| A fast baitcasting reel is essential when fishing with a Texas rig because it allows you to quickly retrieve slack and reset your cast to stay in the strike zone. Since most bites occur on the initial fall, the ability to quickly take up slack is critical for solid hooksets. This is especially important when a bass picks up the bait and swims toward you, you may not catch up in time without a fast reel. A strong drag system of at least 14 pounds ensures that your hook drives deep into the fish’s jaw, helping you control the fight. Always keep your drag tight during the hookset and adjust only once the fish is hooked and moving. Using a high-speed reel also helps you maintain efficiency throughout the day by minimizing the downtime between casts. When bass are grouped up or feeding in short windows, being able to quickly re-fire your bait can result in more hookups. It’s especially valuable when covering large areas like grass flats, points, or ledges where repeated casts are needed to locate fish. The faster retrieve also aids in managing slack line when fishing from awkward angles or in windy conditions. Using a high-speed reel increases your overall control, responsiveness, and casting rhythm, making it a key part of any Texas rig setup.Our Fresh HellaMite is designed to imitate a major aquatic food source, delivering a realistic profile of an insect larva that fish can’t resist. Each is scented for complete and total attraction underwater along with being made in the USA by real fishermen just like you. We’ve recently dropped a new HellaMite Pro Pack that is loaded with 60 total baits in all six proven colors, plus three Owner Block Head Ned Jigs and a handy storage bag. This kit has everything you need to stay rigged and ready year-round. Grab our newest Lil Bass, Hot Sauce, MidNight, Glow, 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink HellaMite colors. We’ve also recently restocked our popular Ghost, Red Bug, Purple Rain, Brown Bug, Electric Chicken, and Goby Wan colors. The HellaMite’s solid body and hyperactive ribbed tail design produce a life-like quivering action with every twitch of the rod. Its unique flat underbelly detail enables this bait to be fished as a drop shot, Ned rig, neko rig, and even a small Carolina-rig, making it the ideal bait in any condition year-round. When the water is clear, the fish can see the bait and look like real food, causing strikes. Each cast becomes an opportunity for an exhilarating catch, thanks to its superior performance and versatility. |
| A rod in the 7’3″ to 7’8″ range gives you the casting distance and hook-setting leverage needed for effective Texas rig fishing. The longer length helps manage slack line and improves your ability to drive the hook home from a distance. A medium heavy power rating provides backbone to handle strong fish and keep them pinned. Pair that with a fast action tip for improved sensitivity and casting control, helping you detect subtle bites from cautious bass. Lightweight graphite or composite rods are preferred, as they reduce fatigue over a full day of fishing and increase your overall feel for what’s happening under the water. A well-matched rod also improves your bait presentation, allowing for more precise control of soft plastics like worms, lizards, or cray-styled baits. The fast tip loads quickly on the cast and responds instantly to even the lightest bites, which is critical when bass strike on the fall. It also helps to shake or drag the bait naturally while maintaining constant contact with the bottom. In heavy cover situations, the extra length gives you better control for steering fish out of vegetation or wood without sacrificing hook penetration. This balances power, sensitivity, and control, essentials for success landing bass on a Texas rig.We use our Fresh Scorpion because it closely imitates a crawfish. Our newest 10w30 Synthetic, Slimer Green, and Barbie Pink Scorpion colors work wonders. The Scorpion is a revolutionary new look to soft plastics. Its intricate detailing and texture mimic the nuances of a real crawfish, making it hard for bass to resist. Of course, water clarity always plays a role in color selection but in any season, you can’t miss using colors such as Green Pumpkin Seed, Brown Bark, and the Magneto. This bait not only appears natural to fish but gives them something to become curious about. The Scorpion paired with a stand-up jig is deadly because the jig actually sits the bait upright in a defensive stance. The subtle color variations across the bait further enhance its appeal, mimicking the natural color shifts found in live prey. Each Fresh Scorpion has a unique and exclusive 3-axis tail design that is engineered like no other soft plastic bait. Our Scorpions are made by anglers from high-grade non-salt plastic to provide superior life-like action that triggers strikes! |
| Fluorocarbon line is the best all-purpose choice for Texas rig fishing because it’s nearly invisible underwater and highly resistant to abrasion. This is especially important when fishing around rocks, stumps, or thick cover where bites can happen fast and line failure is costly. Fluorocarbon also has a slight amount of stretch, which helps keep fish pinned during sudden runs without pulling the hook. Avoid using a braided main line with a fluorocarbon leader unless the leader knot stays fully inside the reel during your longest cast. A single line of fluorocarbon from reel to bait is more reliable and ensures maximum sensitivity and strength. Fluorocarbon also sinks faster than other line types, which helps get your bait to the strike zone more efficiently. Its density enhances bottom contact, allowing you to feel subtle changes in terrain or detect light pickups from finicky bass. This sensitivity is critical when