I have gotten to the point now where when I'm going back to try out some of my old fishing rigs, I sometimes forget the hook size or bait size for such-and-such rig or setup. I recently started a Google Doc on what exactly I was using when finding success with my rigs, like a Texas rig with the exact weight and size Rage Bait I was using. I highly suggest to anyone who has a rig they like to do the same. Or what do you do to remember your setups for rigs?

For rigs that have variables like a texas rig, I have my standard 'anchor' options which are my starting points.  Then I let the fish tell me what is working that day.  Doesn't matter if that's what worked 2 days ago.  Or if something worked two days ago it is probably still on my rod so I just start there and adjust. 

I used to keep a little notebook of those details.  Now with the advent of having a camera in my pocket at all times, if I’m doing anything outside of my normal habits (and if it actually works), I snap a picture of it for later reference. Then when I get home, I can dedicate a space in the “on deck” rigging box to that setup. 
 

I’ve gotten now where I don’t change my habits much, so it has become considerably easier to track. 

 

6 minutes ago, ElGuapo928 said:

I used to keep a little notebook of those details.  Now with the advent of having a camera in my pocket at all times, if I’m doing anything outside of my normal habits (and if it actually works), I snap a picture of it for later reference. Then when I get home, I can dedicate a space in the “on deck” rigging box to that setup. 
 

I’ve gotten now where I don’t change my habits much, so it has become considerably easier to track. 

 

This is exactly what I'm talking about. I feel like you get to a point where you throw so much stuff you start forgetting what you used XD

I tend to leave my “big 3” plastics rods alone - I haven’t changed the rigging on them in the last couple of years:

 

Free rig rod: 3/16 oz sinker, 4/0 hook

Texas Rig: 1/8 oz sinker, 3/0 hook

Dropshot: 3/16 oz sinker, #1 hook

 

 

37 minutes ago, ElGuapo928 said:

I tend to leave my “big 3” plastics rods alone - I haven’t changed the rigging on them in the last couple of years:

 

Free rig rod: 3/16 oz sinker, 4/0 hook

Texas Rig: 1/8 oz sinker, 3/0 hook

Dropshot: 3/16 oz sinker, #1 hook

 

 

I’d probably look at at least re-tying? 😂😂

3 minutes ago, Smirak said:

I’d probably look at at least re-tying? 😂😂

Good point there! Between the Roosevelt Jungle and this heat, I have probably given everyone in the line division at Yo-Zuri a nice bonus. 

My rigs are tools, and I use them as such.

So just like I know what a hammer is for, how to use a wrench and when to reach for a screw driver,

I think of my set ups the same way.

So far my CRS has not effected my fishing.

A-Jay

Digital recorder. I used to use a notebook, but paper and pen do not hold up well in wet weather. If I am just going out for an hour or so, I can remember what I techniques, lures and rods I used. Anything longer than that, and I use the recorder or I will forget details. Sometimes I don't care, but usually I want to remember what worked and what didn't so I can improve my results the next time.

I can't remember birthdays, my anniversary, or what I had for breakfast, but I can remember every fishing lure I have ever owned, what I caught on it, where I had success with it, what retrieve speed, and anything else remotely related to my fishing.  I don't need a log book, and I definitely don't need Google.  When It comes to fishing I have more storage space in my head than any computer at NASA.  Now if only I could remember what my wife wanted me to pick up on my way home from work.  Maybe it was  that new topwater bait the Monkey wants me to try.  I will stop at the tackle shop, maybe while I am there I will remember what she wanted.

4 minutes ago, king fisher said:

I can't remember birthdays, my anniversary, or what I had for breakfast, but I can remember every fishing lure I have ever owned, what I caught on it, where I had success with it, what retrieve speed, and anything else remotely related to my fishing.  I don't need a log book, and I definitely don't need Google.  When It comes to fishing I have more storage space in my head than any computer at NASA.  Now if only I could remember what my wife wanted me to pick up on my way home from work.  Maybe it was a that new topwater bait the Monkey wants me to try.  I will stop at the tackle shop, maybe while I am there I will remember what she wanted.

Same here, brother!

 

I've got an easy system. Its sort of like my wife's laundry.  I divide my lures in to three piles after using them and tying something new on.

 

1. Nice. I tried it once and now its dead to me.

 

2. Its fun and works but I might not buy it again. 

 

3. I works great. I will keep using and restocking it. 

I can usually remember the details. I keep things simple though. If I get bit, it gets filed away in the memory banks. While I remember the details, I realize that hook size and brand is rarely a factor. Rather, presentation, depth, and to a lesser extent color are what I want to rememer.

