Hey guys, I've been fishing plastics for a long time now mostly senkos, twisty tail worms, tubes and brush hogs (not as much).  Anyway I normally fish these weightless but sometimes I'll add a 1/16-1/4 ounce sinker to help it drop around ledges, drop offs, deep water applications, etc.  My question is where can I find those hooks for Florida Rigs and how do you rig the weight?  I mainly fish texas, do not like carolina rigs at all due to the bulky combo of everything during the cast and am open to trying new techniques like florida rigging and drop shotting (which I am no good at but want to get better at).  If anyone can point me in the right directions with this Florida Rig I'd appreciate it.  It looks like it really helps keep that weight stationary and not sliding freely on the line which is what I'm looking for.

I'm in northern virginia and not a big fan of ordering online so if anyone could point me to brands that I could find in certain stores I'd appreciate it.  I have Dick's Sporting Goods, Boater's World, Walmart, and Sports Authority.  Bass Pro and Gander mountain are in reach but over an hour away so I'd like to stay clear of those if possible.

Also if someone could let me know brands as far as weights for florida rigs and not just hooks that'd be helpful.  Thanks in advance fellas.

I'm guessing you're referring to the now out of production, Gambler screw-in weights which turns the 'normal' Texas rig(free-sliding weight)into a "Florida rig"?  I still have a few including some with an internal rattle.   Since a lot of my Bassin' is done where there is lots of wooden cover, I prefer having my rig set up where the weight and the bait/hook are 'one'--the Florida rig.

I started looking for alternatives to the Gamblers and found both these weights/clips and these 'stops'.  Using the 'stops' I place one on the line, then the weight of choice, and then a second 'stop'.  Now you can slide those three pieces anywhere on your line including smack-dab up against the bait/hook.  I use a 4/0 EWG(Sugoi for me) hook on 95% of my rigs.

Dan

I use the bobber stops, with smaller wieghts just the bobber stop and a glass bead, as the size gets bigger 3/4 and 1 oz I use a stainless bead then the wieght then a glass bead to protect the knot and rattle. Rattles is my area are important when I go to florida rattles are not that important. Just push the bobber stop tight and thats a florida rig if I decide to have a slip wieght just slide the bobber stop up a foot.

Garnet

you should be able to find em at any of those stores you mentioned.

here ya go.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=58029&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

or if only the best will do then,

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=90022&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

To the best of my knowledge the classic Florida rig uses a screw in type sinker.

This is not just to peg the weight to the bait, but the screw in sinker gives the bait a spiral fall.  This action is pretty deadly.

Perhaps George Welcome, our resident Guru of all things related to bass fishing in the sunshine state can cast more light on this.

Good luck and have fun.

avid.

Most fishing techniques, (rigging methods), have been around for many years. The use of them in many cases comes from both fresh and salt water rigging methods, and in most cases their invention is nearly impossible to date.

The Florida rig is a nothing more than a pegged T-rig. However, some years back, Gambler Baits developed their version of what is commonly called the "screw-in weight". This weight had a wire screw attached and the wire was screwed into the head of the bait to hold the weight against the bait. The popularity of this weight grew rapidly as prior to this people were using toothpicks or similar, which upon insertion into the weight could possible damage the line.

Since it's procuction ceased due to a patent dispute Gambler Baits closed their doors. A new company formed, Gambler-Bang, and they have since come out with a new version of the Florida weight. The new weight has a rubber stopper core and the line is threaded throught the weight with the use of a tool similar to a very thin darning needle. The weight can be placed in any location on the line that you care to put in and will stay in place due to its compressible core. However, to be a Florida rig the weight needs to be against the head of the bait, as putting it elsewhere makes it a rig of other name.

Gambler-Bang, "Global Anglers LLC", are located in Pompano Beach, Florida and are still producing the quality that they became famous for.