Last two years my biggest catch of the season has come on a wacky rigged Zman Hula stick free-rigged. The hula stick floats upwards. Unlike a normal wacky rig that floats down. Cast it out, give it slack, let it float upwards. If you put on a 1/4 oz weight, you can keep it in the middle of the column and fish it fairly quickly, because it'll always hover off the bottom as its almost buoyant enough to lift the weight off the bottom.
Thanks for the tips guys! I’m currently packing up the truck to go up to northern Michigan on a smallmouth fishing trip. Hopefully all the tactical bassin I’ve watched over the past 7 years has prepped me enough for this trip. Lol
Thanks Tim! That was me asked what’s the difference between a free rig and Texas rig. In my limited experience it just didn’t seem to matter much. Now it makes sense!..
I've been fishing this type of rig for a few decades on the San Juaquin delta for both Stripers & Large Mouth bass. We did use a different type of weight back then (a pencil lead, surgical tubing & a brass swivel) with a 6" Cream worm. Worked really well. I can't see why it wouldn't work just as well on a lake with mid to heavy grass cover since that was where we used it then. I now reside on Bull Shoals lake with very clear water so I spend a lot of time looking for either grass or mud lines. As always, an excellent video. Thanks!
Man Tim thanks for the Labor Day upload brother stayed on schedule you guys are the best , was brutal morning on the water but better than work wish I’d I’ve seen this first an have yet to try this rig yet ( I know it’s gonna come into play bridge pilings an thick grass up north , I’m seeing a robo worm working well for some reason in my head though I haven’t tried it )
As an avid bfs fisherman I have some tips for you and your viewers. First always put bobberstop between weight and hook. Second always use DAN decoy weight as it is bar none the best. I liked the bait choices also try rage bug and beaver baits. Tight lines to all.
This is the video I have been waiting for. Thank you Tim. I just moved to Florida so I'm thinking for the most part, I want the heavier setups. Heavier weights to get through the Florida grass. Heavier hooks, thicker line, bigger baits. And maybe when you come to west central Florida, you can show me how to do it! 😁
I admit I have been slow to jump on this one.Glad you did the video Tim I’m going to put this on my after work gear and start playing with it.Thanks for the video it gives me the confidence to try it.
First used this rig in the ca delta last year when the conditions were tough with the high water and it produced. It fished well in and around the grass.
Tim, I’ve seen you catch more fish on the A-rig than any other rig! 🤣👍🏼 Great info on the free rig…I’ve been throwing Texas rig, pegged bullet sinker exclusively for a couple of months in shallow grass..doing well with that setup…I will give the free rig a try.
Lets go! I keep trying the freerig and shortly after starting to fish it I switch out. Show me the deal Tim! 😂 I feels like I end up with a rig that doesnt slide much. Ive rigged the same as you, but it feels like the weight is always pinned to the bait.
just thinking for you maybe you are doing to much of a drag coupled with not dropping your rod tip down. I find i have to give it a really good hop and just drop that rod tip to let the weight drop on the line. also maybe make sure you connection knot to the hook is inside the head of your soft plastic bait have had mine come out of the plastic and weight hang on the knot if it does at times.
We Free Rig in reverse . Place a bobber stopper up the line , than the hook , than the weight. This gives the bait tons of “free” movement and it prevents the weight from pinning the bait to the bottom after the rig hits the bottom turning it into a Texas rig
You mean weight first then bobber stop than hook? Thats how I’ve always done. It’s good for shallow rivers too. Keeps the weight separated from the start.
Thanks for using the correct physics terminology. It annoys the crap out of me when I hear someone say "aerodynamic" when talking about tackle in the water. Every angler should know the difference between "aerodynamics" and "hydrodynamics". I'd actually say everyone that made it past 5th grade should know the difference.😂
Do y'all ever use floating baits on a free rig? I was messing with a zman jerk shad in the ca delta yesterday and man, you can really make it so some interesting things
@ tacticalbassin-Hey guys, I was wondering about the Tokyo rig? I haven’t seen much or maybe any of you guys using that style of presentation. Is it a presentation that you don’t like or have I just missed when you brought out the video?
