Bottom Bass Rigs

[Jeffrey Walker]

So I am new to bass fishing, started last year.  I have fished my whole life mostly spinning and trout, never seriously focused on bass until last year.  So I have some questions, if you don't mind, I would like to hear from you on all these questions and issues.  Thanks in advance.

 

Bottom Bass Rigs.  So I've done some research and there are quite a few different bass rigs out there. Here is the list I came up with form reading. 

 

Ned Rigs - Weighted Hook, Bait stands up - appears lighter in nature maybe geared to spinning or lighter applications.   

Shaky Head - Weighted hook, Bait stands up, appears for longer worms and plastics than ned rigs. 

Rage Rig or Weighted hook - basically a belly weighted hooks with a plastic bait. 

Drop Shot - seems a lot of poeple prefer to use on spinning gear

Power shot or Bubba shot - super sized drop shot (but to me it seems the only thing that changes is the size of bait)

Wakcy Rig - weightless worm hooked in the middle or with o-ring

Neko Rig - wacky rig with a weight pinned to one side. 

Texas Rig - We all know that

Free Rig - Similar to Texas Rig with a O-ring weight instead of a slip weight.  Supposedly allows weight to move free-er.  

Carolina Rig,  Basically a Texas rig with the weight pinned ahead of the bait at a fixed distance

Punch Rig.  Basically a beefier Texas rig with the weight staying put at the tip of the bait, with a bobber stop, and used to punch through heavy weeds. 

Jika Rig - Basically a drop shot with the weight attached to the hook directly instead of below it

Tokyo Rig - Simialr to Jika Rig, with the weight dangled below by a short wire.  

 

1) Are there any others I am missing?

2) How do you determine when to use what?

3) For each one - do you prefer to us on spinning or casting gear AND what rod power?

4)  Which of these work the best for you?

5) Which of these do not work in your experience?

6) Anything else I should know about these or others?
 

[WRB]

Carolina rig isn’t a pinned weight. The classic C-rig uses a egg sinker sliding on the main line with a bead between the swivel that is the weight stopper. The leader is tied to the swivel followed by the hook.

The finesse C-rig or Slip Shot uses a Carolina plastics keeper to stop a variety of sliding sinkers on the main line, no leader. The plastic keeper is adjustable to change the length between the weight and hook.

Mojo rig is a pinned tubular weight similar to a split shot rig.

Neko rig is a new name for the nail weight rig.

Ned rig is a mushroom jig with a 1/2 a stick/Senko as a trailer or jig & worm

Dart head is dart shaped jig with a finesse worm.

All the above can be used with spinning tackle.

Casting tackle, your list; C-rig, punch rig and bubba shot based on weight.

Tom

[Jeffrey Walker]

I dont see the difference between drop shot and bubba other than the bat used.  Hooks and weights seem to be the same, is that right?  Why arent there larger drop shot hooks or weights?  The largest drop shot weights I can find (i like the ones with the swivel so I dont have to tie it, are 3/0.

[MN Fisher]

6 minutes ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

I dont see the difference between drop shot and bubba other than the bat used.  Hooks and weights seem to be the same, is that right?  Why arent there larger drop shot hooks or weights?  The largest drop shot weights I can find (i like the ones with the swivel so I dont have to tie it, are 3/0.

Drop-shot to me is 3/8oz or less weight. #2-2/0 hook depending on bait and spinning gear with light line.

Bubba-shot is 3/4oz+ (bullet or dipsy sinker), 2/0+ worm, EWG or Gamy Superline Finesse hooks and larger bait with heavier line on casting gear. Normally cast into heavy cover like where you'd use punching, but instead of the bait being on the bottom, it's suspended. Yes, you have to tie the hooks on instead of using a Spin-Shot or G-Finesse hook.

[WRB]

Drop shot rig is usually regarded as a finesse rig using line 10 lb test or less with small finesse soft plastics. Small soft plastics don’t require large or heavy wire hooks. The weights are designed for the light line and small plastic.

