New Guy Question On Texas Rigs? 2024
Wolfie reply :
Ok so I was pre fishing a tourny saturday and ran into a local slamming fish, good fish too he told me he was texas rigging a kinky beaver in deep weeds (10-18')and told me the color with an 1/8 oz tungsten weight so all I had was a sweet beaver which is similar in profile but different and less apendages and a 1/4oz tungsten weight I caught a few fish 4 my avg was about 3.25lbs good fish for up here in michigan.
But in those weeds i had a terrible time distinquishing bites from weeds anyone got any tips? I talked to the guy later he told me he worked at the tackle store up the road so i stopped on my way out and he was there he figures I got a lot less bites because of the different bait he says kinky beaver does 10 fold better than the sweet beaver and the weight. I fish jigs usually skipping docks on a baitcaster so I watch line and try to feel but in those deep weeds I feel lost. Any help would be much appreciated sorry
A-Jay reply :
Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~
Hard to say from here what the whole deal is / was but the lighter weight (1/8 oz) may allow a bait to lay on top of the vegetation instead of burying all up in it.
Also I'd be using braided line.
A-Jay
Wolfie reply :
Why braid over flouro? What pound test? Its clear up here 5-6' visibility also how do you know if your snagged on weeds or got a bite?
RoLo reply :
Welcome to the forums Wolfie,
I concur with A-Jay, which is to say, the difference in weight may be more significant
than the difference between a Sweet Beaver and Kinky Beaver.
Why braid over fluoro?
I'll enter that debate via the low road: "Why fluoro over braid?"
Roger
papajoe222 reply :
I, also welcome you.
A-Jay is right on the money about the weight. The 1/8oz. was just enough to give his kinky beaver a slower fall and keep it on top of the weeds. Your sweet beaver has more plastic and combined with the heavier weight was both falling faster and likely penetrating at least the tops of the weeds.
When it comes to distinguishing bites from weeds, try this. Hold your rod tip between 11:00 & 12:00 and use your reel to move the bait short distances. A weed will transmit slow resistance that increases as you reel. A bite will either be a tap (or multiple taps), loss of contact with the bait, or just a heavy, mushy feeling.
Wolfie reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 10:28 AM, RoLo said:Welcome to the forums Wolfie,
I concur with A-Jay, which is to say, the difference in weight may be more significant
than the difference between a Sweet Beaver and Kinky Beaver.
Why braid over fluoro?
I'll enter that debate via the low road: "Why fluoro over braid?"
Roger
Thanks for the welcoming as far as flouro over braid it seems to me flouro is more sensitive on slack and due to water clarity also with a light weight like that im afraid braid wont have the right fall
Darren. reply :
Welcome aboard, mate!
Wolfie reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 10:28 AM, papajoe222 said:I, also welcome you.
A-Jay is right on the money about the weight. The 1/8oz. was just enough to give his kinky beaver a slower fall and keep it on top of the weeds. Your sweet beaver has more plastic and combined with the heavier weight was both falling faster and likely penetrating at least the tops of the weeds.
When it comes to distinguishing bites from weeds, try this. Hold your rod tip between 11:00 & 12:00 and use your reel to move the bait short distances. A weed will transmit slow resistance that increases as you reel. A bite will either be a tap (or multiple taps), loss of contact with the bait, or just a heavy, mushy feeling.
Sounds good thanks for the welcoming I'll give it a shot I am pretty new to bass been fishing about 4 yrs is there a rod you recomend for this technique? I have 3 to choose from that i own already erither a crucial worm and jig 6'9" a duckett ghost 7'mh or quantum smoke 7'mh ? I need as much help with this as i can I have a tourny there next week saturday
A-Jay reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 10:24 AM, Wolfie said:Why braid over flouro? What pound test? Its clear up here 5-6' visibility also how do you know if your snagged on weeds or got a bite?
I'm in MI as well (Otsego County) and the vis here is alway twice that.
The Braid choice for me is a personal preference that revolves around the fact that it floats, has No Stretch, & Cuts through the weeds.
A-Jay
Wolfie reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 10:42 AM, A-Jay said:I'm in MI as well (Otsego County) and the vis here is alway twice that.
The Braid choice for me is a personal preference that revolves around the fact that it floats, has No Stretch, & Cuts through the weeds.
A-Jay
Got ya thank you any rod recomendations from the ones i asked above?
RoLo reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 10:33 AM, Wolfie said:Thanks for the welcoming as far as flouro over braid it seems to me flouro is more sensitive on slack and due to water clarity also with a light weight like that im afraid braid wont have the right fall
"Sink Rate" is governed primarily by Line Diameter rather than Line Density (an angler who trolls is the best source of information).
The following is based on a large-scale study performed by Tackletour:
1) Braided line is virtually non-stretch
2) Fluorocarbon stretches a lot, and the difference in stretch between nylon and fluorocarbon is inconsequential.
In fact, some brands of fluoro stretch more than some brands of nylon ("nylon" is commonly referred to as "mono")
3) Due to lower water-resistance, fine line offers a more natural delivery than fat line (braid is a fine line; fluoro is a fat line)
4) Fluorocarbon line is susceptible to ruptures & fracturing, hence "Low Knot Strength" (not so braid)
Finally, the angling world should really compare "abrasion-resistance" based on an equal volume of material.