How do you leave out the Do-Live Gill? It's probably the most effective free-rig bait. Good call on the Bull Flat, though. Arguably the best overall free rig bait and lots of sizes/colors available.
Hey Tim, have you tried a OSP dolive gill with a free rig? There's a lot of real similar baits out there but I seen to get more bits with the OSP one. I went through a whole package of them Saturday free rigging with the same type weight you have tied on there. Thanks for the video
Good content Tim. I live here in the Dallas area and we have a lot of rocks and standing timber. Will this rig do well in my area? At this moment (as of last Saturday) the water temp and will it work now as well?
Any advice on detecting the bite? I’ve found bite to be super subtle. I’ve been using robo worm aiming mostly smallies and here they are not very big lots 6-13”. The video and tips from subscribers are excellent!
I'm all in with this technique and i love the Adrenaline Craw, but i can't find the bait you called the Baby Destroyer. Can you point me toward that bait on TW please? Thanks Tim
What keeps the weight from compromising the bait action? It seems as though when you cast it out, the weight would be at the bait as it went to the bottom. Am I missing something????
@bass60guy i have this happen with larger weights. I can throw a 1/4oz or 3/8oz, and the weight hangs out at the hook. It's obnoxious and not one person can answer my question. I drop to a 3/16oz weight with the same bait, and it works how it should
Been using it several years, still trying to find my sweet spot with gear, line and baits , first was gut hooking a lot of fish , upgraded my rods for better sensitivity, on the lakes I fish here in middle Tennessee, I found that going down to lighter line , 10 and 12# flouro has increased my bites , my favourite free rig bait is a Bio Spawn Vile Tube , also like to throw a Yamamoto Double Tail Hula Grub , an Xzone adrenaline crawl and a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog , I have tried a myriad of JDM baits but not a lot of success
Most of the stuff you talk about you need to have a boat. I don't like to be on water my son has a boat but I don't like to be on it. The sore fishing is all about the drag not like a boat up and down with the lures 🤔 been trying to do the same thing but doesn't seem to work the same. Just the drop after casting then drag back I noticed it in clear water what it's doing. Shor guy are limited to so much and is a bit different. Just saying. Like your video to learn how to bass fish. Lures up to you sir 👊🏼 respect. Need to try out green pumpkin -blue flake nice I've been having luck with green pumpkin purple mini flaked. From N.M.
It's just a Texas Rig with a different style of weight. Funny how many 'new' techniques are just older techniques with different weights or hooks. Open your wallets, we need more money.
Yes, it is, but it's different. Just like a Football jig and Swim jig are jigs. Can you swim a football jig? You sure can, but it sure sucks swimming it through grass and wood. What's the difference? Mostly the shape of the heads. Just like the shape Free/Texas rig's weights.
Lol, I get it. But this one does give a totally different action. It’s also more snag resistant in rivers. They’re close but not the same. However that Rapala is a complete knock off and it sucks compared to the original. At least they could make it better…ie more durable with the same action. But no.
Last two years my biggest catch of the season has come on a wacky rigged Zman Hula stick free-rigged. The hula stick floats upwards. Unlike a normal wacky rig that floats down. Cast it out, give it slack, let it float upwards. If you put on a 1/4 oz weight, you can keep it in the middle of the column and fish it fairly quickly, because it'll always hover off the bottom as its almost buoyant enough to lift the weight off the bottom.
Thanks for the tips guys! I’m currently packing up the truck to go up to northern Michigan on a smallmouth fishing trip. Hopefully all the tactical bassin I’ve watched over the past 7 years has prepped me enough for this trip. Lol
It's been fishing good this year, good luck!
Have a great trip!
Dam I absolutely miss northern Michigan, that's God's country. I hope the trip went good.
Never thought about fishing a soft plastic like this. Fantastic idea, and I'm going to give it a try!
