How to Rig a Texas Rig

The Texas rig is arguably the most important rig in bass fishing. Developed in Texas in the 1950s, it allows a soft plastic bait to be fished weedlessly through the heaviest cover where large bass live. Every bass angler should know how to rig it properly.

Components

Tungsten vs. brass sinkers: Tungsten is denser than lead — a 3/8oz tungsten sinker is smaller than a 3/8oz lead sinker. Tungsten transmits bottom feel better (important for distinguishing grass from wood) and produces a sharper, higher-pitched click against rocks that can trigger strikes. Tungsten costs more; brass/lead is fine for most applications.

Rigging Step by Step

1. Thread the Sinker

Slide the bullet sinker onto the main line with the pointed end facing the rod.

2. Tie the Hook

Tie the EWG hook to the main line using the Palomar Knot:

1. Double 6 inches of line
2. Pass through the hook eye
3. Tie a loose overhand knot
4. Pass the loop over the hook
5. Wet and cinch tightly

The Palomar is the best knot for Texas rig — it’s the strongest connection for bass hooks and handles the abrasion of heavy cover fishing.

3. Peg the Sinker (If Needed)

For heavy cover: slide a rubber bobber stop, small bobber stopper, or a trimmed toothpick into the sinker’s hole to lock it against the hook eye.

For open water: leave the sinker free-sliding.

4. Rig the Soft Plastic Weedlessly

1. Hold the hook with the point facing up
2. Insert the hook tip into the nose of the bait 1/4 inch
3. Push straight through the plastic and out the side
4. Slide the bait up toward the hook eye until the eye enters the nose
5. Rotate the hook 180 degrees (point now faces the bait body)
6. Pull the bait down along the hook shank until it straightens
7. Push the hook point through the bait body (just barely concealing the tip)

The bait should hang perfectly straight with no bunching. A crooked bait will spin on the retrieve.

Fishing the Texas Rig

Pitching and Flipping (Close Cover)

For targets within 20 feet — laydowns, boat docks, bushes:

1. Lower the rig to the water with the reel in free spool
2. Swing the lure forward (pitch) with an underhand motion
3. Control the fall with your thumb on the spool
4. Let the bait fall on tight line — watch the line for bites on the fall
5. Once on bottom, lift the rod tip 12 inches, pause, lower it back

Casting (Open and Sparse Cover)

For targets 20–60+ feet away, a standard overhead cast. After the bait lands:

1. Let it sink to the bottom on controlled slack
2. Pull the bait along the bottom with sweeping rod strokes
3. Reel in slack after each stroke
4. Pause 3–5 seconds at each position

Punching (Matted Vegetation)

For grass mats with pegged sinker and heavy tungsten:

1. Use 1/2–3/4oz tungsten, pegged tight to hook eye
2. Use a compact creature bait that punches a small hole
3. Drop the rig directly into the mat, forcing it through with the rod tip
4. Let it fall straight down through the mat
5. Shake the bait gently; lift and drop

Related Guides

• Best Knot for Texas Rig Soft Plastics
• How to Rig a Carolina Rig
• How to Rig a Wacky Worm
• Palomar Knot