As an angler’s career progresses, they begin to take an interest in tackle above and beyond what can be found pre-assembled at the local sporting goods store. Of course, there is a lot to be said for taking the initiative and building your own gear. If nothing else, it makes gear easier to replace on the fly when breakage inevitably occurs out on the water. Thankfully, if putting a few Texas rigs together is what you’re interested in, it’s not that hard to get started. All you’ll require is some knowledge of basic knots used for attachment and a few items from the aforementioned sporting goods store. Bring all that together, and you can chuck this Texas rig out on the water in no time.

How it Works

The Texas rig is designed for use on bottom-dwelling fish species. The weight of the bullet sinker causes the rig to sink toward the bottom as you retrieve the line back in. The hook tip is inserted into the worm body, thus, rendering the rig essentially weedless. This is an important aspect of this rig, since weeds inhabit the same portions of the lake the bottom-dwelling fish inhabit.

A properly executed Texas rig should allow you to fish all day without a snag. But above all, it should hook into any fish that applies pressure to the rig. The only fussy issue the Texas rig might present is in choosing the proper portion of the worm to place the hook tip in. Too skinny and the hook pops out. Too thick, and the fish can’t get the hook tip all the way through the rubber. Live and learn and see what works best in your area with your chosen tackle.

Materials Required to Build a Texas Rig

  • A rod and reel to attach Texas Rig to
  • A bullet sinker of proper weight and dimensions
  • Leaders, sized to the line and other tackle
  • A single hook, hook guard not required
  • A rubberized worm, or soft plastic bait of your choosing

Assembling the Texas Rig

Step One: Sinker

To start, slide the bullet sinker over the line end of your rod or leader end. Move it up far enough so that it’s not in the way of later steps.

Step Two: Bait

Take the head of your rubberized worm and run it up the hook all the way to the eye. Be cautious of the hook tip while you’re doing this step. Plenty of people poke themselves the first time out. You’ll want the tail of the worm to curve toward the hook tip when you do this.

Step Three: Tying it Together

Nevertheless, tie the line of your rod or leader off to the hook eye using your favored knot. If you can’t get the knot to tighten, try wetting the line with lubricant or water. This is a good time to trim excess line and make sure the sinker can move freely.

Step Four:

Jam the head of the worm up against the hook eye and press some of the worm head over the hook eye to hold it secure. It’s okay to let the rubber of the worm more or less guard the knot on the eye and provide a soft surface for the bullet sinker to bounce on.

Step Five

Insert the hook tip into the lower portion of the rubberized worm. Choose a spot where the worm is skinny, so when the fish bites, the hook tip will be forced through the worm and poke out the other side. A little practice in the field is required to get this just right. Not all rubberized worms or hooks are created equal. Try experimenting with other soft plastic baits like crawfish or twister tails to get a feel of what works for you.

A Few Final Thoughts

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Image credits: PublicDomainImages via Pixabay

When you’re building Texas rigs, it’s best to build more than a few in multiple colors. If the rig is assembled on a leader with a swivel at the end, you can pop one rig off and try another. This allows you to try multiple colors and worm designs. You can pull the worms on and off of one rig to try different options, but that is apt to wear out your worms after a while. It’s also a good way to end up with a hook stuck in your thumb if your coordination fails for an instant. Working with your tackle at home is a lot easier than laboring over it out on the lake. Once you try the Texas rig, it will probably be a favorite.