The Top 7 Bass Fishing Rigs You'll Need For A Successful Season In 2023

Bass fishing is one of the most popular forms of fishing in the United States, and for good reason. Bass are relatively easy to catch, especially when compared to other fish, and they put up a good fight. What’s not to love?

Of course, to have a successful bass fishing season, you’re going to need the right gear. In this article, we’re going to take a look at the six best bass fishing rigs that you’ll need to snag some huge bass in 2023.

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1. Texas Rig

The Texas rig is a classic and a must-have for any bass angler. It’s versatile and can be used in various environments, including weedy or rocky areas. This rig is created by attaching a bullet-shaped weight to the fishing line and then tying a hook to the other end of the line.

The weight is usually made of lead and is designed to slide freely up and down the line. This allows the lure to sink quickly and helps it to reach the bottom quickly. The hook can be tied using a variety of knots, but the most common is the Palomar knot.

Once the hook is tied, the angler can add a soft plastic worm, crawfish, or other bait to the hook. The bait should be threaded through the hook so that it hangs straight and looks like natural prey to the fish.

When using the Texas rig, cast the bait out and let it sink to the bottom. Once it has settled, reel in the slack line and then lift the rod tip to move the bait along the bottom. Continue to do this, pausing every few seconds to let the bait sink back to the bottom.

The weight of the rig allows for a subtle presentation, making it an excellent choice for fishing in areas with lots of cover, such as weeds or logs. The Texas rig is also great for fishing in rocky areas, where a regular lure might get snagged.

One of the main advantages of the Texas rig is its weedless design. The hook is buried in the bait, so it does not get caught in the weeds, which can save time and frustration.

Overall, the Texas rig is one of the most versatile and effective rigs for catching bass. It’s easy to use, and once you’ve mastered the technique, you’ll be able to catch fish in almost any environment.

2. Carolina Rig

The Carolina rig is another popular rig that is effective for catching bass in deeper waters. This rig is created by adding an egg sinker to the fishing line above a swivel and then adding a leader line with a hook and bait to the other end of the swivel.

The Carolina rig is great for fishing in deep waters because it keeps the bait suspended off the bottom, which can be useful in areas where the bass are hiding in structure. The rig allows for the bait to move more naturally, attracting more fish.

To set up a Carolina rig, follow these steps:

1. Tie an egg sinker onto your fishing line with a knot. The size of the sinker will depend on the depth of the water you're fishing in, as well as the weight of your bait and rig.

2. Add a swivel onto the line below the sinker with an improved clinch knot. The swivel will prevent your line from twisting as you reel in your catch.

3. Tie a leader line onto the other end of the swivel with an improved clinch knot. The length of the leader will depend on the depth of the water and the type of bait you're using.

4. Tie a hook onto the end of the leader line with a Palomar knot. The size of the hook will depend on the size of your bait.

5. Add your bait onto the hook. Popular baits for Carolina rig fishing include plastic worms, creature baits, and crawfish imitators.

Once your Carolina rig is set up, cast it out and let it sink to the bottom. Then, slowly reel in the line, allowing the bait to move in a natural motion. You can also try bouncing the rig off the bottom or giving it short, sharp jerks to imitate a fleeing baitfish. Be patient, as it may take some time for the bass to find your bait. With practice, the Carolina rig can be a highly effective technique for catching large bass in deep water.

3. Jig

Jigs are great for catching bass in deeper waters, and they work well in areas with a lot of structure. Jigs consist of a weighted head and a hook with a skirt or trailer that imitates the movement of a baitfish.

There are many different types of jigs, including football jigs, finesse jigs, flipping jigs, and swim jigs. Each type has a unique design that is specifically suited to a particular type of cover or structure.

When fishing with a jig, it's important to use a slow and steady retrieve to mimic the natural movement of a baitfish. Many anglers also add a trailer to their jig to increase its effectiveness. Popular trailer options include soft plastic creatures, craws, and worms.

Jigs are also very versatile, and they can be fished in a variety of ways. Anglers can hop and bounce jigs off the bottom, swim them through cover, or use them for vertical jigging. With some practice, anglers can become very proficient with jigs and use them to catch big bass in a variety of conditions.

4. Crankbait

Crankbaits are a great choice for covering a lot of water quickly. These lures resemble baitfish or crawfish and are designed to dive and swim through the water at various depths.

They come in a range of different shapes, sizes, and colors, and can be used to target a wide range of freshwater and saltwater species. Some common types of crankbaits include lipless, squarebill, deep-diving, and suspending models.

When selecting a crankbait, it's important to consider the depth you want to fish, as well as the type of cover or structure you'll be targeting. For shallow water, a squarebill or lipless crankbait may be the best choice, while a deep-diving model is better suited for deep water or offshore structure.

Crankbaits can be fished using a variety of techniques, including steady retrieves, stop-and-go retrieves, and erratic jerks and twitches. Varying the retrieve can often trigger strikes from finicky fish.

Overall, crankbaits are a versatile and effective tool for any angler looking to cover a lot of water and catch a variety of fish species.

5. Spinnerbait

Spinnerbaits are versatile lures that can be used in various water conditions. They consist of a hook with a rotating blade that creates vibrations in the water, mimicking the movement of a baitfish.

Spinnerbaits are popular among anglers because they can be used to catch a variety of fish species, including bass, pike, and walleye. The rotating blade creates a realistic-looking action in the water, which attracts fish by creating movement and vibration. Additionally, spinnerbaits come in various sizes, shapes, and colors, allowing anglers to choose the right lure for different fishing scenarios.

Spinnerbaits can be retrieved in different ways, including slow and steady, fast and jerky, or even stop-and-go. It is important to experiment with different retrieval techniques to determine the most effective approach for a particular water condition and target species.

In summary, spinnerbaits are versatile lures that can be used to mimic the movement of baitfish and attract various fish species. Anglers can experiment with different sizes, shapes, colors, and retrieval techniques to optimize their catch.

6. Topwater Lure

Topwater lures are designed to float on the surface of the water and imitate the movement of insects or small baitfish. These lures are great for fishing in shallow water, especially in the early morning or evening when the water is calm.

One of the advantages of topwater lures is that they create a lot of commotion on the surface of the water, which can attract the attention of predatory fish. When a fish strikes a topwater lure, it can be an explosive and exciting experience, as the fish leaps from the water to attack the lure.

There are many different types of topwater lures, including poppers, buzzbaits, surface plugs, and frogs. Poppers are designed to make a popping sound when they are pulled through the water, while buzzbaits have a propeller that creates a buzzing sound on the surface. Surface plugs are typically designed to mimic the movement of baitfish, while frog lures are designed to resemble frogs or other amphibians.

When using a topwater lure, it's important to use a rod with a fast action tip to help set the hook quickly. It's also important to vary the retrieve speed and pattern to imitate the behavior of natural prey. With practice and patience, fishing with topwater lures can be a rewarding and exciting experience.

In conclusion, having a variety of bass fishing rigs in your tackle box can help increase your chances of catching big bass. Be sure to experiment with different rigs and lures to see what works best in different conditions. Happy fishing!