Comparing the abrasion-resistance of fat line to the abrasion-resistance of fine line is not a fair comparison.
Roger
Wolfie reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 11:01 AM, RoLo said:"Sink Rate" is governed primarily by Line Diameter rather than Line Density (an angler who trolls is the best source of information).
The following is based on a large-scale study performed by Tackletour:
1) Braided line is virtually non-stretch
2) Fluorocarbon stretches a lot, and the difference in stretch between nylon and fluorocarbon is inconsequential.
In fact, the difference in stretch between different brands is greater than the difference between fluoro and nylon
3) Braid is a fine diameter line that provides the most natural delivery. Fluorocarbon is a fat diameter line
4) Fluorocarbon is susceptible to ruptures and fracturing, hence "Low Knot Strength" (not so braid)
Finally, the angling world needs to compare "abrasion-resistance" based on an equitable volume of line material.
Differently put, comparing the abrasion-resistance of a fat line to the abrasion-resistance of a fine line is grossly disparate.
Roger
Ok but would you worry about fish seeing it thats my main concern is visibility of the fish seeing it
Flippin4Biggins reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 10:10 AM, Wolfie said:Ok so I was pre fishing a tourny saturday and ran into a local slamming fish, good fish too he told me he was texas rigging a kinky beaver in deep weeds (10-18')and told me the color with an 1/8 oz tungsten weight so all I had was a sweet beaver which is similar in profile but different and less apendages and a 1/4oz tungsten weight I caught a few fish 4 my avg was about 3.25lbs good fish for up here in michigan.
But in those weeds i had a terrible time distinquishing bites from weeds anyone got any tips? I talked to the guy later he told me he worked at the tackle store up the road so i stopped on my way out and he was there he figures I got a lot less bites because of the different bait he says kinky beaver does 10 fold better than the sweet beaver and the weight. I fish jigs usually skipping docks on a baitcaster so I watch line and try to feel but in those deep weeds I feel lost. Any help would be much appreciated sorry
I believe it.... I start with a 3/8 jig most of the time and nothing heavier unless wind is an issue. But most of the time I find myself throwing a 5/16 and just rail fish and it's always on the fall
RoLo reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 11:22 AM, Wolfie said:Ok but would you worry about fish seeing it thats my main concern is visibility of the fish seeing it
Fish in the tuna family..YES (bluefin, yellowfin, bonito, albacore ~ ~).
Largemouth bass..NO Smallmouth Bass..I yield the floor to Dwight Hottle ;-)
Roger
Catt reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 10:42 AM, A-Jay said:I'm in MI as well (Otsego County) and the vis here is alway twice that.
The Braid choice for me is a personal preference that revolves around the fact that it floats, has No Stretch, & Cuts through the weeds.
A-Jay
Welcome, add to the above your Curcial & you're good to!
The biggest mistake newbies make is they try to force the t-rig through grass, ya gotta finessee it through. When you fell the t-rig load up in the grass stop! Apply pressure with you rod & shake the tip & allow the bullet weight to nose itself through. If you try to force it through it'll only dig in.
As for feeling bites, pay attention to your line, if you cast in 12' & your rig only fall 8', ya got bit on the fall. Or if ya cast into 12' & it takes 15' to reach bottom the bass is swimming with it.
I can add plenty more on that subject!
kingmotorboat reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 11:50 AM, Catt said:Welcome, add to the above your Curcial & you're good to!
The biggest mistake newbies make is they try to force the t-rig through grass, ya gotta finessee it through. When you fell the t-rig load up in the grass stop! Apply pressure with you rod & shake the tip & allow the bullet weight to nose itself through. If you try to force it through it'll only dig in.
As for feeling bites, pay attention to your line, if you cast in 12' & your rig only fall 8', ya got bit on the fall. Or if ya cast into 12' & it takes 15' to reach bottom the bass is swimming with it.
I can add plenty more on that subject!
Catt may I ask how are you able to distinguish the distance it has fell?
Catt reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 11:58 AM, kingmotorboat said:Catt may I ask how are you able to distinguish the distance it has fell?
Y'all don't your worm down?
Cast into a known depth & count 1 thousand 1, 1 thousand 2, ect!
Wolfie reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 11:50 AM, Catt said:Welcome, add to the above your Curcial & you're good to!
The biggest mistake newbies make is they try to force the t-rig through grass, ya gotta finessee it through. When you fell the t-rig load up in the grass stop! Apply pressure with you rod & shake the tip & allow the bullet weight to nose itself through. If you try to force it through it'll only dig in.
As for feeling bites, pay attention to your line, if you cast in 12' & your rig only fall 8', ya got bit on the fall. Or if ya cast into 12' & it takes 15' to reach bottom the bass is swimming with it.
I can add plenty more on that subject!
