The texposed rig is probably the single most used rigging technique I utilize when fishing streams and rivers for smallmouth. I use this approach about 90% of the time. I like texposed because it is fairly weedless and snag proof. Also, because the hook point is slightly exposed, it allows for descent hook sets without worrying about going through the plastic to get to the real target, which is the fishes mouth.
Figure 1
Push the point of the hook into the tip of the worm head deep enough to bury the barb of the hook completely in plastic. Then punch the hook back out the side of the worm.
Figure 2
Slide the hook through the worm up to the bent shank and turn the point of the hook back toward the “belly” of the worm. In the photo I have drawn a line from the end of the bend in the hook up through the worm. This is the path the hook should fallow as it is pushed up through the worm body. When rigging “in the field”, you can use your thumb to mark the spot.
Figure 3
Push the hook straight up through the worm at the point you have marked until the hook is completely exposed.
Figure 4
Now that the hook has been pushed completely through the worm it should be rigged perfectly straight as seen in figure 4. If the worm is “kinked” or “bent”, more than likely one of two things went wrong; The point at which you pushed the hook through was not in line with the outside bend of the hook or the hook was punched up through the worm at an improper angle. In these cases, you can just back the hook out and try again.
There you have it! Four simple steps to rigging texposed. If you’ve never fished a bait rigged this way I’d encourage you to give it a try. I think you will be happy with the results.
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