Improve Your Texas Rigs With Advanced Rigging Modifications And Fishing Techniques

You know how to rig up these weedless style Texas rigs, right?

Now you can step up your game with a few extra pointers on other methods of improvising it for a variety of circumstances, and with a variety of fishing techniques you could use with it to catch more fish.

We have some of the best advice and a list of alternatives for this awesome Texas rigging technique to help you land many more fish to haul into your boat and placed into the live well.

Here's a recap for rigging the Texas rig.

Free Sliding Sinker and Pegging

Leaving the weight as a free sliding sinker on the fishing line allows for some really nice action with the bait. But, if you feel that the action may not be what the fish are attracted to, you can peg the bait.

1.) You can put on a bead stopper in front of the weight. The picture below is shown with a red plastic rubber stop.

2.) Or, another quick and easy way is known as pegging.

Pegging is done by inserting a splinter of wood, most often a toothpick, into the hole of the head of the bullet weight until it is good and wedged, and then breaking it off inside of it.

For more alternatives and rigging modifications, check out these 5 Texas rig modifications.

6 Methods Of Fishing The Texas Rig

There are a few techniques for fishing a Texas rig. First, keep in mind to always have a good eye and feel of your fishing line, especially as the bait is descending to the bottom right after you have cast it out. Fish will often attack it on the drop so be aware of any subtle tick or slight movement of the line.

Crawlin'

One of the most common ways is by making a simple cast and slow retrieve, also known as crawlin'. Cast the lure out into the water and allow for it to sink to the bottom, then slowly retrieve it back.

Swimmin'

Don't be afraid to swim the bait back to you. Bass will often chase the bait just like they do their prey. Basically, this is presented the same way as the crawlin' technique, just with a faster retrieve.

Stitchin'

Another way is by letting the bait rest on the bottom with your rod tip pointing down. Then smoothly lift your rod tip up, then drop it back down and reel in the slack line. This method can be also be done by manually using your free hand to pull the line away from the rod, releasing it and then reeling in the slack.

Doodlin'

By shaking and jigging your rod tip, and varying your retrieval rate from fast to slow and pausing at times, will give your lure presentation a bit of a neurotic action of dancing and swimming like a wounded prey. As a matter of fact, this freshwater fishing technique is one of my most favorites to use with the weedless Texas style rig.

Flippin'

Flippin' is a very productive technique for targeting such species as largemouth bass. As you move along weed lines, shorelines, rip rap, brush and other notable cover that is known to hold fish, pitch your bait into the key pockets and let it sit for a couple seconds, give it a twitch or two, then pull it back out. And simply continue to repeat this as you make your way along.

Punchin'

Punching is done when fishing into heavy vegetation. To get through the thick cover, a heavier sinker of about 1 1/2 ounces may be necessary to punch though it. The bait falls through it at a faster rate and triggers bass to attack it.

By the way, if you don't yet understand how to set up a Texas Rig, then go ahead and use the link to have a quick look to see a step by step demonstration of rigging it. And be sure to check out some of our other freshwater fishing rigs that may interest you.