T-Rig | Worm Sliding Down The Hook

[Jigfishn10]

Admittedly, I don't troll tackle sites or visit tackle shops very often after 3 years of relative fishing inactivity. I've fished maybe 10 times in that period, last year I never even bothered to get a license knowing that fishing wasn't in the cards.

 

This year is a different story, I hoping to start right after ice out to ice in...fingers crossed.  Most of my fishing will be on the bank during the week after work. I am looking into a kayak, but that's another thread. So it's back to the basics for me.

 

One of the things I'll be getting back to is T-Rig fishing, I remember having problems with soft plastics sliding down the hook shank either on the cast or coming thru cover. One of the things I did was to install a swivel under and in front of the bait (the bullet weight sits on top of the swivel) and it works great, but I'm sure there are better options.

 

Thoughts?

[Jig Man]

Google parasite clips.  You can get some galvanized wire like at Lowe's or Home Depot and make your own.

[scaleface]

I've been cutting strips out of a bicycle inner tube . at first I punched holes in them but that is not necessary .

[Spankey]

So many hooks out there that have the retainer barb on them. And they work. The barb remains unseen and line, hook and bait remain straight. But kudos for thinking around your problem. 

[Catt]

[96ecss]

Here's a good tip from Glenn.

 

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/plastic-lures-hook.html

 

Dave

 

[Jigfishn10]

1 hour ago, Jig Man said:

Google parasite clips.  You can get some galvanized wire like at Lowe's or Home Depot and make your own.

You know Jig Man, you've pointed this out to me before and I keep forgetting about it. I have .031 wire I used for making inline spinners that I can use to make these clips. Matter fact, the barrel swivel used in the pics above were left over swivels I used for line ties installed on the spinners.

 

Thanks for the reminder. I'll make some up this weekend, we'll see how it goes.

[primetime]

The swivel is a good way to hold plastics, I think I learned that from Roland Martins book years ago....I think he uses 2 for some reason, I am sure there are articles about it and videos.

 

One good option to avoid that issue cause it will happen from time to time regardless of what you do from my experiences....Twist lock hooks help make rigging easier and also hold the bait on well.

 

Owner sells a good one, or you can just buy hitchikers and make your own, but Berkley has some they sell at Dicks and local shops that are cheaper and maybe $4 for 5 hooks. I like the Fusion hooks. They are strong and sharp but owner Centering pins are probably the best hooks overall...Also makes changing baits easier, you can fit just about everything on a 4/0 hook.

 

Crazy glue is also not a bad option. I find the barbs on hooks sometimes tear the plastic up too much. Just my take. Never tried parasite clips but it looks like a good idea. 

[Mobasser]

I've had plastic worms slide down hooks and up the line for a long time. I never gave it much thought. Just re rig and cast again

[Jigfishn10]

I forgot about the hitchhiker @primetime, I think @A-Jay told me about them a few years back...I hate getting old

[the reel ess]

6 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Admittedly, I don't troll tackle sites or visit tackle shops very often after 3 years of relative fishing inactivity. I've fished maybe 10 times in that period, last year I never even bothered to get a license knowing that fishing wasn't in the cards.

 

This year is a different story, I hoping to start right after ice out to ice in...fingers crossed.  Most of my fishing will be on the bank during the week after work. I am looking into a kayak, but that's another thread. So it's back to the basics for me.

 

One of the things I'll be getting back to is T-Rig fishing, I remember having problems with soft plastics sliding down the hook shank either on the cast or coming thru cover. One of the things I did was to install a swivel under and in front of the bait (the bullet weight sits on top of the swivel) and it works great, but I'm sure there are better options.

 

Thoughts?

I saw this tip by Roland Martin on his YT channel. I tried it but didn't have the right size swivels on hand. Matter of fact, your swivel looks a little short for it as well.

[Glenn]

Here's a very simple - and cheap - solution that works extremely well.  I've been doing it for 35+ years now without failure.  So I thought I'd share it with you.

 

 

[Jigfishn10]

1 hour ago, the reel ess said:

I saw this tip by Roland Martin on his YT channel. I tried it but didn't have the right size swivels on hand. Matter of fact, your swivel looks a little short for it as well.

Man, I wish I had the time for more research, I actually read about this years ago in Field & Stream.

 

I used this rig on my trip to FLA, using 5.5” swim senkos on a 4/0 worm hook, worked like a champ!

 

Thanks for your input, I do appreciate it bud.

47 minutes ago, Glenn said:

Here's a very simple - and cheap - solution that works extremely well.  I've been doing it for 35+ years now without failure.  So I thought I'd share it with you.

