The Texas rig is possibly the most effective technique for catching bass. Whether you’ve been fishing for a while or just starting out, a Texas rig for bass is a versatile, must-have tool for your fishing toolbox. It’s one of my personal favorites because it simply catches fish.
Last updated on October 22nd, 2023 at 05:24 pm
SUMMARY: Discover the power of the Texas rig for bass fishing in ponds. This versatile, weedless presentation allows you to target bass in various underwater environments such as weed beds and heavy cover. Learn how to set up the lure, when to use it, and how to use it, including presentation techniques to catch more bass.
Understanding the Texas Rig
In simple terms, a Texas rig is a weedless soft-plastic lure presentation where the hook point is buried into the body of the bait, which could be a worm, fluke, creature bait, tube bait, or almost anything of the soft-plastic variety. Fishermen often opt for natural colors that mimic local prey.
The key to its effectiveness lies in its ability to slip through heavy cover without snagging, making it perfect for enticing bass lurking in weed beds, fallen trees, and rocky crevices. It can be weightless, allowing it to drift through the various zones to help find where the fish are set up. But traditionally, the Texas rig uses a weight, making it an ideal choice to target bass hanging out on the bottom.
Benefits of the Texas rig for bass include the ability to place a tempting soft plastic right where the bass live, as well as a high hook-up percentage. Bass will respond to a Texas rig regardless of theiir mood or the weather, though you may have to change up the presentation.
Some experts specify the rod, reel, and line to use, and clearly they know what they’re talking about, but for the average guy walking the bank, I wonder how much it matters. (For example, Glenn May of Basssource.com recommends 7 foot 1, 7 foot 2 medium-heavy power fast action rod bait casting with a reel with a lower gear ratio, like a 6.3 to 1, 6.2 to 1, and fluorocarbon line. If you’re interested, you can read all about it or watch the video here.)
When to Use the Texas Rig for Bass
Timing is important when it comes to bass fishing, and the Texas rig for bass is a prime example. Spring and early summer are typically the best times for this technique. As the water warms up, bass become more active and move towards shallow waters to spawn. This is when they aggressively protect their nests, offering you a great opportunity to use the Texas-rigged bait to target them effectively.
Consider fishing the Texas rig during low-light periods, such as early morning or late evening, when bass tend to be more active and less hesitant to approach lures.
How to Set Up the Texas Rig for Bass
You’ll need a supply of 3/0 size worm hooks, regular or extra-wide gap (and three-eighth-ounce to one-fourth-ounce bullet weights if you’re planning to make your Texas rig weighted). And you’ll need a pack of your soft-plastic lure of choice ( or maybe a couple of choices). Note that bass will tear up these baits, and you’ll find that one will last 2-3 fish at most. Luckily, they’re not super-expensive, and having to buy more is usually a sign of success (or sometimes a sign you left them in a hot garage and they’re all stuck together).
Remember to thread the weight on the line before tying on your hook. (It’s annoying to realize you forgot, which happens to me more than I’d like to admit.) To add the soft plastic, pierce the nose of the bait with the hook and go in a quarter inch or so before turning the hook to exit out the bottom. Spin the the hook and pull it all the way through until just the ring shows (though I sometimes pull the ring just inside the nose to hide it, which also allows the weight to sit neatly at the nose of the bait).
The tip of the hook goes back into the bait further down the tail. Choose the spot carefully to ensure that when the hook is in place, your bait doesn’t have a crook in it, which appears unnatural and affects the performance. You can just embed it in the middle of the plastic or penetrate all the way through the top of the bait, then stretch the bait and slip the hook tip just under the skin. You’ll figure out what works best for you. Get a solid rundown of your options here.
Advanced Measures
Sometimes, I will jam a toothpick into the top hole of the bullet weight to peg it against the bait. It’s not necessary but I like it for some reason, especially when fishing in heavy cover to avoid getting hung up. (There’s a version of this that you can buy called a bobber stop, but that’s up to you.) Also, some fishermen will add a fluorocarbon leader of 3-5 feet, especially when using braided line, to limit the visibility of the line closest to the lure.
Where to Fish the Texas Rig
We love to fish ponds and other small waters from the bank, and a Texas rig is ideal for this type of fishing. As you walk the bank, keep an eye out for certain features that will likely increase your success rate. Bass are notorious for seeking shelter and ambush points, so focus on areas with abundant cover.
Grass Beds
Bass love to hide within thick vegetation, so target areas with submerged grass and lily pads. The Texas rig will easily slide through these obstacles, enticing bass to strike.
Underwater Structures
Fallen trees, submerged rocks, and brush piles are magnets for bass. Probe these areas with the Texas-rig, and be prepared for some exciting action!
Drop-offs and Points
Look for underwater points, ledges, and sudden depth changes. Bass often use these spots to wait for their prey to swim by, making them excellent hunting grounds.
Mastering the Presentation
When casting your Texas-rigged bait, aim for precision. Whether you’re using a weight or not, let the bait sink to the bottom, and then work it with a slow, subtle retrieval, imitating natural movements. Give the rod tip occasional twitches to add some action to the bait. If you encounter a snag, remember the beauty of the Texas rig – you can work it free without losing your lure.
I like to always have some, but not too much, slack in the line. I’ve heard it called semi-slack, which is a pretty good description. You don’t want to alter the action as the bait falls, but you want to be able to see and feel any little twitch or bounce in the line, a sure sign that a fish is grabbing it. One of the best moments in fishing is seeing your line run to the right or left, or suddenly tighten, as the bass heads to parts unknown with your lure. As my friend Bev says, “fish don’t have hands, so if he’s running with it, it’s 100 percent in his mouth.” And that means it’s time to set the hook.
Lift & Drop (or Yo-yo)
When bass are feeding actively in warmer times of the year, a lift and drop technique will entice strikes. Let the bait sink to the bottom after you cast to your target. Lift your bait a foot off the bottom and let it fall back to the bottom. Bass like to strike when the bait is falling back, or as it is paused on the bottom.
Dragging
When bass are less active, dragging a Texas-rigged worm can be an effective presentation. Cast the rig out and let it fall to the bottom. Then sweep your rod in 2- to 3-foot increments, reeling in line after each pull. This creates a pause between drags which allow the bass to catch up and commit to the bait.
Twitching
For a weightless presentation, cast your bait near weed flats or other heavy cover and lite it sink to your desired depth. From there, it’s all about twitching with subtle lifts of your rod tip. Try multiple patterns but make sure to include pauses, sending the bait into a slow, shimmying dive, which is when bass are most likely to strike.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, fellow anglers – a comprehensive guide to using the Texas rig for bass. Remember that practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t catch a lunker on your first try. Stay patient, experiment with different baits and presentations, and most importantly, enjoy the thrill of being out in nature!
