Bass fishing is one of the most popular recreational fishing types in the US, and a few countries, such as Japan and South Africa. As a beginner angler, if you’re looking to learn fishing, bass fishing is no doubt an excellent option for you. In this type of fishing, there are a few different bass fish to consider. They include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and striped bass.
Undoubtedly, bass fish are pretty much easy to land, which is why bass fishing is one of the most popular fishing types. While that is true, the fact remains that – as a beginner, you need to learn the essential first lesson for a better fishing experience. Of course, that involves getting familiar with the various setups for bass fishing.
Are you interested in getting familiar with the various rigs and the rod and reel combo for bass fishing? If yes, this article will serve as a guide for you to learn everything about bass fishing tools.
Here Are The Bass Fishing Rigs You Need To Know
In case you don’t know, every bass fishing rig is designed for different purposes. Some of them are ideal for presentation, while others are weedless. That said, irrespective of the bass fishing rigs you are opting to use, you need to get familiar with and learn how to rig them.
The Texas rig is the most common type of bass fishing out there. Of course, that’s so because it’s versatile and can perform several functions, including combining with other styles.
Other common types of bass fishing rigs include the Carolina Rig, Drop Shot Rig, Wacky Rig, Neko Rig, Ned Rig, and Shaky Rig. Let’s take a look at the bass fishing rigs, one by one, and see how to use each of them for effective results.
1. Texas Rig
As earlier mentioned, the Texas Rig, initially invented in the 1950s, is the most common type of bass fishing rig. The fishing equipment packs soft plastic bait, a hook, and bullet weight.
Although Texas Rig is adaptable to other baits, they are most commonly used with plastic worms and lizards. Furthermore, they are needless, meaning that you can cast them through heavy covers without worrying about them getting snagged.
Are you interested in learning how to set up a Texas Rig?
If yes, below are a few simple and straightforward steps that you can follow to get the job done:
- First, you need to put the cone-shaped worm weight on the line. While placing the weight, ensure that the base of the cone faces the end of the main line.
- Next, you need to attach a 3-aught weedless hook. To do that, start by threading the pointed end of the hook about 1⁄4 inch into the worm’s head, passing it out of its side.
- Furthermore, keep running the hook until it entirely passes through the side and reaches the eyelet.
- After getting through to the eyelet, what’s next is to twist the hook 180 degrees. The purpose of that is to ensure that the tip of the hook points towards the bait’s underbody.
- Next, grab the bait and thread the hook point through it once again, maintaining a straight profile for the lure.
As for hook choices, we’ll advise that you use a 3/0 hook for plastic lizards, Senkos, and 6-inch plastic worms. A 4-ought hook is ideal if you’re considering using 7-inch or 8-inch plastic worms.
2. Carolina Rig
Like Texas Rigs, Carolina Rigs (C-Rigs) are also popular among bass anglers. The bass fishing rig is ideal when fish are aggressive. That’s not all; it’s also effective when the bite is slow.
Carolina Rig offers a host of benefits for anglers. One of them is that it packs weight, which enables your bait to reach deeper waters, where you can find your target fish. The bass fishing rig has five main components; a weedless hook, swivel, soft plastic bait, bead, and sinker.
Furthermore, a C-Rig can work with egg sinkers or fishfinder slides. If you are using egg sinkers, the perfect size is 3/4 ounces. As for the fishfinder slides, they are perfect with Carolina Rig if you’re using a heavier weight.
If you’re ready to learn how to set up a Carolina Rig, below are a few simple and straightforward steps you can use:
- First, get the necessary equipment ready. We’ll advise you to utilize a 3/0 EWG hook for this stage, as it offers a needless presentation. You’ll also need a #7 swivel for the setup.
- To start setting up the rig, the first thing you need is to thread the tag end of the line through the weight.
- While doing that, make sure that the head faces the reel.
- Next, add a 6 mm bead to the line’s tag end.
- After that, pick the mainline and attach the #7 swivel to its end.
- Next, connect the leader’s tag end to the swivel, and reduce its length to 1-3 ft.
- Lastly, tie on the three-ought 3/0 EWG worm hook at the end of the leader.