Bubba shot is a drop shot rig except using heavier line, heavier weight and larger size or heavier stronger hooks.

What you find trying to define  bass fishing terms is they change regionally coast to coast border to border.

Welcome to bass fishing.

Tom

[roadwarrior]

We have an extensive library. I suggest you spend some time reading

through "Articles" on the Home Page. Take notes and then watch our

videos.

[Catt]

Jig-n-Craw ?

[diehardbassfishing]

1 hour ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

2) How do you determine when to use what?

 

Feel it's a combination of 2 things. What YOU like and what the BASS like.

 

In any given fishing situation I'd hazard to guess that at least 5 of the rigs that you named would work and catch bass. Now, of those rigs, what do you have on hand to build up AND have confidence in.

 

Throw confidence rig "A". The bass will tell you if they like it. If they like it - you're good - don't change a thing. If the bass don't like it you need to go to confidence rig "B"....

 

Confidence comes with practice. You can't buy it, you build this into yourself. It's the best fishing tool you'll ever own.

 

 

Karl

[diehardbassfishing]

2 hours ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

Power shot or Bubba shot - super sized drop shot (but to me it seems the only thing that changes is the size of bait)

 

 

This is my rig "A".

 

Karl

[Sphynx]

My honest suggestion is not to try to remember every contingency all at once, you'll drive yourself ballistic, pick a couple of rigs and learn them inside and out, personally I'd recommend Texas rigging, Carolina Rigging, Ned Rigging, and either shakeyhead or dropshot depending on hard/soft bottom for most of your fishing, that's an awful full plate for a years worth of fishing trips to make any sense out of...if you focus on too many techniques at once your absolutely going to have a tough time identifying when a thing does and doesn't work

[diehardbassfishing]

2 hours ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

1) Are there any others I am missing?

 

 

Yup...

Let's let those discoveries happen naturally!!

 

 

Karl

[Luke Barnes]

It took me a few years to learn all the techniques and acquire the tackle. It was a natural progression and I started more power fishing and have learned more and more finesse as I go.

 

One not mentioned is a swing head. From what i understand its a hook with a weight not hard fixed, that lets the weight and hook move separately. I say from what i understand, because i just ordered my first swing heads two days ago and haven't gotten them yet, let alone fished them. 

 

But my friend you have come to the right place. I learned about the swing head about a week ago right here and thought its something I could use that I don't have anything like. So I'm going to try it out. 

[Catt]

#1 most productive lure

 

Doug Hannon's Answer

Plastic Worm (Texas rigged) It's a long, thin shape resembles the profile of a wide variety of forage in the world of the bass, including earthworms, snakes, eels, and baitfish. Its action is almost entirely dependent on the contours of the bottom; and the rod movements of the fisherman, making it very random. It moves with little noise; the noise that it does make comes mostly from the random clicking of the sinker as it hits bottom. Bright colors and larger size can be used to increase its attracting qualities. Because of its basic resemblance to a wide array of living forage, this lure presents very few negative cues, and is hard for big bass to learn not to hit.

 

Here is the official answer:

Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a BASS CANNOT REMEMBER!

That is, a bass will continue to strike a worm even after repeated catches, whereas a bass will "turn off" to other lures, spinner baits and crank baits etc. after wearing them out on them. That's why you cannot continue to catch them on your honey hole with the same lure over and over. Bass will stop eating that which will eradicate them. Not true with the plastic worm, however. Although we all know bass will prefer a different bait at different times (i.e. "the pattern") you can always go back to the worm to catch them

[Mobasser]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

#1 most productive lure

 

Doug Hannon's Answer

Plastic Worm (Texas rigged) It's a long, thin shape resembles the profile of a wide variety of forage in the world of the bass, including earthworms, snakes, eels, and baitfish. Its action is almost entirely dependent on the contours of the bottom; and the rod movements of the fisherman, making it very random. It moves with little noise; the noise that it does make comes mostly from the random clicking of the sinker as it hits bottom. Bright colors and larger size can be used to increase its attracting qualities. Because of its basic resemblance to a wide array of living forage, this lure presents very few negative cues, and is hard for big bass to learn not to hit.

