IN AN ESSAY last year, Dave Precht, editor-in-chief of Bassmaster Magazine, pondered whether we should say “Goodbye to the Texas rig?” A fair question, to be sure, for America’s lake anglers. But, arguably, on this country’s upland rivers, many guides feel the T-rig has never stopped being important. Take, for example, Britt Stoudenmire of the New River Outdoor Co.
“For soft jerkbaits, I find the Texas rig to be highly effective on smallmouth rivers as the rig allows current to carry a bait more naturally through the water column with fewer snags,” says the Virginia guide. “And for tubes and stickbaits, this rig gives a more natural drop, lift and roll action along the bottom.”
Tommy Cundiff of River Monster Guides Service touts the rig as well.
“The best smallmouth…