3. Wacky Rig
Another bass fishing rig that you need to get familiar with is the Wacky Rig. In case you don’t know, a wacky rig is an artificial rubber worm attached to a hook.
To set up a wacky rig worm on the hook, all you need to do is attach the hook through the center of the bait’s body. Off-center hook placement is also effective, as many anglers have also used the style to land bass fish. Below is the step-by-step guide for the Wacky Rig setup.
- Locate a smooth part in the center of the worm.
- After that, thread the wide-gap hook through the middle of the bait. For the best results, a 2/0 or 4/0 Kitana Wacky Hook is ideal.
- Next, tie the wacky worm hook rig to the leader, and that’s all about the setup.
Pro tip: for you to extend the lifespan of your wacky worm, one of the best ideas is to use an O-ring to tie the bait to the hook. Doing that is way more effective than threading the hook through its center.
4. Drop Shot Rig
A drop shot rig is one of the essential types of bass fishing rig out there. It has different components, including a leader, bait hook tied inline, weight, Palomar knot, and bait.
When choosing the drop shot line, the best option is to go for a light line with low visibility. That’s so because the drop shot rig is more of a finesse technique. That said, you can go for a fluorocarbon of about 6-8 pounds – it’s ideal in most cases.
Now, let’s talk about the hook and weight selection. For the best setup, we’ll recommend that you opt for a drop shot clip with sizes 1-1/O.
As for the weight, go for the type that packs a crimped swivel at the top. The benefit of that is it makes it easy for you to clip to the line during setup. You can always go for a 1/8 oz, or 1/4 oz drop shot weight for the setup, depending on the type of water. However, we’ll advise that you settle for a 1/2 oz weight when you find yourself in pretty rough water.
There are plenty of bait options when it comes to using a drop shot rig. While that is true, we’ll recommend that you start with a small finesse worm.
Here are a few simple and straightforward steps to set up a drop shot rig:
- With all the components ready, the first thing you need to do is pass the mainline through the hook’s eyelet. After that, ensure you have enough line – at least about a 1-foot-long tag end to make a leader.
- Next, make a loop with the line and rerun it through the bottom of the hook.
- While still holding on to the loop, make a single knot through it, passing it over the front of the hook. From there, bring both parts of the line together and tighten them.
- Next, go for the tagline and rerun it through the hook’s eyelet.
- After that, what’s next is to tie the weight to the tag end of the line and attach the plastic worm to the bait hook.
5. Neko Rig
Although Neko Rig isn’t the best bass fishing rig setup, many anglers have confirmed it to be effective. The rig, invented in Japan, is most common among deepwater anglers across the world.
If you’re very familiar with the wacky rig, you surely won’t have a hard time setting up a Neko Rig. That’s so because the rig is more of a wacky rig that packs weight at the end instead of the center.
For you to set up a Neko rig, the very first thing you need is to get the necessary materials. They include the following:
- Bait: a finesse worm
- Weight: Tungsten nail weight
- Bait hook: Weedless Neco or Wacky weedless hook
- Wacky ring
After getting the necessary fishing equipment, all you need to do is start the setup process.
- The first thing required of you is to attach the wacky ring to the worm.
- Next, you need to insert the tungsten nail weight into the middle of the worm. However, for effective results, ensure to cut off the top of the bait (about 1/8″ to 1/4″) to achieve a flat-headed worm.
- With both the wacky ring and tungsten nail weight installed, the next step involves passing the needless Neko hook between the bait and the ring. Doing that will enable the weighted end of the worm to sink, making contact with the bottom.
6. Ned Rig
The Ned Rig happens to be one of the simplest bass fishing rigs out there. The rig setup is most effective during the winter seasons when bass fails to bite.
That said, let’s have a quick look at the simple and straightforward steps of setting up a Ned Rig for bass fishing below:
- For this setup, you need a soft plastic bait, and a 1/16-ounce mushroom jig head (you can also decide to go up to 1/8-ounce or down to 1/32-ounce, depending on the depth).
- Next, take the soft plastic worm (about 3 inches is perfect) and pass the hook part of the jig head into its top.
