If you want to catch bass, then the ability to Texas rig a soft plastic worm is a skill you must have in your arsenal.
The Texas rig is simple to learn and can be used in areas with heavy weed cover and rocks. In fact, it’s in these areas that the Texas rig excels. Can you Texas rig a real worm? Read more about Texas rigging worms in our guide.
A Texas rig is a common method for rigging soft plastic worms and doesn’t require much gear. All you need is a hook, a bullet weight, and your plastic worm.
Then, you can use your worm to fish for bass in areas of heavy cover.
Take a look at this guide to learn everything you need to know about Texas rigging a worm.
It’s really simple, and with our tips and tricks, in no time at all you should have mastered this impressive method for bass fishing.
Can You Texas Rig A Real Worm
The Texas rig requires just three things: a hook, a bullet weight, and a soft plastic worm.
Begin by sliding your chosen bullet weight along the line. The tip of the weight should be facing away from the hook end.
Run the weight slightly up the line, so it doesn’t get in the way as you hook your worm.
Tie your chosen hook to the line using a strong knot.
Take your soft plastic worm, and thread the point of the hook through the center of your worm to roughly 1/4 inch deep.
Twist the hook point so that it exits the side of the plastic bait. Slide the bait until it reaches the eye of the hook.
Twist the hook so that the head of the bait is snug to the eye of the hook, and the point of the hook is facing toward the bait.
The worm should be hanging straight down, with the body toward the point of the hook. Insert the hook tip back into the body of the worm.
Pull the body of the soft plastic bait back before inserting the tip, to ensure a straight line. This makes the Texas rig weedless (or snagless), so it can be fished almost anywhere.
Slip the bullet weight back down the line so that it sits at the head of the worm, and your Texas rig is ready to go.
Because the setup is so basic, the Texas rig is a versatile method. Use it with a light rod or a stiff rod, a heavy line or a lightweight line.
Hook Sizes
The best hook to use for Texas rigging is an Extra Wide Gap worm hook (EWG). The larger bend and pronounced offset make it easier to hold the soft plastic bait.
Straight shank hooks are also a good choice, and fairly easy to rig.
When choosing a hook, pick the size depending on the length of your soft plastic bait. For a standard size plastic worm, a 3/0 EWG hook is ideal.
A 7″ or 8″ plastic worm is best with a 4/0 hook, and use a 5/0 hook for any plastic bait that’s 10″ or longer.
Bullet Weights
Find a bullet weight for your Texas rig depending on the rate of fall, depth of fish, and the cover. A basic choice is the 1/4 oz bullet weight, but for shallow water, the 1/8 oz works better.
If you’re fishing in deep water over 20 feet, or an area with dense weeds, go for a heavier 1/2 oz bullet weight.
Heavier weights and lighter weights can help you target different sections of the water column.
Choosing A Worm
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If you want to Texas rig a worm for bass fishing, our top choice is the finesse worm. A 6″ worm, 3/0 hook, and 1/4 oz weight is a fairly standard setup, and likely to catch you a lot of fish.
It doesn’t necessarily have to be a worm that you Texas rig. Worms were one of the first lures made out of soft plastic, but the market has since expanded massively.
Now soft plastic minnows, craws, flukes, lizards, and much more are all available. A curly tail worm, ribbon tail worm, or shaky head worm are all good, classic choices.
How To Fish A Texas Rig
It’s really worth learning to Texas rig a worm because this is such a versatile method. The best place to use a Texas rig worm is in water with plenty of cover.
Because a properly Texas rigged worm is weedless, it shouldn’t snag or spoil. So, if you find yourself in water with weeds, vegetation, or brush, then it’s time to break out the Texas rig.
In cooler water with lethargic bass, we like to use the dragging method for our Texas rigged worm. Cast the rig and let it fall to the bottom, and then sweep the rod.
Reel in the line a little after each pull, to try and force inactive fish into a bite.
During warmer weather, a lifting and falling method works best. Use a short cast, and let the worm fall to the bottom, before jerking up.
Let the rig drop again, and repeat the motion. The bass should try to strike as the worm drops to the bottom.
You can Texas rig a worm without a weight, which is good for heavy weed cover in shallow waters. Rather than big movements, twitch the rod to try and lure the bass into biting.
You can really experiment with movement with a Texas rig worm, so shake things up a bit. Once you’ve found a cadence, lean into the action, and lure in your bass.
Final Thoughts
The Texas rig is a simple method for rigging soft plastic lures, including worms. The weedless bait can then be cast in areas with heavy cover, different water temperatures, and different depths.
If you’re interested in snagging some bass, the Texas rig method is one you have to learn. But as it’s so easy, most anglers can master it in no time at all.
Once you’ve nailed it with a soft plastic worm, experiment using the Texas rig with your bait of choice.
