Weekend and pro anglers alike rely on ElaZtech plastics due to their extreme durability, natural buoyancy, and fish-catching actions and profiles, but the unique material handles differently than conventional plastisol when rigging. Seth Feider shares his preferred hook styles for Texas rigging and how he inserts hooks into ElaZtech plastics for the best weedless and hooking performance.
FEATURED TACKLE (retail links)
- PLASTIC – Z-Man Bang StickZ, color – Black Blue Laminate: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Omnia Fishing
- PLASTIC – Z-Man Finesse WormZ, color – New Money: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at Omnia Fishing
- PLASTIC – Z-Man Big TRD, color – Drew’s Craw: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Omnia Fishing
- HOOK – VMC RedLine Heavy Duty Flippin, 4/0: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Omnia Fishing
- HOOK – VMC RedLine Hybrid Worm, 3/0: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Omnia Fishing
- WEIGHT – VMC Tungsten Flippin Weight: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at Omnia Fishing
- ROD – Daiwa Tatula Casting Rod, 7’2″ Med H-Fast: Check out at Daiwa
- REEL – Daiwa Zillion SV TW: Check out at Daiwa
- LINE – Sufix Advance Fluorocarbon, 20-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Omnia Fishing
- SCISSOR – Rapala Elite Scissors 7″: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOOK FOR THE JOB
Feider shares his preferred Texas rig hook styles for flipping, pitching, and casting. He opts for traditional round bend worm hooks when casting slender Texas-rigged plastics such as worms. Meanwhile, for close-quarters flipping and pitching thicker baits, a straight shank hook gets the nod.
RIGGING ELAZTECH PLASTICS FOR WEEDLESS PERFORMANCE
The secret to Feider’s success lies in how he rigs ElaZtech plastics to remain weedless without sacrificing hook penetration. Unlike traditional plastics, ElaZtech’s softness allows the hook point to easily penetrate through the bait when setting the hook, even when fully buried within. A buried hook comes through cover better and improves bait durability.
THE BEST HOOK KEEPERS FOR ELAZTECH PLASTICS
A crucial component in Feider’s rigging method is using fluorocarbon or wire keepers to hold the bait in place. These keepers outperform beefier, bigger-diameter keepers to maintain the bait in its optimal position cast after cast.
THE ELAZTECH ADVANTAGE: DURABILITY AND ACTION
The resilience of ElaZtech plastics isn’t just about withstanding fish bites. Its ability to maintain buoyancy and stand upright on the bottom makes it more effective than sinking plastic in many applications. This combination of durability, buoyancy, and the proper rigging technique allows anglers to catch tens of dozens of fish on a single bait while reducing re-rigging time.
