Ethan Clarke
Texas rigging is a popular and versatile fishing setup, especially for bass anglers. It is known for its effectiveness in fishing with plastic worms, which are a staple in bass fishing. The Texas rig allows anglers to fish with a plastic worm over any structure, through weeds and grass, and at any depth. It is also weedless, allowing the worm to slip through weeds without getting snagged. To Texas rig a soft plastic, you will need a bullet-shaped slip sinker, an offset or straight shank hook, and a soft plastic bait of your choice. Anglers can also add scents to their plastics to increase attraction. The process involves inserting the hook through the plastic bait and ensuring the setup is secure. Texas rigging is a straightforward technique that provides anglers with the ability to fish in a variety of conditions and presents a versatile range of bait options.
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing hooks: offset worm hooks or EWG hooks are best
- Using a bobber stop: keeps the weight, hook and plastic together
- Versatility: Texas rigs can be used with any soft plastic and multiple bait presentations
- Rigging the worm: insert the hook at a right angle and bend the worm to keep it straight
- Using scent: anglers can add scent to attract more bites
Choosing hooks: offset worm hooks or EWG hooks are best
When it comes to choosing hooks for Texas rigging, offset worm hooks or EWG (extra-wide gap) hooks are considered the best options. The choice between these two types of hooks depends on the size and type of soft plastic lure being used.
Offset worm hooks, as the name suggests, are specifically designed for Texas rigging with a 90-degree elbow. They are ideal for thinner worms like ribbon tail or straight tail worms. The elbow of the hook ensures that the worm stays securely in place during retrieval. This type of hook is also well-suited for Texas rigging due to its ability to penetrate through plastic and into the fish, even in heavy cover or with a lot of line out.
On the other hand, EWG hooks are preferred when using larger soft plastic lures, such as creature baits or beaver-style flipping baits. The extra-wide gap of the EWG hook provides a larger opening, which is necessary when there is more plastic to navigate during hook-set. This type of hook is also effective for Texas rigging as it can easily be driven through the plastic and into the fish, thanks to its wide gap.
It is worth noting that the weight of the hook setup should be carefully considered. If the setup is too heavy, it may get stuck in the cover, requiring constant adjustments. Conversely, if it is too light, it may not effectively penetrate the cover. Therefore, matching the weight to the fishing conditions and the behaviour of the target fish is crucial.
Additionally, some anglers opt for a variation of the Texas rig called "Tex-posing." This technique involves pushing the worm through the hook and laying the flat part of the hook's point on the back of the plastic before slightly penetrating the point into the plastic. While this method allows for easier hook release, it may also result in more snags as the hook can come out more easily. "Tex-posing" is better suited for sparser cover, such as boat docks or bank grass.
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Using a bobber stop: keeps the weight, hook and plastic together
Many anglers use a bobber stop in front of their slip sinker when fishing tight to cover. This keeps the weight, hook, and plastic together at all times, preventing the line from getting tangled in branches. It also helps the bait move in and out of thick cover more easily.
To use a bobber stop, slide the bobber stop onto your line and push it up the line out of the way. Then, slip the weight on nose first. Tie your hook onto the line using a Palomar knot. Thread the worm onto the hook by piercing the worm at the top and centre, then sliding it to the top of the hook. Ensure the worm is straight on the hook. Next, feed the hook all the way through the worm, then pull the worm towards the hook. Finally, slide the weight down and then the bobber stop to peg the weight.
Some anglers prefer to place the bobber stop 6 inches above the weight. This gives the fish some travel through the weight, allowing the angler to set the hook before the fish feels the weight.
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Versatility: Texas rigs can be used with any soft plastic and multiple bait presentations
Texas rigs are highly versatile and can be used with any soft plastic and multiple bait presentations. The setup is simple and can be used with baitcasters or spinning tackle. The key components are a bullet-shaped slip sinker, an offset or straight shank hook, and a soft plastic bait. The weight of the sinker should be chosen based on the fishing conditions and the mood of the fish.
