Alexei Volkov
Plastic worms are a must-have bait for bass fishermen. They are available in hundreds of different colors and can be rigged in several ways, making them incredibly versatile. The Texas rig is the most popular for fishing with plastic worms. It is simple to rig and can be used anywhere and anytime. It is also durable and effective in attracting bites. To set up a Texas rig, you will need a sinker, worm, and hook. The bullet sinker slides onto the line and serves as the 'head' of the worm. The worm is then hooked through its body so that the hook is not exposed and goes back into the same side of the worm that it came out of. The hook can be offset or EWG, depending on the size of the worm. The weight of the sinker will depend on the fishing conditions and the mood of the fish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rig type | Texas rig, Carolina rig, wacky rig, drop shot rig, Florida rig, split shot rig, Neko rig, shaky head rig |
| Rigging technique | Push the hook through the worm at a right angle, ensuring the worm is straight. Push the hook up slightly so that the point is just under the surface of the plastic. |
| Rigging tips | Match the weight of the sinker to what you are fishing and the mood of the fish. Use a bobber stop to keep the weight, hook and plastic together. |
| Best hooks for Texas rigging | Offset worm hooks, EWG hooks |
| Best hooks for Carolina rigging | Offset shank hooks |
| Best hooks for wacky rigging | Smallest size to accommodate the worm |
| Best plastic worms | Yamamoto Senko Worm, Berkley PowerBait Power Worm, Zoom Finesse Worm |
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The Texas rig
When fishing the Texas rig in open water, it is better to leave the sinker unpegged so the lure exhibits a more natural action. The lighter the weight, the more natural the lure will act. The Texas rig can be fished with a variety of equipment. It will fish well using either a baitcaster or spinning tackle.
The weight of the sinker for Texas rigging depends on the rate of fall, depth of the fish, and thickness of the cover. A 1/8-ounce weight is best for creating a slow-falling lure in shallow water. Sinkers in the 1/4-, 5/16-, and 3/8-ounce sizes are best for fishing sparse cover or brush piles less than 20 feet deep. A 1/2-ounce weight is ideal for pitching into thick bushes or for bass holding on the bottom deeper than 20 feet. Try a 1 1/2-ounce or heavier weight for punching soft plastics through matted vegetation.
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The Carolina rig
To set up the Carolina rig, start by adding a sinker to your mainline. The most popular weight for a Carolina rig is an egg sinker, ranging from 1/2 to 1 ounce in weight. However, you can also use bullet or cylinder sinkers, depending on your preference and the fishing conditions. Next, add 1-2 beads, which can be made of plastic, glass, or metal. The beads protect the knot from damage and can also attract curious bass with their noise.
After the beads, tie a barrel swivel to facilitate an easy connection between the mainline and the leader while preventing the weight from sliding down the line. For the leader, use a 2- to 4-foot length of fluorocarbon or monofilament line. Finally, tie on an offset worm hook, which is designed for soft plastic lures and allows for weedless rigging. The hook size should be at least 3/0, and you can embed the hook into the plastic worm to complete the rig.
When fishing with the Carolina rig, it is important to drag or lift it up and down along the bottom, creating a "clacking" sound that entices bass to investigate. This technique is especially effective in grassy areas and can be used to target bass at different depths. Experimenting with leader lengths can also improve your success when using the Carolina rig, as longer leaders can give the bait more freedom of movement and attract more fish.
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The wacky rig
To set up the wacky rig, you will need a plastic worm, a fishing line, a hook, and optionally, a sinker. The plastic worm is hooked through the middle, allowing both ends to dangle freely and wiggle. This motion mimics the movement of prey and improves your chances of a successful catch.
When choosing a hook, select one that is the smallest size to accommodate the worm. Wide gap hooks are recommended for better hook penetration. You can use any type of hook, but it is advisable to use a weedless hook to prevent snagging on weeds or other debris. To make the wacky rig weedless, use a hook with an attached weed guard, a small wire that loops through the hook eye and latches over the hook tip.
After setting up the wacky rig, cast it to your target spot and let it sink. Fish often bite as the worm falls, so be prepared to set the hook with a swift, decisive motion when you feel a tug. Once the wacky rig reaches the desired depth, jig or twitch it up and down to entice fish to bite.
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The drop shot rig
To set up a drop shot rig, tie a line to a hook with a leader underneath. The leader should be long enough to allow the bait to hover off the bottom, typically ranging from 2 to 4 feet or 12 to 36 inches. The weight of the leader can be modified to suit your preferences, with heavier and lighter weights available. Generally, it is recommended to start with a lighter weight and gradually increase it until you can feel the lure and the bottom, creating a more natural presentation.
When using a drop shot rig, it is common to nose-hook soft plastic worms. This allows the worm to dance a few inches above the weight as the angler drags it across the bottom, creating an attractive presentation for the fish. Light-wire hooks are often preferred for drop shot rigs as they provide better penetration in deep water with smaller gauge wire. Additionally, hooks with small keepers are ideal for holding Texas-rigged plastics in place.
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The Neko rig
To rig a Neko rig, you will need your worm of choice, an O-ring, a hook, and a nail weight. Usually, a straight tail or stick bait works well, but anglers have also used Neko-rigged small craws and other baits successfully. First, wet the O-ring and then slide it onto the narrow end of the bait, positioning it slightly off-center towards the head to give more tail action. Next, push a nail weight into the head of your worm. You can leave a little bit of the nail weight sticking out to feel the bottom better with your weight. Finally, run your hook under the O-ring, ensuring that the hook point faces up towards the tail for a better hook-up percentage.
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Frequently asked questions
The best hooks for Texas rigging are offset worm hooks or EWG hooks. An offset worm hook has a 90-degree elbow that is made specifically for Texas rigging.
The weight you use will depend on the fishing conditions. If the cover is sparse and the water is clear, a lighter weight is preferable as it will make the lure act more naturally. Tungsten weights are a good option as they transmit contact well and are smaller than lead sinkers.
The Texas rig is the most popular way to rig a plastic worm for bass fishing. It is easy to tie and fish with, and can be used anywhere and in any depth of water.
To hook the worm, bend it and insert the point of the hook at a right angle so that the hook goes back into the same side of the worm that it came out of. Push the point all the way through the worm and then push the worm up slightly so that the point of the hook is just under the surface of the plastic.
