Wacky Rig - How To Keep The Worm From Slipping Off The Hook

[Felix77]

This may be the most fundamental question I have posted on this forum but it has happened to me enough that I changed my technique to avoid it.  I started off fishing wacky worms the traditional way.  Hooking it through the center.  From time to time I would go to cast the worm just to hear a plunk behind me because the worm had slid off.

 

I tried O-rings but hated the time I wasted putting new rings on each time a worm broke.

 

So I switched techniques.  I still put the worm in the middle however I rig it from the side so I get the hook in twice.  This puts the hook parallel to the bait.  I was able to make this work but I feel like I lose some of the action that the original has.

 

Thoughts?

[ww2farmer]

Honestly, I rig them the "normal" way. I am out there to catch fish, not save money on baits. Anytime I have ever rigged something wacky using an o-ring, or heat shrink, etc.....I have not had 100% confidence in it. So I don' tuse them. Yeah I might spend $50 more a year on senkos, but my time on the water is valuable to me, and if I am not feeling confident in what I am doing I am wasting that time.

 

 

[Teal]

Have u tried a dab of glue

[J Francho]

Bil is a friend of mine, and invented the original Wacky Tool.  It works!

 

http://www.wackytool.com/

[Felix77]

Here's something I found online which helps my cause.  Never heard of electric tape as an option.

 

"One of the downfalls of rigging worms wacky style is they tear easily or will fling off the hook if you make an overexuberant cast.

 

Brian Hensley says you can reduce the problem by slipping a plastic O-ring over the lure body, using it to help secure the worm to the hook. The black O-rings are available in plumbing departments of hardware stores and come in a variety of sizes.

 

Another option is to use a large split ring, such as those used to secure treble hooks to crankbaits. In either case, choose a ring size that fits snugly around the worm.

 

Or, if your lure is dark-colored, wrap electric tape around the worm's midsection in the area where you insert the hook."

 

The full article is below

http://www.bassmaster.com/tips/wacky-worms-natural-lakes

 

Any other ideas?

[Felix77]

Bil is a friend of mine, and invented the original Wacky Tool.  It works!

 

http://www.wackytool.com/

 

I have one and didn't use it enough to feel confident.  Never got a bite with it for some reason.  I have to give it an honest try again next spring!

[J Francho]

It's just a rubber band.  Zero reason for a fish not to bite.

[*Hootie]

Bil is a friend of mine, and invented the original Wacky Tool. It works!

http://www.wackytool.com/

I use the waPp Pocky tool. It works great. Does anyone know if you could probably get the O rings in bulk, someplace like Home Depot, a lot cheaper?

Hootie

oops!!, didn't see the post above.

[Comfortably Numb]

I get them here. I use the #8 3/16 ID but I think the 1/4" ID is what most others use. They say $.06 each but put 100 in the cart and they go down to $.03 each. With $5.00 shipping it is still a good deal.

 

http://www.theoringstore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=367_23_22

 

Here is how I put them on.

 

[Dwight Hottle]

Look up member Wayne P. His avatar might answer your question.

[Mike L]

Bil is a friend of mine, and invented the original Wacky Tool.  It works!

 

http://www.wackytool.com/

 

I use this also, It work's great

Before i found this I used the lower section of a ball point pen...Just making sure it's a narrow one.

 

Mike

[Fishes in trees]

I went to 0rings.com and long story short, several phone calls later I found a commercial o ring distributor who was willing to sell me a minimum order.  Ten bucks got me 1000 of them.  I now have a lifetime supply of o-rings.  For Senkos, the correct size is 3/8 OD ( outside diameter) and 1/4 ID (inside diameter).  That size fits snug but not so tight that it is a pain to put them on the bait.

[Hanover_Yakker]

FWIW - other versions of stick baits like Yums, Strike Kings or BPS don't even require the tool. I was always worried about losing the tool when out on the water in my kayak, so I would just roll the o-ring on by hand and place them in the bag before heading out. Never tore one yet.

[Diggy]

I went to 0rings.com and long story short, several phone calls later I found a commercial o ring distributor who was willing to sell me a minimum order.  Ten bucks got me 1000 of them.  I now have a lifetime supply of o-rings.  For Senkos, the correct size is 3/8 OD ( outside diameter) and 1/4 ID (inside diameter).  That size fits snug but not so tight that it is a pain to put them on the bait.

good to know the specs!

[wnybassman]

Does anyone know if you could probably get the O rings in bulk, someplace like Home Depot, a lot cheaper?

 

 

 

http://www.oringsandmore.com/servlet/the-463/Bulk--Rubber-Orings/Detail

 

$1.80 a 100    I bought 600 last year, and even with the shipping it was less than $15 total.

[*Hootie]

http://www.oringsandmore.com/servlet/the-463/Bulk--Rubber-Orings/Detail

 

$1.80 a 100    I bought 600 last year, and even with the shipping it was less than $15 total.

 

 

Thanks for the info.

 

Hootie

[RAMBLER]

Small cable ties.  Once they are on snip the long end off.  The are cheap, easy and indestructable.

[jignfule]

I stiil believe shrink tubing is a MUCH better way to go. I tried O-rings for years with good success, but when I tried the shrink tubing it was no contest which way was best. IMO. I pre rig many senkos up at a time so when I fishing I spent no extra time and never seem to have a problem with them coming off. 

[Felix77]

I stiil believe shrink tubing is a MUCH better way to go. I tried O-rings for years with good success, but when I tried the shrink tubing it was no contest which way was best. IMO. I pre rig many senkos up at a time so when I fishing I spent no extra time and never seem to have a problem with them coming off. 

What size shrink tube?  1/4 inch?

[J Francho]

3/8 for the 5"  I used shrink wrap, and it is the best in terms of durability, but it's a pain when you're in a hurry.  It's best to pre rig them before heading out on the water.

[Hanover_Yakker]

Shrink tubing! Great idea, now I have a use for the kit I bought that has somewhere in the neighborhood of 50-100 pieces of the larger shrink tube sizes

[J Francho]

If you are the least bit clever with Google, you can find clear shrink wrap. Thank me later

[tbone1993]

Semi pro tip: Wacky o tools are great but empty sharpie markers are cheaper and float. I have 3 in my bag ready to go just incase my friend drops his $5 o tool in the lake on tournament day again. The o rings are super cheap on ebay and if you do not like that option Gami makes a finesse wacky hook that is killer. 

[Darren.]

IMHO, rigging the hook perpendicular (normally, thru the bait) is the best way to go.

 

Obviously the O-ring concept works despite (at least the way some rig it) the hook being parallel to the bait.

 

When I use GYCB Senkos, I know I might get 2 fish on it, if I'm lucky I'll get as many as 5. Darn lucky. But they are what they are. Yum, BPS Stik-Os and many others tend to last me more fish, tho I find the originals tend to catch me more.

 

I've got some rigged up with the shrink wrap, and thanks to JFrancho's tip, I'll look for clear stuff. It definitely keeps a Senko on the hook longer, and probably the way to go.

[Nick49]

Lots of good tips on this thread.  Given the price of the baits, the o-rings are very inexpensive, and that worm and o-ring usually lasts through several fish.