fishing soft plastics slowly, as many bites feel like nothing more than a slight tick or added weight. The fine diameter and smooth texture of good quality fluorocarbon contribute to longer, more accurate casts. For anglers looking to maximize performance and minimize missed opportunities, fluorocarbon provides an edge in most Texas rig scenarios.The new FreshBaitz Lizards deliver a realistic profile that excels in both power and finesse techniques. Act fast, we’ve recently just released new Hot Sauce, MidNight, Ghost, and 10w30 Synthetic Lizard designs! The unique forward-facing leg design creates drag that holds it in the strike zone longer or produces wild flapping action with every pull of the rod. Additionally, its slightly ribbed solid body and large head hold your hook in place and provide much better weedless performance making it the ideal bait to use in any condition. Water clarity always plays a super big role in color selection but in any season year-round, you can’t miss when using colors such as Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, or Green Pumpkin. Its flexible tail design ensures added movement, tempting even the most cautious fish. The superior 5.5-inch profile stretches to a whole 7 inches which is perfect for predatory fish including bass year round. Made from long-lasting durable high-grade non-salted plastic for total and maximum attention-grabbing action underwater. |
| The size of your weight plays a key role in how your soft plastic bait behaves in the water. Lightweight options around 3/16 oz are ideal for slim-profile baits like worms or insect larva, giving them a slower, more enticing fall. Heavier weights such as 3/8 oz or 1/2 oz are better for bulkier baits like cray-styled plastics or beetles with lots of appendages, ensuring they fall properly and activate their movement. Your environment also matters. Use heavier weights to punch through thick vegetation and lighter ones in open or clear water. Always prioritize a tungsten weight for its improved sensitivity and cleaner contact with the bottom. Tungsten’s density allows it to be smaller in size than lead for the same weight, helping your rig slip through cover more easily and appear less intrusive to bass. It also transmits subtle vibrations and bottom texture changes more effectively, giving you a clearer feel for what your bait is doing. This can make a big difference when bass are finicky and bites are hard to detect. When selecting your weight, also consider water depth and current, deeper or faster-moving water may require additional weight to maintain bottom contact.Our Fresh Beetle delivers ultimate versatility in a soft plastic bait. Its slim yet wide body design and four claws are engineered to naturally glide and wobble as it moves through the water. This design ensures they remain enticingly active longer than conventional baits. Its unique texture also provides a realistic feel, making bass hold on longer once they bite. Water clarity plays a big role in color selection but year-round you can’t miss when using go-to colors such as Chocolate Mint, Ox Blood, or 10w30 Synthetic beetles. The hyper-active swimming claws are designed thin with long-lasting durable non-salt plastic to make them come alive with the slightest movement. The Fresh Beetle offers an enticing 4-inch profile and is scented for complete and total attraction! You can rig these Beetles as a Jig/ Chatter Trailer, Flippin/ Punching, Texas Rig, Swing Jig, and Carolina Rig. Making the beetle beyond perfect in any weather condition year-round! |
| Hook size and style should match both the length and thickness of your soft plastic bait. A 3/0 hook works well for baits under 6 inches, while thicker or longer lures often need a 4/0 or larger to ensure a clean hookset. Extra wide gap hooks provide more clearance between the hook point and bait body, increasing your chances of solidly hooking the fish. EWG hooks also help keep your bait weedless, especially when skin-hooked just under the surface of the plastic. Choose between straight-shank and offset versions based on your comfort and the amount of cover you’re fishing, but make sure the hook can clear the bait’s body on the hookset. The right hook also affects how naturally your bait moves in the water, which can influence whether a bass commits to the strike. If the hook is too large or too small, it can throw off the bait’s balance or prevent proper rigging, leading to fewer bites. When fishing heavy cover, a well-rigged EWG hook allows your soft plastic to glide through without snagging, while still being ready to set cleanly. Sharpness matters too, make sure your hooks are sharp enough to penetrate easily, especially when using heavier gear. A properly matched and rigged hook ensures that every bite gets the best chance.Using a stick-styled worm is the most tried and true ways to catch fish. We have a variety of 5-inch Worms to choose from but we just added MidNight, Glow, and Ghost Worms! Our popular Watermelon Red Worms have been restocked as well. You can also experience our new wacky rigging kit while it’s ON SALE! The WACKY Pack offers our most popular colors and essential tools for wacky rigging. If you’re fast enough you might be able to grab the limited-release Pumpkin Spice Worm before it’s completely sold out along with some of our newest colors including the Brown Worm, Electric Chicken Worm, and Goby Wan Worm colors. The high-grade non-salt plastic they’re made from provides positive buoyancy and it even floats underwater! We also released new 6-inch Worms including Charmeleon, Rainbow TRT, Bone, Chocolate Mint, and Fire TGR — all available in 5 and 6-inch. We’ve also recently released new 8-count packs of worms available in Watermelon Red, Black & Blue, and Green Pumpkin. We also offer worms that have the unique ability to shift from one color to another. Scented for total attraction underwater. |
