There are some techniques specific to bass anglers and the Texas rig is one of them. Wondering what kind of line is a texas rig?
For fishing with this technique, take a hook and insert about ¼ inch of it through the nose of a plastic and soft bait.
Let the hook point bury in the lure’s plastic or rest on its top. The lure should be straight for it to run in the water without causing the line to twist.
Table of Contents
The Origin – What Kind of Line is a Texas Rig?
Ohio native Nick Crème invented a plastic worm in 1949. He took a vinyl batch, cooked it, and molded it into a durable and reliable lure.
He moved his business to Tyler, Texas, the heart of bass fishing. In the region, anglers adjusted and twisted the presentation, creating what we know today as the Texas rig.
And, in 1960, Bill Dance made the rig popular when Shan Marriot, a fellow angler showed it to him.
Texas Rig Equipment
The Texas rig needs a very simple arrangement that includes some key components. Anglers will require worm weight, hook, and some type of plastic lure. Read this to know more about what kind of line is a texas rig.
Hooks
You can find various options of hooks for a Texas rig. Experienced and skilled anglers will have specific hooks to use in distinct conditions.
Take a note of how much the hook eye is separated from the hook point. Some designs come with the eye and hook point in line with each other such as EWG. Others like the flipping hook come with a huge separation.
Also, every hook is designed for a particular purpose.
For instance, EWG (extra-wide gap) hook was built to handle wider and thicker body plastics. The additional gap simplifies rigging with a big plastic swimbait or hollow body tube.
Weights
For a long time, a worm weight or egg sinker with slip style has been the standard. Using some worm weight with a conical shape is common among most anglers.
But tungsten has become a popular option for weight due to its density and the local regulations against lead usage.
Also, it creates a distinct and pronounced clicking sound as compared to a soft lead weight.
Lures
Any kind of plastic lure can be rigged in this style.
While plastic worms were the first lures, the diversity of plastics available today offers endless options to anglers. So, if you have a plastic lure, you can use the Texas rig.
The Right Hook and Lure Size Combination
For beginners, using a hook that takes almost 1/3rd of the lure’s front is a good go.
Although the hook-up ratio can be somewhat more or less, that’s a good point, to begin with. Don’t go for a very small hook for the plastic or it will obstruct the ratio.
On the other hand, a bigger hook will not stay rigged correctly and can affect the lure action.
For instance, the swimbait’s tail will create an improper swimming motion in case the hook reaches very far back towards the lure’s tail.
If you aren’t getting the desired lure’s sink rate or action, you can retie a new one easily. Size down first and then size up if you aren’t sure what to do.
Selecting the Right Weight
Considering the weight and its impact on the lure has two approaches, the sink (or fall) rate and the lure speed going to the targeted depth.
Selecting the Weight with Fall Rate
Usually, anglers wish to get their soft plastic sink slower in muddy or stained water and quicker in clear water.
In the clear water, bass uses their lateral line to pick vibrations in conjunction with their sight. Bass gives a reaction strike when the lure drops faster or flashes in the front of the fish.
And, in slow water, you should use a slow fall rate because the bass has restricted visibility in the kind of conditions. They feel the lure via vibrations and water displacement to spot the target.
However, a slow fall rate keeps the lure in the front of the bass for a longer time. So, adjusting the weight to get the bite at places where the fishes are aggressive is the key.
Selecting the Weight with Depth
At times, you may not find the bass hanging in the shoreline cover. Then, anglers need to cover or move to deeper structures that can be more than 20-foot depth.
When more time is spent to make the lure take a position, an angler gets fewer chances to make the presentation in a day.
Enhancing the worm weight size will place the bait in the target zone quicker and increase the chances of biting throughout the day.
Presenting a Texas Rig
Here are some basic presentations you can use with a Texas rig.
Swimming Retrieve
This presentation is used with lures such as minnow imitations, bluegill imitations, or soft plastic swim baits. The basic retrieve should match the species of the prey you are mimicking.
During a straight swimming presentation, twitches, start and stop actions, erratic movements, and pauses are likely to attract the bass.
The fish’s feeding instincts take over when they observe a potential meal wounded, struggling, or not acting correctly.
Dragging or Bottom Bouncing
This involves imparting the lure action using the rod’s small movements. This follows reeling up the slack line and continuing.
Pay attention to the feeling you get regarding the bottom composition and the type of cover being dragged through.
On getting a bite, take a note of the source to replicate its cover type, location, and structure.
Wrap Up – What Kind of Line is a Texas Rig?
Here’s a quick answer to the question, “what kind of line is a texas rig?”
It’s a finesse technique that bass anglers use to catch the fish in almost all water types.
FAQs
Can you use monofilament for the Texas rig?
Yes, monofilament is a preferred choice for Texas rigs in the clear water.
What pound leader is Texas rig?
Fluorocarbon with a couple of feet in length is a preferred choice for Texas rig leaders. That’s because it’s nearly invisible underwater while the braided line is not translucent.
Why is a Texas rig called a Texas rig?
It’s probably because the rig’s inventor Nick Crème moved to Texas, the heart of bass, where it evolved and gained popularity. Hence, the name Texas rig.
