How to Tie a Texas Rig

Learn how to rig this common yet effective presentation for soft plastic bass fishing lures.

One of the most common, versatile bass fishing rigs used on the water is the Texas rig. This setup is popular among anglers for its great performance in heavy cover and its ability to be rigged with virtually any hook style. Many other soft plastic rigs often feature some variation of this presentation, so amateur anglers can benefit from learning this useful setup.

REQUIRED TACKLE

The Texas rig can be a great example of simplicity at work. To rig this setup, you’ll need:

• 
  
• Bullet-style weight
• Extra wide gap (EWG) hook, or any hook style you prefer
• Soft plastic lure
• Bobber stopper or toothpick (optional)

DICK’S Sporting Goods Associate Justin Lonchar notes that your weight can vary, adding to this fishing rig’s versatility. “The nice thing about this rig is you can use a weight that’s 1/8 ounce all the way up to an ounce or an ounce and a half to be very versatile,” he says.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTION

There are just a few steps to rigging a Texas rig. Use these instructions to achieve a versatile presentation that’s ready to land the big one.

1. Thread your bullet-style weight onto your main fishing line.
2. Attach your EWG hook to your main line via Palomar knot. For more details on how to tie a Palomar knot, click here.
3. Pierce the top of your soft plastic lure and insert the hook roughly a ¼ inch into the bait. This should be at about the bend of the hook but can vary according to your hook style.
4. Expose the hook point from the soft plastic and slide the bait up along the shank to the eye of the hook.
5. Rotate your soft plastic so that the hook point is facing the underbody of the lure.
6. Thread the hook point through the bait once more. Keep a straight profile for your lure.
7. If you need a weedless profile, you can bury the hook point in the soft plastic. “What I like to do is pull the soft plastic forward and push back over the hook point for a nice, smooth surface to ensure you won’t get snagged,” Lonchar says.

If you plan on flipping and pitching your Texas rig, consider “pegging” your bullet-style weight. This keeps the weight secure in one place along your fishing line while casting. There are multiple ways to peg your weight. “My favorite is a bobber stop. Very simple, very effective,” Lonchar says. You can also use a toothpick to effectively peg your weight. Simply insert the toothpick point and snap it off.

The Texas rig can be a great setup for anglers of all skill levels. Follow these tips and tricks to expand your soft plastic attack this fishing season with this versatile, effective rig.

Learn how to tie other popular bass fishing rigs, including the Drop Shot Rig.