How to Texas-rig a plastic worm

The plastic worm is the most popular bait for bass fishing, and for good reason. This bait can be rigged several ways and used almost anywhere. This is one way to rig the worm to use it in any situation where there are weeds, trees or rocks.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic worm
• Offset worm hook
• worm weight
• glass bead (optional)
• worm rattle (optional)

1. Put your weight on the fishing line. You would generally put the line into the small end of the weight first, though not always.

2. If using a glass bead, put it on the line now. (Beads are used to make the bait produce a clicking noise, which can sound like a crawfish to the bass)

3. Tie the line to the eye of your chosen hook. The Palomar knot is an excellent choice of knots.

4. Insert the point of the hook into the "nose" of the worm.

5. 
    

   Push the worm on to the hook and allow the hook point to exit the worm after only about 1/4 inch of the worm is on the hook.

6. To determine where to reenter the worm with the hook point, hold the worm beside the hook and note where the curve of the hook lines up with the worm body. This will be the re-entry point. Bend the worm such that the hook point can be inserted in the spot.

7. 
    

   Push the hook point into the worm, but keep the hook point in the plastic, just under the surface,

8. Your worm should now look like the image at the top of this tip. If it does you're ready to go fishing!

Tips & Warnings

• Fish a Texas rigged worm in weeds with just enough weight to get the worm to fall through the weeds.
• Drop a Texas-rigged worm between the branches of a sunken tree and allow it to sink to the bottom.
• Try using braided line. It is very strong and will cut weeds if you should get snagged.
• The use of Tungsten weights is recommended. Lead weights can be hazardous to your health.