Question about weights and rigging: Hello, teachers… got a question for you all. I’m fishing from the bank, so I don’t want to carry extra poles and a lot of gear. Using a clip so I...

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

Hello, teachers… got a question for you all. I’m fishing from the bank, so I don’t want to carry extra poles and a lot of gear. Using a clip so I can easily switch my bait. I’d like to try fishing a weighted Texas rig…is there a way to set it up without having to try to squint through tying knots when I want to change it up? My eyesight ain’t what it used to be. Would a split shot above the hook produce a similar action? What about rigging the hook and bullet weight on a leader that I can loop through the clip…or would that be too much hardware etc. on my line? Or just use a weighted hook? This is probably a rookie question, but hey…I’m still a rookie when it comes to this stuff. Thanks for your help. ☺️

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Betts wrote:

Hello, teachers… got a question for you all. I’m f... (show quote)

We are all rookie's Betts. Never to old to learn. Good thread here i am in that fumbling finger and need eye glass group, so going to watch this thread with you.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Betts wrote:

Hello, teachers… got a question for you all. I’m f... (show quote)

Betts you could pre rig a Texas rig with a swivel at the end then you could use your snap to attach. I make these for my in-laws and that’s how they fish for the same reasons you stated. You can also make drop shots, Carolina and Ned rigs in the same fashion. Just make sure your line has a small QUALITY snap on it.

Tight lines
J

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

I'm with J Betts. I've done this frequently in the surf when I can't take my truck where I want to fish. Pre-rig the T rigs and carry them in a snack size ziplock bag. You can even reuse the bags you use for lunch.

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Also just thought about your split shot rig. Bassmatter fishes with a rig that is a worm a hook and a split shot almost exclusively and you see how he does! He posted a few pictures of the rig lately.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

You may be able to make an intermediate “leader” to attach to a swivel clip by using a split ring to attach to the clip, run your line through the weight and a bead to another clip to attach your lure or bait to?
If it snags too much garbage on it, put a bead ahead of the first swivel clip, too.
Worth a shot, anyway…
Not sure if this rig already exists, so if anyone gets rich off this idea I want my share 😂

Rutinbuck Loc: Haysville, Kansas

Betts I’m assuming you are wanting to fish for catfish. I use egg sinkers. Start by putting your line through the sinker. Then I make a loop then another loop and place it behind the first loop, then make a third loop and put it between the first and second loop. The first two loops makes a clove hitch knot. Now I put a cigarette butt or a small 1/4” stick about an inch long through the middle of the three loops. Then hold the butt/stick and line centered with one hand and pull both the main and tag end together to snug the clove hitch down tight around the butt/stick. I usually have the tag end about 2 feet long and tie my hook to the end of it. It’s like a sliding Texas rig. You can also get flat sliding sinkers too to keep them from rolling.

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

J in Cleveland wrote:

Betts you could pre rig a Texas rig with a swivel at the end then you could use your snap to attach. I make these for my in-laws and that’s how they fish for the same reasons you stated. You can also make drop shots, Carolina and Ned rigs in the same fashion. Just make sure your line has a small QUALITY snap on it.

Tight lines
J

Ooo, this is exactly what I was hoping for! Thank you, J, and the photo is really helpful too. Right on as far as the quality snaps. I used to use eagle claw snap swivels, but they’d bend and open up. Learned here about some better ones and made the switch. I will definitely be assembling some of these. Thanks again!

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

Flytier wrote:

I'm with J Betts. I've done this frequently in the surf when I can't take my truck where I want to fish. Pre-rig the T rigs and carry them in a snack size ziplock bag. You can even reuse the bags you use for lunch.

I’m on it! 😁 thanks, Fly.

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

J in Cleveland wrote:

Also just thought about your split shot rig. Bassmatter fishes with a rig that is a worm a hook and a split shot almost exclusively and you see how he does! He posted a few pictures of the rig lately.

Thanks, J. Yeah, Bassmatter is bringing in some good ones - I’ll take a tip from him (and all of you) for sure!

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

OJdidit wrote:

You may be able to make an intermediate “leader” to attach to a swivel clip by using a split ring to attach to the clip, run your line through the weight and a bead to another clip to attach your lure or bait to?
If it snags too much garbage on it, put a bead ahead of the first swivel clip, too.
Worth a shot, anyway…
Not sure if this rig already exists, so if anyone gets rich off this idea I want my share 😂

OJ, can you tell me more about the beads? I don’t know anything at all about that. Thank you!

J in Cleveland Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

Betts wrote:

OJ, can you tell me more about the beads? I don’t know anything at all about that. Thank you!

The beads are used to stop the sinker or anything else from bumping the knot. If go to Walmart they sell kits that contain all that’s needed to construct a T -rig and other types. Beads are in there along with instructions on how to build. They are about $4.00 and makes multiple rigs. May be the easiest way to get started then you can substitute to different (better) hooks. If you want but I’ve caught a few with the Walmart hook.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Betts wrote:

Hello, teachers… got a question for you all. I’m f... (show quote)

Good morning Betts. The idea behind finesse fishing is using as little hardware as possible. The easiest thing to do is put a splitshot just above the hook knot, as Matt does. There are also several types if hooks available with the weight built in to them. I'll go out to the truck and get you a picture of a few alternative methods.
These are a few of the alternatives.

From the top, BPS Perfect Worm hook, Shakey Head, Owner Blockhead ned style hook

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Betts wrote:

Ooo, this is exactly what I was hoping for! Thank you, J, and the photo is really helpful too. Right on as far as the quality snaps. I used to use eagle claw snap swivels, but they’d bend and open up. Learned here about some better ones and made the switch. I will definitely be assembling some of these. Thanks again!

Betts, have you tried these? I switched from swivels and haven't had one pop open yet. Un snap remove and replace comes in different sizes. Good prize and quality on Amazon.

Betts Loc: Finger Lakes NY

J in Cleveland wrote:

The beads are used to stop the sinker or anything else from bumping the knot. If go to Walmart they sell kits that contain all that’s needed to construct a T -rig and other types. Beads are in there along with instructions on how to build. They are about $4.00 and makes multiple rigs. May be the easiest way to get started then you can substitute to different (better) hooks. If you want but I’ve caught a few with the Walmart hook.

Outstanding! I’ve seen the beads but had no idea how or why they were used. Thanks, J - Walmart is just down the road.