I don't get the Free Rig...

[OmegaDPW]

What applications of the free rig would make it better than a TX rig with a sliding weight? 

 

 I tried the free rig last weekend using an old tear drop weight that I had hidden in one of my tackle boxes for years. I had picked up some tiny 3 inch finesse worms and rigged them weedless with a #4 offset round bend hook- looking for panfish or whatever would bite. I eventually noticed that the the hook eye was occasionally hanging up on the ring of the weight just carrying everything down in a big mess. I may try it again with a bead to stop it from hanging up, but I'm curious as to what advantages this has compared to the TX.

[JediAmoeba]

It's a subtle difference that gives the bait more free range of motion. It works well to trigger those fish that are 50/50 on biting. It's not gonna be a huge difference IMO and won't get those fish that are lock-jawed to eat

[AlabamaSpothunter]

I didn't get the deal until I kept watching Milliken slay on it, so I tried it for the first time at the beginning of August '23.    Proceeded to have my best single month of 5lb+ fish ever, 18 fish, all caught on Free Rigged big worms and lizards.  

 

If your hook and weight are hanging up together, you don't have the correct Free Rig weight.    

 

It's a cross b/t a C-Rig and T-Rig, it's a very nuanced bait to the human eye, however on pressured fish especially, it's honestly a game changer.    I won't be throwing the T-Rig again except in the spring when I peg them.     

 

A wobble head doesn't look very different from a jig head, but the freedom of movement, no matter how perceptible that movement is to us translates bigly to fish.  

[RRocket]

I think the bait you use matters as well. Some just work better on a Free Rig.

 

 

[Mbirdsley]

it works well with working soft plastic through sparse grass. sparse eel grass is a good place   to use the free rig.  it kinda ticks over the top or side steps the grass.  where as t-rig will just plow into the grass and get gummed up.  

 

also, it’s just something differnt.  

[Glenn]

I was one of the first guys to make a video about it.  It worked great then, and I still slay 'em on it.

 

 

Rule #1, don't use a bell sinker.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

Wasnt sold on them either until I actually tried them and I dont use Trig nearly as much.  I can really pick apart a small area with more efficiency because I work the entire water column vertically without moving the weight at all, or at least very little.  As long as you use a weight heavy enough to break away from the bait quicky you get a near vertical fall with heavy salted baits, if that's what you want.  I actually found floating baits to work best.  If I give the line slack it will float up off the bottom and I get bit a lot doing it.   

[Mr. Aquarium]

A free rig with a floating plastic bait?? Hmmmm

[RRocket]

On 1/16/2024 at 5:32 PM, GetFishorDieTryin said:

Wasnt sold on them either until I actually tried them and I dont use Trig nearly as much.  I can really pick apart a small area with more efficiency because I work the entire water column vertically without moving the weight at all, or at least very little.  As long as you use a weight heavy enough to break away from the bait quicky you get a near vertical fall with heavy salted baits, if that's what you want.  I actually found floating baits to work best.  If I give the line slack it will float up off the bottom and I get bit a lot doing it.   

You'd love the Ryugi Black Bean weight for that technique...

[GetFishorDieTryin]

6 hours ago, RRocket said:

You'd love the Ryugi Black Bean weight for that technique...

I've seen them, but never tried them.

[RRocket]

43 minutes ago, GetFishorDieTryin said:

I've seen them, but never tried them.

It's basically made for that presentation.

 

Some really unique features on that weight. The little indentation fits the hook eye perfectly so that when it's "connected" to the weight, the bait is sticking straight up. When you put slack in the line, it seems to float the bait easier than Free Rig.

 

I really enjoy fishing it....great fun! 

[GetFishorDieTryin]

21 hours ago, RRocket said:

 

 

13 hours ago, RRocket said:

It's basically made for that presentation.

 

Some really unique features on that weight. The little indentation fits the hook eye perfectly so that when it's "connected" to the weight, the bait is sticking straight up. When you put slack in the line, it seems to float the bait easier than Free Rig.

 

I really enjoy fishing it....great fun! 

Yeah they look great, I like Ryugu, they make quality gear.