Opinion on The Free Rig

[uglyasheck]

   For you guys that actually fish the free rig is it something that will produce numbers or quality? Tell me your setup for spinning gear, Type weight and size and best bait that works for you. By the way I am a Zman fanatic and i fish light tackle. 

[TheBaitMonkey]

For me it's mostly a numbers bait but that can also vary based on the plastic you choose. I'll use an 1/8 oz weight often times (heavier if you're fishing deeper) and will use all different types of plastics, I really like beavers with it or items that are a little wider like a Deps Bull Flat. If you want to catch some big ones on it toss on a Magnum Ol' Monster (Rage Tail Anaconda ?) or one of your favorite magnum worms, I bet it would work.

 

If you want to stick with Zman I'd try a palmetto bug. 

 

Glenn has a good video on it here -- 

 

[Deleted account]

Not a fan, I haven't found it adds anything or works when other things won't.

[Big Swimbait]

1 minute ago, Deleted account said:

Not a fan, I haven't found it adds anything or works when other things won't.

I have only seen a difference if I'm using a beaver-style bait, or something that is wide. Those type of baits seem to glide side to side on the fall vs a worm style bait that just drops straight down like it would with a bullet weight.

[FishTank]

I use it for anything I can Texas Rig. I like using an 1/8th oz weight.  My favorite baits are the Bellows Gill, lizards and the Dolive Craw. I think of it the same way as a Carolina Rig but the weight travels up the line allowing the bait to float and move freely behind the weight. Once you figure out how to pop the weight up the line when it reaches the bottom,  it's money. 

[Glenn]

First time I tried it, 3rd cast I caught a 3-pounder.  Been hooked on it since.  Anyone that tries to tell you it only catches small fish doesn't want you to know how well it works.

 

I use baitcasting outfits, 1/8 ounce weights.  I like using the Ragebug, but have found literally anything works.

 

I had the privilege of fishing with Shin Fukae last fall - THE guru of the free rig - and caught a nice fish within minutes of throwing it.  I was using a Yamamoto D-Shad at the time.

 

 

 

Shin took this picture.

[fishwizzard]

I use it in place of a t-rig if I am going to be doing more pitching then casting and I am going to be using a bulky plastic with a lot of drag.  I have found that more hydrodynamic plastics don't really get enough separation on the fall for it to matter much.  Something like a Hula grub is where I really think it shines.  

[Bass Rutten]

On 8/12/2022 at 10:23 PM, FishTank said:

Once you figure out how to pop the weight up the line when it reaches the bottom,  it's money. 

Mind sharing your method?

 

9 hours ago, fishwizzard said:

I use it in place of a t-rig if I am going to be doing more pitching then casting and I am going to be using a bulky plastic with a lot of drag.  I have found that more hydrodynamic plastics don't really get enough separation on the fall for it to matter much.  Something like a Hula grub is where I really think it shines.  

Great observation. I need to revisit the free rig technique and experiment a little, for some reason it just didn’t click with me, it created more questions than answers lol. General question for anyone… do you find it effective working it back through open water or is it more for targeting a piece of cover?

[CrashVector]

It's basically a Texas rig with an unpegged weight.

[bx.versatile]

20 hours ago, CrashVector said:

It's basically a Texas rig with an unpegged weight.

 

Sure, like a football jig and swim jig are still jigs. Both excel at different things though.

 

Love fishing the rig off-shore and snapping it hard to lift the plastic off the ground to create the free unweighted fall. I tend to use a lighter wire hook and plastics that have a very slow fall like ribbed baits or hard kicking ones.

[FishTank]

On 8/14/2022 at 12:07 AM, Bass Rutten said:

Mind sharing your method? 

Sorry it took awhile to get back. I was fishing Friday,  Saturday and Sunday.

 

Basically,  I let it sink to the bottom, let it sit, and jerk it low with the rod just below parallel to the water. This allows the weight, at least it feels that way, to ride up the line allowing the bait to move freely. I then pop it up and down.  Unlike a Texas Rig, the weight travels up the line and with Texas Rig the weight stays closer to the bait. Getting a feel for the slack line you create is key. Which is also different from a Texas Rig and more like a Carolina Rig. Also, I have tried different line and fluorocarbon is almost a must but I would definitely not use braid.  

 

Here Glenn explains it pretty well. There also some videos from The Hook Up Tackle. 

 

 

[uglyasheck]

On 8/12/2022 at 10:58 PM, Glenn said:

First time I tried it, 3rd cast I caught a 3-pounder.  Been hooked on it since.  Anyone that tries to tell you it only catches small fish doesn't want you to know how well it works.

 

I use baitcasting outfits, 1/8 ounce weights.  I like using the Ragebug, but have found literally anything works.

 

I had the privilege of fishing with Shin Fukae last fall - THE guru of the free rig - and caught a nice fish within minutes of throwing it.  I was using a Yamamoto D-Shad at the time.

 

 

 

Shin took this picture.

Glenn I noticed in your video you flipping  or pitching it short distances. What about longer cast ?

[Darth-Baiter]

i'll try it right after i try the Tokyo rigs i bought.  haha.

 

i cant keep up.  

[Glenn]

@uglyasheck  Yes, you can make long casts with it too.  It's just when I was shooting that video, I was pitching it.

[Choporoz]

Never tried it.  Anyone have link to underwater video of trig and Free rig side by side (same bait, same weight)?

....I think I need a pool

[schplurg]

My pappy always told me ain't nothin' free!

[JustJames]

On 8/18/2022 at 9:44 AM, Choporoz said:

Never tried it.  Anyone have link to underwater video of trig and Free rig side by side (same bait, same weight)?

....I think I need a pool

All the link under water I’ve seen the action just similar to unpegged Texas rig. Even some of the big name fish the techniques like hoping Texas rig. I do short hop or drag them like Texas rig when closers or shallower.

To my understanding, the best effective way is too lift rod tip higher then immediately drop the rod tip let the weight pull slack line while the lure fall down slowly on it own. Why a lot of creatures lures work really well, another option would be slow sink rate plastic with flat side would work well.

Dont quote me though, but next time when I’m on kayak and fish target area,

free rig might be my choice. My plastic choice would be hand pour worm, dropshot worm with flat side, rage claw baby brush hog and hula grub.

[WRB]

Back in 1957 fishing at lake Shasta on family vacation was my introduction to Creme soft plastic worms. The worms were pre rigged with a leader and tiny propeller. 

I showed how to rigged the worm using Dipsey* sinker sliding on the line above a swivel clip. Cast and drag along the bottom....it worked...the 1st free rig/Carolina rig.

Tom

* Water Grimlin Dipsey swivel sinker.

 

 

[The Baron]

I tried it with a 1/4oz pencil weight and a t-hooked senko.  Caught a few, but it didn't set my world on fire.  I find myself leaning more toward a bubba shot setup, with a texas hooked senko or 6" finesse worm.  I think only because I've caught some good fish on the bubba shot, and once you build some confidence with a bait and fish it more... and catch more... you get into a (good?) rut.   I'll throw a free rig again, I'm sure - it just hasn't made it's way to the top of my mind yet.