Texas Rigging

[RookieBassMan]

I seem to have a problem setting my hook with a texas rig (when I rig it weedless). Do any of you have any advice on how to improve my hook up ratio?

[mofish]

You bet! I use a straight shank hook for most of my Texas Rigging, because Larry Nixon said that it was the best and thats good enough for me, I run the point of the hook all the way through the worm and then just skin hook it. That way it does not have a much plastic to go through to get the hook up. You can do that with any type of hook you prefer to use. Try that and see if it works for ya.

[Eriebronze]

I'd have to agree with Conley, lost a few hook ups over the years. Mostly due to how stiff or hard the plastics were. Skin hooking helps in those situations. I use a wide gap hook, thus allowing for more hook to come through the plastic and with tubes, Texas rigged, it's almost a necessity.

[carl]

My friend, this may tee off a couple pro guys on this site, but... When you I feel a hit DO NOT SET THE HOOK. Instead give it a 2 or 3 second pause before setting the hook. One year as I started out for the season, I kept getting strikes, and would set the hook right away, and come up with nothing. Then I remembered. The reason for the delayed hook set is bass will turn the worm so it swallowes the head first. If you have a sensetive rod you can follow the fish for 5 feet or so, but that depends on their bite. Give it a try. Good luck. Carl

[johnnie crain outdoors]

I agree with Carl, give the fish a second to enhale the bait. Also, some of those strikes may simply be panfish pulling on the tail especially if you use a twister tail worm. Add some fish formula to the bait, that keeps them hanging on a little longer also. Use straight tail worms until you get used to feeling the strikes etc, keeps away most panfish. I use a wide gap cam action hook which seems to help me. Good luck and don't give up, cast it-and they will come!! Johnnie

[mofish]

I don't disagree with you at all Carl. When I feel the tap I drop the rod tip reel up the slack and then set the hook. I also changed to using Power Pro braided line and that really helps feeling those bites. I use a leader of 15 to 17lb green mono tied on the end of the braid as a shock absorber and in clear water I feel the fish cant see the line as well but that a whole other subject.

[RookieBassMan]

Would one of you please explain what "Skinning the hook" means? I tried a straight shank hook and left the tip of the hook just below the skin but the plastic was so hard the hook wouldn't set. Then I tried putting just the VERY tip of the hook through and I lost 2 hooks due to snags in 10 minutes. The lakes here have lots of wood on the bottom, good for Bass, bad for hooks. I saw some "weedless" hooks by Eagle Claw and thought I would try them. Any ideas about that?

Thanks for the advice.

[bassin butch]

Skinning the hook or often referred as texposing is simply: exiting all the way through the lures body then lightly penetrating the hook point back into the lure. This is done to increase hook up ratio as the hook will have less resistance and therefore exit the plastic more efficiently thus resulting in improve hook sets. I also agree with a pause before the hook set, but you must gain experience as to how long to pause, a extended pause that is too long in duration can result in a bass swallowing the bait to deep. To increase ratios you should consider your rod angle, Rod action, and type of fishing line. Personally I use a spinning rod that is 6.6 long and MH action, the line trilene 10 pound XL, rod always at 10 'O' clock. If your using monofilament, a loose action rod, and an improper rod angle any or all of these will reduce hook-up ratios.


Bassin Butch

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Rookie, weedless hooks are okay. If it helps build your confidence try them, it just may jump start ya. Hope so. Johnnie

[mofish]

Skin hooking:

Run the point of the hook into the head of the worm about a Quarter of and inch just like normal texas rig. Rotate the hook just like your going to rig it weedless. Now heres were you change just a bit. With the worm hanging straight look and see were the bend of the hook meets the worm now take your thumb and pointer finger and hold the worm right were the bend of the hook meets the worm. Run the point of the hook through the worm right were you thumb and pointer finger are. The worm should still be straight because the bend of the hook is keeping the top part of the worm stretched just a bit and the barb of the hook should be laying agaist the worm. Now you can just put the tip of the hook back into the worm just a bit. Wish I had a picture because it really is simple just hare to expain.

I hope that helps