Otsego is not to far from me im from hudsonville my thing is if im dragging it threw the weedsa and all of a sudden it feels stuck how do you know its stuck in a weed or a fishes mouth I think I can win this tournament if this bite holds good for another 2 weeks but I need to figure out if im getting bit and missing it I only had 4 fish and had a 12.8 bag by myself saturday one small fish 2.15
Wolfie reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:07 PM, Catt said:Y'all don't your worm down?
1/4 oz weight, 3/0 hook, & typical 6" worm falls about a foot a second.
So your counting this in your head?
kingmotorboat reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:07 PM, Catt said:Y'all don't your worm down?
1/4 oz weight, 3/0 hook, & typical 6" worm falls about a foot a second.
No I never have usually I throw lighter than 1/4 or drastically higher depending on the cover.
Catt reply :
Question #1: set hook
Question #2: yes
kingmotorboat reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:12 PM, Catt said:Question #1: set hook
Question #2: yes
Usually setting the hook in doubt is my go to. I may look like an idiot but I'm going to look like an idiot catching
MIbassyaker reply :
I'm also in MI, but farther south than A-Jay. Most of the lakes I fish have about 5-6 foot visibility, some twice that or more. I frequently use up to 50lb braid around weeds and I have no problem getting bass to strike lures tied on directly.
I think about it this way: bass that live around weeds are surrounded by all kinds of stalks, stems, tendrils and other fibers of vegetation. They hunt food in and around and through this stuff every day. To them, even if they see fishing line, it probably just registers as another tendril of vegetation that's in the way.
Catt reply :
Sorry I changed my answer on y'all 
1/4 oz - 1' per second
I count t-rigs & jigs down, it's something I learned years ago, it tells me if I've been bitten on the fall or if the bass is swimming with it. It is two bites where you may not feel or see anything.
kingmotorboat reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:20 PM, MIbassyaker said:I'm also in MI, but farther south than A-Jay. Most of the lakes I fish have about 5-6 foot visibility, some twice that or more. I frequently use up to 50lb braid around weeds and I have no problem getting bass to strike lures tied on directly.
I think about it this way: bass that live in weeds are surrounded by all kinds of stalks, stems, tendrils and other fibers of vegetation. They hunt food in and through this stuff every day. To them, even if they see fishing line, it probably just registers as another tendril of vegetation that's in the way.
I'm not a believer in bass being spooked by line ever. Reason being if they can't see a hook I don't expect them to see a line or a sinker or for that matter really care. Sorry I got off track here
kingmotorboat reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:23 PM, Catt said:Sorry I changed my answer on y'all
1/4 oz - 1' per second
I count t-rigs & jigs down, it's something I learned years ago, it tells me if I've been bitten on the fall or if the bass is swimming with it. It is two bites where you may not feel or see anything.
So basically years of experience is how you judge haha
kingmotorboat reply :
I will try it out though catt I still do the rod dunk to judge how deep
MIbassyaker reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:23 PM, kingmotorboat said:I'm not a believer in bass being spooked by line ever. Reason being if they can't see a hook I don't expect them to see a line or a sinker or for that matter really care. Sorry I got off track here
I don't doubt they see hooks -- they see quite well, after all. I just don't see any reason to expect them to be shy of hooks. They're not picky eaters, after all, and they don't "know" what a hook is.
Catt reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:29 PM, MIbassyaker said:I don't doubt they see hooks -- they see quite well, after all. I just don't see any reason to expect them to be shy of hooks. They're not picky eaters, after all, and they don't "know" what a hook is.
In grass they don't know what your line is
kingmotorboat reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:29 PM, MIbassyaker said:I don't doubt they see hooks -- they see quite well, after all. I just don't see any reason to expect them to be shy of hooks. They're not picky eaters, after all, and they don't "know" what a hook is.
Me and you have the same view they see it but they don't care. I hear people say they fish for them because they're smart and it makes it tough. I say they're not that smart just very elusive. Reason I say that cause my dad recently hooked a 3 pounder had a knot failure and lost the fish. 30 seconds later I caught 3 pounder and got his hook and baby brush hog back
RoLo reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:20 PM, MIbassyaker said:I think about it this way: bass that live around weeds are surrounded by all kinds of stalks, stems, tendrils and other fibers of vegetation. They hunt food in and around and through this stuff every day. To them, even if they see fishing line, it probably just registers as another tendril of vegetation that's in the way.
Bullseye!
Bass routinely engulf baitfish with a trail of excrement or a nondescript object projecting from its mouth.
It's well-documented that bass readily accept the sight of snap-swivels, rattleboxes, fiberguards, treble hooks,
and ultra-strong wire on Alabama Rigs.
Is it rational to believe that when this same animal sees a fine braided filament...All Bets Are Off?
Roger
Wolfie reply :
Ok so Im thinking I'll try braid on this set up what lb test (baitcaster) would you recomend? Also is fireline crystal good? a friend of mine is a huge walleye guy and loves that stuff
scaleface reply :
"But in those weeds i had a terrible time distinquishing bites from weeds anyone got any tips?"
It gets difficult. If you feel a slight tap when the lure is falling , set the hook . But often you dont feel the tap and when you raise the rod you feel a slight resistance . A bass and a weed can feel exactly the same . I weigh my slack line and if it feels a little weird , I set the hook .. Thats hard to explain but thats what I do .
