Weightless Rig



The weightless rig (also known as the “free lining rig”) is very common when fishing for fish higher up in the water column.  You will notice that the picture to the left displays a hook and line.  That’s all it is.  No weights, bobbers, swivels, etc.  Most anglers use this rig when fishing in shallow water, but there are many anglers that will free line a decent-sized live bait over deeper water as well depending on where the fish are in the water column.  This rig is a popular rig for using soft plastics for bass and live baits for many different species of fish.


Live Baits & the Weightless Rig


Live baits are very popular on a weightless rig.  This is usually when fish are in the shallows or if you’re close to a dock or some other type of shoreline cover.  Nightcrawlers, leeches and minnows all look good when fished weightless.


Wacky Worms


Wacky worms are probably the most popular bait that is fished weightless nowadays.  Rig a wacky worm with a single hook and cast it around all types of shallow water cover and you’ll catch plenty of bass.


Weightless Texas Rig


The weightless Texas rig is an awesome shallow water rig for using soft plastics.  It was probably the most popular way that anglers fished for bass when using weightless rigs until wacky worms came on the scene.  You can rig a variety of soft plastics on a weightless Texas rig and most of them will work very well on bass or northern pike in the shallows.

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