| Your bait choice should reflect how active the bass are on a given day. If bass are aggressive and feeding heavily, use larger baits like lizards or cray-styled plastics with multiple appendages that create vibration and movement. When bass are sluggish, such as after a cold front or in muddy water, switch to smaller, subtler baits like beetles or worms that offer minimal action. Observing early bites, or the lack of them, will guide you toward the right presentation. Adjust your bait based on conditions, and you’ll be able to dial in quickly to what the fish want. Water temperature, clarity, and weather changes all play a role in determining how bass respond to different bait profiles. On bright, calm days, downsizing and choosing more natural-looking presentations can trigger bites from pressured or wary fish. In contrast, low-light or windy conditions may call for more aggressive baits that displace water and stand out. Don’t hesitate to rotate through a few soft plastics early in the day to gauge the mood of the fish. Once you get a solid bite, take note as it’s often the key to replicating success throughout the day.Our newest FreshBaitz Mandingo Trick Worm is the ultimate game-changer for anglers with a passion! Engineered for the angler who knows SIZE does matter, this lure is designed to attract only the BIGGEST bass with a penchant for the larger bait. The Mandingo Trick Worm boasts a solid 7-inch body enhanced with a hyperactive ribbed design, ensuring irresistible mouth-watering action for those trophy bass. Officially available in a vibrant array of 8 colors. Each worm is made from durable, high-grade Non-Salted plastic for lifelike action and unparalleled durability. Perfectly balanced for a variety of rigging options and scented for total and maximum attraction, the Mandingo Trick Worm promises year-round effectiveness in lakes, rivers, and streams. Whether you’re rigging it on a Shakey Head, Drop Shot, Texas Rig, or Carolina Rig, these worms are your ticket to landing the big ones. Proudly made in the USA by real anglers to help elevate your fishing experience and catch more bass year-round! |
| Each part of your Texas rig setup, including the reel, rod, line, weight, hook, and bait, should complement the others to maximize performance. A mismatched setup can cost you bites, make hooksets difficult, or reduce your sensitivity. When all components are properly balanced, you can feel light bites better, cast more accurately, and land more fish. Think of the setup as a system and your line should match your rod’s action, your hook should suit the bait, and your reel should help manage slack and power. When your gear works together, you fish efficiently and with confidence. Harmony between components not only improves your effectiveness but also reduces fatigue and frustration over long hours on the water. Pairing a heavy rod with light line can lead to break-offs, while using a light rod with a heavy hook may result in poor penetration. Even small mismatches like the wrong weight for your bait can affect fall rate and bite detection. Paying attention to how each part influences the others helps you fine-tune your approach and adapt faster to changing conditions. A well-matched Texas rig setup lets you focus on the water and interpreting fish behavior.We have a wide variety of terminal tackle to choose from, but we’ve recently released new Nako Tungsten Tear Drop Shot Weights, crafted from 97% eco-friendly tungsten for stealth, durability, and vibration, with easy-to-read size stamps and a crimped swivel for quick changes. The new Haymaker EWG Worm Hooks are also now available, featuring an extra-wide gap for various soft plastics, a Z-lock shoulder bend for secure bait placement, and an angled-up super needle point for fast, powerful hooksets. For creature-styled baits, a more popular choice to use is the Stand-Up Jig because it sits the bait up-right in a defensive stance! Mosquito Hooks work for dropshotting and perfectly accommodates a wide range of soft plastics. The popular All Purpose Hooks are built with an extra-wide gap and are made to accommodate a wide range of soft plastics. The Block Head Jig is perfect for ned rigging the HellaMite with its mushroom-style head that seamlessly matches a wide variety of soft plastics. The Offset Block Head Jig, offers the same mushroom-style head with a unique offset hook, making it a go-to for weedless Ned Rig applications. The Shakey Ultrahead can permanently secure baits by inserting the pin in the center and screwing the twist lock coil spring for perfect rigging every time! The Ultrahead Wacky Jig features precise weight positioning and hook orientation for the ultimate wacky presentations. For fast Texas rigging, we use the Bullet-Type Rig which has an attached weight saving you precious time when fishing cover. The 4x Jungle Flippin Hook is designed for big fish and the toughest conditions. The Range Roller Jig Head is crafted for precision with its high center axis design, perfect for hover-strolling and mid to bottom strolling with forward facing sonar, ensuring an enticing rolling action that triggers bites. We also just released Keep’em Fresh Bait Bags! These bags are the ultimate solution for anglers who need their gear to perform. Built like a tank, this bag is 20x stronger than regular zip bags and offers 100% waterproof protection with a rock-solid double zipper seal. Whether it’s for soft plastics, snacks, or your smartphone, this reusable and versatile bag keeps everything safe from water, mud, and grime. It’s lightweight yet spacious, it fits snugly in your tackle box or backpack, making it perfect for your next adventure. |