When should I use a plastic bead on a texas rig. I usually dont put a bead to protect the knot and today that resulted in my weight and hook popping off. I fish from the bank in open water and I am not sure if a bead will ruin the action in any way or if it may frighten the fish or make it seem unnatural in any way. I would really appreciate any advice, thanks.

I have never used a bead .

I usually don’t use anything but a rubber bobber stop on a T-rig, but if you feel you need to use something - a hard plastic bead can be just as hard on a knot, especially if it chips. Try these instead: https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Jethro_Baits_Bump-Itz_Shock_Beads_12_pk/descpage-JBBIZ.html

 

The bead should be glass so the weight will make a noise when it hits the bead.  You could add a plastic bead below the glass bead to protect the knot.  The main purpose here is to sell beads. ?

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

I have never used a bead .

This ^^^^^

I like a 6mm glass bead under a 3/16 brass sinker above Zoom speed worm.t-rigged.when they get on that thing I won’t put it down all day.4/0 straight shank hook

No bead

I rig plastics high enough to cover the hooks eye. 
 

If the intent is for sound I’d much rather insert a rattle 

 

 

 

Mike

3 minutes ago, Mike L said:

No bead

I rig plastics high enough to cover the hooks eye. 
 

If the intent is for sound I’d much rather insert a rattle 

 

 

 

Mike

Ditto

and I use 2 beads.  Usually a glass one by the hook and a plastic gold or chrome one next the weight.  Does it work?  I don't know...lol.  I saw a friend doing this years ago and liked it so I started doing it.  I've caught my fair share on that set up.  *shrugs*

I use a glass bead every time. I also pull the hook & knot into the head of the worm. In shallow water I like the sound of the worm weight tapping the bead.  On a sunny day it will reflect a bit of the sunlight.

I have never used a bead or a peg on a Texas Rig.  

  I have my doubts that a bead would have helped, @radiant.  Possibly, if you are using old (budget?) tungsten without inserts....but weight busting or cutting a knot isn't too common,  I don't think 

Never have on a T-rig.

Always did on a C-rig but haven't thrown that in many years.

Years ago, using the theory that if it works on a C-rig it'll work on a T-rig, I experimented with it on and off for about two years. Now I'm no Larry Nixon, probably not as good as most on this board but, without checking my notes I don't know that I caught anything to speak of using a bead on a T-rig.

I use a bead almost evert time I t-rig a plastic.  I do it a little bit to protect the knot, a little bit to maybe give some added noise when it hits the weight, but mostly I do it to protect the plastic/hook joint when fishing through cover. I was shown this method a few years ago by @CaptMikeStarrett to get more life out of toads, but I have found it to be universally useful for cover fishing with most any plastic.  

A while back I tried the ol brass n glass combo for t-rigs. Just based on availability, I stopped using them and switched to no bead. Did not notice a bit of difference. I don’t think a bead is necessary and not sure it helps any

Never and won’t. Completely unnecessary. 

3 hours ago, Choporoz said:

I have never used a bead or a peg on a Texas Rig.  

  I have my doubts that a bead would have helped, @radiant.  Possibly, if you are using old (budget?) tungsten without inserts....but weight busting or cutting a knot isn't too common,  I don't think 

I usually go with the unpegged texas rig and when I "jig" it, it usually makes like a tap sound which basically is the tungsten hitting the hook and knot. I think that might be the reason but Im not sure.

I do it all ways.  In stained water, especially if I'm fishing deeper, I'll put a glass bead on it and either a tungsten or brass weight.  Lead is too soft and doesn't make as much noise.  Sometimes, if I'm using a large enough weight (like 1 oz.), I'll put a plastic bead after the glass, so it helps to protect the glass from chipping.  The plastic can absorb some of the impact.  I'll also use a bobber stopper in front of the rig sometimes.  And sometimes I'll set the bobber stopper an inch or two forward, to give the weight some room to move and make noise.  And sometimes I'll peg it on the weight, so I can get through dense cover easier and forgo the noise.  Sometimes I'll adjust it in between casts.  Sometimes I'll forgo the bobber stopper altogether, to slow the fall of the bait.  Sometimes I'll forgo the bead(s), because I don't want the noise or the added bulk.  

 

So yeah, I do it all sorts of ways.  One thing I don't do, however, is use a bead to protect the knot.  I haven't found them any good for that.  

7 hours ago, flatcreek said:

I like a 6mm glass bead under a 3/16 brass sinker above Zoom speed worm.t-rigged.when they get on that thing I won’t put it down all day.4/0 straight shank hook

I will try this next time I am out.  I have some glass beads for C-Rigging but I don't fish the set up anymore since I got into football jigs and swing heads.  Since you mostly drag/swim this setup after the initial fall, it is just a little added bling.  

No bead on t rigs for me.  I use beads for carolina rigs though.   I use t rigs for 15 feet deep and shallower,  carolina rigs deeper.   No real "reason" just the way I've always done it.  

5 hours ago, Happybeerbuzz said:

I will try this next time I am out.  I have some glass beads for C-Rigging but I don't fish the set up anymore since I got into football jigs and swing heads.  Since you mostly drag/swim this setup after the initial fall, it is just a little added bling.  

I don’t always use a bead on a t-rig, sometimes they just like the click.i paint some sinkers black for clear water and use the unpainted brass in dirty water.just experiment with it in different situations.Sometimes they will eat a Carolina rig and won’t touch the t-rig and vice- versa.the brass and glass has been good to me in club tournaments when I’ve struggled to get bites so I always tie one on before I launch.

Brass and glass only.