Ditto, 😊good job explaining this new method of fishing
Thanks Tim! That was me asked what’s the difference between a free rig and Texas rig. In my limited experience it just didn’t seem to matter much. Now it makes sense!..
Thanks Ray!
I've been fishing this type of rig for a few decades on the San Juaquin delta for both Stripers & Large Mouth bass. We did use a different type of weight back then (a pencil lead, surgical tubing & a brass swivel) with a 6" Cream worm. Worked really well. I can't see why it wouldn't work just as well on a lake with mid to heavy grass cover since that was where we used it then. I now reside on Bull Shoals lake with very clear water so I spend a lot of time looking for either grass or mud lines.
As always, an excellent video. Thanks!
Thank you Bruce!
Dolive stick 4.5” on a free rig got me my pb this year and has been my most consistent producer in highly pressured waters.
Shhh!!
Man Tim thanks for the Labor Day upload brother stayed on schedule you guys are the best , was brutal morning on the water but better than work wish I’d I’ve seen this first an have yet to try this rig yet ( I know it’s gonna come into play bridge pilings an thick grass up north , I’m seeing a robo worm working well for some reason in my head though I haven’t tried it )
As an avid bfs fisherman I have some tips for you and your viewers. First always put bobberstop between weight and hook. Second always use DAN decoy weight as it is bar none the best. I liked the bait choices also try rage bug and beaver baits. Tight lines to all.
Don't forget about the carolina keeper for separation might hold a little better than the bobber stop with that style sinker
I love throwing a free rigged Berkley Max Scent Creature Hog. They bite it and don't let go!
Love the free rig on the geecrack 3.8 bellows gill or vellows shad. Was a new technique for me this year and it worked great.
Thanks Tim for the tips, going to give that a shot next time out on the lake 👍🏻🎣
This is the video I have been waiting for. Thank you Tim. I just moved to Florida so I'm thinking for the most part, I want the heavier setups. Heavier weights to get through the Florida grass. Heavier hooks, thicker line, bigger baits. And maybe when you come to west central Florida, you can show me how to do it! 😁
Im very excited to try out the free rig here in Western North Carolina. Thank you, Tim.
Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you Tim,that rig looks awesome ❤
Thanks Ken!
I admit I have been slow to jump on this one.Glad you did the video Tim I’m going to put this on my after work gear and start playing with it.Thanks for the video it gives me the confidence to try it.
Absolutely! Good luck out there.
Hey Tim, the last time you talked about the free rig, I caught my PB 8.13. I was using the 6th Sense crawl. Thanks for another good video.
Thats awesome!! Great work!
First used this rig in the ca delta last year when the conditions were tough with the high water and it produced. It fished well in and around the grass.
Berkeley power worm has been killing it on the free rig for me
I never catch anything on worm this way, but my lake loves the pit boss black/blue flake
@@JTxTX I use a super light weight 2/0 worm hook. The super pressured pond I fish it kills. I’m definitely going to try a pit boss as well now
@@andys1170 ya, they actually float a lot longer than you would think.
Power worm dah!!! Why didn’t I think of that sooner😣
I flat out catch them on a free rigged Berkley Max Scent Creature Hog! Love Power worms as well.
Tim, I’ve seen you catch more fish on the A-rig than any other rig! 🤣👍🏼 Great info on the free rig…I’ve been throwing Texas rig, pegged bullet sinker exclusively for a couple of months in shallow grass..doing well with that setup…I will give the free rig a try.
I love the A-Rig! Thanks bud
About to try this today with ultra light gear (10lb braid w4 lb leader) on an utra parabolic rod and spinning reel. Stoked.
Hey Tim,if you haven't tried the hyper freak by lake fork you need to. Works great on the free rig
As always very informative. Thank you for sharing. Although I live in Fairbanks. The tips are very helpful..
So informative. I never knew the part about dropping the rod tip.
Thanks Dennis!
We need some pool demonstrations of some luers it be 🔥
Please do a Video on Scroungers.