Try this , its something I do a lot . Use a shiny perfectly smooth soft plastic lure . No ridges , bumps ...If in doubt if you had a bite or not , examine your bait. If a bass had it there should be a rough spot caused by its sandpaper like teeth .
Wolfie reply :
Thanks
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:23 PM, Catt said:Sorry I changed my answer on y'all
1/4 oz - 1' per second
I count t-rigs & jigs down, it's something I learned years ago, it tells me if I've been bitten on the fall or if the bass is swimming with it. It is two bites where you may not feel or see anything.
So if my line stops moving and goes slacked it his stopped? Probably a stupid question but one of the areas I fish is only accessible by foot, so I don't have any type of electronics unit to tell the DOW, so the best way for me to tell that would be to count a bait down. Also, wouldn't the type of bait change the ROF?
A-Jay reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 12:07 PM, Wolfie said:Otsego is not to far from me im from hudsonville my thing is if im dragging it threw the weedsa and all of a sudden it feels stuck how do you know its stuck in a weed or a fishes mouth I think I can win this tournament if this bite holds good for another 2 weeks but I need to figure out if im getting bit and missing it I only had 4 fish and had a 12.8 bag by myself saturday one small fish 2.15
I like to feel for "Signs of Live" - but you usually can't "feel" for too long . . . . . .
Remember - Hook Sets Are Free - so don't be shy - if you think you're getting bit - Whack'em.
I will also say that after enough of your baits go whizzing by your head - this may also help you to learn the difference between a weed and a bite.
In the mean time, don't forget to duck . . .
A-Jay
WRB reply :
Your best source of information is the tackle guy who turned you on to this bite...talk to him!On 7/13/2015 at 10:10 AM, Wolfie said:Ok so I was pre fishing a tourny saturday and ran into a local slamming fish, good fish too he told me he was texas rigging a kinky beaver in deep weeds (10-18')and told me the color with an 1/8 oz tungsten weight so all I had was a sweet beaver which is similar in profile but different and less apendages and a 1/4oz tungsten weight I caught a few fish 4 my avg was about 3.25lbs good fish for up here in michigan.
But in those weeds i had a terrible time distinquishing bites from weeds anyone got any tips? I talked to the guy later he told me he worked at the tackle store up the road so i stopped on my way out and he was there he figures I got a lot less bites because of the different bait he says kinky beaver does 10 fold better than the sweet beaver and the weight. I fish jigs usually skipping docks on a baitcaster so I watch line and try to feel but in those deep weeds I feel lost. Any help would be much appreciated sorry
Regarding braid vs mono/FC; you caught bass, did you break off any bass because the breaking? Fishing with braid takes time to learn and you don't have time if a tournament is coming soon.
I am not an expert fishing weeds, Catt is so listen to him.
What I can tell you is weeds don't move or stop your lure suddenly, bass do. If the bite is good, the bass tend to hold soft plastic longer, so you can take a few seconds to line watch or simply set the hook instantly, swings are free.
My advice; use the lighter weight and same color/ soft plastic as the guy who was doing well used, that was valuable information.
Tom
Wolfie reply :
Thanks guys I really apprecitate it.ya i talked to him for quite a while he showed me exactly what he was using. And his biggest tip for me was if im unsure if its weeds or bass put the line basicly tight with little pressure with the rod at about 10-11 and if the tip moves out away from you even ever so slightly reel and smash em weeds dont pull back. So I will try it again saturday and let you guys know how it goes
Wolfie reply :
Thanks guys I really apprecitate it.ya i talked to him for quite a while he showed me exactly what he was using. And his biggest tip for me was if im unsure if its weeds or bass put the line basicly tight with little pressure with the rod at about 10-11 and if the tip moves out away from you even ever so slightly reel and smash em weeds dont pull back. So I will try it again saturday and let you guys know how it goes
Wolfie reply :
Sorry for the double post
Mike L reply :
A little tip that may help you also...
Put you index finger under the line while you're working it through the vegetation. Regardless of the type of line you use any vibration will be transmitted through to your finger.
In time you'll know the difference between anything the end of the line touches.
Mike
Catt reply :
1/4 oz - 1' per second rate of fall is approximant, depending on the piece of plastic attached to your hook which is why I changed it. I count down while watching my line sink, when it stops moving I'll give it another two count for lagniappe.
The art of feeling a Texas rig bite is a fine combination of watching your line and feeling for unnatural sensations of what your lure shouldn't feel like.
Sometimes you will feel that classic "tap", sometimes you'll only see line movement, sometimes your line will simply go slack, but sometimes there will only be a feeling of heaviness that is almost like your lure is hung in grass.
The bites where the bass moves after inhaling your lure are the easy ones to feel because there is line movement. The bites where the bass simply inhales your lure and sits there are the hardest to feel. Sometimes you will only see your line jump where it enters the water and it will make you go huh, set hook!
Feeling a worm/jig bite requires keeping a certain amount of tension on your line while at the same time keeping a certain amount of slackness in your line. To the average angler this makes no sense at all but to the experenced worm/jig angler it makes total sense!
