Key Differences Between Rigging Types For Bass

Learning how to rig a fishing line and lure is crucial for a host of reasons. Each rig serves a specific purpose. Some are weedless, so anglers can cast them near or in dense cover without having to take back a lot of greenery. Others are for display. 

No matter which bass rig you want to use, being familiar with the most common bass rigs will offer you more stamina when you’re out fishing all day.

How do you rig for bass? 

The best fishing seasons are spring and summer, when bass will feed closer to shore in the morning and then move out into open water around creek channels and structures later in the day.

Bass make less effort in the winter and in colder temperatures, and they only strike when your lure is directly in their strike zone. During the fall, bass are unpredictable, but when the temperature decreases, they will eat closer to shore.

Bobber rig for bass? 

Bobber fishing is an effective method for catching suspended fish because it hangs your hook at a specific depth in the water column using a bobber, cork, or other similar floating item. It is applicable to bank fishing and shore fishing.

Bobbers are designed for two main functions. First, bobbers, one of the most adaptable angling tools, allow you to quickly alter the depth at which your hook is exposed in the water by adjusting the length of the line between the bobber and the hook.

Second, these bobbers act as a warning system when fish strike. So anglers can tell they have a fish on the line when the fishing float or bobber is pulled under the water, so there is no need to keep an eye on the rod tip for movement.

1. Round Fixed Bobbers

Fixed-design bobbers are commonly used and make an excellent all-around bobber for fishing.

Round fixed bobbers, which usually come in the classic red and white round design, will attach to the fishing line in a specified spot and remain there throughout casts and retrievals. They can be considered the best bobbers for novices.

When to use:

A fixed bobber rig is a great option for targeting fish that are feeding in shallow water under 5 feet deep.

How to tie:

First, thread the main line through the reel and rod, then tie the hook to the end of the main line with a clinch knot. Next, add some split shot weights above the hook, about 4 finger-widths up from the top of the hook. The sinkers keep the hook underwater and prevent it from floating up.

Choose weights that are substantial enough to hold the main line down but not so heavy that they drag the bobber underwater. Anglers might need to use a lighter sinker if the bobber dips below the surface after casting. After that, attach a fixed bobber 3 to 4 feet above the hook. 

Smaller bobbers are better because large ones are not as sensitive when a fish strikes. Find the cylindrical button on top of the bobber and push it down to pop the hook out on the bottom. Wrap the fishing line around the hook once or twice, then release the button. The line will be pulled in and remain firmly in place.

2. Slip Bobber Rig (for Bass)

A slip bobber is a floating device that can slide up or down the fishing line

When to use:

It is recommended to use a slip bobber rig in water deeper than about 6 feet. In case of fishing for deeply suspended fish, it’s a good idea to utilize a fish finder to determine the appropriate depth range to target. 

Without a fish finder, try testing various depths repeatedly with your slip bobber until you start receiving bites. The rig is also very effective when targeting bass found around shallow weed beds, among large rocks, cruising large flats, or holding close to stumps.

How to tie:

Start by attaching the bobber stop to the main line. Then thread a plastic bead onto the line below the bobber stop, followed by a slip bobber. The bead can prevent the bobber stop from being trapped in the bobber.

After that, underneath the bobber, add a sliding sinker or some split shot weights to the main line. They will keep the bobber from slipping down onto the swivel. The leader line and the main line are connected via the swivel. Since fluorocarbon has the lowest visibility and tends to sink in the water, it might be the best material to use for the leader.

Tie a circular hook to the other end of the leader after measuring out 2 to 3 feet of the leader’s length. Finally, bait the hook, and the slip bobber rig is finished. Live bait such as a nightcrawler, leech, or minnow is one of the best ways to catch smallmouth bass. 

3. Popping Cork Rig

One of the best inshore fishing rigs for catching fish like striped bass is the popping cork. The setup is a bobber threaded onto the metal wire with the plastic beads strung above the cork. Below the cork, there is a lead weight or some brass beads.

When to use:

Popping corks are most frequently employed in shallow water between 2 and 6 feet deep since they are typically fixed to the fishing line. However, this type of rigging can also be effective in any situation where fish are searching for food at the surface of the water.

