What kind of line and how many pounds for Texas Rigging?

[Nontypical_guy]

Hello,

I fish in a lake with water clarity level in the middle between clear and unclear.  Some areas of the lake are thick with cabbage weeds, while others have weeds, but isnt soo densely concentrated. 

I currently am using 8 lbs Trilene XL.  WHen I catch bass the bass tends to go right to the bottom and wrap itself up in the weeds.. I try not to let it go under, by reeling fast as soon as i set the hook, but some how it still manage to go down and wrap itself up... Whenever this occurs, 98% of the time, I lose the bass.. I know the problem is with my fishing line, it isnt strong enough to pull  the bass away from the weeds...

My question is, what type of fishing line should I use for texas rigging, and how many pounds test line will be sufficient enough to pull the bass away from the weeds, and also invisible enough so that the bass wouldnt be able to see my fishing line?

I heard thicker fishing line, as in bigger test pounds, means less bites from fish?

[Mike Noble]

Thanks for posting Nontypical_guy and welcome to UltimateBass.com.

I use 20 pound test flourocarbon for texas rigging.  In Louisiana, the water is usually "stained" at best, if compared to some other lakes in other states.  I have never used light line so I don't know if I am missing bites or not by using the heavier line.  But here, there is grass and brush tops and other obstructions that you sometimes have to pull the bass thru.  I would definitely suggest you go with something heavier...at least 14 pound test.

[Skipper (ripnlips)]

I use 20lb big game line..... In stained water and especially with weeds the bigger line doesn`t effect how many bites you get. Like Mike said you should go to heavier line, at least try some 15lb big game. I think you will like it

[Fishaholic]

the line could be a factor, and then it doesn't have to be!

2 other factors you haven't considered are: 1. your reel, what's the gear ratio on your reel, if it's a slow retrieve reel, reeling fast isn't of much help in that situation; and, 2. your rod, are you getting enough leverage from your rod to turn the fish away from the weeds?

...just something to consider.

I have one rod I fish T-rigged worms on that is spooled with 6 lb. test low-vis green Berkley XL and I use it to fish in timber and weeds less thick than my usual slop, BUT, I'm using a 6.5 fast taper Fenwick fiberglass rod with a high-speed retrieve Shimano spinning reel...9/10 times, I'm able to turn a fish away from detrimental structure.

If you're fishing tourneys, you may not want to take chances, then you'll have to go to a little heavier line.

well, that's my opinion anyway.

[Creel Limit Zero]

I would agree with Mike here and upgrade, as long as the water isn't real clear.  But definitely check your gear ratio as Fish mentioned.  It is hard to pull them out of that timber quickly without a high gear ratio. 

Reservoirs here I fish are gin clear, so I don't go higher than 12, usually just use a 10 pound test.  When I go to the Potomac, which is always stained, I go up to 17. 

Hope this helps, good luck pulling them out of the timber.

[blake711]

I fish a Lot of TX rig.  Normally I never fish anything under 14 or 15 pound test depending on the brand of line and avaliability.   I will go as high as 17-20 if I am fishing real hairy stuff.  I used to fish but I changed to heavier line after having issues with the light stuff.  The line technology has come along ways in the last 10 years.. Less memory, very limp, less stretch.. You can basically find a line to fit any need.. I really like Florocarbon.. Very tough, thiner than mono and its not stretchy..

I suggest you try a florocarbon as it will still be thing but less stretch move up to atlest a 14-15 pound line..

And as others said.. You need a highspeed real and some backbone in a pole for TX rigging to get a good hookset and move the fish around if he is in deeper water..

[CouchTater]

  I use 14lb Trilene XT for my T-Rigs...   Has done good by me so far.

Tater

[fishing nut]

YOu may also want a rod with a little more back bone and length in order to move fish. The lakes around me are pretty clear so i use 15 pound big game with a 7'6" flippin stick that is basically a pool cue, once you set the hook you can move that fish in any direction you please. Also i leave the drag cranked all the way down if it wants to run let it run around the boat not back into cover.

[cable guy]

trilene xt 14 lb, and p- line 8 lb for crankbaits, if its real heavy i use 15lb trilene big game.and if the water is gin clear go to 6lb p-line it wont brake to easy.

[derekj]

if you have enough back bone in your rod when you set the hook set it hard and get the fish coming your way and you shouldn't have a problem unless they are just monster fish.

[fishforfree]

T-rigs is almost the only thing we use here in FL.

I think the line is a major factor and I use Berkley Big Game ONLY!!!

I have t-rigged here in FL with as low as 10 lb. test and frequently use 12 and 15.

Ifff I were you I'd start out with 12 lb. and see what happens..............

[Warpath]

It really depends on the water, and as you describe it....you can't go wrong with fl;urocarbon line.  I just bought some Vanish Transition line to use at Lake Erie for drifting tubes.  Can't wait to give it a shot.

Flurocarbon has little to no stretch, is invisible in the water, and has great abrasion resistance.  I like to throw a finesse worm on spinning tackle (sometimes on a jighead, but usually just texas-rigged) and I really feel that flurocarbon will be the way to go.

Eric

[Pferox]

Like FishForFree said, in Florida, the majority of the time its a T-rig. On my bait casters I use 20 lb Big Game.
I have tried 12lb, but have quite a few break offs and hangups, especially in woody water. The 20 lb gives you the little extra pressure to entice em away from alot of bottom snags.
I also use a medium heavy or even a heavy rod, to have the extra backbone.

[Sc Bassin]

I fish a Texas rig most of the time. I use a medium heavy high modulus custom rod. A Pflueger President (6.3:1 ratio) spooled with 12# Yo-Zuri Hybrid which has the breaking strength of 19.5#. It is a great rig, super sensitive, you can feel his gills flair!!

[Pferox]

I'm usually usin a spinnin reel, so I tend to use braids on em, I still stay in the 20 or 30 lb weight range, cause  I can't see good enough to tie lighter weights.