Alexei Volkov
The Texas rig is one of the most popular ways to fish with a plastic worm due to its effectiveness and ease of use. It is commonly used in bass fishing and can be used in both salt water and fresh water. The Texas rig is weedless, meaning it can be fished over any structure, through weeds and grass, and at any depth. The weight of the sinker can be adjusted to change the rate of fall, and the size of the worm can also be varied to control the speed of fishing. The setup for Texas rigging is simple and involves using a bullet-shaped sinker, an offset or straight shank hook, and a soft plastic worm. The hook is inserted into the worm at a right angle, ensuring that it goes back into the same side that it came out of. The Texas rig is a versatile tool for anglers, allowing them to cast, pitch, flip, and punch the lure into various hiding places where bass may be found.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rig type | Texas Rig |
| Use | Bass fishing |
| Lures | Plastic worms, creature baits, beaver baits, tubes, craws, Senkos, lizards, snakes |
| Rigging | Simple |
| Effectiveness | High |
| Versatility | High |
| Rigged lure properties | Streamlined, weedless |
| Rig components | Soft plastic lure, bullet-shaped sinker, pegging device, hook |
| Hook types | Offset worm hooks, EWG hooks, straight shank hooks |
| Hook size | Varies according to worm/bait size |
| Sinker weight | Depends on rate of fall, depth of fish, thickness of cover, casting distance |
| Sinker material | Brass, ceramic, steel, tin, tungsten, biodegradable eco material |
| Rod type | 7-foot medium heavy with a little tip action |
| Line weight | 12-20 pound fluorocarbon |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right hook
When it comes to hook type, offset worm hooks or EWG (Extra Wide Gap) hooks are popular choices for Texas rigging. Offset worm hooks have a 90-degree elbow specifically designed for Texas rigging. They are well-suited for thinner worms like ribbon tail or straight tail varieties. EWG hooks, on the other hand, are ideal for larger soft plastic lures, such as creature baits or beaver-style flipping baits. If you anticipate having to clear a lot of plastic when setting the hook, opt for a larger gap hook like the EWG.
Another option is the round bend worm hook, recommended by Bassmaster Elite Series Angler and VMC Pro, Bob Downey. This hook doesn't require textposing, resulting in a more weedless presentation. Additionally, the point of the hook being slightly offset from the shank improves the hook-up ratio by catching the mouth of the bass more easily during retrieval.
When rigging your plastic worm, insert the hook about a quarter of an inch into the top of the worm, then turn the hook and exit at the side of the worm's head. Slide the worm up the hook, twisting it around the hook wire, so that the hook point faces the worm. Ensure the eye of the hook is just at the top of the worm, allowing the worm to hang straight down.
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Selecting the right weight
The Texas rig is one of the most popular ways to fish a plastic worm due to its effectiveness and versatility. It can be used in both salt water and fresh water, and can be fished over any structure, through weeds and grass, and at any depth.
The weight of your sinker for Texas rigging depends on the rate of fall desired, the depth of the fish, and the thickness of the cover. The weight should be matched to what you are fishing and the mood of the fish. If the cover is sparse and the water is clear, a lighter weight can be used, allowing the lure to act more naturally. Tungsten weights are preferred over lead as they transmit contact better and are generally smaller in size.
For a slow-falling lure in shallow water, a 1/8-ounce weight is recommended. Weights in the 1/4-, 5/16-, and 3/8-ounce range are suitable for fishing in sparse cover or brush piles less than 20 feet deep. When fishing in thick bushes or for bass holding at depths greater than 20 feet, a 1/2-ounce weight is ideal. For punching soft plastics through matted vegetation, a 1 1/2-ounce or heavier weight is suggested.
The weight can be pegged to the lure using a toothpick, a piece of a rubber band, a bobber stop, or other commercial pegging devices. This tactic is advantageous when presenting lures in thick cover as it keeps the weight close to the lure, aiding in pulling it through the cover. Conversely, when fishing in open water, such as with flipping tubes or ribbon tail plastic worms, it is recommended to leave the sinker unpegged.
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How to thread the worm
The Texas rig is one of the most popular ways to fish with a plastic worm due to its effectiveness and versatility. It is commonly used in bass fishing.
To thread the worm, start by inserting about a quarter of an inch of the hook's point straight into the top of the worm. Then, bend the worm and insert the point of the hook at a right angle, ensuring 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 until it is hidden beneath the surface. This will ensure that the rig is ""weedless", allowing it to slip through weeds without getting snagged.
Next, slide the hook all the way through to the tie-on and turn the hook 180 degrees. Insert the tip back into the body of the soft plastic, ensuring that it is centred for the best action and presentation. Finally, pierce the very tip of the hook so that it is just under the plastic, making it weedless and less likely to snag.