GREAT INFORMATION, THANKS.
Thanks!
No problem!
Thanks Tim. I have seen your other video on the free rig and tried it once but did not test it out long enough. I will try and experiment again!
Stick with it. It works!
Keitech Crazy Flapper is my go to
I. Seen some of your guys like. Rapala. Crush City’s. Good baits and the plastic absorbing scent nicely too.
I might giving the juice but a free rig wacky Senko is deadly around grass too.
Glad you said this bc I was debating on giving it up lol
It works great!
Yeah, I’d say the Bronco Bug is in the “same bait category” as the Do Live Beaver.
Throw a granda bass air tail on it you will love it
Lets go! I keep trying the freerig and shortly after starting to fish it I switch out. Show me the deal Tim! 😂 I feels like I end up with a rig that doesnt slide much. Ive rigged the same as you, but it feels like the weight is always pinned to the bait.
just thinking for you maybe you are doing to much of a drag coupled with not dropping your rod tip down. I find i have to give it a really good hop and just drop that rod tip to let the weight drop on the line. also maybe make sure you connection knot to the hook is inside the head of your soft plastic bait have had mine come out of the plastic and weight hang on the knot if it does at times.
Remember to drop your rod tip to get the separation.
The AI is out for the holiday early this morning 😂😂
Last month I was free rigging a big worm in 10 to 12 ft of water in grass pockets and slaying them
Im name Jose Gika from Food4Less located in southern cali, i love this setup &i use it all the time..
Xzone lures work great Jose
We Free Rig in reverse . Place a bobber stopper up the line , than the hook , than the weight. This gives the bait tons of “free” movement and it prevents the weight from pinning the bait to the bottom after the rig hits the bottom turning it into a Texas rig
You mean weight first then bobber stop than hook? Thats how I’ve always done. It’s good for shallow rivers too. Keeps the weight separated from the start.
@@rhodesianhunter9360not quite . From the Top rigged onto the line in this order : Bobber Stopper, Hook, Weight.
One thing I've had a lot of success with the Free Rig is putting a fluke on it and jerking my rod aggressively over suspended fish.
Thanks for using the correct physics terminology. It annoys the crap out of me when I hear someone say "aerodynamic" when talking about tackle in the water. Every angler should know the difference between "aerodynamics" and "hydrodynamics". I'd actually say everyone that made it past 5th grade should know the difference.😂
Whoever named that bait, "Baby Destroyer," must have had a bad parenting experience. lol
The Baby Destroyer is the baby version of the Destroyer
Its the smaller version of the "Destroyer"
Do y'all ever use floating baits on a free rig? I was messing with a zman jerk shad in the ca delta yesterday and man, you can really make it so some interesting things
I know the the free rig works well in shallow cover but have you ever used it in deep water conditions such as 20 to 30 feet?
@ tacticalbassin-Hey guys, I was wondering about the Tokyo rig? I haven’t seen much or maybe any of you guys using that style of presentation. Is it a presentation that you don’t like or have I just missed when you brought out the video?
Will the TW sale work on Shimano like in the past?
Yes
Do you ever have problems with the line getting tore up by the sinker?
How do you leave out the Do-Live Gill? It's probably the most effective free-rig bait. Good call on the Bull Flat, though. Arguably the best overall free rig bait and lots of sizes/colors available.
Awesome tips. Can that be fished in standing timber and brush tiles as well? Our lakes in Missouri don't have grass, just rock and timber.
Yes, absolutely!
Is there a difference in the bite between free rig and Texas rig???
Tim a big bite baits craw tub is Awsome for the free rig
Hey Tim, have you tried a OSP dolive gill with a free rig? There's a lot of real similar baits out there but I seen to get more bits with the OSP one. I went through a whole package of them Saturday free rigging with the same type weight you have tied on there. Thanks for the video
Thanks! No I have not. ill give it a try.
Good content Tim. I live here in the Dallas area and we have a lot of rocks and standing timber. Will this rig do well in my area? At this moment (as of last Saturday) the water temp and will it work now as well?