 

Here is the official answer:

Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a BASS CANNOT REMEMBER!

That is, a bass will continue to strike a worm even after repeated catches, whereas a bass will "turn off" to other lures, spinner baits and crank baits etc. after wearing them out on them. That's why you cannot continue to catch them on your honey hole with the same lure over and over. Bass will stop eating that which will eradicate them. Not true with the plastic worm, however. Although we all know bass will prefer a different bait at different times (i.e. "the pattern") you can always go back to the worm to catch them

I agree here Catt. I've caught more bass on a simple plastic worm, than any other baits I've ever used.

[Fishes in trees]

You've made a decent start to your bottom contact bait technique research.  Don't stop now AND don't let your wallet stop you.  You'll find that your life will be a little easier if you get a different rig for each method.  (Plus a back up).  According to your list, that will be 26 rigs.   Sure, there is some overlap between different bait presentations, but you don't want to confuse the rig.   Let your rod/reel/line combo know that you expect it to be a worm rod/ jig rod/ ned rig - whatever.   Like I mentioned, don't confuse them.

 

As to the question of "Which rig do you select?"  -  I have a surefire method for technique selection. Ask yourself the question, "How do I feel like catching fish today?" and start throwing that. n Do you want to throw spinning gear or bait casting gear?  In my case, the wind makes somewhat of a difference which I choose.     If that doesn't work, pick a different rig that you want to catch fish on.   Repeat until something works.

 

On the few Conservation department lakes that I regularly fish, I generally start fishing soft plastics by pitching at objects.  I'll generally lead off with some brand of stick bait -  3/16 tungsten weight - 3/0 worm hook and a medium weight fluorocarbon like 15 lb Abrazx.  If it is a little windier, I'll use basically the same rig with a quarter ounce or 5/16 tungsten, more likely a crawfish imitator than a stick bait.

If I ain't getting bit I seldom stick with the same approach more than 15 minutes.

 

Remember, that should you get the bottom contact baits kinda figured out, there is a whole different world of reaction baits ( and there is some overlap there )

[Jeffrey Walker]

21 hours ago, diehardbassfishing said:

 

Feel it's a combination of 2 things. What YOU like and what the BASS like.

 

In any given fishing situation I'd hazard to guess that at least 5 of the rigs that you named would work and catch bass. Now, of those rigs, what do you have on hand to build up AND have confidence in.

 

Throw confidence rig "A". The bass will tell you if they like it. If they like it - you're good - don't change a thing. If the bass don't like it you need to go to confidence rig "B"....

 

Confidence comes with practice. You can't buy it, you build this into yourself. It's the best fishing tool you'll ever own.

 

 

Karl

how many casts, how much time till you change technique?

 

if you fish an area with no luck do you move to a diff area with same lure/technique or change technique or lire and keep fishing same area?

 

if fishing bottom rig, with no luck, do switch to a completely different technique like top water or plug

 

i want to catch more bigger bass and last year i caught some but had no idea what i was doing.  I always associated bass with top water so that’s how i started in the summer all i threw, then i learned about texas rig and had some success with that, now i’ve learned a lot more but don’t know how to make sense of it all.  i want to be more deficient and effective it now but the more i learn the more confusing it gets as to use what and why?

thanks for the help, any other insight would be great. 

[diehardbassfishing]

I understand wanting answers to many questions. Afraid I can't help, and most can't either. It's part of making fishing your own. It's all part of the sport; to discover your own answers for these questions. And even the actions YOU find that work will change.

 

 

Karl

[Catt]

2 hours ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

how many casts, how much time till you change technique?

 

if you fish an area with no luck do you move to a diff area with same lure/technique or change technique or lire and keep fishing same area?

