Texas Rig

Lefebre: "The Texas Rig helped launch the bass-fishing revolution back in the 1960s. Although a classic, this rig gets an update every few years with improved hooks and weight systems. Select a hook size based on the worm’s thickness and length, and one that securely holds the worm in place. I prefer black painted tungsten weights and carry them in (a wide variety of) sizes. I peg the weight with a toothpick 99 percent of the time. Cast, flip, pitch or skip this worm on lines from 10- to 17-pound test. The retrieve is usually some form of lift-drop or pull-shake.”

Application: For fishing heavy cover at any depth, but especially shallow visible targets like vegetation, deadfalls and brush.

Worm: A 6- to 8-inch twister-tail for action and vibration. Examples: Zoom U-Tail, Yum Ribbontail.

Hook: Gamakatsu Round Bend Offset, Eagle Claw Z-Bend, Owner 5135 TwistLOCK are a few, in sizes from 3/0 to 5/0.

Weight: Typically a one-sixteenth- to one-half-ounce cone sinker based on depth and cover.

Rigging: Slip a cone-shaped sliding weight on line and tie on an appropriately sized offset hook. Thread head of worm onto hook point, bringing point out one-quarter inch down worm, slide worm over knot. Rotate hook, pierce worm again and bring hook through body and out other side. Align hook so the point parallels the outside of the worm, then slip the tip of the point barely under the plastic skin (Tex-posed).

*** Check out the rest of the rigging techniques after the jump. Worm Rigging Techniques