Go-to Texas Rig Baits

[BassFishingMachine]

Ok, first off I know this question has probably been asked numerous times, but believe it or not, I tryed typing in "texas rig", and "t-rig" in the search tab, and couldn't find any topics like this :-?.

That being said, my question is what is your favorite "go-to" bait, for the texas rig. And when I say texas rig, I know it can be understood as weightless, or a pegged sinker, but In this post I am STRICTLY referring to a t-rig with a free sliding bullet weight.

I have found throughout this year I've drifted away from using the t-rig. I have found myself throwing crankbaits, jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, topwaters, jerkbaits, frogs, weightless plastics, pegged softbaits...BUT I rarely recall fishing a t-rig w/free sliding bullet weight. I think I through a ribbontail worm around a few times with a free sliding bullet weight, with decent results, but nothing to make me use it over my other baits. I really want to put the free sliding t-rig back into my arsenal, so please tell me about your go-to baits for the free sliding bullet weight t-rig, so I can try them out, gain confidence back into this rig, and put it back in my arsenal as one of my main tactics 8-).

[Dorkus]

craw imitations, 10" worms, Big lizards, zoom brushhogs

[senko_77]

I like the *** Finesse Worm or the Zoom Dead Ringer.  I use the Trick worm in clear water, and I use the Dead Ringer in dirty water, or when the fish are suspended on dock posts, I'll pitch it to the post, and the big tail slows the fall.  Those suspended fish can't help but eat it when that thumpin' tail comes spiraling down.

[Trick Worm]

I pretty much learned bass fishing through a trick worm on a 4/0 hook with some size bullet weight. Still one of my favorites although recently I have been using the Carolina rig with good results as well. I always have a Texas rig on one of my rods when I fish a tournament. And as cool as bait casters are this is one of those baits I have always fished with a spinning reel. MH rod 6'6" to 7'0". I used to use mono with all of my reels but recently switched to fluorocarbon for better hooks sets and more sensitivity to bites/nibbles when T-riggin'. I like hopping it along the bottom with varying speeds depending on conditions; very similar to my jig fishin' technique. The only downfall I have found to this bait is that any weeds or grass will not allow the bait to function correctly, but who cares flippin' is more fun anyways. I prefer catching fish on a T-rig over spinnerbaits, crankbaits, buzzbaits, and anything with a steady retrieve. I think feeling the vibrations as a fish inhales the worm and predicting the right time to set the hook is one of the best adrenaline pumps when it comes to bass fishing.

Although T-rigs have caught me many fish in all season it is a very important cold weather bait. When the fish are very lethargic a T-rig can add just the right finesse and allow you to slow your presentation down enough to get bit. If fish are not biting at a T-rig then the worm is probably too big and should be swapped for a smaller bait.

Some of my favorite soft plastics to use are:

trick worm

Tiki worm

Lizards

Zoom Ole' Monster 10.5"

Fav. colors are:

Junebug

Watermelon seed

Black

Pumpkin seed

[DADto4]

I've said it before and I'll sat it again!

Manns 8" black grape rigged texas free sliding bullet sinker with a red or clear glass bead between the two.

I also have a facination for the berkley power bait worms and craws rigged the same way.

[Certified Public Angler]

I fish a sliding 1/16 oz bullet on a 4/0 hook for the majority of my fishing.

My favorite plastics to hook up are:

1. *** - all colors, durable baits and the slot the hook rest in gives a boost to my hook up ratio.

2. Rage tail Lizard, great action.

I fish T-rigged plastics probably 80% of the time, I've been trying to force myself to learn all the cranks the bait monkey conned me into buying.  ;D

[Catt]

I was introduced to the Texas Rig back in 1972 while the equipment has changed the technique is still the same. The Texas Rig was originally designed to fish a plastic worm but today it is used with any type of soft plastic.

The Texas Rig  

1) Make a long cast

2) Strip 3 or 4 arms length of line, this will assure a vertical fall

3) Count the bait down, 15' of water count to 20 to make certain the bait is on the bottom, do it in your head if need be

4) Pause a good 30 seconds after the bait reaches bottom

5) Lower your rod to the 3 o'clock position while reeling slack & feel for anything unusual

6) Move the rod from 3 o'clock to 1 o'clock in three motions

7) Pause 30 seconds & feel for anything unusual

8) Repeat 5, 6, & 7 all the way back to the boat

9) If at any time you feel a noticeable tap, tug, line tighten, heaviness, or see line movement.