Maintain contact with your lure at all times, allow the lure to free-fall unrestricted, but without letting slack form in your line; strip line if neccessay anf follow your lure down with your rod tip.
HoosierHawgs reply :
2 count for what? Sorry I'm not sure what that means.... Does that mean an extra 2'? Does anyone know the approximate ROF for 1/8, 1/2, ect?On 7/14/2015 at 2:42 AM, Catt said:1/4 oz - 1' per second rate of fall is approximant, depending on the piece of plastic attached to your hook which is why I changed it. I count down while watching my line sink, when it stops moving I'll give it another two count for lagniappe.
The art of feeling a Texas rig bite is a fine combination of watching your line and feeling for unnatural sensations of what your lure shouldn't feel like.
Sometimes you will feel that classic "tap", sometimes you'll only see line movement, sometimes your line will simply go slack, but sometimes there will only be a feeling of heaviness that is almost like your lure is hung in grass.
The bites where the bass moves after inhaling your lure are the easy ones to feel because there is line movement. The bites where the bass simply inhales your lure and sits there are the hardest to feel. Sometimes you will only see your line jump where it enters the water and it will make you go huh, set hook!
Feeling a worm/jig bite requires keeping a certain amount of tension on your line while at the same time keeping a certain amount of slackness in your line. To the average angler this makes no sense at all but to the experenced worm/jig angler it makes total sense!
Maintain contact with your lure at all times, allow the lure to free-fall unrestricted, but without letting slack form in your line; strip line if neccessay anf follow your lure down with your rod tip.
scaleface reply :
On 7/14/2015 at 2:42 AM, Catt said:
Feeling a worm/jig bite requires keeping a certain amount of tension on your line while at the same time keeping a certain amount of slackness in your line. To the average angler this makes no sense at all but to the experenced worm/jig angler it makes total sense!
Those are two good sentences .
A-Jay reply :
On 7/14/2015 at 2:48 AM, jakob1010 said:2 count for what? Sorry I'm not sure what that means.... Does that mean an extra 2'? Does anyone know the approximate ROF for 1/8, 1/2, ect?
A few things factor into this - in no particular order:
Type & size of line - a thinner braid may increase ROF where a "fatter" nylon line may decrease it some.
This comes into play more on a cast than it does on a pitch or flip type presentation.
The Type, Size and Design (shape) of your plastic can affect ROF as well.
A big wavy tail or two (or more) large flapping craws of other type appendages act as brakes to slow the ride down. A smooth, less or no appendage bait is more apt to zip right to the bottom.
So it can change from bait to bait.
Really the best way to get it right (as already mentioned above) is to simply test it at a know depth. This can be done right at the boat or if you're on the bank, in water you can see the bottom at.
A-Jay
HoosierHawgs reply :
I may try the neighborhood pool. Although I'd measure it myself, seems most pools "measurements" aren't exact.On 7/14/2015 at 2:59 AM, A-Jay said:A few things factor into this - in no particular order:
Type & size of line - a thinner braid may increase ROF where a "fatter" nylon line may decrease it some.
This comes into play more on a cast than it does on a pitch or flip type presentation.
The Type, Size and Design (shape) of your plastic can affect ROF as well.
A big wavy tail or two (or more) large flapping craws of other type appendages act as brakes to slow the ride down. A smooth, less or no appendage bait is more apt to zip right to the bottom.
So it can change from bait to bait.
Really the best way to get it right (as already mentioned above) is to simply test it at a know depth. This can be done right at the boat or if you're on the bank, in water you can see the bottom at.
A-Jay
Jrob78 reply :
On 7/14/2015 at 2:42 AM, Catt said:1/4 oz - 1' per second rate of fall is approximant, depending on the piece of plastic attached to your hook which is why I changed it. I count down while watching my line sink, when it stops moving I'll give it another two count for lagniappe.
The art of feeling a Texas rig bite is a fine combination of watching your line and feeling for unnatural sensations of what your lure shouldn't feel like.
Sometimes you will feel that classic "tap", sometimes you'll only see line movement, sometimes your line will simply go slack, but sometimes there will only be a feeling of heaviness that is almost like your lure is hung in grass.
The bites where the bass moves after inhaling your lure are the easy ones to feel because there is line movement. The bites where the bass simply inhales your lure and sits there are the hardest to feel. Sometimes you will only see your line jump where it enters the water and it will make you go huh, set hook!
Feeling a worm/jig bite requires keeping a certain amount of tension on your line while at the same time keeping a certain amount of slackness in your line. To the average angler this makes no sense at all but to the experenced worm/jig angler it makes total sense!
Maintain contact with your lure at all times, allow the lure to free-fall unrestricted, but without letting slack form in your line; strip line if neccessay anf follow your lure down with your rod tip.
What line are you using Catt?
A-Jay reply :
On 7/14/2015 at 3:03 AM, Jrob78 said:What line are you using Catt?
I'm going to say in advance of Catt's response here that I bet you're going to be surprised by his answer.
A-Jay
Jrob78 reply :
On 7/14/2015 at 3:08 AM, A-Jay said:I'm going to say in advance of Catt's response here that I bet you're going to be surprised by his answer.
