Bass fishing constantly shifts, leaving fishermen with questions such as what is a free rig for bass fishing. The free rig is a fishing technique that has grown in recent years. The free rig is a powerful and simple setup that’s ideal for all bass anglers.
Learn more about the free rig, including what it does, setup instructions, and effective baits that are used.
What The Free Rig Does For Bass Fishing
The purpose of the free rig is to allow your soft plastic baits to move freely and naturally in the water. Unlike a weighted Texas rig, the free rig allows the bait and sinker to sink independently. Bass find this to be appealing as it produces a more realistic presentation.
The free rig works especially well in pressured areas when fish have grown suspicious of certain presentations. Even reluctant bass bites are enticed by its modest, refined approach. Because of its uniqueness, the free rig can be used for fishing in numerous habitats. What the free rig does for bass fishing is allow anglers to fish shallow, weedy shorelines and deep lakes.
How Did The Free Rig Get Its Name
So, how did the free rig get its name? Originating in Japan, where skillful fishing methods are coveted, came the free rig. The setup’s distinctive characteristic, its freedom to travel down the line, is where the term “free rig” arose. In a free rig, the weight can move independently up and down the line, unlike in a fixed rig where it’s fixed to the hook or lure. Next time an angler asks what is a free rig for bass fishing, this is how it can be answered.
How to Rig a Free Rig
Setting up a free rig for bass fishing is simple and requires just a few items from the tackle box. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to rig a free rig:
- Fishing line used: A free rig for bass fishing can be used with your lines of choice. Fluorocarbon fishing line is recommended for low visibility in the water.
- Weight or sinker to use: Bell sinkers, teardrop weights, and bullet sinkers are mostly used. Ensure your weight slides freely up and down your fishing lines to perform the free rig.
- Tie on a hook: Next, tie on your hook below the weight. For bass fishing, an EWG (Extra Wide Gap) hook is often the best choice because it allows for a variety of soft plastic baits to be rigged weedless.
- Add a soft plastic bait: The final step is to attach your soft plastic bait. Plastic worms, creature baits, and stick baits are all excellent choices for a free rig. Be sure to rig the bait weedless by Texas-rigging it to prevent snags in cover.
How to Fish a Free Rig For Bass
How to fish a free rig is easy for anglers of all skill levels. It works in a variety of situations, from deep to shallow waters. We cover a few tips on how to fish the free rig effectively.
- Allow the bait to sink: Once you cast the free rig, allow it to sink to the bottom. The soft plastic bait will fall more slowly than the weight because it glides freely.
- Keep an eye on the line: Pay attention to your line as the bait falls. Bass are known to strike the lure on the fall. Set the hook when the line moves, pulses, or bumps.
- Slowly retrieve the bait: The free rig excels with a slow, dragging retrieve. Drag the bait along the bottom, letting it bounce over rocks and through vegetation. The free rig is great for mimicking prey.
- Search out structure: The free rig moves through structure with little snags. Search for logs, rocks, grass, and other structures where bass tend to hide.
Why Red Angle Fishing Products Are Perfect For The Free Rig
Red Angle Fishing Products provides anglers with quality fishing baits and lures. When fishing the free rig, anglers depend on durable baits that withstand the toughest conditions. Red Angle specializes in providing professional-grade fishing products that are perfect for setting up and fishing the free rig.
Red Angle Fishing baits and lures have tremendous success when fishing the free rig. Here is why anglers should use Red Angle Fishing Products.
- Durable stick baits: Red Angle Fishing offers a range of stick baits for the free rig including, the Wiggle Stick and Thick Stick. These stick baits are designed to gain the attention of bass from their lifelike presentation.
- Creature baits: Great for fishing structure and vegetation, Red Angle offers a variety of creature baits. From the Zeke Craw, Rocket Bug, and Ninja Kicker, these baits perform well when paired with the free rig.
- Versatile soft plastics: Red Angle’s line of soft plastic baits includes worms, the 740 StriKer, and additional products to improve the free rig.
- Perfect for finesse fishing: The free rig is a finesse fishing technique. Red Angle Fishing Products are built with finesse in mind. Their fishing products are designed to create a presentation that bass can’t resist.
What is a Free Rig For Bass Fishing Conclusion
Bass fishing has changed dramatically with the invention of the free rig. It is one of the best rigs for catching bass. Paired with soft plastic baits, the free rig presents a natural and subtle action for demanding conditions. The free rig is an essential technique for any angler, regardless of experience level.
And don’t settle for anything less than the best when free rig fishing. Master the free rig and catch more fish with baits by Red Angle Fishing Products.