- After that, you need to proceed by pushing the hook about an inch down the middle of the worm through to its side, making sure that it’s showing outside.
- Lastly, take the entire rig, attach it to the leader (a 6ft fluorocarbon material), and then to the mainline – using a knot.
7. Shaky Head Rig
Like the rest of the bass fishing rigs set up on this list, the shaky head rig is also pretty much effective. The rig consists of a small jig head, a light wire hook, and a soft plastic bait.
Furthermore, as far as the big is concerned, an ideal one is a plastic worm. Although you can use the shaky head rig for a couple of things, it’s perfect for the finesses technique of bass fishing. While you can use a rig at about any time, the bass fishing rig setup is most effective when the bass fails to bite.
Unlike the rest of the rigs on this list, the shaky head rig is pretty much the easiest to set up. To begin the process, you need to get the various components of the rig, such as a soft plastic worm and jig ahead.
After getting the necessary equipment, what is next is to pick the jig head and penetrate the bait. The next step involves wrapping the hook all around the jig head, but in a way that allows you to re-insert the end through the bait’s bottom.
What Are The Best Rod And Reel For Bass Fishing
If you’re a professional angler, a rod and reel combo will certainly not be the best option for you. That’s so because the combo might not be perfect for the existing tackle they plan on using.
However, if you just started learning about bass fishing, we’ll suggest you opt for a rod and reel combo for the sporting activity.
With the best rod and reel combo for bass fishing, you’ll get to save yourself the stress of matching up the two fishing tools separately. That’s not all; it also ensures that you get the right tool to fish with right away.
Furthermore, as a beginner, using the best rod and reel combo is also suitable for you, as you can stick to a brand for your fishing product. You’ll find this helpful in cases when you need to troubleshoot or customize your gear.
Let’s have a quick look at the best rod and reel for bass fishing below.
1. PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combos
Sitting on the top spot on this list is the PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combos. We are recommending this bass fishing product because it packs several unique features, which you’ll no doubt find helpful. First, it comes with high-quality ceramic guides, which offer longer and smooth casts.
PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo also come with a non-slip EVA handle and ergonomic graphite high-strength reel seats to enhance your overall fishing ability. For more information regarding the fishing equipment’s price and offerings, you can check here.
2. Cadence CC4 Spinning Combo
Occupying the second spot on the list of the best rod and reel combo for bass fishing is the Cadence CC4 Spinning Combo. Available in five different rod actions, the bass fishing product has length options, which include 5’6″, 6’6″, and 7’0″.
Furthermore, the Cadence CC4 comes designed with 24-ton graphite and stainless steel guides & inserts. That’s not all; the product also packs an ergonomic EVA handle knob, a machined aluminum spool, and seven different ball bearings with an instant anti-reverse bearing. To get more information regarding the product, you can check here.
3. Zebco Spincast Reel and 2-Piece Fishing Rod Combo
The Zebco Spincast Reel & 2-Piece Fishing Rod Combo is one of the best rod & reel products you can trust for bass fishing. That’s so because it comes with several impressive specs that offer a better fishing experience. For instance, the fishing product comes with a larger gear ratio of 4.1:1. This offering provides you with the ability to retrieve your lure about 20% faster, according to the manufacturer.
Furthermore, Zebco Spincast Reel comes with a dual EVA/Cork rod handle, which promises you comfort while holding the equipment. By opting for the product, you’ll get a 29-piece tackle to attract and land your target fish. Some of them include nine bait hooks, two snaps, two swivels, four different split-shot sinkers, four jig heads, and many more.
Check here to get more information regarding the product offerings and how you can take advantage of them for your bass fishing trip.
4. KastKing Centron Spinning Reel
Another excellent rod & reel combo for bass fishing is the KastKing Centron Spinning Reel. That’s so because the product comes with a host of features capable of helping you land various fish species, including bass, trout, and walleye.
As a beginner looking for great spinning rods, Kastking Centron Spinning Reel is a good option. Interestingly, it’s available in various rod actions and lengths.