 

Years ago I was taught to use 17 lb mono and tie a clinch knot to each side of the main line on the hook cut while leaving tag ends about a strong 1/16 of and inch and sliding the nose of the bait over all three mono knots. This worked but I like your method better. Thanks

[heavyduty]

Check out “The Hook Pal”. Plastic discs to lock baits in place. Videos show multiple uses for plastics and hooks

[lo n slo]

7 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

..I hate getting old

it’s alot better than the alternative 

[Avalonjohn44]

Gamakatsu makes a Skip Gap hook that I've had good luck with. They are designed to prevent the worm from sliding. They make a skip gap Shaky head too but haven't tried it yet.

[thinkingredneck]

21 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

Admittedly, I don't troll tackle sites or visit tackle shops very often after 3 years of relative fishing inactivity. I've fished maybe 10 times in that period, last year I never even bothered to get a license knowing that fishing wasn't in the cards.

 

This year is a different story, I hoping to start right after ice out to ice in...fingers crossed.  Most of my fishing will be on the bank during the week after work. I am looking into a kayak, but that's another thread. So it's back to the basics for me.

 

One of the things I'll be getting back to is T-Rig fishing, I remember having problems with soft plastics sliding down the hook shank either on the cast or coming thru cover. One of the things I did was to install a swivel under and in front of the bait (the bullet weight sits on top of the swivel) and it works great, but I'm sure there are better options.

 

Thoughts?

I have used this swivel idea and have been pleased.  I tried the toothpick through the hook eye, etc.  This works best for me.  I wonder if the weight clicking against the swivel attracts bass, similar to a c rig.  Anyway, I use it all of the time and it works, and the Bass don't seem to mind.

[Jigfishn10]

11 hours ago, lo n slo said:

it’s alot better than the alternative 

That puts things in perspective, thank lo n slo - glass half full guy...

7 hours ago, Avalonjohn44 said:

Gamakatsu makes a Skip Gap hook that I've had good luck with. They are designed to prevent the worm from sliding. They make a skip gap Shaky head too but haven't tried it yet.

Another hook I forgot all about, thanks for sharing Avalonjohn44, really appreciate and respect your input.

 

1 hour ago, thinkingredneck said:

I have used this swivel idea and have been pleased.  I tried the toothpick through the hook eye, etc.  This works best for me.  I wonder if the weight clicking against the swivel attracts bass, similar to a c rig.  Anyway, I use it all of the time and it works, and the Bass don't seem to mind.

You know, I don't really know thinkingredneck, where the line tie on the swivel is so small I can't imagine it being very loud, but the guy typing this will be in need of Miracle Ear in the near future, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

BTW, your screen name is bomb.com...LOVE IT!

 

Some great ideas here.

[scbassin]

I just use a flat toothpick, it works fine for me.

[JustJames]

I have a question for those who pegs their plastic, does it help preserve the lure better with unpegged when fish bite? I don’t really have a lot of sliding down problem so I never peg.

[A-Jay]

 

1 hour ago, JustJames said:

I have a question for those who pegs their plastic, does it help preserve the lure better with unpegged when fish bite? I don’t really have a lot of sliding down problem so I never peg.

I prefer to use a stop - but if the weights heavier and or the covers super thick, a peg seems to hold better.

And I've even been known to use both.

A-Jay

 

[JustJames]

Thanks @A-Jaybut I think I used the wrong word. I meant to say pegging plastic to hook eyes with either tooth pick or big mono. 

[WRB]

I use a rubber Peg-It in lieu of tooth pick or heavy nylon line. Tie on the hook, slide the Peg-It through the eye and cut off the ends about 1/8" each side. Pull the hook eye into the worm or creature about 1/8 and the soft plastic will not slip down or tear and is reusable as long as the hook is still tied on.

Tom

 

[Jigfishn10]

14 hours ago, JustJames said:

I have a question for those who pegs their plastic, does it help preserve the lure better with unpegged when fish bite? I don’t really have a lot of sliding down problem so I never peg.

For me, once I get a bite and the bait either slides down (most of the time) or rides up the line the initial hole in the nose of the bait is now compromised. I may or may not be able to cast depending how compromised the hole is.

 

If you're not having problems, then keep fishing as you normally would. Just keep these tricks that have been discussed here in your back pocket. You never know when it'll come in handy. 

 

Better to have and not need, than to need and not have.

[scaleface]

The first time I tried the swivel trick , I was fishing some freshly cut cedar trees and was having a hard time with the worm sliding down . I read about this trick in Bassmaster put a swivel  on and it solved my problem . I have since used parasite clips , parasite weights and the rubber strips .They all completely solves the problem of worms sliding down the shank interfering  with the hook-set and also the soft plastics last a lot longer .