Think More Southeast When Texas Rigging
by Jeff Morton

There are a number of ways to secure a weight onto your line when using soft plastics (otherwise known as pegging the sinker)...

In the beginning, there was the toothpick - break off one of the ends inside your weight and it's secure. Unfortunately, it can also nick or damage your line and cause it to break prematurely (which always happens with a big "hawg" on the line!)

Then came rubber bands. Thread it between the weight and line and voila! It doesnˇ¦t slip or damage the line as much. This idea has spawned a number of rubberized plastic "doo-dad" designed to secure your worm weight. But why secure it? When a bass takes your soft plastic bait, usually the worm pushes off the hook and up the line - exposing the hook for a better hookset. Yet, when the progress of the hook is impeded by pegging the sinker - yes, you guessed it, you don't get as good a hookset (read: the fish gets away!). Gambler's Florida Rig is a worm weight, which fastens to your bait by screwing into it. Inside the wire fastener is a straw, which allows the weight/bait combination to slide up the line when the bass strikes - improving the hookset by allowing more of the hook to penetrate when the fish take it. Find out more about the Florida Rig by visiting www.gambler-bang.com.

So the next time you decide to Texas rig your soft plastic - think a little further Southeast and Florida Rig's it instead. You'll be happy you did -especially when a big bass doesn't throw your bait.

Jeff Morton

Any fishing or vehicle questions? Drop me a line: jeffmorton@gofishmidwest.com. 
Go FISH Midwest, YOUR source for Midwest fishing information and more!

More Articles by Jeff