Yes, absolutely. Free rig your favorite soft plastic around the timber
Forgot the water temp here as of last Sunday was 87.
And will it work around docks?
Seems like this would fish best in deep clear water
I even do a free rig Catalina rig
Any advice on detecting the bite? I’ve found bite to be super subtle. I’ve been using robo worm aiming mostly smallies and here they are not very big lots 6-13”. The video and tips from subscribers are excellent!
Man you nailed it. Most bites just feel a little heavier. There usually isnt a "Tick" or a "Thump"
Quality rod
I'm all in with this technique and i love the Adrenaline Craw, but i can't find the bait you called the Baby Destroyer. Can you point me toward that bait on TW please? Thanks Tim
Missle Baits
@@daltonlocklear705 Thanks, not sure how I missed that the first time I looked. LOL
That bronco bug gets pounded. They've not seen it alot yet.
I can see this for weedless, but hover rig seems better for gliding fall to me
What keeps the weight from compromising the bait action? It seems as though when you cast it out, the weight would be at the bait as it went to the bottom. Am I missing something????
Do you guys actually answer questions???
@bass60guy i have this happen with larger weights. I can throw a 1/4oz or 3/8oz, and the weight hangs out at the hook. It's obnoxious and not one person can answer my question. I drop to a 3/16oz weight with the same bait, and it works how it should
Not sure if I missed it. What #line do you use with a 3/8 weight?
10 or 12
It seems to me that on the initial fall is the only time you get the free rig action. The rest of the cast you have a Texas rig even if you hop it.
What is the equivalent of a 10lb largemouth bass in smallmouth bass fishing?
I think 5 or 6lber
Can the free-rig be skipped?
This is basically a Carolina rig without the swivel?
Yes but with a different weight and fished differently. Dont drag it like the C Rig.
I like to free rig the deps bull gill 3.8
I’ve seen the Texas rig and this rig underwater. No different in fall.
On spinning or casting
Most do on casting but you could most definitely use a heavy spinning set up with a 2500-3000 size reel.
Been using it several years, still trying to find my sweet spot with gear, line and baits , first was gut hooking a lot of fish , upgraded my rods for better sensitivity, on the lakes I fish here in middle Tennessee, I found that going down to lighter line , 10 and 12# flouro has increased my bites , my favourite free rig bait is a Bio Spawn Vile Tube , also like to throw a Yamamoto Double Tail Hula Grub , an Xzone adrenaline crawl and a Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog , I have tried a myriad of JDM baits but not a lot of success
Did a lake ever skunk you so bad, there was no video that day?
Free Rig is originally from Korea.
Ynot drop shot
I’m honestly beginning to think it doesn’t matter what you throw
Most of the stuff you talk about you need to have a boat. I don't like to be on water my son has a boat but I don't like to be on it. The sore fishing is all about the drag not like a boat up and down with the lures 🤔 been trying to do the same thing but doesn't seem to work the same. Just the drop after casting then drag back I noticed it in clear water what it's doing. Shor guy are limited to so much and is a bit different. Just saying. Like your video to learn how to bass fish. Lures up to you sir 👊🏼 respect. Need to try out green pumpkin -blue flake nice I've been having luck with green pumpkin purple mini flaked. From N.M.
free rig is a gimmick
It's just a Texas Rig with a different style of weight. Funny how many 'new' techniques are just older techniques with different weights or hooks. Open your wallets, we need more money.
Yes, it is, but it's different. Just like a Football jig and Swim jig are jigs. Can you swim a football jig? You sure can, but it sure sucks swimming it through grass and wood. What's the difference? Mostly the shape of the heads. Just like the shape Free/Texas rig's weights.
Lol, I get it. But this one does give a totally different action. It’s also more snag resistant in rivers. They’re close but not the same. However that Rapala is a complete knock off and it sucks compared to the original. At least they could make it better…ie more durable with the same action. But no.
Maxscent creature hog is money on a free rig!!!