By Mike Frisch
One of the best lure setups for catching largemouth bass holding in weedy cover in summer is a Texas rig.
Lots of hot weather bass hold along, and just inside, the outer edges of deep weed growth. A Texas rig works great for penetrating those weeds and triggering bass to bite.
A Texas rig usually consists of a weed resistant bullet-shaped sinker and a large hook that holds some sort of plastic bait.
To rig the setup, the hook point inserts into the bait a fraction of an inch and pokes out the bait’s side. The “hooked” portion of the bait is then slid up the hook shaft to the hook eye, the hook is rotated, and the point goes back into the bait. The sinker is often “pegged” in place using a bobber stop.
This rigging gives the bait a near weedless effect. The setup is then pitched to weedy edges and worked with a series of hops and drags to elicit strikes from aggressive largemouth.
Various sinker weights and bait styles work. A 1/4 or 3/8-ounce weight is a good starting point, with adjustments made based on water depths and fishing speed. Plastic worms work great for Texas rigging, though “creature” style baits like 4″ or 5″ Rage Hawgs are great for targeting bigger fish.
PHOTO – A happy angler with a summer bass caught on a Texas rig.
