Introduction: Pro Bass Rigs That Never Fail
In this article i will discuss a few new secret rigs that work great along with some classics and even a few old forgotten rigs.
Step 1: Wacky Rig
The Wacky Rig
The wacky rig is a somewhat new pro trick that involves a weightless circle hook and a 5-7" Senko style worm.
Rigging instructions
1. fold a standard senko in half
2.push the point of the hook through the middle of the senko
3.slide the senko up on the bottom the shank ( straight part)
4. If extra weight is needed two headless screw can be put into the ends of the worm
Fishing instructions
The wacky worm should be fished slowly across light cover with a jerky twitchy movement. You should use a Medium-heavy rod with 12-17 lb test. Mono-filament or braided line work best in murky waters, but fleurocarbon should be used in crystal clear water.
The wacky rig is a somewhat new pro trick that involves a weightless circle hook and a 5-7" Senko style worm.
Rigging instructions
1. fold a standard senko in half
2.push the point of the hook through the middle of the senko
3.slide the senko up on the bottom the shank ( straight part)
4. If extra weight is needed two headless screw can be put into the ends of the worm
Fishing instructions
The wacky worm should be fished slowly across light cover with a jerky twitchy movement. You should use a Medium-heavy rod with 12-17 lb test. Mono-filament or braided line work best in murky waters, but fleurocarbon should be used in crystal clear water.
Step 2: The "New York Rig"
The New York Rig
The new york rig was actually invented by me. One problem i always seemed to have was that flat finesse worms were impossible to hook weedless. After some experimenting, tearing apart worms and catching bass i came up with a new solution that still covers the hook point in the thinnest worms.
Rigging instructions
1.get a long, thin worm hook
2. slide the point through the head of the worm
3. slide the worm head over the eye of the hook and barely over the knot
4. allow the hook to stand perfectly vertical and gently slide the point straight up the worm instead of traditionally sideways
5. attach 2-3 split shot sinkers 3-4 feet above the worm head( DO NOT USE A BULLET SINKER. IT TEARS THE WORM IN HALF)
Fishing instructions
Because it is a finesse worm rigged in a weedless manner this can be used in much heavier cover in deeper water than most finesse worms. You have to experiment with the speeds but most of the time it should be slow and jerky.
The new york rig was actually invented by me. One problem i always seemed to have was that flat finesse worms were impossible to hook weedless. After some experimenting, tearing apart worms and catching bass i came up with a new solution that still covers the hook point in the thinnest worms.
Rigging instructions
1.get a long, thin worm hook
2. slide the point through the head of the worm
3. slide the worm head over the eye of the hook and barely over the knot
4. allow the hook to stand perfectly vertical and gently slide the point straight up the worm instead of traditionally sideways
5. attach 2-3 split shot sinkers 3-4 feet above the worm head( DO NOT USE A BULLET SINKER. IT TEARS THE WORM IN HALF)
Fishing instructions
Because it is a finesse worm rigged in a weedless manner this can be used in much heavier cover in deeper water than most finesse worms. You have to experiment with the speeds but most of the time it should be slow and jerky.
Step 3: The Tail Rig
The Tail Rig
The tail rig is another variation of the New York rig. My dad invented this rig and tought it to me when i was little. Very often bass aren't hungry so the will only nip the tail of worms. This makes many people think that you should use 2 hooks but in reality there is a method that only needs one. The only thing you need is a small thin wire hook, a 6-8 inch worm and a toothpick.
Rigging Instructions
1.get a small thin wired hook and a 6-8 in. long worm
2.hook it as you would with a Texas rig
3.grab the point of the hook and pull it through the worm
4.repeat this process until the point is close to the worm tail
5.stick a toothpick through the worm to keep it from bunching up
Fishing instructions
This rig works great in open water on cold days when bass aren't very hungry. it has to be fished slower than normal to prevent it from bunching up on the line. like usual it has to be twitched and dropped to get a strike.
The tail rig is another variation of the New York rig. My dad invented this rig and tought it to me when i was little. Very often bass aren't hungry so the will only nip the tail of worms. This makes many people think that you should use 2 hooks but in reality there is a method that only needs one. The only thing you need is a small thin wire hook, a 6-8 inch worm and a toothpick.
Rigging Instructions
1.get a small thin wired hook and a 6-8 in. long worm
2.hook it as you would with a Texas rig
3.grab the point of the hook and pull it through the worm
4.repeat this process until the point is close to the worm tail
5.stick a toothpick through the worm to keep it from bunching up
Fishing instructions
This rig works great in open water on cold days when bass aren't very hungry. it has to be fished slower than normal to prevent it from bunching up on the line. like usual it has to be twitched and dropped to get a strike.
Step 4: The Tourist Rig
The tourist rig
The tourist rig is probably the oldest last known of all the bass rigs. It was invented by the same person who created the texas rig, Nick Creme. although this rig was looked down upon at first because people would say " it's so good a tourist could catch bass with it" but it proved to be a great rig. It is composed of a bullet sinker, two glass beads and a nice shiny spinner.
Rigging Instructions
1. in this order put the bullet sinker, bead, the spinner and another bead onto the line
2. attach a size regular sized offset worm hook
3.slide the worm onto the hook and pull the curved and pointed part out of the worm
Fishing instruction
This rig is great in crystal clear open water where the spinner is able to attract fish from a good distance. Fish it just fast enough to get the spinner going and crawl it along the bottom hopping off of rocks and other structure being careful not to snag it.
The tourist rig is probably the oldest last known of all the bass rigs. It was invented by the same person who created the texas rig, Nick Creme. although this rig was looked down upon at first because people would say " it's so good a tourist could catch bass with it" but it proved to be a great rig. It is composed of a bullet sinker, two glass beads and a nice shiny spinner.
Rigging Instructions
1. in this order put the bullet sinker, bead, the spinner and another bead onto the line
2. attach a size regular sized offset worm hook
3.slide the worm onto the hook and pull the curved and pointed part out of the worm
Fishing instruction
This rig is great in crystal clear open water where the spinner is able to attract fish from a good distance. Fish it just fast enough to get the spinner going and crawl it along the bottom hopping off of rocks and other structure being careful not to snag it.
Step 5: The Texas Rig
The Texas rig
The texas rig without a doubt is the most popular and well known bass rig off all time. Created by the same person who invented the tourist rig it is almost completely weedless and works great in cover,
Rigging instructions
1. place a medium sized bullet sinker on the line
2. tie on an average sized offset worm hook
3.insert the point barely past the barb then pull it through the side of the worm
4.pull the rest of the hook through and turn the hook around
5. insert the point into the side but don't push it all the way through
Fishing instructions
The texas rig really excels in heavy cover where crankbaits and other lures aren't able to go.
Step 6: Carolina Rig
The Carolina rig
The Carolina rig is just as well known as the Texas rig but isn't as old and is usually used as a last resort in worm fishing
rigging instructions
1. insert a slip sinker and bead onto the line
2. tie on a swivel
3. put a leader and worm hook on the swivel
4. put a worm on the hook like you would in a Texas rig
Fishing instructions
This rig is also worked in cover like the Texas rig but also can be used in somewhat open water. occasionally it works best to hop along objects at a fast speed but sometimes bass want it fished more slowly and jerky.