How to Rig and Fish Texas Rig Worms for Bass

The Texas rig has likely caught more bass than any other lure, yet we commonly bypass it to fish with newer “hot” tactics. Major League Fishing pro Jeff Sprague thinks this is a mistake and always has a Texas rig at the ready. He revisits the technique by sharing the basic tackle setup, how to rig it up, and several tips to improve your success on different types of water.
FEATURED TACKLE
• WORM - Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Fat Baby Finesse Worm, color: Red Bug: wired2.fish/3NdAbIC
• ROD - Team Lew's Jeff Sprague Signature Series Rod, 7'3'' Medium-Heavy: wired2.fish/3yvjWTd
• REEL - Lew's Pro Ti Speed Spool SLP Casting Reel, 7.5:1: wired2.fish/3Ph4MqC
• LINE - Strike King Tour Grade Fluorocarbon Line, 17- or 20-pound: wired2.fish/39e2w2Y
• WEIGHT - Strike King Tour Grade Tungsten Weights, 1/8-ounce: wired2.fish/2V3LIRy
• HOOK - Offset Wide Gap Hook, 4/0: wired2.fish/WormHooks
Few baits are as weedless as a properly rigged Texas-rigged worm. Sprague emphasizes the importance of rigging it straight to come through cover clean and streamlined without spinning. When it comes to working the bait, it’s not about hopping it all the time - dragging a Texas rig through and over cover is a powerful and overlooked trigger.
Changing plastics is a fast way to transform the system into an entirely new presentation. What plastic you use depends on the time of year, water clarity, and how much fishing pressure. Fishing clear water? Sprague prefers a subtle and natural worm with minimal appendages. He’ll experiment with bulkier baits in dirtier water. Lastly, he shares his preferred rod, reel, and line setup for a high hookup to land ratio.
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[@Mcpcwby67]

Best video on Texas rig basics, especially in heavy cover!!

[@richardsousa2625]

I think I’ve been a little too focused on moving baits cause when the bite is tough it’s something to do. But Texas rig, neko rig, Ned rig are all on my list of things to work on

[@ralo4265]

Good stuff Jeff! 👀 🎣 👊🏼💯🇺🇸 Thanks for the tips my friend!

[@aggietommyjones]

No one is going to read this but nothing gets me more bites than a t-rig. Nowadays you see everyone focused on covering water with a chatterbait, a square bill or crank bait, a swim bait, a big creature bait, etc. If you go back to throwing a t rigged worm, you will get more bites. Let’s face it, no one likes spinning gear. You take one of your lightest bait casting setups, throw a 3/16-3/8 weight on it with a hook and worm of your choice and just fish slow, you’ll pick off those fish you’d otherwise have to fish a wacky rig or neko rig with on spinning gear. You can even beef up your gear and throw a bigger worm. It doesn’t matter. Just fish it slow and crawl it, short hop, or slowly swim a speed worm. Fish high percentage areas. So versatile. Cheap. Easy. And not a spinning rod.

[@milner-music9888]

I'm new! Excuse my ignorance! I so far only fish from the shore. But I also only have a spinning rod. Why do you say not to use a spinning rod? Just curious

[@forestwhitehead]

@@milner-music9888it doesn’t matter. Spinning rod will be fine for a light Texas rig. Some prefer a bait casting setup for more accuracy and heavier line.

[@freshandsaltyjohnny]

@@milner-music9888 They are both fun to use. Spinning is easier for beginners. If you do get into bait casting make sure you set spool tension knob a little tighter. Just until the lure barely starts coming down, you don't want it flying down to hit the floor right away so setting that spool tension knob is key for starting out with a baitcast. Otherwise spinning gear does the job just fine. Have fun out there -Johnny

[@TeamAbbott44]

Great informative video! Really trying hard to use and getter better with this type of technique.

[@Wired2Fish]

Keep at it Tim. It's a forgiving lure once you get the hang of it. Bass often eat a worm and hold it, giving you ample opportunity to reel down and set the hook, whereas they're apt to spit a jig more quickly.

[@raygissendanner1476]

Great tips and video thank you

[@MrSpeedyNYC]

Great video. I like that rod!

[@Wired2Fish]

Lew's definitely does a great job with technique-specific rod powers and actions.

[@richardsousa2625]

It looks like you’re recording this on a overcast day and the water doesn’t seem too typically clear. But underwater it’s quite clear. Are those shots from the same time and place? I’m trying to get a better understanding of just how clear my local waters are

[@user-sl3zc8sc7r]

Ese arreglo es florida o Texas

[@ericwashington2158]

This looks like lake Athens?

[@jcreel4055]

What are the 2 orange rods on the deck?

[@N2theBlue1]

those are Sprague's signature rods available exclusively at wal-mart

[@frostizz2072]

I just lost my pb bass on a 6inch lizard, the bass just jumped and snapped everything off

[@FloridaMarlinWrangler]

Looks like its a lot of high maintennance. Saltwater is easy! Tie a baited hook on, cast, wait, hold on. My hats off to all bass fishermen nevertheless.

[@dustinriddell8374]

Yes salt water is easier

[@FloridaMarlinWrangler]

@@dustinriddell8374 and more fun too!!!!

[@tompfliger1199]

I feel like pegging a worm kills the action.

[@Wired2Fish]

Seems to be a matter of personal preference with anglers, and usually influenced by how heavy the cover is. An unpegged worm definitely has a natural aspect you don't get when pegged.