Been an advocate of deadsticking a worm on the bottom for years, but I use plastic. Take a barbless, lead, horizontal jig with an Aberdeen hook, bend the shank "UP" 30*- 45*, pinch the barb and open the gap a bit. String on a Whip, Bloodworm or Tri-Tail so the tip is pointing nearly straight up and drop it down to inside 1/4" of the bottom then leave it there. Work the water column with another rod but will generally catch more/bigger fish on the worm. 'gills, Perch even Crappies are often skidding along the bottom right under the "seemingly" more active fish above them. A Super sensitive spring bobber and good line watching out of the corner of your eye for the super subtle slurping of the worm is very helpful but be careful often the rod starts going towards the hole in a hurry
