Texas Rig Bass Fishing

The Texas rig is the workhorse of bass fishing. A bullet-shaped sinker slides freely against a plastic worm or creature bait; the offset hook point buries into the plastic, making the rig virtually snagless. It excels in weeds, wood, brush, and rock - exactly where big bass hide. Every serious bass angler learns the Texas rig early.

Medium-heavy 7ft baitcasting rod, quality baitcaster reel, 12-20lb fluorocarbon or braid with leader, bullet weights (1/8 to 1 oz), extra-wide-gap (EWG) offset worm hooks (2/0-5/0), soft plastic worms/creatures/craws.

1) Slide bullet sinker onto line (unpegged for freedom, pegged near hook for punching cover). 2) Tie EWG offset hook. 3) Nose the plastic onto hook point, then thread and re-embed point into body. 4) Cast to target cover. 5) Let bait fall on slack line. 6) Slow drag or pop retrieve with pauses. 7) Set hook firmly on any tap.

Warm water (spring-fall), fish holding tight to cover, murky or clear water alike.

1) Slow it down - especially cold water. 2) Feel the bite through the rod, not the line. 3) Watch line for slack ticks - many bites are visual not felt. 4) Peg sinker for heavy cover, leave unpegged for open water.