With all of the razzle-dazzle lures we have today it’s no wonder our boat storage compartments and tackle rooms are over run with hundreds of different lures. We sometimes over-complicate and overthink our fishing. Don’t think the bass have not seen about as many new-fangled gadgets as you have too. Sometimes…when the fishing gets tough…go old school.

The simplistic time tested Texas rig can still snag a few big lips when the chips are down. When the fish are deep, all that’s needed is a bullet weight, a worm style hook and a soft plastic bait. Shallower fish can be caught on a weightless Texas rig. Texas rigs are weedless when the point of the hook is skinned beneath the plastic. Texas rigs make color and style changes extremely quick. Texas rigs are inexpensive if snagged and lost. Texas rig hook choices depend on the lure size and shape but here are the basics. 3/0 to 4/0 straight shank for plastic lizards, Senkos and 6-inch plastic worms; 4/0 straight shank for 7- to 8-inch plastic worms; 5/0 straight shank for 10-inch or longer plastic worms; 4/0 extra wide gap (EWG) for beaver baits and craws; and 5/0 EWG for creature baits and flipping tubes. You are never too young to go old school.