No. One of the biggest differences between Texas Rig and the Free Rig is that a Texas Rig will tend to pendulum a bit on the fall, where the Free Rig will drop nearly straight vertical because the weight separates from the bait so quickly. That greater/faster separation of bait and weight means you get the same separation and vertical fall with every single lift-drop of the combo, too. When I first started using this rig, I noticed the separation difference is very pronounced, the free weight pulls ahead of the plastic very quickly.

Close but no- the bullet weight, even when not pegged, just doesn't slide up and down the line freely enough. You need something that slides so freely that when you cast out, the weight slides back towards you and down to bottom- letting the bait fall completely unencumbered- like a drop shot. You don't have to use the weights made specifically for free rigging, they do work the best but- any weight with an open loop at the top that will slide super easy will work. The little bell shaped sinkers with the loop up top, we used to use them for making catfishing rigs up- they work- just not as well as the weights made specifically for it. That cylinder shape makes them fall super easy and fast, the open loop lets them slide back towards you so they don't drag the bait down- they're ideal .

@@stoneysdead689 cool...thanks...when you say you used those tear drop weights(which is what I have fir drop shotting), for catfish rigs, u mean in place of the egg sinker? Like on a carolina rig sort of, but for catfish?

​When I was a kid we used them to weigh down trot lines- every third drop or so we would put a weight on instead of a hook. It just made sure the line swayed down into the water and the current didn't just push it back up to the surface. We also used them for a rig we used that utilized a three way swivel- the mainline ties to one, then to one you tie a line with the hook, and to the other a line with a sinker on it. It's used for live bait so it can swim around and have some room to move but still be weighted down to one area. Plus, if the weight gets snagged in the rocks and you break it off you don't lose your hook and bait- fresh bait isn't easy to come by.

One of the biggest differences between Texas Rig and the Free Rig is that a Texas Rig will tend to pendulum a bit on the fall, where the Free Rig will drop nearly straight vertical because the weight separates from the bait so quickly. That greater/faster separation of bait and weight means you get the same separation and vertical fall with every single lift-drop of the combo, too. When I first started using this rig, I noticed the separation difference is very pronounced, the free weight pulls ahead of the plastic very quickly.

That is awesome! Congratulations!

That’s a good tip as well, Twigg Sherman. Thanks for sharing.

Wow, thanks!

Yes, absolutely @karlr3875! Thanks for watching!

Good idea

That's what I was thinking too instead of buying more specialized weights

plus a swivel

Too much hardware will tangle for sure! Open the eye of a drop shot weight will function similarly.

The line can get caught in the split rings.

Good stuff

Yes, absolutely @michaelloucks4448! Thanks for watching!

Hi MICHAEL LOUCKS. Thanks for the feedback and support. We look forward to hearing more from you.

¡Guau, muchas gracias Monterrey! Me alegra poder ayudar. ¡Gracias por mirar!

@lynnskelton7971, glad I can help. Thanks for subscribing as well.

Have fun!

@bassresource Thanks just did a pole with that sat up can't wait to try it out

Glad it was helpful!

That’s a good tip as well, Moohan Kim. Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!

@@bassresource Thank you for the precious tips as always. :)

Glad you enjoyed it

Pictures or it didn't happen. :)

I hope so too! Thanks for watching!

Great point! Thanks for watching!

Brakkeleer Thuis, glad I can help. Thanks for subscribing as well.

Go for it!

I been fishing this way for awhile and it is very effective. Accurate casting is a breeze.

@@MrRourk Hi Fredrick.... do you use the open eye drop shot weights Glenn shows or something else? I just received a small quantity of those to use but curious on your take.

@@MAGNUSDRONES the drop shot are the best. Old fashion Cat Fish Sinkers with the metal loop work. Just check for line abrasion.

@@MAGNUSDRONES OK went to the tackle box to check the package. It says Bell Sinker with Swivel. I also have ones that just say Bell Sinker...they have a metal loop. Very deadly with a floating plastic. Crank it up and crank it backwards a few times. Let it move in that water. Main thing is this is a braid line technique. Best to use a coated braid with lubrication. I tried this with mono once. Once.

Glad it was helpful!

Happy to help

That’s a good tip as well, @user-es5wi9fg5i. Thanks for sharing.

In my experience, lighter. Remember in the video where I had a bad hookset? That was in just 8' of water. I was using a 3/8th weight. Quite a bit of line out there for that shallow.

"...and using a leader definitely not a good idea 👍" Really? Why not? I use one all the time for this technique- not a single problem so far. In fact- I've yet to find a technique for which I couldn't use a leader- I've even done it fishing a frog- worked without any problems. I've fished frogs on mono to- no problem at all- in fact Bama Bass uses nothing but mono and he's one of the most successful frog fishermen I've ever known of. Ppl get these ideas in their head about what's "right' and what's "wrong" - there's no such thing in fishing- there's only what's right for you. Ppl say "well as long as you're catching bass.."" no- not even that is necessary- imo as long as you're enjoying yourself then, you're doing it right. That's the real objective of fishing- to enjoy yourself and have a good time.

You got that right! Thanks for watching, Ken Mccarthy Fishing!

Stoney's Dead: might want to watch the video for context regarding the comment. Thanks!

Glad to help, xɹnƆ x. Let me know how it works out as I would love to see the results.