In fact, it was created with the idea that every time a popping cork is yanked at the water’s surface during retrieval, the beads on the cork will generate a rattling and splashing sound. These noises can lure fish from deeper water to the surface in order to explore the disturbance.

How to tie:

First, use a Palomar knot or a single uni knot to secure the main line to the popping cork’s top swivel. Keep in mind that the end of the popping cork, which has plastic beads but no weight or metal beads, is the top end.

Next, tie the leader to the bottom swivel of the popping cork. Then tie the other end of the leader to the hook (if they choose to use a live bait) or a 1/16- to 1/2-oz jig head (commonly used with artificial baits).

Bait the rig with an artificial shrimp, a live shrimp, or a slice of cut blue crab, and you’re ready to go fishing.

Bottom Rig For Bass?

4. Carolina Rig

The Carolina rigs are “Sliding sinker rigs” designed primarily as bass fishing rigs with a weedless hook and a soft plastic worm. Similar to fly fishing for trout, largemouth bass fishing with the Carolina rig is quite popular. 

When to use:

The Carolina rig performs best during the pre-spawn and post-spawn periods because bass migrate through transitional routes to and from their spawning locations. The fish can be found anywhere along the migration route in depths ranging from 5 to 15 feet, and the Carolina rig can locate these species quicker than a Texas rig.

Also, anglers can get the most natural presentation of the worm as the weight drags along the bottom with the 4-foot leader suspending the bait above it, which makes the worm look like it’s swimming along.

How to tie:

To set up a Carolina rig, add a sinker to the main line, using an egg-type or bullet-type weight. For heavier weight, change the sinker for a fish finder slide and clip on a heavier weight. A fish finder slide is a hollow tube with an attachment point for the sinker. 

Next, attach a bead or brass clacker behind the sinker, and then add the swivel to the end of the main line. These beads can keep the sinker or the fish finder slide from snagging on the swivel. The benefit of employing this bass fishing rig setup is that the fish can pick up the bait without noticing the weight of the sinker.

After that, cut the length of the leader line to about 4 feet and tie the leader to the other end of the swivel. At the end of the leader, tie the hook, which should be at least a 3/0 worm hook. Finally, bait the hook with a soft plastic worm.

Finally, bait the hook with a soft plastic worm. To make the entire thing lie flat, anglers might need to finesse the worm at the top of the hook. Try again if the worm is bent or humped up. For the worm to work, its body must be laid out in a straight line.

5. Texas Rig

One of the most widely used rigs for bass fishing is the Texas rig. This weedless rig will allow anglers to cast into dense cover like grass, lay down trees, standing timber, brush piles, rocks, and bushes without bringing a lot of vegetation back into their boats.

When to use:

The Texas rig is an excellent choice for anglers who prefer to fish in risky areas and venture near the tall grass. Luckily, it’s where the large bass are often located. 

With the Texas rig, fishers can throw their setup into the opening of the grass without getting hung up and ending up cutting their lines. Moreover, this rig can be used to fish weightless or with a sinker. It is recommended to leave it weightless if the fishing location has heavy vegetation. 

How to tie:

For a basic Texas rig, start by threading a bullet sinker onto the main line, and then tie a 3/0 worm hook onto the line with a Palomar knot. 

Next, choose a soft plastic worm and insert the hook point about 1/4 inch deep into the center of the worm’s end. Then, poke the hook out of the belly of the worm at a 90-degree angle and push the bait up to the eyelet of the hook. 

Twist the hook 180 degrees so that the point is facing the worm and the end of the bait is tight to the eyelet of the hook. Keep the worm straight while finding out where the bend of the hook intersects the bottom of the worm. That’s where to insert the hook point and then thread it into the body of the worm. 

6. Drop Shot Rig

Drop shot rigs are another popular bass fishing technique, as they allow anglers to present a soft plastic bait over the bottom to suspended bass. 

It is made of a line tied to a hook and a tag end leader that extends down to a drop shot weight underneath the hook. Therefore, in this setup, the hook and bait are above the weight, which sets it apart from most presentations.

When to use:

The drop shot rig is versatile and can be used for several strategies. 

