TEXAS RIG (Sliding Worm Weight Rig)

Texas rigs are great for fishing weeds, rocks, jetties, kelp, docks and other structure. This setup is a finesse fishing technique and requires some practice to master but soon you'll be swinging on big fish. Using varied weights dependant on depth, current and desired action of your bait you can stay in steady contact with the bottom - and that's where most of our bass are looking to feed.

Not unlike largemouth bass, saltwater bass will pounce on small, wiggly creatures skittering across the bottom. Lizards, flukes and stickbaits like Senkos or SaltShaker worms make excellent candidates for a Texas rigged lure. In shallower water, say below 15' - 20', we recommend a 3/8 or 1/2 oz weight and a 3/0 hook. Light line will drop through the water quicker so 8# is a great option - heavier if you are losing fish to breakoffs in structure, of course. In deeper water you can size up to as much a 3/4 oz - 1 oz and experiment with larger baits. Big baits = big fish (usually).

The retrieve on a Texas rig is traditionally slow and with a popping action. Jump your bait up off the bottom and let it drop back down. Do not limit yourself! Experiment with this rig - it's very versatile. Skitter it across the bottom quickly, stop and go, stitch it, burn it, whatever you can think of. And pitch it anywhere you think fish might be hiding - under docks, around pilings, along channels, down lobster pot lines, in kelp potholes...anywhere bass are hiding. That buried hook will buy you a lot of 'get out of jail free' cards. Use it!

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: 5 minutes

Here's How:

  1. Decide on your hook size, lead size and if you're going to use a bead or not.
  2. Thread line through the lead and then the bead (optional bead)
  3. Tie on the hook with the Palomar, San Diego Jam or a clinch knot.
  4. Insert hook through the tip of your bait and down out the bottom, just a bit - maybe a 1/4 inch
  5. Slide the bait up the hook and over the bend up to the eye.
  6. Insert hook point into bait body and out the top - then rebury the hook point just enough so that it can pop free when a bit strikes.
  7. Make sure your bait lays naturally - no kinks, twists or weird shapes allowed. Practice makes this part easier.