Keep getting snagged in rocks

[radiant]

I was throwing a texas rig yesterday but I kept getting stuck on rocks and losing my tungstens. I texposed the hook so I think the tungsten gets wedged between the rocks. Is there an alternative to not get snagged in the rocks? Or should I switch to a different lure

[Jar11591]

The shape of bullet weights make them really prone to wedging into the cracks of rocks and getting hung up. You could try a lighter weight bullet, or forgo the Texas rig and use a football or roundball jig head with the same trailer as you were Texas rigging. The same presentation for the most part but will be less prone to getting snagged in between rocks. 

[garroyo130]

Go lighter if you don't mind fishing slower. 

Otherwise, jigs as mentioned above, although you should expect to lose some of those too.

[Cbump]

Are you on the bank?

[LCG]

Weightless maybe? 

[throttleplate]

My wife uses a texas rig with a bullet weight, 3/0 ewg hook and a berkley general in the river rocks.

But she learned fast that bullet weights get hung easilly in the rocks so she experimented puting a bobber above it and keeps it just hittin the rocks or above them and she catches bass, pike, walleye. She does not like or use the wackey rig.

[flyfisher]

Rocks and Texas rigs don't mix well but football heads do and so do confidence baits draggin heads.  

[radiant]

5 hours ago, Cbump said:

Are you on the bank?

 

yes maybe that is why

[BrianMDTX]

You may try pegging the weight. I think bullet weights that slide freely can fall down between rocks more easily. 

[WRB]

20 hours ago, radiant said:

 

yes maybe that is why

Bottom contact uphill in rocks with a bullet weight Texas rig isn’t going to workout well.

You don’t need tungsten weights in California.

What tackle are you using; Rod, reel, line?

Tom

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Everyone has alluded to the problem.....the free sliding t rigged weight wraps around object on the retrieve.   

 

I use to fish them a lot more when I was younger, but depending on the bait you're using, I think a jobee style hook would be great.   I had a lot of success using them in the same way I'd fish a T rigged bait, so I didn't have to change anything other than the separate hook/weight

[WRB]

Zz#8Shore fishing eliminates lots of presentation because retrieving lure uphill. 

The typical casting pattern is to fan cast the area meaning casting in front you near shore then making a 180 degree fan casting pattern ending behind you near shore. 90% of the retrieves are uphill.

It’s difficult because you want enough weight to make longer casts but heavier weight snag more often.

This is when cylinder weights help or weightless a Senko or nose nail weighted worms come into play using spinning tackle.

My favorite during day time is 1/8 oz slip shot rig with 4” to 6”  Roboworms because they tend to float using light hooks like Owner #5133 1/0 with 6-8 # mono or copoly line.

Tom

PS, bait casting use 31/6 oz weight and 6 to 8 lb leader.

 

[radiant]

8 hours ago, WRB said:

Bottom contact uphill in rocks with a bullet weight Texas rig isn’t going to workout well.

You don’t need tungsten weights in California.

What tackle are you using; Rod, reel, line?

Tom

im using a 7'3 MH with a slx 6:3 gear ratio. 15 lb braid to 12 lb leader

[WRB]

Good for T-rigs and jigs. Need to change the leader to 6 to 8 lb mono for for finesse Slip Shot rigs. Bait casting use 3/16 oz cylinder weights.

Tom

[scaleface]

I catch fish from bank on rip rap and snags are inevitable . I'll take inexpensive sinking lures like a jig n grub , Beetle Spin...cast it out and let it sink to the bottom . When the line slacks up , indicating that it hit the bottom , I'll lift it then retrieve just over the rocks , pausing occasionally to make sure its still close to the bottom  . This way the lure  follows the contour from deep to shallow and remains in the strike zone the entire retrieve.

[Boomstick]

When this happens I usually throw a football jig or a drop shot. You could also try your T-Rig on a football jig head.

[BrianMDTX]

I’d change to an 8 lb. leader and rig a Fat IKA or a Neko Macho with a 3/0 EWG, texposed. They have enough weight to cast a good distance, have a good (unweighted) sink rate and rarely get snagged. 
 

They catch bass, too! 

[softwateronly]

Football jig head, wobble/swing head, jika rig, tokyo rig, and free rig would be options I would try in your situation.  Fishing uphill in rock is tough, good luck.

 

scott

[Drawdown]

This is why I buy Eagle Claw jig heads, EWGs, and cheap lead weights (and sometimes, those cheap $2.50 SK skirted jigs from Walmart.. Unusual for me not to lose 5 lures a trip when fishing rocky cover from the bank.

[Junk Fisherman]

The number 1 way I unsnag lures is moving back past the snag and yanking them out.  Obviously, you cannot do that when fishing from shore.  I definitely wouldn't use tungsten in your situation.  The Fat Ika was a good suggestion.  I like throwing a Ned rig in the rip rap too.  A lot of time when you're hung with the Ned, a snap of the line frees the bait.  

[radiant]

On 8/16/2022 at 7:02 AM, Boomstick said:

When this happens I usually throw a football jig or a drop shot. You could also try your T-Rig on a football jig head.

I tried that and I got wedged into a rock first cast

[Jig Man]

I sometimes fish rip rap that is close to a mile long.  When using bottom contact baits the best I have found is a tube on a 1/8 oz head with a weedguard.  Even with it I plan to lose at least 6.  

[PressuredFishing]

As light of a weight as possible, no bullet weights.

[Boomstick]

4 hours ago, radiant said:

I tried that and I got wedged into a rock first cast

Might be better running a lure over the rocks that won't hit the bottom in that case.

[Darth-Baiter]

go to a lead weight.  and peg it.

 

I did this last weekend out after a session of "throwing my tungstens into the water".  I think the bigger profile kept it out of smaller cracks?  or the softer material didn't burrow in.  either way, it felt better losing lead than losing tungsten.   the Current was dragging my junk into snags.  so going lead and heavier solved my issue.  that's my theory anyways.  

 

maybe try the "free rig"?  looks less snaggy to me.