Have been trying to think of way to Texas rig a little trout worm on a cricket hook, to make it weedless. Main problem is keeping the worm from sliding down the hook.

Finally, while thinking about the straight shank worm hooks used for bass fishing, with keepers held on the hooks with shrink wrap, I had a brain fart. I cut a about a 6" piece of 6# test line (let's call this the stopper line) and laid it on top of the cricket hook. Then I took another piece of 6# test and tied a uni knot over the hook and stopper line.

Positioned the uni knot up near the hook eye, and the stopper line on top of the hook. Cut the tag ends off, leaving only about an 1/8" or less of the stopper line sticking out of the uni knot on the end pointing toward the hook eye. Might want to put a drop of super glue on the knot.

Now you can Texas rig a trout worm on the hook. When you run your hook through the top of the worm and slide it up to the hook eye, you will need to use a finger nail to pull the keeper out away from the hook and then slide the worm down against it. Works like a charm. The picture is not clear, but maybe you can see it.

Hard to see the picture but your instructions seem reasonable. Great idea!

Thanks for the reply Banker. I started using trout worms from time to time after you mentioned them in one of your post. Caught some bluegills, but had no way to fish them weedless, which was a problem because I fish in grass. Plan to try them out Texas rigged next week and can't wait to see how they work.

I have a lot of places with heavy weed beds and hydrilla beds. I usually fish close by the sides of the beds and I also use very small shots that help me reel the worm through the beds without getting hung up. If the beds are thick I will usually use a float.

Better picture

Ima try this with a drop shot

Yes Sir! Awesome rig.

Banker, I understand what you are saying. Some of my best places in summer are up near the reeds in five or so feet of water. Hydrills is so thick it is hard to come through it with an open hook. Fish are on the bottom, haven't been able to get bites on a float rig, which is strange to me, but that has been the case.

Wildmam, I drop shot more than I use a regular bottom rig, but I'm casting the drop shot out from the boat and still hang up in grass when I try to retrieve it. I yank and pull it through, but lose a lot of baits. Am hoping a Texas rigged bait on a drop shot, or a regular bottom rig, will come through the thick stuff, but I haven't tried it out yet. I tinker a lot. Helps me enjoy my sport between fishing trips.

Watch the video below at around the 1:30 mark. I use that trick to peg a worm to the hook eyelet. Works great.

https://youtu.be/QWGjL4w-Qx8

Yes, I've pegged worms when bass fishing, but the hook eye on a cricket hook is so small that I didn't feel like I could do it. Never tried though. It might be possible.

Good stuff. Great sunfish rig.

That will work!

good post