 

if fishing bottom rig, with no luck, do switch to a completely different technique like top water or plug

 

i want to catch more bigger bass and last year i caught some but had no idea what i was doing.  I always associated bass with top water so that’s how i started in the summer all i threw, then i learned about texas rig and had some success with that, now i’ve learned a lot more but don’t know how to make sense of it all.  i want to be more deficient and effective it now but the more i learn the more confusing it gets as to use what and why?

thanks for the help, any other insight would be great. 

 

You will need to be proficient with at least a couple topwater, mid-depth, & bottom techniques.

 

Before moving areas I'll try 2 or 3 techniques.

 

How long before switching or moving is instinctual.

[WRB]

^^^Instinctual^^^time on the water, I like it!

Tom 

 

[diehardbassfishing]

12 hours ago, WRB said:

Instinctual

Look that up in your Funk & Wagnalls!

 

[trout123]

On 1/11/2021 at 3:38 AM, Catt said:

#1 most productive lure

 

Doug Hannon's Answer

Plastic Worm (Texas rigged) It's a long, thin shape resembles the profile of a wide variety of forage in the world of the bass, including earthworms, snakes, eels, and baitfish. Its action is almost entirely dependent on the contours of the bottom; and the rod movements of the fisherman, making it very random. It moves with little noise; the noise that it does make comes mostly from the random clicking of the sinker as it hits bottom. Bright colors and larger size can be used to increase its attracting qualities. Because of its basic resemblance to a wide array of living forage, this lure presents very few negative cues, and is hard for big bass to learn not to hit.

 

Here is the official answer:

Studies have proven that the plastic worm is the only lure made that a BASS CANNOT REMEMBER!

That is, a bass will continue to strike a worm even after repeated catches, whereas a bass will "turn off" to other lures, spinner baits and crank baits etc. after wearing them out on them. That's why you cannot continue to catch them on your honey hole with the same lure over and over. Bass will stop eating that which will eradicate them. Not true with the plastic worm, however. Although we all know bass will prefer a different bait at different times (i.e. "the pattern") you can always go back to the worm to catch them

Is this just for plastic worms or do plastic craws fall work time after time? I might start using plastics only on the pressured ponds I fish right now lol.

[Catt]

4 hours ago, trout123 said:

Is this just for plastic worms or do plastic craws fall work time after time? I might start using plastics only on the pressured ponds I fish right now lol.

 

You could probably substitute any plastic for the worm.

 

Today's plastics mimic a wide variety of a bass's food source.

[Luke Barnes]

This proves my theory correct. I have the best luck in pressured ponds with a t rig soft plastic. 99/100 its a craw because for some reason I dont like using worms. That's about to change! Cant wait to get the SK Cutr worms that I ordered!

[diehardbassfishing]

1 hour ago, Luke Barnes said:

Cant wait to get the SK Cutr worms that I ordered!

I recently purchased them in 6 and 7 inch. The 7 inch Cut R is substantial in size. Always surprised how much difference an inch can make (they grow proportionately - width, tail size). Anyway, I did get to test the 6 inch version on the water just before freeze over. It looks fantastic in the water! Amazing action. Spring can't come soon enough!

 

Karl

[Catt]

Ned Rig, Shaky Head, Rage Rig, Drop Shot, Wacky Rig, Neko Rig, Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Punch Rig, Jika Rig, Tokyo Rig, & Mojo Rig.

 

These are all "techniques" for presenting a piece of plastic to a bass.

 

Doug Hannon talked about the characteristics of a worm Texas Rigged. Every piece of plastic can be Texas Rigged & still fall under the characteristics Hannon described.

 

Every piece of plastic can be fished using every technique listed above.

 

My suggestion, pick any one, & spend a year throwing it. I'm not suggesting to throw the one technique only, keep throwing your topwater & mid-depth lures. But when you do go to the bottom throw that one only.

 

When you can throw one winter, spring, summer, or fall & be proficient with it...move to another one.