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3 Bass Rigs You Really Ought to Learn!
By Roger Lee Brown
“The Bass Coach”
Many of today's anglers all to often seem to have the enthusiasm
to get themselves all psyched up for that big day of fishing the following day
only to find themselves coming in at the end of the day with only one or two
bass caught. They will spend the day, usually casting, re-rigging, running,
loosing lures, etc., but most of all getting frustrated because the fish aren't
cooperating. "Sound Familiar?" I, surly know this feeling and I'm sure that any
angler reading this article has had the same feeling at some point and time.
Now, don't feel bad if this does happen to you because you are definitely not
alone, there are probably millions of other anglers out there that this same
problem happens to! But, there are a few "Tricks of the Trade" that you can use
to help remedy this problem..... at least it works for me and many of my former
bass angling students and charter clients that I have taught in the past.
I found that on certain days when the bass don't seem to cooperate, I usually
will put my action baits away and pull out the "Last Resort Rigs" which are the:
1. TEXAS RIG
2. CAROLINA RIG
3. FLOATING RIG
These three rigs are probably the most successful patterns for catching bass
(Largemouth, Smallmouth, & Spotted Bass) that a angler can use just about
"Anywhere and at Anytime." Now, some anglers may ask; "Why would I use all three
of these rigs?" and the answer is really quite simple. It's like using tools of
the trade! A carpenter wouldn't use a hammer to back out a screw, nor would he
or she use a screw driver to pound nails (Well, at least most of them
wouldn't!....smile!....). The same goes with bass fishing, an angler should have
the right Tools-of-the-Trade to do a specific job!
First, let's talk about the TEXAS RIG. This rig was the first "Plastic Bait" rig
that was used by most of the anglers when the sport of bass fishing really got
started over 25 years ago! It is a simple rig to set up, and has produced more
bass catches than any other artificial baits ever used, even today!
To rig a Texas Rig you will need line, a hook and a sinker.......That's It!
First, you put your sinker (usually a "bullet shaped slip sinker") onto the line
with the smaller point of the weight going on first or "facing up." Then tie
your hook (usually a off-set worm hook) to the end of the line after you put on
the weight. Now you are ready for your plastic baits (I always refer to
artificial baits because I haven't used live bait in many years) to be put on
the hook.
This type of rig (Texas Rig) can be fished (or presented) just about anywhere
you will find bass, it has certain advantages and disadvantages over the other
two rigs that we will talk about, and I will give a few examples after we rig up
the Carolina Rig and the Floating Rig.
So next, let's rig the CAROLINA RIG.... With this rig you'll need line (main
reel line), a barrel swivel, about 6' of leader line, a weight, glass or brass
bead or rattle chamber, and a hook. I know this seems like a lot of stuff, but
the results are incredible!
First, take your "Leader Line" (usually the same line that is on your reel
already, but I would suggest at least a 2 lb. test lessor than your main line in
case of a break-off..... Most of the time by using a lighter leader line, when
it breaks it will break off at the leader line thus saving the other hardware on
the rig) and tie one end of it to one end of the barrel swivel and then put it
aside for a moment. Then, take your main line from your reel and first put on
the weight (usually anywhere from a 1/2 oz. up to a l oz. bullet or egg sinker).
Next, after the weight is on your main line, follow it with a rattle (rattle
chamber, glass or brass bead) and then tie the end of the main line to the other
end of the barrel swivel that you just put aside. After you tie to the swivel,
tie your hook at the other end of the leader line giving you a 2' to a 4'
leader. Now, we're ready for the bait!
Next, let's rig the FLOATING RIG! This "Floating Rig" can and will produce bass
sometimes when all else fails...... It's quite simple to rig and the results can
be devastating! You will need a SMALL Barrel Swivel and a Hook for this rig.
First, take about 3' off of your main line for a leader line. Tie one end of
your leader line to one end of the barrel swivel, then tie the other end of the
barrel swivel to the main reel line. With this rig you leave off the
weight!........NO WEIGHT!!!!!..... Then finally, you tie the hook (preferably a
"Light Wire" worm hook) with only allowing about a 1' leader for the leader
line. The reason for no weight and a light wire hook is to allow as much
buoyancy as possible. This rig is designed mostly for Floating Worms and buoyant
plastic artificial baits.
Now, let's say that you were to fish around "Rip-Rap" (Rock Areas) around dams
levees etc. You probable'wouldn't use a Texas Rig unless you put the lightest
weight possible on it to keep it from getting it wedged in the rocks. Nor would
you use a Carolina Rig because the heavier weight (1/2 oz. to 1.oz.) would most
likely get hung up. So, the rig that makes the most sense would be the "Floating
Rig." This rig will allow a slow presentation over the rock areas and the bass
that may be around the rocks will come up after it. Also, this kind of rig is
used better around branches, Lilly pads, thick surface vegetation etc.
Now, let's say that we are working a "Downward" slope from about 3' depth to a
20' depth. The most sensible rig to use would be to use the Carolina Rig because
it will stay in contact with the bottom contour and the deeper you work it,
giving it line from your reel you can get a better "Bottom Presentation." A
Texas Rig can be used for this also but the deeper you go with it the more it
will lift off of the bottom. Let's say that you were going to work some pockets
around a Bull Rush field. To accurately cast into the pockets a Texas Rig would
be the most preferred because with the weight of it you can make accurate casts.
A Floating Rig would also be recommended for this type of area as well.
Thick sloppy grass and vegetation areas, all three would work, but the Carolina
Rig has produced some quality bass in areas like this over the other two rigs.
Don't worry about getting weeds on the Carolina Rig! Just give it a try and
clean the weeds off of the rig and keep casting into these thick areas and "Hold
On!"
These rigs can be used anywhere and just about under any circumstances. Remember
this; most Bass Tournaments ever fished have paid out more money fishing these
rigs than any other types of artificial baits ever used! So if you're not using
all three of these rigs, I promise, the results can be devastating! Just give
them a try!
If you have any questions regarding this article please feel free to Email me
at: rlbrown@capital.net or if you wish to enroll in my
3-day bass fishing school at your home lake or mine, or just wish to charter a
day of bass fishing you can call me at 518-597-4240 or visit my website at
www.capital.net/~rlbrown.
Until next time, take care and God bless you always!
“The Bass Coach” – Roger Lee Brown
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