The weight of your sinker for Texas rigging will depend on factors such as the rate of fall, depth of the fish, and thickness of cover. A lighter weight will also allow the lure to act more naturally.
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Casting techniques
When casting a Texas-rigged plastic worm, there are several techniques you can use to maximise your chances of success. Firstly, consider the type of water you are fishing in. If you are fishing in shallow water, it is important not to spook the fish with a big splash and noise when your worm hits the water. One way to achieve a quiet entry is by using the flipping technique, which involves holding the bait in one hand and the rod in the other, then underhand casting and releasing the bait while allowing the reel to free spool. Pitching is another technique that can be used to achieve a quiet entry, and it also allows for longer casts than flipping. To pitch, hold the bait in one hand and the rod in the other, then underhand cast and release the bait, thumbing the reel if using a baitcast reel. Avoid making long casts with monofilament line unless it is braided, as extra-long casts with monofilament line can result in poor hook penetration.
When fishing with a Texas rig, it is important to target cover, such as grass patches, docks, or cast-along banks. Look for areas that stand out, such as small grassy points that provide ambush locations for bass. These areas offer shade, safety, and concealment for bass, making them ideal spots to cast your Texas-rigged worm. Remember that when fishing in cover, a braided line is recommended for power and better hook sets.
Another technique for fishing with a Texas-rigged worm is "swimming" it. This works well in situations like a moss bed or around boat docks. To swim your worm in a moss bed, start by putting a 1/16 or 1/8 ounce weight on the rig. Cast the worm out and let it settle onto the moss, then slowly reel it in just "ticking" the moss. If it is a shallow moss bed, continue reeling until you reach a hole and let the worm settle in. If you don't get any bites, keep reeling until the next hole and repeat. Swimming your worm around boat docks can also be effective, as bass are often found in these structures. Cast your worm into the dock and let it sink just below the flotation, then slowly reel it in.
When casting a Texas-rigged worm, you can also try "hopping" it along the bottom with quick twitches of your rod tip. This technique works well when making short, accurate casts toward heavy structures. Additionally, when using a weightless Texas rig, consider using a 6'6" - 7" medium spinning combo, as casting such a light lure on a baitcasting setup may be challenging.
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The right rod
When it comes to the right rod for Texas rigging a plastic worm, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, you'll want a rod that has some backbone. This is because you need to be able to drive the hook through the plastic and into the fish, especially if there is heavy cover or a lot of line out that could stretch. A longer rod will also help you take up slack quickly on the hookset, as fish tend to pick up a Texas rig and run.
A good option is a 7-foot medium-heavy rod with a little tip action, which will give you some casting control while still providing the necessary backbone. You can also use a baitcaster or spinning tackle with a Texas rig.
The weight of your sinker will also depend on the rod and the type of fishing you're doing. If you're fishing in shallow water, a 1/8-ounce weight will create a slow-falling lure. For sparse cover or brush piles less than 20 feet deep, you can use 1/4-, 5/16-, and 3/8-ounce sinkers. A 1/2-ounce weight is ideal for deeper fishing or thick bushes, while a 1 1/2-ounce or heavier weight is suitable for punching soft plastics through matted vegetation.
When choosing a hook for your Texas rig, consider an offset worm hook or an EWG (Extra Wide Gap) hook. An offset worm hook has a 90-degree elbow that is designed specifically for Texas rigging. If you're using a thinner worm, like a ribbon tail or straight tail worm, a worm hook is a good choice. For larger soft plastic lures, such as creature baits or beaver-style flipping baits, an EWG hook is preferable.
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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. If you're rigging a thin worm, like a ribbon tail or straight tail worm, use a worm hook. If you're rigging a larger soft plastic lure, use an EWG hook.
The best weight to use depends on the rate of fall, the depth of the water, and the thickness of the cover. A 1/8-ounce weight is best for creating a slow-falling lure in shallow water. A 1/2-ounce weight is ideal for pitching into thick bushes or for bass holding on the bottom deeper than 20 feet. A tungsten weight is a good option as it transmits contact better than lead and is generally smaller in size.
The Texas rig consists of four basic elements: a soft plastic lure, a bullet-shaped sinker, a pegging device, and a hook. First, slide the worm weights onto your line, followed by the hook. Then, thread the hook through the center of the tip of the worm until the straight section of the hook meets the curve of the wide gap. Bring the hook out of the body so that it is centered, then slide the hook all the way through to the tie-on and turn the hook 180 degrees. Insert the tip back into the body of the worm, then pierce the tip of the hook just under the plastic to ensure it's weedless.