A-Jay
I will only be surprised if he says fluoro or braid.
ErikMon Bills Fan reply :
I switched to braid last year and love it. Went with suffix 832 in a dark green that is very invisible in my cloudy murky waters of CT. I chose 25lb and my friends laughed at me saying there's no Bass in the state over 10 lbs. I had to mention almost every time that my line had a smaller diameter than their 8lb mono. Plus every time they got stuck in a tree the line would break or get nicked. I can rip expensive lures out of trees all day and it will be fine. Im also less likely to loose a much sought after pike with my braid and I feel bad when a pike has a lure in its belly. I did notice sometimes when fishing a fluke or some other baits the bait will be jerked toward me but the "floating" braid will be drifting slightly behind it which made me think the bass would be spooked but ive never used a fluorocarbon leader and Ive still caught fish. I think braid is a must for frog fishing as its great threw the vegetation and you can make quick hooksets. One benefit of braid for those senko users or whenever your fishing a soft plastic that your looking for a bite "on the fall" is with braid it floats on a straight line on top of the water versus mono that looks like a giant coil or loose spring. You can see the fish bit and the line tapping or vibrating on top of the water a lot easier with braid. Also for finding depth of your casting area you will see the braid floating on top and the line closer to the lure will be going down. As soon as the line stops you know you've hit bottom. Its hard to describe but you will notice slight differences and you might end up preferring braid when you once thought it was intimidating. GOOD LUCK!!!
Mike L reply :
On 7/14/2015 at 2:42 AM, Catt said:Feeling a worm/jig bite requires keeping a certain amount of tension on your line while at the same time keeping a certain amount of slackness in your line. To the average angler this makes no sense at all but to the experenced worm/jig angler it makes total sense!
To all you folks just starting out, or to those who just don't think of it every time you toss a plastic or jig...Read this again!
This more times than not, will determine how successful you are.
Mike
Catt reply :
I think there is far too much emphasis placed on tackle!
My Texas Rig/Jig-n-Craw Setup
Reel: Calcutta 100A, gear ratio: 5.8:1
Rod: Crucial CRX-X610MH, 6' 10" MH Xtra Fast
Line: Berkley Big Game 15#
Bullet weights: lead
Hooks: Academy H2O Straight Shank Round Bend
Why?
I have total confidence in my equiptment so when I miss fish its 100% Catt failure.
flyfisher reply :
On 7/13/2015 at 10:50 PM, A-Jay said:I like to feel for "Signs of Live" - but you usually can't "feel" for too long . . . . . .
Remember - Hook Sets Are Free - so don't be shy - if you think you're getting bit - Whack'em.
I will also say that after enough of your baits go whizzing by your head - this may also help you to learn the difference between a weed and a bite.
In the mean time, don't forget to duck . . .
A-Jay
Good advice and i will add one more thing, wear sunglasses for said baits whizzing past your head 
I saw an article on here somewhere that basically said to go out to a pond that you know has a good population of sunnies and set up a split shot rig with a small 3-4" worm. It won't take long before you begin to understand what a take feels like. I used to fish texas rigs a lot and then got away from it but this year I have started again and it has paid off nicely. It is worth learning how to fish them well and learning the takes. Watching the line and feeling the bait is key. I have caught many fish where i never felt the take but something felt off, maybe the line wasn't moving like it had been or it stopped when i thought it shouldn't.
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 7/14/2015 at 3:46 PM, Catt said:I think there is far too much emphasis placed on tackle!
My Texas Rig/Jig-n-Craw Setup
Reel: Calcutta 100A, gear ratio: 5.8:1
Rod: Crucial CRX-X610MH, 6' 10" MH Xtra Fast
Line: Berkley Big Game 15#
Bullet weights: lead
Hooks: Academy H2O Straight Shank Round Bend
Why?
I have total confidence in my equiptment so when I miss fish its 100% Catt failure.
How does that 100 size Calcutta palm?
Catt reply :
On 7/14/2015 at 9:08 PM, HoosierHawgs said:How does that 100 size Calcutta palm?
I started my tournament career with Abu Garcia 5000 so a Calcutta was an easy transition, I have rather large hands so the 100 fits nicely.
The main reason I like round reels is I was already comfortable with & find no reason to change.
HoosierHawgs reply :
Yeah, my dad likes a lot of his round reels too. Don't they make some 100 size round reels in different ratios? I'm just not as familiar with them as some are.On 7/14/2015 at 9:59 PM, Catt said:I started my tournament career with Abu Garcia 5000 so a Calcutta was an easy transition, I have rather large hands so the 100 fits nicely.
The main reason I like round reels is I was already comfortable with & find no reason to change.
Bassmaster3363 reply :
I Texas rig quite a bit. Tungsten weights are the way to go but 1/8 oz is definitely too small to be able to punch through grass and weeds. I would use a 3/16 or 1/4 oz., maybe even a 1/2 oz. if u want good bottom contact and the current is pretty fast and there is high winds. With a sensitive rod you should be able to tell the difference between grass etc., and fish. If not the fish will normally slam the bait, HARD. With grass you are just pulling dead weight. Your line may also move through the water if you have a fish. If you keep getting hung up rip the bait out of the weeds and grass and sometimes that will cause a reaction bite. Hope this helps!