As the weight will stay at the bottom, anglers can either drag it along or fish it vertically by jerking the tip of their rod, retrieving a revolution, and repeating the procedure. 

How to tie:

First, tie the hook to the main line with a Palomar knot. At the end of the hook, leave about 4 feet of line, depending on the angler’s desired presentation. However, the length of the tag line can be reduced to 1 foot if the fishing location has really shallow water.

Finally, add the drop shot or sinker to the end of the line to complete the setup.

7. Neko Rig

The Neko Rig is a relatively recent phenomenon in the bass community. It is basically a weighted variation of the wacky rig with the weight inserted into only one end of the soft plastic, providing distinctive movement as the bait falls and enabling it to stand upright once it hits the bottom.

When to use:

It is a versatile type of rigging for bass that can work great in clear water as well as stained water. Moreover, according to some experienced fishermen, there is no wrong time to use the Neko rig. It operates effectively year-round.

How to tie:

Wrap an o-ring around the worm and push it all the way into the middle. Commonly, most worms used for the Neko rig tend to be in the 5- to 10-inch range. Some of the best ones are Yamamoto Senko, Zoom Ol’ Monster, and Zoom Trick Worm. 

Next, attach the hook perpendicularly between the o-ring and the worm, and then place the weight inside the worm’s head. The most popular nail weights for using this lure when fishings are 1/16 ounce and 3/32 ounce, although many anglers also use 1/32 ounce and even 1/8 ounce.

If the worm has a pointy head, feel free to cut it off in order to place the weight in a bigger spot.

8. Ned Rig

During the fall and winter, when largemouth bass become sluggish, the Ned rig may be among the greatest bass fishing rigs to employ. It just appears natural and inconspicuous to fish because the setup imitates so many aspects of a bass’s natural surroundings.

Therefore, the fish are not skeptical. They merely regard it as a simple snack and frequently bite.

When to use:

It is a fantastic option for cold-water fishing because it is simple, compact, and perfect for finesse angling.

The bass’ metabolism slows down during this period, so tiny finesse-style baits will perform better under these circumstances because fish won’t want to chase large, active baits.

How to tie:

Start by inserting the hook portion of a 1/16-oz mushroom jig head (made with a size 1 or 2 hook) into the top of a 3-inch soft plastic bait. Put the hook down about 1 inch into the center of the bait and out the side of the bait, leaving the hook exposed.

Then tie the 6-foot, 8-pound fluorocarbon leader to the eyelet of the jighead. Finally, use a line-to-line connection, such as the uni-to-uni knot, to join the main line to the other end of the leader. 

9. Shaky Head

The shaky head rig is similar to the ned rig, except it employs a different type of head. Instead of a mushroom jig, fishermen will use a round head and rig it Texas-style. The bass can’t help but be drawn in by the natural presentation.

The name “shaky” refers to how you operate this rig, which involves shaking the rod tip. The worm’s body “shakes” lightly underwater when the rod moves in this way. This type of movement is subtle, seems quite natural, and is very enticing to bass.

When to use:

The presentation can be used at any time, but the main idea is to use it when the bass aren’t biting.

How to tie:

The rig is made up of a soft plastic worm, similar to a Senko. Anglers can even buy the dedicated “shakey head” worms in the market. The steps are to insert the jig head into the worm and wrap the hook all the way around, then stick the back through the bottom of the worm.

Trolling Rigs For Bass?

10. Alabama Rig

An Alabama rig is just a scaled-down version of an umbrella rig, which has been used for decades in trolling. An umbrella rig is simply a harness that allows anglers to rig multiple baits on a single line. 

When to use:

Winter is the most suitable time for fishermen to throw an Alabama rig. However, things truly start getting good in the fall. The reason is simply that baitfish migrate widely and are smaller in the fall. Therefore, bass become extremely sensitive to the baitfish movement. 

Bass will run up in the creeks and hear bait, and when a creek is crammed full of baitfish, an Alabama rig is a great method to grab the bass’ attention among all that bait.

Yet, the Alabama Rig really shines in the colder months when fish are feeding on baitfish in deep water.

