Quirkyfisher

This is the only way I fish them (Wacky style) I rarely ever let them hit the bottom. Very good success. After all, it's the action of the senko doing the work, and 90% of my bites are on the fall. The senko wont be doing any action laying on the bed of the water. Texas rigged is a little different of course, still works though. For wacky style, definitely pull up, let it float down, pull up, float down. (IMO)

Thanks guys!

Some may remember my first post, I caught a personal best and thought it was larger than it was. Thanks to forum members, I seen my scale was off. It was around the 6-6.5 mark (possibly) but who knows? You can view that thread here: http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/120228-woo-new-pb-around-65lbs-21-great-site/#entry1314366 Anyway! Onto the future. Caught this guy, and made sure the scale was zero'd out! But forgot to measure for a while so made sure I did that, haha. I am very satisfied, I think from here on out I can confidently say my PB is 5.5# 20in! (I'm sure a digital scale would say around 5lb 6oz, need to get one.) Redemption! Feels so good! Strike king shim-e-stick, wacky rigged, 3/0 gamakatsu wacky hook, #30 braid, 2pc shimano clarus worm&jig rod, quantium escalade hd reel. sorry for skipping video, phone was on power savings, forgot to take that off)

Maybe my luck with them is a tad better, I've had good success with the strike king shim-e-sticks as well as the yum dingers. When I fish wacky or trig, I only use shim-e-sticks and dingers pretty much. GY Senkos are better, but it's hard to keep using them, burn through $$$$ pretty quick if you fish senko style worms a lot (which I do.)

Another vote for Lews. I have a Lews Tournament in 6.4:1 ratio with 12lb seagur invisx fluorocarbon and love it. Great for spinnerbaits, topwater and crankbaits, the 6.4:1 is 3 inches per turn less than the 7.1:1 so you can still burn a lure but it's a little easier to slow fish a lure.

I fish wacky worms a lot. I've fished them on $50 to $150 baitcasters, 2pc ugly stick baitcaster rod to $100 one piece St. Croix mojo rods. I've used 12lb mono, 12lb flouro (multiple brands), 30lb braid, 50lb braid, (power pro reg and super slick). In fact I just made a post about a good evening with them in fishing reports! http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/120570-fun-evening-with-wacky-worms/ . In my opinion you can do it no problem with your $200 budget or even a goal of $150, but imo $200 is a better place. This is a combo I used just recently and it's right in your $200 budget. Lew's Tournament MG ($105~ online, $130 retail) Mojo bass rod ($100~) or Shimano Clarus worm & jig rod ($80~) Then pick your favorite line, I like fluoro for wacky worms. However, I fish in areas with tons of weeds and tons of lily pads, so I use braid for now, 30# on one rig and 50# on another. I also like the braid for the no stretch and sensitivity and find it better around lily pads. 30# is probably lowest you want to go because the diameter is small it can dig in. The 30# I have is regular power pro and the 50# is super slick, very noticeable difference in smoothness, noise and casting performance. For reference, my fiance is using the Shimano Clarus 2pc worm & jig rod with a Quantum escalade HD baitcaster, 30# power pro braid, she fishes wacky worms I'd say 90% of the time, so even with the cheaper and older reel, it's np. I use my mojo bass 'plastic' with my tournament MG and 50# power pro super slick braid and I can toss them pretty far. I can try to take a video to show you casting distance between the rods & reels I have when I get time. But do not worry you can easily fish wacky worms with baitcasters. I typcially use the the $3 strike king packs (shim-e-stick) and the $3 yum packs you can find at walmart. (dingers)

I use this for my inflatable boat, very small, compact, and works well, doesn't take up much space. Can use it with or without the prongs out, and once it hits the bottom I let a few more feet of line out then just tie it off. It also has a clip. http://www.amazon.com/A-2-Complete-Folding-Anchor-System/dp/B0000ATY5P/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1372006173&sr=8-3&keywords=kayak+anchor

Was a fun evening out with the fiance on our little boat. Had some good success with wacky worms, caught around 8 bass, all arout the 1-3 lb mark. We took video of a couple small catches. I even had one on while she recorded after she made a cast and sure even a bass hit while I had mine on! Spinner baits, crankbaits weren't getting results so we tossed the wacky worms near the weeds. We love using them, I think she uses them 90% of the time haha. Also she finally is learning a baitcaster, progress! Things got dark quick, big storm came over us and we got out just in time. A couple days ago I had some good success on a yellow spinnerbait with willow blades, 1 silver 1 gold. Caught this baby muskie on it on my way in, heck of a fight for the little guy, he was going crazy with the jumps.

I just had a thread where it turned out my PB was around 1.5lb less than I originally thought because my scale was not zero'd out, so my bass was around the 6.5lb mark, who knows maybe 6-6.5 Anyway, you're fish resembles mine, short and really fat. So I would say this is also 6-6.5.

Thank you roadwarrior, I did not take the posts negatively but more so as constructive criticism. Had about 2hrs today to fish, so took a video of this bass and the issue I had with the scale. Thanks guys! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IoUL1S2G1T0

VERY good point. I just went to my tackle box and checked it, it indeed was set to about 1.5lbs and stuck. So this fish was around 6.5#. The zero-out knob on the back must of moved somehow. I always thought the scale was right on based on the digital scales I compared it to, but at some point down the line the zero out turning knob must of been moved. Thank you everybody for the knowledge and inspections. It's still my personal best easy! Time to buy a digital scale! I'll change original post to say its around 6.5. I feel like a ******! So excited then let down by the scale, ahah! Hopefully i'll get a bigger one sometime soon!

EDIT: Thanks guys, you are indeed right the scale was off and updated original post. Much appreciated!!!!

EDIT EDIT EDIT 6/18, 8am: I originally thought this was 8lbs, but due to a faulty scale, it is only around 6.5lb. Thank you everybody for your inspections and comments.! Hello everybody! Been reading stuff on this site and forum for a while now, and now I have something to share! New PB!! Caught this 6.5lb 21" bass on Lake Wingra in Madison, WI on 6/17/2013. Was fishing on the end by the dam in the water on a boat, water was only a couple feet deep. Fought hard with the lilly pads. After catching it, I was so excited I trolled the boat to shore and a kind lady snapped a picture for me. Bass was let go to fight another day. I am not sure I will ever catch a larger one in WI, the state record is 11lbs 3oz and that was 73yrs ago... Equipment I used: 7' St.Croix mojo bass plastic rod Quantum Escalade HD reel 30# power pro braid line Lure: Strike king shim-e-stick worm on 3/0 gamakatsu wacky hook, fished wacky style.