Introduction: A Lesser-Known Bass Fishing Presentation Worth Adding

As we prepare to kick off our 2026 fishing season, thoughts naturally turn to tackle, baits, and locations we'll likely target for our first bass fishing adventure.I'm certain most dedicated bass anglers are familiar with topwaters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, plastic worms, and creature baits. There are countless ways and locations to present these lures.

However, there's also a plastic presentation that receives little fanfare and yet deserves a permanent place in your bass fishing arsenal—the Free Rig.

What Is the Free Rig?

The Free Rig is similar to a Texas rig, but instead of a bullet- or cone-shaped weight, this presentation employs a cylinder-style weight with a circle line tie.

What makes this technique unique is that the weight is not tied directly to the main line. Instead, the main line is fed through the circle line tie and then tied to the hook. This allows the weight to slide freely up and down the line, independent of the plastic bait.

This method creates a natural, unrestricted fall that bass rarely see.

The presentation originated in Japan due to intense fishing pressure on their waters and later made its way into the U.S. bass fishing scene through tournament anglers. That said, you don’t have to be a tournament angler to benefit from this technique.

How to Tie a Free Rig?

Free Rig Baits and Hooks

I've fished the Free Rig across numerous lakes in New York, from the Adirondacks and the Great Lakes to the Finger Lakes. Time and again, this presentation has produced bites when other techniques failed.

One of the biggest advantages of the Free Rig is its versatility. You can fish multiple bait styles with minimal effort and consistently strong results.Most often, I keep five different baits rigged for clients that produce day in and day out:

• Yamamoto Senko (4- or 5-inch)

• Yamamoto Sensei Worm (6-inch)

• Yamamoto Twin Tail Hula Grub (5-inch)

• Big Bite Baits YoMama (4-inch)

• Big Bite Baits Slim Minnow (4-inch)

I keep color selection simple, focusing on shades of green pumpkin, purple, or black and blue for worms and grubs. For slim minnows, I primarily use perch or shad patterns.

For hooks, a 2/0 Extra Wide Gap (EWG) works perfectly for worm and creature baits. When fishing the Slim Minnow, I switch to a 3/0 straight shank hook.

Free Rig Weights: Style and Material

Several styles of cylinder weights designed for drop-shot fishing work well for the Free Rig.After some trial and error, I've settled on tungsten weights from DECOY or Bass Tek, as they slide smoothly and provide consistent separation from the bait.

With a sharp, deliberate hop of the rod tip, these weights jump cleanly off the bottom and fall ahead of the bait. This creates the illusion that the bait is chasing the weight as it drops—often triggering following fish into striking.

Weight, Bait, and Vegetation Considerations

The Free Rig performs well at virtually any depth, but I most often fish it in 10 to 30 feet of water.

Weight selection varies by depth:

• 1/4 oz for 10–15 feet

• 3/8 oz for 15–20 feet

• 1/2 to 1 oz for 20–30 feet or deeper

This presentation works exceptionally well in weedy areas, as well as over hard bottoms of rock or sand with sparse vegetation.

When fishing in heavier weeds, I prefer slender-profile baits such as worms or slim minnows. I avoid creature baits in these situations, as their appendages can hang up in vegetation and negatively affect the bait's fall.

Conversely, when fishing along the outside edges of weed beds, in sparse weeds, or over hard bottom, I favor twin tail hula grubs or creature baits. Their appendages displace more water on the fall, drawing fish from greater distances.

How to Fish the Free Rig

The Free Rig is designed to be cast out and allowed to fall naturally to the bottom.

Once it reaches bottom, reel in the slack and use a sharp, deliberate snap of the rod tip to pop the weight off the bottom. Immediately throw slack back into the line, allowing the weight to lead the bait back down on a drag-free fall.The goal is to achieve consistent separation between the weight and the bait each time the rig falls.

A great way to learn how much separation you're creating is to practice in shallow, clear water. Watching the weight and bait fall independently often reveals how little rod movement is required.

Some days, a short rod snap of 12 to 18 inches is enough to trigger strikes. Other days, it may require a lift of 20 inches or more.In my experience, most strikes occur as the bait reaches the bottom, although some fish will strike immediately when the weight and bait first separate.

Mastering this technique—proper rod snap combined with controlled slack line—is the key to unlocking the Free Rig's full potential and catching fish others leave behind.

Rod, Reel, and Line Setups for Free Rig 

For Free Rig fishing, selecting the right rod, reel, and line combination is essential for maximizing sensitivity, control, and proper weight/bait separation during the fall.

Rod Selection

Fast-action rods in the medium to medium-heavy power range, measuring between 6'10" and 7'6", provide the ideal balance of sensitivity and backbone. This rod action helps you detect subtle bites while still delivering strong hooksets.

Spinning Reels Selection

For spinning setups, choose a spinning reel in the 6.2:1 gear ratio. This allows you to quickly pick up slack line after each rod snap, which is essential for keeping proper separation between the weight and bait during the fall. Spinning reels are ideal for anglers who prefer lighter presentations and longer casts with the Free Rig.

Baitcasting Reels Selection

For baitcaster setups, select a high-speed baitcasting reel in the 8.1:1 gear ratio. Baitcasting reels provide enhanced accuracy and leverage for heavier baits or denser cover.To help anglers quickly match performance and versatility for this technique, here are two excellent options:

• Royale Legend Pro Spinning Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
  — 6'10" Fast Medium Light Rod with Spinning Reel size 3000

• Royale Legend Pro Baitcaster Rod and Reel Combo
  — 7'6" Fast Medium Heavy Rod with Baitcaster 8.1:1 gear ratio

Line Selection

A 10- to 15-pound main line performs well for the Free Rig. Braided line delivers excellent sensitivity and responsiveness, especially when matched with a 24- to 36-inch fluorocarbon leader, which adds abrasion resistance and promotes a more natural presentation.

These balanced setups provide the control, sensitivity, and efficiency needed to fish the Free Rig effectively across a range of depths and cover types without sacrificing performance.

Beyond Bass: An Unexpected Bonus Species

As mentioned earlier, the Free Rig was designed to target bass—both largemouth and smallmouth. However, there have been days when this presentation helped me put multiple walleyes in the net that I likely would not have caught otherwise.

That versatility alone makes the Free Rig a presentation worth mastering.

About the Author

Captain Burnie Haney is owner/operator of New York Fishing Adventures, Army veteran and retired Sergeant Major with a 38-year military career. A tournament bass angler since 1992, he has won five Angler of the Year titles, set the NYTBF five-fish weight record, and qualified for two National Championships. Burnie holds two International Game Fish Association (IGFA) New York State line class records (walleye and smallmouth bass) and the IGFA All Tackle Length World Record for Chain Pickerel. He is a lifetime member of B.A.S.S. and member of the New York State Outdoor Writers' Association. Haney was inducted into the New York State Outdoorsmen Hall of Fame in 2017. Today, Burnie focuses on multi-species seasonal fishing adventures.