@@bassresource I caught 3 fish on it worked really well I'm gonna mess around with it this week alot

No. One of the biggest differences between Texas Rig and the Free Rig is that a Texas Rig will tend to pendulum a bit on the fall, where the Free Rig will drop nearly straight vertical because the weight separates from the bait so quickly. That greater/faster separation of bait and weight means you get the same separation and vertical fall with every single lift-drop of the combo, too. When I first started using this rig, I noticed the separation difference is very pronounced, the free weight pulls ahead of the plastic very quickly.

You can use those tear drop catfish weights with the metal loop.

Roger Ford, glad I can help. Thanks for subscribing as well.

Glad it was helpful!

That's akin to using a bullet weight for dropshotting. It'll do the job, but it's not as effective. That said, both dropshot and freerigs do get snagged in rocks to the point I just avoid using them in rocks. It doesn't seem to matter what type of weight you use, they still get hung up in rocks.

Thanks for the visit

Yes, I've used it for walleye fishing. Although it has some similar characteristics of the free rig, it's definitely not the same thing.

That is explained and demonstrated in the video.

That's awesome

BingeCenter, glad I could help. Let me know which tips helped the most. Looking forward to hearing much more from you.

🤣😂

One of the biggest differences between Texas Rig and the Free Rig is that a Texas Rig will tend to pendulum a bit on the fall, where the Free Rig will drop nearly straight vertical because the weight separates from the bait so quickly. That greater/faster separation of bait and weight means you get the same separation and vertical fall with every single lift-drop of the combo, too. When I first started using this rig, I noticed the separation difference is very pronounced, the free weight pulls ahead of the plastic very quickly.

Thank you for your quick and helpful response. This is a wonderful site that has taught many people . You have brought down years of trial and error.

Well thank you Alex. That's very kind of you, and means a lot to me.

Yes, absolutely Roger LaPointe! Thanks for watching!

Watch the video.

Actually the casting weight (dippsy weight) is mentioned in the video in comparison to the free weight.

Fish it with a lift and drop retrieve. Each time the weight separates from the bait, allowing it to "free" fall.

I wouldn't characterize it as "slack line". You're still connected to the bait and can feel bites because the line is still tight. The bites feel similar to a jig or worm bite. I think it sounds like "slack" line because of the hookset required - there is "extra" line that you'll need to compensate for in your hookset, but it's not "slack".

@@bassresource Thanks. I thought the line would be tight between your hand and the sinker, but would be loose between the sinker and the bait as it falls freely. Appreciate your insights. So I wonder how would you feel the bite when the bait is falling freely.

Ah, ok, got it. What interesting with this rig is that once a bass sucks in the bait, they hold on. So you feel the bite through the typical "tug, tug" as they swim off with the bait, or the "heavy" feeling you get when you start to reel up the slack.

So, you could be getting bites and not even know it as they don't swim away and simply spit out the bait, which is much more likely with bigger, more mature and experienced bass.

That’s a good tip as well, stan wilson. Thanks for sharing.

정말 좋은 팁이네요!

As mentioned in the video, you lift and drop.

Nope. The action remains the same with every lift and drop. This is not a T-rig.

Reel up the slack, pop the rod up and drop it so the weight falls again, then wait for the bait to sink to the bottom before repeating.

@@bassresource Thanks! Going to work on that this weekend

Disregard. KZfaq didn't show me the thread with the same question until after I posted this.

The eye is polished tungsten. Kinda like chrome. So it doesn't damage the line.

Just like you would when a Texas rig is free-falling...you watch the line.

you saw the slack line moving? are you supposed to close the bail once the lure hits the water? im just trying to visualize this @@bassresource

When you cast it out and the lute hits the water it falls vertically versus falling back towards you.

1/4 oz

Yes, and that is mentioned in the video. Please watch!

Depende de la situación. La plataforma Florida funciona mejor en una cubierta espesa. La plataforma libre funciona mejor en muelles, desniveles y bordes de malezas.

The range of available weights is listed here: bit.ly/3qdC6CP

Please see the pinned comment. Thanks!

Take a look at the pinned comment. Thanks!

This should help show the differences: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/m8pyZpml1trGdps.html

By that definition, so too is the Texas rig, splitshot rig, Tokyo rig, and Jika rig. And yet, each has their own unique characteristics. So too does the Free rig.

Nope. Please read the pinned comment for details.

Nope, not at all. Please read the comments.

Yes, absolutely Rafael Martinez! Thanks for watching!

Try using the Free rig before comparing it to other rigs. You'll soon learn the nuances that differentiate it from the rigs you mentioned. And yes, it started in Korea.

Nope. Please read the comments.

Texas Rig is a form in which the sinker is attached to the line and flows, and the free rig is a form in which the sinker is placed on the line and flows. Oh, of course, the types of sinkers are also mechanically different.

Thanks for watching @JRIvy!

It's the 2nd. I hop it to get the separation so the bait can free fall after the weight hits the bottom.

@@bassresource thanks for getting back to me and for the info,, great tip I’ll be sure to try it out,, I think it will work well with a tube

@@northeastpac-man7652 Honestly you can do either. I hop it and swim it like a normal Texas Rig. The beauty of it is that the fish does not feel the weight so it will hang on to the lure longer.

No dropshot, splitshot, Carolina rig, Jika Rig, etc? Kinda limiting, but nothing wrong with that. Fish your strengths and have a good time!

1/4oz

@@bassresource Yup.....I'm figuring out that in shallower water (especially in FL) 3/8, which seems to be the recommended weight, is too heavy. thanks for the reply.

Names and links are in the description below the video.