 

I tend to have specific ways I rig each thing, with can be a hindrance. For example, I rig a baby brush hog with a 2/0 offset worm hook and a 1/8 oz bullet weight. I will go up or down with the weight depending, but that's my basic rig.

 

I rig a split shot with a size 3 split shot and a 2/0 hook normally.

 

Lizards I rig weightless, or on a split shot or carolina rig. I almost never use them on a texas rig with a weight.

 

I rig a fluke weightless with a 3/0 offset worm hook and use a Kreh loop knot.

 

So I have my standards, but I do vary them. Sometimes I change them, like adding the loop knot the fluke. I never throw a fluke with a regular knot now.

 

This is where the hindrance comes in... I tend to think of a rig as only a certain way, and not as dynamic. This helps me to figure out if it will work in a given situation, but it also might cause me to not use it with a change when it would be absolutely fire.

I keep 16 rods and reels on the boat and they stay rigged up year around with the same bait.

When I move to different bodies of water I simply look at water clarity and water temps and go from there.

Also don't experiment with weights if something is working.

Example: 

I've only thrown 1/8 Drop-shot and 1/16 Ned, never tried anything else.

Simple mind at work here 😉 

Im like king fisher and just remember.

People are wired differently.  Baseball games run together but fishing and tackle stick in my head like Gorilla glue.

I just go fish. I don’t change things much I have what works and has for years. I start there and the fish kinda dictate what they want. I don’t stress it. Paralysis by analysis will ruin a trip. Just fish 

I have a terrible way of keeping track and my wife absolutely hates it.

 

I don't do this on everything but if it's something new to me, I'll save the package. That way if it worked really good I can go back to it and remember. It allows me to not only remember the lure, but the exact color.

 

On the flipside, if there's something I don't like, I can also go back.

 

For example, this year I bought some spinnerbaits from Strike King that I can't stand. I went back to the package and now I know what to never buy again.

On 8/11/2025 at 11:55 AM, casts_by_fly said:

For rigs that have variables like a texas rig, I have my standard 'anchor' options which are my starting points.  Then I let the fish tell me what is working that day.  Doesn't matter if that's what worked 2 days ago.  Or if something worked two days ago it is probably still on my rod so I just start there and adjust. 

+1

 

I pretty much know what hook I want for any specific plastic.   But weights change day-to-day, even over the course of a day.  In just the last two days, on one Rage Bug rod, I have used 1/8, 1/4, 3/16 and for a little while this morning, a 1/16 (as topwater).  

   Rate of fall is big reason.  But cover and wind play a part.  Right now, some grass can be worked with 3/16, but other areas I have to use 1/8.  Sometimes banging 3/8 through wood is the ticket.  Next day, may need to finesse through slowly with 1/8.

  I keep a pack of various weights in my pocket all the time.  I know myself well enough to know that if I need to rummage in a compartment, I am far less likely to make necessary adjustments.

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

+1

 

I pretty much know what hook I want for any specific plastic.   But weights change day-to-day, even over the course of a day.  In just the last two days, on one Rage Bug rod, I have used 1/8, 1/4, 3/16 and for a little while this morning, a 1/16 (as topwater).  

   Rate of fall is big reason.  But cover and wind play a part.  Right now, some grass can be worked with 3/16, but other areas I have to use 1/8.  Sometimes banging 3/8 through wood is the ticket.  Next day, may need to finesse through slowly with 1/8.

  I keep a pack of various weights in my pocket all the time.  I know myself well enough to know that if I need to rummage in a compartment, I am far less likely to make necessary adjustments.

retying to throw on a new weight is always my inertial barrier. Two solutions for me. The neko rig for one. Swap weight and bait with a quick change. Two- more rods in the deck all Texas rigged. I had four the other day with 1/8 to 1/2 ounce plus a neko. 

On 8/12/2025 at 12:35 AM, Columbia Craw said:

People are wired differently.  Baseball games run together but fishing and tackle stick in my head like Gorilla glue.

I wish I had the same abilities!

@king fisher I'm running out of Haha emojis for your sense of humor. Must be the Mexican beer. 

I keep this all upstairs since I am lazy. If I don't remember the EXACT hook I at least remember its general features. 

 

For a few specific baits I have kept part of the packaging in my tackle box so when I run out I know what to replace it with.