Texas Rig: All You Need to Know About It

The Texas rig is a fishing technique involving the use of the lure of the same name, which consists of four main parts: a soft plastic lure, bullet-shaped weight, pegging device, and hook. Originating in the 1950s, the Texas rig is one of the most popular kinds of weedless lures. A weedless lure is one where the hook is inside the plastic bait. It is particularly useful for bass fishing, as the species are known to dwell beneath covers such as vegetation, rocks, and timber. Fishing with an exposed hook in these areas would be much less efficient as the hook may repeatedly snag on these covers. Using weedless lures is helpful for catching other species of fish as many game fish - not just bass - are fond of staying beneath covers to hide before ambushing their prey.

Up Your Fishing Game with a Texas Rig

How to Build a Texas Rig

The Texas rig is made of a free sliding bullet-shaped weight threaded on the fishing line, tied to a flipping hook or worm hook. Anglers may also opt to use a glass or plastic bead to provide additional noise and color to catch the attention of fish in turbid waters. The hook is then threaded through the tip of the lure, rotated before it is buried back into the body of the soft plastic lure, making it weedless and incapable of snagging.

Apart from their resistance to snagging, Texas rigs are also lauded by anglers for their customizability. It allows you to calibrate it for maximum fishing success according to the waters you’re fishing, the species you’re after, and the preferred bait of the fish based on the season.

Plastic Worm

Without a doubt, the most common lure favored by anglers who use Texas rigs is the plastic worm. It’s simple, effective, and comes in many different variants to suit any condition. These variants include ringworms, ribbontail worms, straight tails, and paddle tails.

Plastic Flipping Tube

Flipping tubes are best for bass fishing at night in the summer. They create competition among nearby game fish when they break the surface of the water. As the flipping tube sinks, other fish will see its form as a predator (the tube) pursuing its prey (the weight). Game fish are highly competitive creatures and will jump at the chance to steal prey from others. Using a flipping tube as a lure can attract more than just one fish. The tube’s form also ensures that it hits the water differently every time. Sometimes it can slide; other times, it may spin or dart about, but the vibrations it creates in the water is sure to alert game fish every time.

Plastic Crawfish 

Plastic crawfish mimic the live freshwater crustaceans of the same name, which bass love to feed on the whole year long. Plastic crawfish are the perfect weedless lures for bass fishing because the creatures they imitate are found in covers such as rocks and vegetation.

What Gear to Use with a Texas Rig

Texas rigging is a very versatile method and can also be used when there’s very little cover in the water. The type of equipment to use with a Texas rig will depend on water conditions and cover. If the water has ample vegetation or cover, use a fluorocarbon or braided line for more durability. In clearer waters with little to no cover, a monofilament line will suffice. The Texas rig is often used in conjunction with medium-heavy duty baitcasting gear and faster reels with a gear ratio of at least 7:1 that are capable of quickly pulling fish out of covers after they bite.

The best rods to use for Texas rigging are medium-heavy-action rods that are as long as the angler is comfortable with, often ranging from 7 feet to 7 feet and four inches. The weight you will use will depend on water depth, cover, and wind. With water depth, use heavier weights with deeper waters and lighter weights with shallower waters. You should also consider the presence, abundance or thickness of cover. With thick and abundant cover, it’s best to use a heavier weight to help the rig sink deeper to where the fish are more likely to be dwelling. Lastly, you should also use a heavier weight when it’s windy to keep the wind from dragging the bait away from where you want it.

How to Fish with a Texas Rig

The presentation method you’ll use when fishing with a Texas rig will depend on the season, as temperatures and climates influence how fish behave.

Dragging

This is the best for when bass are lethargic and aren’t up for a fun chase - in late fall and the winter season. Cast the bait out and let it sink to the bottom, then use the rod to slowly lift - or drag - it up by 2 to 3 feet, then reel in the line after each pull. Once the rod points up to 11 o’clock, lower the bait once more to the bottom and reel up the slack line. Reeling the slack line suspends the bait in the water for a moment, allowing slow-moving game fish to catch up and take a bite. Repeat until you feel a fish take the bait.

Swimming

This presentation method is best in the spring, when bass are aggressive, competitive, and looking for a fight. Cast the bait a bit past the spot where the bass are lurking, then reel it back to you, so it passes through the bass-populated area on its way to you. This technique may require you to experiment with the speed at which you pull back the bait to you.

Lifting and Dropping

Another presentation that works for when fish are active is the lift and drop method. Cast your bait near a cover and let it sink to the bottom, then lift it up by about a foot, making sure the line is taut, then let the lure sink to the bottom once more. You’re most likely to get a bite while the bait is descending. If you’ve been trying this method for a while with no success, try giving the rod a few shakes to create vibrations in the water.

Texas rigging is an effective and versatile method for bass fishing all year round, allowing you to experiment with using different types of gear, presentations, and baits - all with no snagging. Remember our tips for building and fishing with your Texas rig in various water conditions and covers for your most productive bass fishing session yet.