Rig Series: Texas Rig

Saturday, June 12, 2010 Bass , Informative , Rig Series 0 Comments

I have heard it said on several occasions that more Bass Masters Tournaments have been won using the Texas Rig than any other lure. Don't get me wrong, Spinnerbaits produce great in the morning as bass are warming up. Top water is highly effective on calm nights and fun as hell. You can run and gun the edge of cover with crankbaits, especially during the spawn. But what do you pull out of your tackle box when they are just not biting on a hot summer day? With the increase in temps during mid-day the fish become lazy and some finesse is required. Its time to call in the Texas Rig.

Rigging the Texas Rig is simple. You need a curly tail worm, offset worm hook, and possibly a bullet weight. To rig it traditionally first place the bullet weight on your line pointed up. Next tie on your offset worm hook. Finally thread the hook into the top of the worm down the first 1/2 inch or so and then exit through the side. Now thread the hook back through the worm where the bottom of the hook meets it and push it through--but not all the way. The hook should be just under the other side of the worm but not penetrating. This makes it virtually weedless until a Bass bites setting the hook. For a even slower presentation do it exactly the same but forget the bullet weight. This is a more subtle approach for even greater finesse or great if your fishing really thick cover and your bullet weight starts catching weeds. 

This is what it should look like. I prefer darker colors in clear water and brighter, larger worms in murky waters or at night. 

Finally, since this is the first rig I have mentioned that uses plastics let me add that often you need to wait a second or two once you feel the fish start to take the worm. A sensitive rod is crucial to differentiate a fish from a log jam or weeds and to know when the fish has truly taken the bait. If you try and set the hook too early, often you will lose the fish as it may only have hold of the tail of the worm. This takes some getting used to but with patience you will come to love this rig.

*Note picture is a 3 lb Largemouth I actually caught tonight on a Texas Rig.