How to tie:

Typically, you must choose 5 jig heads and 5 swimbaits before deciding how deep you want to fish. The heavier your heads and smaller your swimbaits or grubs, the deeper the baitfish are and the faster your retrieve can be. The lighter your heads and bigger your swimbaits, the slower and the shallower you can fish.

Put the swimbaits or grubs on five jig heads. Generally, this is not a weedless rig. You may miss a lot of fish with this kind of setup when fishing around the grass with weedless swimbait hooks. 

Once the swimbaits are rigged on the jigheads, attach each jighead to a clip on the end of the wires on the Alabama rig. The wires should be a little more open so the swimbaits can swim independently of one another.

11. Tube And Worm Rig

The tube and worm, an odd-looking lure that has confounded fishermen for years, is one of the deadliest methods for catching striped bass in the Northeast. They have a natural scent, great action, and they stand up better than real worms.

Trolling the tube and worm rig around the structure is perfect for kayak anglers. Anglers can use the setup to cover more ground and find fish. The best part is that this rig can also trigger the bite when the striped bass are lazing around.

When to use:

When trolling behind a boat, a tube and worm rig is downright deadly for shallow-water striped bass.

It can also be used when fishing in estuaries, warm water, and midday.

How to tie:

Tube and worm rigs are available in a variety of colors and lengths. Some models have a weighted head to dig deeper into the water, while others feature spinning blades for dirty water.

It consists of a weighted surgical tube tipped with an exuding plastic sandworm. To set up this rig, firstly, connect the main line with the 12- to 36-inch leader using a swivel. Then, tie the leader to one end of the tube. 

The other end of the tube comes with a circle hook. Simply pass the tip of the hook through the sandworm or fresh blood for about 1/2 inch and back out again. Then slide the bait all the way up the hook so the head of the bait is just inside the tube. This will ensure the best possible presentation.

12. Mojo Rig

The Mojo rig is an excellent choice for anglers who enjoy the Carolina but prefer a smoother drag. If you are not getting any strikes with your Carolina rig, try using the Mojo rig with a finesse technique.

When to use:

Like the Carolina rig, the Mojo rig has the advantage of being rapidly and readily retrieved and thrown in different positions. Even though it’s not a good fish finder rig, anglers can still cast it at a reasonable distance or near the boat until they find bass that are biting.

While the Mojo rig can be successfully used in deep water, it shines in shallow water as well as in weeds and around rocks. Where other rigs get stuck up and snagged, the Mojo will slip right through and deliver your bait to eager fish in the area.

How to tie:

The first step is to attach a bobber stop to the main line. It should be around 3 feet from the end where the hook and lure will be set. 

Then attach the weight to the line, and slide it up close to the first inserted bobber stop. To hold the weight in place and make sure it stays there during numerous casts, add up to three bobber stops behind it. 

Finally, complete the presentation by adding a hook and small bait. Choose any hook with which you are most familiar, or just stick with a 1/0 standard medium shank worm hook. Don’t be scared to change your lure style or hook size if it’s not working.

Specialty Rigs For Bass?

13. Chicken Rig

The Chicken rig is the weedless version of the Neko rig that offers a plethora of new alternatives. The Neko rig is a wacky-rigged worm with a weight in the meaty end, which works exceptionally well on bass but less effectively on the cover. 

When to use:

This setup works well anywhere weedless bait is required, but fishermen are not restricted to fishing only in grass and weeds. It’s a killer on vertical structures, boat docks, bluffs, and so on. 

The one drawback to this rig is that the worm disintegrates after being bit, so anglers may go through a lot of worms in order to catch much fish. So having this issue is actually a positive thing.

How to tie:

To change the Neko rig to a Chicken rig, use a larger worm, such as the 7″ Strike King Rage Cut R Worm. For this rig, anglers will need a straight worm hook: a 4/0 or 5/0 for huge worms, a 2/0 or 3/0 for smaller worms, or even a 1/0 if they are fishing with a thin finesse worm.

The ReBarb with the small holder looks great on this rig since it keeps the worm in the proper position. VMC makes an excellent Neko hook that works nicely with this rig as well.

Insert the point into the worm about an inch or behind the egg sack (on the tail side of the sack), thread the point at an angle through the egg sack, then push the point out and spin it around to Texas rig it. The eye will be inside the worm, which is why ReBarb works.

