Texas Rig Diagram & Gear List

A bullet-shaped sinker slides down the line to sit on the nose of a soft plastic, and the hook point is buried back into the plastic so it slips through weeds, wood, and rock without snagging. It is the standard weedless bass rig: pitch it into cover, let it fall, and hop it back.

Where to use it: lake, river, boat, kayak
Difficulty: beginner
Common in: US, Canada, Australia

Gear List

main Line12-20 lb fluorocarbon, or 30-65 lb braid for heavy cover
leaderNone on fluorocarbon; add 3-5ft of 15-20 lb fluorocarbon if fishing braid
leader LengthNo separate leader needed, the weight rides directly on the line above the hook
hook Range2/0 - 5/0 extra-wide-gap (EWG) or offset worm hook
weight TypeBullet (worm) weight, 1/8 - 1oz, free-sliding or pegged
sinker Drop Length0in, the weight sits against the hook eye; peg it with a bobber stop in thick cover
swivelNone, tied direct
extrasSoft plastic worm, craw, or creature bait rigged weedless, Optional glass bead between weight and hook for noise

Optional gear

Gear to build this setup

These Amazon.com searches match the guide's starting specifications. Check the size, listing, and availability in your country before ordering.

EWG offset worm hooks Match hook gap to soft plastic thickness.Search on Amazon 2/0 to 5/0 EWG hooks Check hook size, bait fit, and local hook rules before ordering.Search on Amazon

Affiliate links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

How to tie the Texas Rig

Slide a 1/8 - 1oz bullet weight onto the line, point first.
Tie on a 2/0 - 5/0 EWG or offset worm hook with a Palomar or improved clinch knot.
Push the hook point about 1/4in into the nose of the plastic, bring it out, and turn the hook so the eye is buried in the head.
Lay the bait straight and skin-hook the point back into the body so it is weedless.
Peg the weight with a bobber stop if you are flipping into heavy cover.

When and where it works best

Weed beds, lily pads, docks, timber, and rock where exposed hooks would snag.

How it differs from similar rigs

The Carolina rig trails the bait 18-24in behind the weight for open bottom; the Texas rig keeps the weight on the bait so it drops straight into cover.

Is the Texas Rig good for beginners?

Yes. It is rated beginner: quick to tie and forgiving to fish. Practice the connections in the knot guide, and see the Spinning Rod for a matching rod.

What fish is the Texas Rig good for?

Largemouth Bass Smallmouth Bass Spotted Bass

Practical starting point only. Adjust line, hook, and sinker sizes for conditions and target fish, and verify current regulations before fishing.

Common Questions

What do I need to tie a Texas Rig?

A 12-20 lb fluorocarbon, or 30-65 lb braid for heavy cover main line, a None on fluorocarbon; add 3-5ft of 15-20 lb fluorocarbon if fishing braid leader (No separate leader needed, the weight rides directly on the line above the hook), a 2/0 - 5/0 extra-wide-gap (EWG) or offset worm hook hook, and a Bullet (worm) weight, 1/8 - 1oz, free-sliding or pegged. Full gear list is above.

What is a Texas Rig best for?

The Texas Rig works best for lake, river, boat, kayak fishing, and is a recommended setup for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass. Difficulty: beginner.

Is the Texas Rig hard to tie?

It is rated beginner. The knot guide covers the terminal connections used across RigMyFish rigs, so you can practice each connection separately before building the full setup.