The versatility of Texas rigs extends to the type of bait used. While plastic worms are a popular choice, anglers can also use plastic lizards, craws, snakes, and various other plastic lures with appendages designed to attract bites. The size of the worm or bait can be varied, along with the weight, to control the rate of fall and the speed of retrieval.
Additionally, Texas rigs can be used with multiple bait presentations. For a hop retrieve, increasing the worm weight and adding a craw will make the rig sink faster and punch through vegetation. On the other hand, for a swim retrieve, using a bait with a secondary action, such as a ribbon tail grub or a soft plastic swimbait, and pairing it with a lighter weight, will create a different presentation.
The Texas rig is also adaptable to different fishing environments. It can be cast, pitched, flipped, or punched, and it can be used in any structure, including wood, docks, grass, and rock. This versatility allows anglers to target bass or other fish species in a variety of habitats.
The versatility of Texas rigs makes them a popular choice for anglers, as they can be customized to suit different fishing conditions and presentations, increasing the chances of a successful catch.
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Rigging the worm: insert the hook at a right angle and bend the worm to keep it straight
Rigging a worm for Texas rigging involves a few simple steps. First, lay your hook next to the worm and identify where the bend meets the worm. Then, kink or bend the worm at this precise point and push the hook into the worm. Ensure that the hook is inserted at a right angle and that the worm remains straight. The point of the hook should be covered by the worm, and the worm should make a straight line between the point and the eye of the hook.
To achieve this, hold the worm against the point of the hook and measure where the point will exit. Push the point into the worm slightly further down the belly of the bait, angling toward the nose. If done correctly, the point will exit the back of the bait without creating a bend in the worm.
Another method is to push the point into the belly of the bait, slide the hook out, and leave the barb and about 3/8 inch of the hook exposed. Then, insert the point under the skin of the worm. When done correctly, the worm will be straight on the hook, and only the point will be under the skin with a slight bulge.
A variation of the Texas rig is called Tex-posing. Instead of burying the hook into the plastic, push the worm through, lay the flat part of the hook point on the back of the plastic, and push a little bit of the point into the plastic. This results in an easier release of the hook when setting the hook, but it may also result in more snags. Tex-posing is suitable for sparser cover, such as boat docks or bank grass.
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Using scent: anglers can add scent to attract more bites
Texas rigging is a popular technique used by anglers to catch bass. It is considered versatile as it can be cast, pitched, flipped, punched, and put in every hiding place a bass might use. The setup for Texas rigging is quite simple and involves using a bullet-shaped slip sinker, an offset or straight shank hook, and a soft plastic bait. The hook is inserted through the middle of the worm at the nose and then poked out the side before being pulled back out through the new exit hole.
Using Scent to Attract More Bites
Anglers can increase their chances of attracting bites by adding scent to their soft plastic lures. Many lures already have scent baked into them, but anglers can also enhance the scent or add their own. One way to do this is by using a smelly gel, such as Pro-Cure, on the lure before casting it out. Another method is to create a mixture of organic material, salt, and oil in a ziplock bag and soaking the plastics in the bag. This allows the scent to absorb into the lures. Coffee grounds heavily salted in a bag is a popular option for this method. Additionally, anglers can purchase scented lures or add scent to unscented lures.
It is important to note that certain smells can deter fish. For example, smoking cigarettes while fishing can reduce the likelihood of fish striking as they can smell the smoke. Similarly, the fresh smell of oil-based products on a boat can also deter fish. Therefore, anglers should be mindful of the scents they bring with them and ensure that their lures have an appealing scent to attract more bites.
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Frequently asked questions
The best hooks for Texas rigging are offset worm hooks or EWG hooks. If you're Texas rigging a thin worm, like a ribbon tail or straight tail worm, a worm hook is recommended. If you're rigging a larger soft plastic lure, like a creature bait or beaver-style flipping bait, an EWG hook is recommended.
A rod with some backbone is recommended for Texas rigging, such as a 7-foot medium-heavy rod with a little tip action, to give you casting control and help drive the hook.
Some anglers like to use a bobber stop in front of their slip sinker to keep the weight, hook, and plastic together. Additionally, scents can be added to plastic lures to make them more attractive to fish.