Anglers should have enough meat at the worm head below the point to insert a worm weight, nail, screw, or anything else on smaller worms with shorter hooks. Because there is greater weight at the end, many fishermen prefer to use screws. They can also purchase customized weights in the form of mushrooms if the price is none of their concern.

14. Tokyo Rig

The Tokyo rig is ideal for any technique that requires anglers to get their bait to the bottom, including punching, flipping, pitching, and jigging. The ability to rapidly and easily modify the weight without affecting the material they have put on it is a bonus.

One of the outstanding features of this rig is that it allows us to drag the bait across the bottom while keeping the hook up high enough to avoid snagging on the rocks. It is similar to a drop shot rig with a short leader, but with superior weight retention and significantly more movement freedom for the lure.

When to use:

The Tokyo rig really shines in terms of shore-based shelter and vegetation. The Tokyo rig works equally well as a Texas rig when you need to get your bait through a mat or a brush pile. We all know that largemouth bass, in particular, love warmer, shallower water with dense cover.

How to tie:

Firstly, tie the main line to the swivel. The swivel has a little split ring attached to one end of it. The hook and the strong wire that holds the weight are both held in place by the split ring. With a pair of needle nose pliers, anglers may unbend the wire and alter the weight if necessary.

Since the weight is on the bottom, the wire is long enough so that the hook and the bait can swim behind and above it. When dragging or bouncing a large twin-tail grub or jig on the bottom, the hook is far less likely to get stuck up, which is a problem for bass fishing. 

15. Decoy Slide Weights

Though these decoy slide weights aren’t a rig, they’re quite versatile. With the help of the rubber stoppers included, these weights slip onto the hook and can be held in place.

Also, fishermen can arrange the stoppers so that the weight can hang from the hook in any desired position. The fact that these weights have a loop that can attach a blade to them to transform any soft plastic into a response bait. Putting weight on the hook allows the bait to swim more naturally than the weight in front.

When to use:

Fishermen can rig a blade beneath any soft plastic with these Decoy slide weights to create flash and movement, which is perfect for a small fluke, swim bait, ribbon-tail worm, or anything else they want to swim through the water column. 

Additionally, these are also incredibly effective for adding thump to a big bait that you are bouncing down a wall or a piece of rip rap. This would also be the ideal swimming rig for nighttime or low-light conditions, with a dark blade and a bulky crawler or creature bait. 

How to tie:

These slide weights can be bought easily on the market in numerous sizes, depending on the angler’s style of fishing. 

In order to use it, add a rubber stopper to the hook; the first one goes on with the small end. It is an egg-shaped stopper, and anglers should have their rounder end facing the weight. 

After sliding the first stopper on, users might need to use their thumbnail to get it beyond the point, but it’s easy sailing. Slip the weight on, then press another stopper on, this time with the rounder end first.

16. Jika Rig

The Jika rig is very similar to the Tokyo rig, except instead of using a long wire with the weight attached to it, a split ring is used to secure a cylindrical drop shot weight to the eye of the hook.

If you have the patience to attach split rings to hooks (use offset worm hooks), you can rig these up yourself. If you want to be able to quickly alter the weight, use a snap swivel. If you fasten the weight to the split ring, snags are less likely to occur. 

They are great for craws and other creatures, as well as fantastic for making a small swimbait dive nose down, which is ideal for bed fishing. Tube lures also work incredibly well on this rig. 

This setup is very similar to fishing with a drop shot rig. You can make it bigger and fish large craws on it. As it can provide anglers with a better sense of the bottom than a drop shot rig, you know you have a fish every time it goes weightless.

When to use:

The majority of these rigs originated in Japan or were created there by Japanese anglers who use finesse techniques to catch bass. When the bite gets severe during winter, give one of them a try and see how it works for you. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised.

What Is The Best Rig For Bass Fishing?

One of the most widely used rigs for bass fishing is the Texas rig.

Final thoughts

At this point, you have gained a vast amount of knowledge about bass fishing. These bass rigs are now the most popular and efficient ones available. We sincerely hope that you can decide which is best for your fishing strategy. If you have something to update for us, feel free to contact us.