10) Without hesitation drop the rod, reel the slack, and set the hook

[adclem]

Nice advice Catt.

Thanks,

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

Considering I have used a billion baits with this technique I could narrow down what has been successful for me last year and this year.

Net bait paca craw-by far my favorite soft plastic

Rage craw

Brush hogs and baby brush hogs

Yum 7 and 10 inch worms

Culprit 12 inch worms

Gambler flappin tail worm-feels like a mini chatterbait

Yamamoto kut tail worm

Senkos and Yum dingers-an often overlooked technique for these

[Jake.]

Netbait Baby Paca Craw

GYCB Kreature

Zoom 5" Lizard

Berkley Power Worms

Zoom U-Tail Worm

[Sam]

Moccasin Blue Dead Ringer, either 4 or 6-inches.

I agree with Senko77.  Go with a flowing tail.

I plan to throw the Anaconda with its long tail next year.

And those Culprit 10-inch worms in Electric Blue should do well, too.  

[westpalmfrogpunk]

I have been experimenting with the Reaction innovations 6.95 Flirt in the black and blue color. This bait in the last week has been awesome for me. I know its just a Trick Worm variation but it has really been producing for me. I use it like a shaking rig. The tail just keeps moving with each shake it defeintly attracts the small ones , I catch a limit pretty quick with the flirt. But I have also caught a 5 and 7 pounder on them in the last few day flipping to brush and dock post around the area. I have also been using the coffee Tube on a unpegged T-Rig with good results. The only time I peg the sinker is if I am fishing dense grass or brush.  

[Brian_Reeves]

I'm a big fan of the 7 or 10in Rage Tail Anaconda.  Other favorites include the Rage Lobster, the Strike king versions of the trick worm (4 and 7in), and the coffee tube and the new ocho. Any color variation of watermelon suites me just fine 90% of the time.

Berkley powerworms worked for me in the past, but last year was not a good year for them to me.  Brush hogs and smaller craws work well throughout the year as well.

The main thing I worry about is hook size and the sinker's weight.  There are a million lures that will consistantly catch fish on a texas rig.  But the weight of the lure and its action is critical.

[roadwarrior]

I have recently become a Big Fan of the 10" Anaconda, too!

8-)

[EastTexasBassin]

GYCB Flappin hog is always #1 for me

brush hogs

baby brush hogs

gycb creature

[Bayou Bass]

I like to use the Powerbait 7" Ribbontail worm.  I can bounce it of the bottom using a slow retrieve or use a quicker retrieve and sort of swim the worm.  I typically throw the junebug or watermelon color.

I also like the Zoom baby brush hog (many different colors) and the Zoom 6" Lizard (man different colors).

I fish the T-Rig when fishing super heavy cover especially lilly pads.  Next to cranking this is my favorite technique.

[T-Bone]

This is going to be a hard question for me to answer because the t-rig is by far my favorite presentation.  If I had to choose one that was my go-to bait, I would have to say either a culprit ribbon tail worm, brush hog, or fat ika.

[-ebby-]

10in power worm

[flatbass]

Berkley Gulp turtleback worm in bluefleck

Berkley fliptail worm

Berkley powerworm

Zoom finnesse worm

[Joel W]

Baitcaster with a 1/2 oz Bullet wt unpegged:

4 inch Ugly Otter

7 inch Power worm

10 inch power worm

Spinning setup with a 1/4 oz unpegged bullet wt for bottom finesse fishing:

Hula Grubs

4 inch Tubes

5 inch Zoom Finesse worms

[.ghoti.]

Any plastic is a viable candidate for the T-rig, but you asked for a go to bait, so here's mine.

A GYCB Big Kahuna Cuttail worm. Any color, as long as it's dark.

[kikstand454]

well,

ive been liking the sweet beaver on my t-rig. but more than anything id say that a lizard and a senko are my most productive.

oh... and though i rarely fish it on the bottom, any paddle tail with a 3/16 oz. t-rig beats up active fish. esp in dirty water.

[Munkin]

Any plastic is a viable candidate for the T-rig.

That's what I was thinking

My top 2 producers though are baby brush hogs and 4" power worms.

Allen

[heathen]

My go to is the Sweet Beaver.

[Big Bait Fishing]

robo 6.5'', 7'' straight tail worms , 7'' power worms , zoom trick worms , gulp floating worm , robo pitching craw twitched over the bottom ......