For instance, you can always opt for a 6’ M action if you’re looking to land any of these species; bass, trout, and panfish. A 7’ M action fishing rod is excellent for bass and walleye. The product also has 7’6” and 8’ options, ideal for landing catfish, steelhead, and salmon. You can check here for more information about the product and how to order it.
Should You Use A Swivel When Bass Fishing?
In case you don’t know, swivels are small devices designed with two rings that connect to a pivoting joint. One of the benefits of this fishing tool is it helps to prevent line twisting, allowing your lures and spinners to revolve.
There are many types of swivels out there, and the exciting part is that all of them offer different functions. First, a Slider-Bearing swivel comes in several variants, including barrels, boxes, bead chains, and offshore swivels.
To answer the burning question of whether swivels are ideal for bass fishing, we’ll say it depends. Unarguably, swivels save time for anglers when changing lures; the fact remains that they are big, bulky, and tend to scare fish away. That’s why you don’t always have to use them during every bass fishing occasion.
When utilizing a simple knot or a split shot sinker that will work, we’ll advise that you avoid using swivels for better fishing results. However, barrel swivels might be effective when you’re fishing ultra-deepwater and using a drop shot rig for bass with a line that tends to twist when reeling.
The finesse swivels, which have almost the same design as the barrel swivels, are ideal for bass fishing. They deliver more strength, meaning you can utilize them when using the finesses technique of bass fishing.
What Are The Best Size Hooks For Bass Fishing?
While bass fishing, one of the things that you need to consider for effective results is the bait hook. You need to utilize the best-size hook, and this has a lot to do with size.
There are different types of bass fishing hooks out there. Some of them include a straight shank hook, offset round bend hook, offset wide gap hook, drop shot hook, and wacky rig hook.
Straight Shank Hook
The Straight Shank Hook is ideal for various bass fishing situations, such as when you’re fishing in heavy cover or in locations that feature greasy vegetation.
If you find yourself in multiple conditions using more streamlined plastics, the ideal bass fishing hook is the Offset Round Bend Hook. This hook type comes with a Z bend right behind the eyelet, which keeps the plastic worms in place.
The Offset Wide Gap Hook is ideal in various bass fishing conditions with bulkier plastic baits. Like the offset round bend hook, this fishing tool also comes with a Z bend right behind the eyelet. The benefit of that is it prevents the bait from moving too much down the shank. According to pro anglers, the offset wide gap hook is ideal if you’re using a big, heavy creature-style bait for bass fishing.
The Drop Shot Hook, also called Octopus Hook, is an effective bass fishing tool when utilizing the finesse technique of drop shot fishing. They help with a level bait profile and presentation.
The Wacky Rig Hook is ideal for wacky rigging. Unlike drop shots, the hook comes with a wider gap, which provides room for your wacky-rigged plastic worms. If you’re looking to achieve a better hookup ratio using a stick bait, the wacky rig hook is the perfect option.
Now, let’s go back to the burning question; what are the best-size hooks for bass fishing?
How to choose the best size hook for bass fishing
The sizes of the bass fishing hooks listed above range between 1, 1/0, 2/0, 3/0, and 4/0. If you opt for the smaller size, we’ll advise that you match it with worms of about 6 inches. As for the larger hook sizes, they are pretty much perfect for 8-inch plastic worms. That’s not all; you can also use the hook for 6-inch lizards.
That said, you can opt for a 1/0 offset round bend hook is an excellent option for plastic worms about 6 to 7 inches. You can go for a 2/0 offset round bend hook if you’re using plastic baits (earthworms) of 8-10 inches. Furthermore, if you’re using an offset wide gap hook, a 2/0 size is ideal for plastic worms of various sizes.
What Pound Test Should You Use For Bass Fishing?
As an angler, before going on a bass fishing trip, you must determine a pound test. In case you don’t know, a point test, also known as a line test, is simply the fishing line strength, measured in pounds.
To achieve a higher-pound test, you need to opt for a much stronger fishing line. Furthermore, every fish species out there has a suitable pound test that you can target. For instance, if you’re looking to land Trout, a 4-pound or 6-pound test fishing line is the perfect option.
As far as bass fishing is concerned, an 8-pound test and above is excellent.