Maya Ellison
Plastic worms are a popular choice for bass fishing. The Texas rig is a commonly used setup for plastic worms, where the worm is rigged texposed and then cast out, followed by a series of hops and sinks to attract bass. When a bite is felt, it is crucial to quickly set the hook with a forceful upward motion of the rod tip. This technique requires practice to master, especially when fishing in areas with vegetation or cover. Flipping and pitching are two techniques used in such situations, where the worm is flipped or pitched towards the target with minimal splash to avoid spooking the fish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Technique | Texas rigging, Flipping, Pitching |
| Rig | Wacky rig, Texas rig, Texposed rig |
| Hook | Straight shank worms hooks, 2/0 EWG hook, 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hooks |
| Worm | 5-inch senkos (Yum Dinger, Strike King Ocho), 7-inch worms |
| Weight | Bullet slip weight, 1/16 oz bullet weights |
| Action | Twitch it, Reel it, Bounce it |
| Fishing line | Braided line, Monofilament line, Fluorocarbon line |
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What You'll Learn
Texas rigging
To start rigging, determine whether you will be using a weight, the type of weight, if you will peg the weight, and if you will be using a glass bead for more sound on the rig. The weight depends on the depth of the water you are fishing in. A good rule of thumb is to use a lighter weight if the cover is sparse and the water is clear. The lighter the weight, the more natural the lure will act.
Next, insert the point of the hook into the front or 'nose' of the worm. If you are using a sliding weight and a glass bead, push the point in only about 1/8 inch and circle it down and out the 'belly' of the worm. Then, slide the worm up the shank of the hook and onto the offset portion. If you are pegging the weight or using no weight, push the point further into the nose of the worm before exiting the belly. Hold the worm against the point of the hook to measure where the point will exit and push the point in slightly further down the belly of the worm, angling toward the nose.
Now, pull the hook to the eye, turn it around, and run the hook tip through the worm. Finally, skin hook it on the opposite side so that the rig is weedless. Ensure the worm hangs straight, or it will twist your line. You can also use a weighted worm hook or slide a weight onto the line for added versatility and sinking power.
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Reel and repeat
Once you've mastered the art of rigging a plastic worm, it's time to learn the "reel and repeat" technique to improve your chances of catching bass. This technique involves a series of precise movements and timings that, with practice, can become second nature.
Start by letting your rigged plastic worm sit for a few seconds. This step is crucial, as it allows the worm to attract the attention of nearby bass. Then, with a quick twitch of your rod tip, impart a lively action to the worm, making it seem like an irresistible snack for any hungry fish. Reel in the line a few feet, bringing the worm closer to you, and then repeat this process. This continuous motion will help cover more water and increase your chances of a bite.
If you feel that telltale "tap" on your line, it's go-time! Don't hesitate—reel down to the 3:00 position and then set the hook with a swift and forceful upward motion of your rod tip. Imagine you're trying to cross the fish's eyes with this powerful hook set. It's important to be aggressive with the hook set, as the bass may have balled up the plastic worm in its mouth, requiring multiple attempts to penetrate and find its lip.
In some situations, you may prefer a technique called "flipping." This method is ideal for fishing in heavy cover or around visible stumps in the water. With a Texas-rigged bait and a heavy-duty line, you can execute precise underhand casts to specific areas without spooking the fish with excessive noise or splashes. Keep a fixed length of line in one hand and the rod in the other, and release the line when you swing the bait toward your target.
Another technique to consider is "pitching," which also minimizes noise and disturbance. Hold the bait in one hand and the rod in the other, and then underhand cast, allowing the reel to free spool. With pitching, you can achieve greater distance than with flipping while still maintaining stealth. However, avoid long casts unless you're using a braided line, as monofilament lines can stretch too much and affect hook penetration.
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Flipping
To perform a flip, you should start by selecting the right hook for the rig. For a Texas Rig, an offset worm hook or an EWG (Extra Wide Gap) hook is ideal. An offset worm hook has an L-shaped bend just below the hook eye, which allows the worm to dangle freely. The EWG hook is better suited for larger soft plastic lures.
Next, you'll need to set up the Texas Rig. Start by threading a bullet sinker onto the end of the line before tying on the hook. The bullet sinker should touch or almost touch the top of the plastic worm's head. You can use a tungsten weight, which is generally smaller than a lead sinker of the same weight and transmits contact better.
Now, hook the plastic worm. Push about a quarter of an inch of the hook tip into the top of the worm. You can also push the center of the worm onto the tip of the hook. Make sure the hook's tip remains embedded in the worm, rather than letting it poke out. The hook shaft should run alongside the worm, and the tip should be just below the surface or embedded in the middle of the worm's body.
Finally, you're ready to flip the Texas Rig. When fishing close to cover with pitches and flips, keep your rod at about 10 o'clock. This position allows you to be quick on the draw before the fish wraps you in cover. With the right gear and technique, flipping with a Texas Rig can be an effective method for bass fishing.
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Pitching
When using a Texas Rig for pitching, it is important to rig the worm correctly to prevent it from getting snagged on weeds or other debris. The first step is to insert about a quarter of an inch of the hook into the top of the worm. Then, push up on the worm slightly so that the point of the hook is just under the surface of the plastic. This will make the rig weedless or skin-hooked, allowing it to slip through weeds without getting caught.
After hiding the hook point, pull the hook to the eye, turn it around, and run the hook tip through the worm. Finally, skin hook it on the opposite side so that the rig remains weedless. Ensure that the worm hangs straight to avoid twisting your line.
When using a weighted Texas Rig for pitching, a 7'6" medium-heavy casting rod paired with a mid-gear ratio baitcasting reel is recommended. This setup provides support for pitching and flipping while maintaining a robust backbone for solid hooksets. For a weightless Texas Rig, a shorter rod (6'6"-7") and a medium spinning combo are suggested.
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Hooks and weights
When using a Texas rig, the choice of hook is important. Straight shank worm hooks are a preferred choice for some anglers, as they offer a better hook-up ratio, especially when fishing in close quarters. A common hook size for this style is a 2/0 EWG hook, although larger hooks like the 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG can also be used, especially when fishing in deeper water.
Weights are also an important consideration when rigging a plastic worm. The weight you choose will depend on the depth and cover you are fishing. For fishing in deeper water or when more weight is needed, bullet weights are a good option. When using a Texas rig, a bullet slip weight can be added to help get the worm down to the desired depth. For fishing in depths greater than 5 feet, it is recommended to use 1/16-ounce bullet weights to effectively weigh down the rig.
Flipping is a technique used in close quarters or when fishing heavy cover. It involves using a fixed length of line held in one hand while the other hand holds the rod. By swinging the bait toward the target and releasing the line, you can accurately place the bait without spooking the fish with a loud entry. This technique is well-suited for shallow water situations where a quiet presentation is crucial.
Pitching is another technique that can be used with a Texas rig. In this method, the bait is held in one hand and the rod in the other, allowing for an underhand cast and a quiet entry. With practice, pitching can provide both distance and stealth, making it a versatile approach. However, when using monofilament line, avoid making long casts as the stretch of the line may hinder hook penetration.
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Frequently asked questions
The Texas rig is a popular choice for fishing with plastic worms.
As soon as you feel a bite, reel down to the 3 o'clock position and then set the hook with a lot of force.
If you are fishing in shallow water, use a technique called "pitching". Hold the bait in one hand and the rod in the other, then underhand cast and release the bait, allowing the reel to free spool.
For Texas rigging, straight shank worm hooks are recommended as the hook-up ratio is better.
