Free Rig is a brand-new rig that is going to catch on very quickly. It consists of drop-shot weight, bobber stop or bead, and a hook with your choice of soft plastic. The free rig is ideal for vertical structure or pressured fish.

Since the weight is positioned below the line, the weight falls vertically to the bottom, leaving your bait suspended in the water column. Your bait will have more action with this rig than a standard Texas Rig.

I believe this presentation will take the place of a Texas Rig on the hard structure and bluff walls. The Texas Rig will still excel in grass and punching through the cover.

The Free Rig was established in South Korea a couple of years ago. 

So I will admit I hardly use Texas rigs anymore unless I have to punch mats. .  Likewise, any creature baits like crawfish-type bait, I will do the same, but smaller profiles in the 3-3.5″ range. 

SETUP

When using a free rig  1/8-3/16oz and on occasion will go 1/4oz weights are what I use.   Setup is a 6’6 ” medium power fast action rod on a 2000 series Quantum Reel running 10-pound Yo Zuri braid to an 8# Yo Zuri Fluorocarbon leader. 

I have always fished with lighter weights to promote slower action or fall all when fishing the free rig even during summer months.  I am usually running this in 8-10′ of water. My favorite spot to fish this is along ledges, old roadbeds, and rip rap structures. 

I took notice lately that I have yet to test in running a 3/8oz which would initially pull the bait down quickly, but ultimately the sinker would reach the bottom quicker leaving the bait to free fall or descend slowly for a longer period of time. This could trigger bites in the middle water column as well.

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