Pitching a Texas Rig for bass can be a fun and effective way to catch bass when the conditions get tough.
Have you ever been out on a post-frontal day when there are bluebird skies and the wind is almost nonexistent? Sometimes it can get discouraging. The moving baits just aren’t getting it done and you don’t know exactly what to do.
What is Pitching?
Pitching is the term in bass fishing for making short casts at a specific area or piece of cover like a tree or an open patch in the grass. You can make short casts with an underhand flip at the cover or low side casts where you want the bait to fall low to the water and land as quietly as possible.
Pitching a Texas Rig can Save Your Day.
This is when it is good to pitch a Texas rig. When you are faced with these tough conditions you can go deep, or get into the wood and weed and start pitching a Texas rig.
First, here’s a video on how to rig a Texas Rig. Also, see my How to Tie a Texas Rig Post.
A Quick Texas Rig Story
Last year we were on a local lake called Roosevelt Lake and we had previously been on a great crankbait bite. Fast forward a few days and we were back, but the conditions had changed. It was pretty hot and there was no breeze, we were post-frontal.
Of course, we made the mistake of going straight to the crank and fishing memories. This was ok in the morning, but when the sun got up the fishing died.
This particular lake isn’t a grass lake, but it has a lot of submerged bushes and trees. After about an hour of frustration, I switched to a Texas rig. I started pitching into the thickest part of the trees and started catching fish again.
The bass hadn’t gone away but had sucked tight to the same cover we were fishing around with crankbaits. We actually ended up catching another twenty or so bass before it got too hot and we pulled off of the lake at around 2 pm.
How to Pitch a Texas Rig for Bass?
In these high-pressure situations, I try to keep my weight as light as possible while still providing a drop rate to get it into the cover and trigger a reaction strike. 3/16 – ¼ ounce bullet weights are my go-to.
If it is deeper, or you are fishing where more weight is needed I go to a ⅜ ounce weight.
Remember, I am fishing wood here so the lighter the weight, the less I get hung up. If you are fishing grass or vegetation then you will probably need a larger weight to punch through the cover, unless you are on the outside edge of fishing pockets.
I start by fishing the outside edge of the cover first and then move into the thickest part. This way I don’t scare the outside fish by pulling one out of the middle first. I pay attention to where my bites are coming from and create a pattern.
Now I am ready to really start doing some damage. When fishing pushed and trees I pitch the Texas rig where other baits couldn’t go. I throw into the branches and slowly drag my bait over branches and then let it fall when it comes over cover.
If you do this carefully you can come through some really thick stuff. As a rule, most of my bass come on the fall. Be a line watcher and be in tune with your bait. Because most bass come on the fall after you pull it over a branch you will need to let your bait fall on a semi-slack line.
Feel for a tick or a spongy feeling where you lose connection with the bait. When this happens take up the slack by winding down and set the hook. You could also see your line jump or see it stop or start moving unnaturally. Again, wind down and set the hook.
At first, this can be intimidating, but after a while, you will get a feel for it, get fewer snags, and catch a lot more fish.
The Baits I Use When Pitching a Texas Rig
In the scenario above I was throwing a Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw. I often throw craw or creature-style baits that come through the cover well. Sometimes I will throw a worm, but they tend to hang up a bit more when pitching heavy cover.
That said, a stick bait like a Senko will come through the cover super good and you can go weightless or with an ⅛ ounce weight if the fish are suspended.
My advice would be to play around with it and see what works for you. Getting comfortable with getting your bait into the thick junk is really the key.
If you are fishing clear water go with watermelon reds and green pumpkins. If the water is darker you can switch up to darker baits that will stand out more. In the darker water, you will probably want a bait with more kick too. I like Junebug or black and blue colors for super-stained water.
I typically throw my craws and creatures for this tactic on a 3/0 wide gap hook. I also peg the weight if I am in really heavy stuff as it reduces tangling in the cover.
I like to fish anywhere from 15 to 20 pound test in these situations and to fish a medium heavy to heavy casting rod. 7’ to 7’4” is about the length I like. You can make more accurate flips with a shorter rod. 7’ is about perfect.
Final Thoughts
Pitching a Texas rig for bass is one of my favorite ways to fish. It is going in and getting them. It is exciting and super effective. The best way to get good at it is just to get started.
When you do hang up, try snapping your line by popping your rod while holding some slack with your hand and then letting it go as you pop your rod tip. If that doesn’t work, don’t pull it out by bending your rod. You could get really hurt if it comes loose and you have a weight flying at your face fast.
Instead, point your rod tip at the snag and pull back steadily with your thumb on the spool so it doesn’t slip. Sometimes you will pull your bait free and other times you will break your line, but it won’t come flying back at you or risk breaking your rod.
My last piece of advice is to go out and do it. You will get confidence and a feel for pitching a Texas rig as you do. You may catch a lot of fish in the process too.
To your fishing success,
Jonathan Burke
P.S. Another rig to check out for pitching is the Tokyo Rig.
