FISHING TIPS & RIGGING

This rig is very versatile and can be fished either very shallow, or very deep. It allows your bait to fall straight down on slack line. If you don't receive a strike on the fall, once the bait reaches the bottom, make very light twitches with your rod tip. This will give any admiring bass motivation to strike the bait.

Rigging: This rig is very simple. Take a nail weight and press it into the nose of your bait. The size of the weight depends on where and how you are fishing it. Then, put your hook through the center of the bait, pointed up. Do not hook too much plastic, otherwise you could have issues with hooking the fish.

Depending on cover and water clarity, you want to use a medium/heavy action rod, 6 1/2 to 7 foot in length with 6-20 lb test. It is usually safe to start with 10-12 lb test and go from there. The lighter the line, the more natural or realistic the plastic will work. The length of the rod is important for taking the slack out of the line during the hookset. The action of the rod is important in that you want the tip to be sensitive, yet not give yourself away if you are feeling if a fish is there. You want the butt section of the rod to have plenty of backbone to drive the hook home.

Rigging: Slide a bullet weight onto your line with the tip pointing toward your rod. To rig the bait, insert the hook into the plastic and run it into the worm about 1/4 inch, push the hook out the bottom, then slide the plastic up the hook to the eye and turn it around. Run the hook tip through the worm and skin hook it on the opposite side so that the rig is weedless. Be sure that the worm hangs straight or it will twist your line.

This is pretty much the same pricipal as the texas rig, but you are not using a weight. This technique is mainly used for salted or heavier baits. Weightless baits can be fished many different ways, from deadsticking (letting the bait sit on the bottom for long periods of time) to a fast jerkbait style.

Rigging: This is rigged exactly the same way as a Texas rig, just forget the weight.

Dropshotting is a finesse technique that requires light line, so most people use a spinning outfit spooled up with 4 to 10lb fluorocarbon line. Dropshotting is used to fish shallow water to deep structure. Cast out or drop down, when the line goes slack, reel up until the line is taut and the weight is on the bottom. With the weight on the bottom, shake the rod gently. You just want to wiggle the lure without lifting the weight. A bite may be anything from a tug to a sideways movement. If your hooks are good and sharp, all you have to do is reel hard to set the hook. The rest is up to you. Remember you are fishing light line, so do not horse the fish in.

Rigging: Using a Palomar knot; tie a lightweight hook onto the line leaving an about 18 inches tag. To ensure that the hook stands out perpendicular from the line, run the tag end through the eye on the face side of the hook and pop the knot through. The hook will rest on the knot and should be facing up. At the tag end of the line, 12-18 inches from the hook, cinch on a dropshot weight. Rig your bait and you are ready to go.

Shaky head involves a finesse worm fashioned weedless on a small, ball head jig. Once rigged, make a long cast and let the bait fall. Many strikes occur in the first three seconds after the bait contacts the bottom. If not, begin shaking the rod tip in short, rapid bursts, maintaining some slack in the line while you hold the rod in a 10 o'clock position. This movement keeps the worm vertical and the tail quivering seductively. Inch the jig along and keep it dancing like a creature feeding along the lake bottom.

Some anglers prefer baitcast tackle, but a 7-foot medium action spinning rod is best because it fishes light line better, and light line imparts more action in the bait. 8-10 lb line is preferred and basic monofilament works, but sensitive fluorocarbon line transmits subtle bites better.

Rigging: There are many types of shaky head jigs, so rigging it is different depending on the jig you use. Basically, fashion the worm to the jig weedless.

Depending on conditions, the weight can vary from 1/8 to 1 ounce and the leader can be from a few inches long to six feet or more. A 7-7 1/2 foot heavy rod with fast action is a must for long casts and hook-setting power.

A standard Carolina rigs consist of a half ounce sinker and a two foot leader. Generally, the clearer the water the longer the leader, and a heavier lead is needed for the longer leaders. Also, the deeper the water the bigger the weight, and longer leaders are usually used in deeper water, too.

Rigging: Cut yourself a leader from your main line, or off of an extra spool. Slide an egg weight onto your main line followed by a glass bead. Next tie on a swivel, then tie your leader to the opposite end of the swivel. At the end of your leader tie your hook and rig your bait the same way you would if you were throwing weightless.