Texas Rigging Question

cassidyta · 08-08-08, 11:41 AM

Lately, I have been having difficulty getting the fish to take the bait on a texas rig. I have had the line start to run, but gotten it spit out before I can set a hook. I can use the same worm and hook size on a carolina rig or weightless and land them. I have varied weight and hook size, and have rigged the hook lower in the worm with the same results.
I know the common sense answer is to quit messing with what works, but I figure there will be a time and place where carolina fails me and I need to go to Texas.
Any advice is appreciated.

zooker · 08-08-08, 02:58 PM

wait for it....

oh you know it is comming....

can opener any one??

oh wait heres one i got off lancer6

here ya go

now that you just opened a really big family size can o worms with this question. your likely having brim hit or your using a worm that is WAY to big... carolina rigs are even worst at having brim or bass peck at the bait.. try some flavor

zooker

carolina-rig-01 · 08-08-08, 03:14 PM

it could be something about the color you are using that is working at that time on a c-rig but for some reason isn't the ticket for a texas rig, they are different presentations and just because one will work at a given time doesn't mean that the other will. also it could be bluegill or maybe the size of worm like mentioned above. but when i am having this problem with any bait (from softplastics to crankbaits) i generally start making small adjustments in color. don't make adjustments all the way to the opposite side of the color spectrum but make small adjustments like maybe different color flake or maybe from watermellon to green pumpkin......you get the idea. there is no one answer to this and what is the answer today may not be the answer ever again so experiment with different baits, presentations, size of weights, ect. but like i said color is where i start.

Fishnngolfn · 08-08-08, 03:34 PM

Your not holding your mouth right.

JK

If you are getting a good hook set with a carolina rig but not a texas rig in the same water with the same plastic bait then I don't know what you are doing wrong. Maybe you are trying to set the hook to early. From my experience, if I wait a few seconds and let the fish swim with the bait a bit and then set the hook, I tend to bank more than if I try to set it at the slightest bump.

cassidyta · 08-08-08, 04:10 PM

Thanks all, I don't know that it is worm size, because I can use the same hook, worm size and colors. I have been able to see it happen a few times, and they are not brim. The bass are picking up the bait and just letting go. I suspect that they are feeling the weight and letting go, but I can't swear to it. I seldom get strong strikes in this lake anyways so am used to having to allow them to run with it. I have been using 4 and 6 inch worms with the same results.

zooker · 08-08-08, 06:15 PM

use any garlic??

zooker

cassidyta · 08-09-08, 01:42 AM

I have not added any scents to the worms. The lake/pond is on a military base, and they prohibit the use of any artifical attractants.

Mac2 · 08-09-08, 08:19 AM

Put some plastics into a container of live nightcrawlers overnight. The plastics will take on the scent of the living worms and you will increase your hold on time. Legal to do as you are using a natural scent. You can wipe them off and they will still retain the scent as the scent actually penetrates the plastic. If the plastics have salt, I'd suggest washing them in plain water first so as not to take a chance on killiing the worms.

I've had some buddies grinding up dead minnows and crawdads in a blender to make natural scents as well, but the mess isn't worth it to me.

Garlic is another natural scent that I don't see as being in violation, but I could be wrong on that call.....you'd have to find out. I can give you a recipe if you find it would be OK.

Jigger · 08-09-08, 12:01 PM

Try a Berkley Power Worm. I can't tell that fish bite them any better than say, Culprit or Zoom worms but I firmly believe they'll hold on to them longer.

Showda · 08-09-08, 04:19 PM

I use a five inch Zoom u-tale with a 2/0 Gamakatzu hook with good luck.

Rebbasser · 08-09-08, 11:30 PM

Quote:

your likely having brim hit or your using a worm that is WAY to big... carolina rigs are even worst at having brim or bass peck at the bait..

Yep. Especially if your line starts running off. Them bluegill are nortorious for grabbing the tail and running off with it.

bamabassman · 08-10-08, 10:10 AM

i have had some gills nibble at my worms tails as well. watched one eat it till the tail was gone! hate when that happens.

Showda · 08-10-08, 12:55 PM

I find that using the garlic dip seems to make the problem of bluegill playing with your soft plastics a lot worse.

