clear or pressured water: Start with the smaller 4-inch size, lighter tackle, natural colors, and longer pauses.
• Grass, wood, and docks: Use a straight, weedless Texas rig where exposed hooks may snag; pitch to openings and let the bait fall.
• Rock, gravel, and open bottom: Try a shaky head or shortened Ned presentation with gentle drags and pauses.
• Cold fronts or sluggish fish: Reduce retrieve speed and let the worm rest longer between movements.
• Warmer water and active fish: Explore a faster twitch-and-glide or target multiple pieces of cover.

Target species: Primarily largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass; other freshwater predators may also strike an appropriately presented worm.

Recommended Rigging & Pairings

• Weedless presentations: Mustad Impact Keeper Hook
• Bottom-contact shaky head: Missile Baits Warlock Shaky Head
• Finesse Ned presentation: Gambler Power Ned Jig
• Drop-shot weight options: Missile Baits Rattle Shot Weights

Xmark Outdoors rigging and fishing suggestions are educational recommendations, not manufacturer performance guarantees. Select hook and weight sizes based on worm dimensions and fishing conditions. Product availability may change.