Tight Lines
flyfisher reply :
Good advice on the tungsten. I bought a bunch of it when bass pro had their house brand on sale and i can say that i have noticed a difference. It may also help to peg the weight when working through grass. I usually do and it helps me stay in contact with the bait more easily
Catt reply :
Good advice on the tungsten but the OP's friend is killing em with 1/8 oz!
Wolfie reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 10:31 AM, Catt said:Good advice on the tungsten but the OP's friend is killing em with 1/8 oz!
Ok guys so I went fishing last night and tried the 1/8oz in depths 10'-18' and i cant feel and dang thing its like i have a ghost on the other end of the line any tips for this depth also might try a jig to re fish the spots with. This depth area is new to me. Please help
A-Jay reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 10:31 AM, Catt said:Good advice on the tungsten but the OP's friend is killing em with 1/8 oz!
I'm a fan of tungsten and use it almost exclusively.
However when faced with the OP's situation, and if were still talking about keeping the presentation on top of the sub-surface weed canopy and not plunging through it, I find that going back to a light lead bullet sinker works better.
A-Jay
Wolfie reply :
Also the jigs will be on 20lb flouro and the t rigs on 15lb flouro
A-Jay reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 10:44 AM, Wolfie said:Ok guys so I went fishing last night and tried the 1/8oz in depths 10'-18' and i cant feel and dang thing its like i have a ghost on the other end of the line any tips for this depth also might try a jig to re fish the spots with. This depth area is new to me. Please help
You can always fish that light rig on a spinning outfit.
I'd recommend an out fit that suits the situation and a good braided line as well.
A-Jay
Wolfie reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 10:48 AM, A-Jay said:You can always fish that light rig on a spinning outfit.
I'd recommend an out fit that suits the situation and a good braided line as well.
A-Jay
Everyone keeps saying braid why? Braid isnt flouro more sensitive on slack? Not trying to seem smart honestly asking also what pound test for a baitcaster
Catt reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 10:44 AM, Wolfie said:Ok guys so I went fishing last night and tried the 1/8oz in depths 10'-18' and i cant feel and dang thing its like i have a ghost on the other end of the line any tips for this depth also might try a jig to re fish the spots with. This depth area is new to me. Please help
Hate to come across as rude but the problem aint line or weight it's operator error that only you can fix by fishing light t-rigs more!
10-18' aint that deep
A-Jay reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 10:52 AM, Wolfie said:Everyone keeps saying braid why? Braid isnt flouro more sensitive on slack? Not trying to seem smart honestly asking also what pound test for a baitcaster
There are a TON of different opinions on that very subject but I'll give you as quick & easy a response as I can here now.
When fishing a Texas rigged bait, regardless if it's and 1/8 oz or 1.5 ounces, there needs to be some contact between you & the bait in order to detect strikes. You will have a lot less success fishing your bait on a totally slack line. Now there are always brief points in the presentation where you may loose contact with the bait but they should be brief. You can believe what you want about the properties of Fluorocarbon, but from my experience - it's not worth the money or the weak knot strength.
Now If you've never used braided line - then you haven't felt what a solid strike feels like with this line. The first time you experience it - especially with a Texas rigged bait, you'll understand what I'm talking about - it's TOTALLY different from any nylon line. Since braid has very little stretch the bites seem really amplified through the rod and in my opinion are actually easier to detect than when fishing nylon. If you have used it - then you know exactly what I'm referring to.
So if you're having trouble staying in contact with your bait and detecting strikes and you've never tried braided line, then my advice is to get some and fish with it. What have you got to lose ?
A-Jay
Wolfie reply :
Your not being offensive I want help but you made it sound like 1/8oz might be too lightOn 7/15/2015 at 10:57 AM, Catt said:Hate to come across as rude but the problem aint line or weight it's operator error that only you can fix by fishing light t-rigs more!
10-18' aint that deep
Wolfie reply :
Good advice I do fish braid but mostly on more power bait stuff frogs,jerkbaits not more finese like jigs or frogs what poundage would you recomend also what brand a friend of mine is a walleye guy and swears by fireline crystal as its almost invisibleOn 7/15/2015 at 11:08 AM, A-Jay said:There are a TON of different opinions on that very subject but I'll give you as quick & easy a response as I can here now.
When fishing a Texas rigged bait, regardless if it's and 1/8 oz or 1.5 ounces, there needs to be some contact between you & the bait in order to detect strikes. You will have a lot less success fishing your bait on a totally slack line. Now there are always brief points in the presentation where you may loose contact with the bait but they should be brief. You can believe what you want about the properties of Fluorocarbon, but from my experience - it's not worth the money or the weak knot strength.
Now If you've never used braided line - then you haven't felt what a solid strike feels like with this line. The first time you experience it - especially with a Texas rigged bait, you'll understand what I'm talking about - it's TOTALLY different from any nylon line. Since braid has very little stretch the bites seem really amplified through the rod and in my opinion are actually easier to detect than when fishing nylon. If you have used it - then you know exactly what I'm referring to.