08-08-08, 11:41 AM	#1
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	Texas Rigging Question Lately, I have been having difficulty getting the fish to take the bait on a texas rig. I have had the line start to run, but gotten it spit out before I can set a hook. I can use the same worm and hook size on a carolina rig or weightless and land them. I have varied weight and hook size, and have rigged the hook lower in the worm with the same results. I know the common sense answer is to quit messing with what works, but I figure there will be a time and place where carolina fails me and I need to go to Texas. Any advice is appreciated. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

08-08-08, 02:58 PM	#2
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	wait for it.... oh you know it is comming.... can opener any one?? oh wait heres one i got off lancer6 here ya go now that you just opened a really big family size can o worms with this question. your likely having brim hit or your using a worm that is WAY to big... carolina rigs are even worst at having brim or bass peck at the bait.. try some flavor zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

08-08-08, 03:14 PM	#3
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	it could be something about the color you are using that is working at that time on a c-rig but for some reason isn't the ticket for a texas rig, they are different presentations and just because one will work at a given time doesn't mean that the other will. also it could be bluegill or maybe the size of worm like mentioned above. but when i am having this problem with any bait (from softplastics to crankbaits) i generally start making small adjustments in color. don't make adjustments all the way to the opposite side of the color spectrum but make small adjustments like maybe different color flake or maybe from watermellon to green pumpkin......you get the idea. there is no one answer to this and what is the answer today may not be the answer ever again so experiment with different baits, presentations, size of weights, ect. but like i said color is where i start. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

08-08-08, 04:10 PM	#5
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	Thanks all, I don't know that it is worm size, because I can use the same hook, worm size and colors. I have been able to see it happen a few times, and they are not brim. The bass are picking up the bait and just letting go. I suspect that they are feeling the weight and letting go, but I can't swear to it. I seldom get strong strikes in this lake anyways so am used to having to allow them to run with it. I have been using 4 and 6 inch worms with the same results. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

08-08-08, 06:15 PM	#6
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	use any garlic?? zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

08-08-08, 03:34 PM	#4
Fishnngolfn BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,523	Your not holding your mouth right. JK If you are getting a good hook set with a carolina rig but not a texas rig in the same water with the same plastic bait then I don't know what you are doing wrong. Maybe you are trying to set the hook to early. From my experience, if I wait a few seconds and let the fish swim with the bait a bit and then set the hook, I tend to bank more than if I try to set it at the slightest bump.

08-09-08, 01:42 AM	#7
cassidyta BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,928	I have not added any scents to the worms. The lake/pond is on a military base, and they prohibit the use of any artifical attractants. __________________ If you have ever wondered if you should retie, the answer is yes.

08-09-08, 08:19 AM	#8
Mac2 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 389	Put some plastics into a container of live nightcrawlers overnight. The plastics will take on the scent of the living worms and you will increase your hold on time. Legal to do as you are using a natural scent. You can wipe them off and they will still retain the scent as the scent actually penetrates the plastic. If the plastics have salt, I'd suggest washing them in plain water first so as not to take a chance on killiing the worms. I've had some buddies grinding up dead minnows and crawdads in a blender to make natural scents as well, but the mess isn't worth it to me. Garlic is another natural scent that I don't see as being in violation, but I could be wrong on that call.....you'd have to find out. I can give you a recipe if you find it would be OK. Last edited by Mac2; 08-10-08 at 08:18 AM.

08-09-08, 12:01 PM	#9
Jigger BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 490	Try a Berkley Power Worm. I can't tell that fish bite them any better than say, Culprit or Zoom worms but I firmly believe they'll hold on to them longer.

08-09-08, 04:19 PM	#10
Showda BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 47	I use a five inch Zoom u-tale with a 2/0 Gamakatzu hook with good luck.

08-10-08, 10:10 AM	#12
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	i have had some gills nibble at my worms tails as well. watched one eat it till the tail was gone! hate when that happens.

08-10-08, 12:55 PM	#13
Showda BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Harrisonburg, VA Posts: 47	I find that using the garlic dip seems to make the problem of bluegill playing with your soft plastics a lot worse.

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