So if you're having trouble staying in contact with your bait and detecting strikes and you've never tried braided line, then my advice is to get some and fish with it. What have you got to lose ?
A-Jay
Wolfie reply :
That was suposed to say jigs and t rigs sorry typo
Catt reply :
My target (starting) depth when fishing Toledo Bend is 15' plus or minus 3' or 12-18', this puts me on the outside weed line. I'll throw a wacky rigged Trick worm at that depth, so I'm keenly aware of your problem feeling a 1/8 oz.
I'm completely comfortable with Berkley Big Game, my strike to hookup ratio is in the high 90 percentile range. A-Jay is completely comfortable with braid, & I'm quite sure his hookup ratio is similar. What A-Jay describes he feels with braid I feel with mono because I've been throwing t-rigs for 50 yrs & the bulk of that at night. If you aint feeling your lure with fluoro, ya might wanna change to braid.
To me "sensitivity" is wholly dependent on who is interrupting what's being felt!
Wolfie reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 11:53 AM, Catt said:My target (starting) depth when fishing Toledo Bend is 15' plus or minus 3' or 12-18', this puts me on the outside weed line. I'll throw a wacky rigged Trick worm at that depth, so I'm keenly aware of your problem feeling a 1/8 oz.
I'm completely comfortable with Berkley Big Game, my strike to hookup ratio is in the high 90 percentile range. A-Jay is completely comfortable with braid, & I'm quite sure his hookup ratio is similar. What A-Jay describes he feels with braid I feel with mono because I've been throwing t-rigs for 50 yrs & the bulk of that at night. If you aint feeling your lure with fluoro, ya might wanna change to braid.
To me "sensitivity" is wholly dependent on who is interrupting what's being felt!
Thank you
Catt reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 11:08 AM, A-Jay said:When fishing a Texas rigged bait, regardless if it's and 1/8 oz or 1.5 ounces, there needs to be some contact between you & the bait in order to detect strikes. You will have a lot less success fishing your bait on a totally slack line. Now there are always brief points in the presentation where you may loose contact with the bait but they should be brief.
A-Jay
Feeling a worm/jig bite requires keeping a certain amount of tension on your line while at the same time keeping a certain amount of slackness in your line. To the average angler this makes no sense at all but to the experienced worm/jig angler it makes total sense.
A-Jay reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 11:25 AM, Wolfie said:Good advice I do fish braid but mostly on more power bait stuff frogs,jerkbaits not more finese like jigs or frogs what poundage would you recomend also what brand a friend of mine is a walleye guy and swears by fireline crystal as its almost invisible
I use Sufix 832 Braid Lo-Vis Green and Power Pro is OK too. The 30 lb size would be my choice for the application we are discussing in here. If I were doing it on spinning gear I'd be going with a 20 lb product.
A Monofilament leader may also come into play at times on this one as well; something in the 12 - 15 lb range for casting gear & 8 - 10 lb on the spinning set up.
Good Luck
A-Jay
jdw174 reply :
Just remember.....hooksets are FREE!.....i.e. if something feels different....HIT IT.
HoosierHawgs reply :
On 7/15/2015 at 11:53 AM, Catt said:My target (starting) depth when fishing Toledo Bend is 15' plus or minus 3' or 12-18', this puts me on the outside weed line. I'll throw a wacky rigged Trick worm at that depth, so I'm keenly aware of your problem feeling a 1/8 oz.
I'm completely comfortable with Berkley Big Game, my strike to hookup ratio is in the high 90 percentile range. A-Jay is completely comfortable with braid, & I'm quite sure his hookup ratio is similar. What A-Jay describes he feels with braid I feel with mono because I've been throwing t-rigs for 50 yrs & the bulk of that at night. If you aint feeling your lure with fluoro, ya might wanna change to braid.
To me "sensitivity" is wholly dependent on who is interrupting what's being felt!
Isn't Big Game one of the lower stretch nylon lines on the market? I know Trilene XT is fairly low stretch.
Catt reply :
Higher impact, it does stretch but returns to orginal shape faster & higher abrasion resistant.
The only thing I have against braid is no stretch, with my physical ailments if I set hook on something that aint a bass the pain is almost unbearable!
HoosierHawgs reply :
Sounds about right. That wouldn't be fun!On 7/16/2015 at 4:04 AM, Catt said:Higher impact, it does stretch but returns to orginal shape faster & higher abrasion resistant.
The only thing I have against braid is no stretch, with my physical ailments if I set hook on something that aint a bass the pain is almost unbearable!
A-Jay reply :
On 7/16/2015 at 12:08 AM, HoosierHawgs said:Isn't Big Game one of the lower stretch nylon lines on the market? I know Trilene XT is fairly low stretch.
I do fish mono for several applications - most of them involve treble hook baits but not all.
Something to keep in mind when discussing line stretch - it's directly related to the length of your cast.
So if you bomb it out there you're going to have more stretch then if you make say half that same cast.
So I had to learn that if I am using mono - especially on single hook bait applications, I'm trying to get bit with the shortest cast I can get away with. I've learned to dial it back or deal with the stretch - that I essentially caused.
A-Jay
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