Wacky Rig Problems

[Brian Needham]

I get so many bites on wacky rig senkos and a very low % of landed fish.

 

like today, 11 bites , 2 fish landed.

 

It is unlikely bream, unless they are world records, LOL as I can feel the fish and they are good fish, that is until I set the hook.

 

I set the hook various ways trying to figure out how, but today I would reel into the fish and slowly side sweep my rod applying pressure.

 

gear used: dobyns dx742c with falcon weightless "k" wacky weedless hooks. 5" senko wacky rigged with o-ring

 

not the biggest fan of these hooks, but would a hook change produce that big of a change  

[Felix77]

Take pliers and open up the hook a little bit.

[NorcalBassin]

Sweeping usually works pretty well for me and my ratios were really good last year. I primarily use Gamakatsus, so maybe it could be the hooks???

[J Francho]

Use a hook with an open gap. If you need a weighted hook, the Jackall Flick Shake hooks are dead on. For unweighted, I do well with Gam. Wide Gap Finesse hooks.

[.ghoti.]

It's the hook. You need a more open throat design. Or just do as suggested; bend the hook point out a few degrees.

[Brian Needham]

thanks guys.......I never thought about bending out the hook a little (even though I do on drop shot).......if that don't work I will move to the gammy or VMC weedless wacky (has to be weedless)

[ww2farmer]

It's not the hook, I use the same hooks, and don't have any problems. I don't modify the hooks in any way, just make sure the wire weedguard is spread out a little bit, and ABOVE the hook barb, not below it. They are my favorite hook for wacky rigging 5"+ 6" Senkos in cover. I rarely miss a fish on them. They are also a stout hook, not meant to by fished on wimpy gear. I fish them with 7' MH/Fast rod, 30lb braid with a 17 or 20lb test fluorocarbon leader. The Jackall flickshake heads are a much better light line, M powered rod hook, I use those on spinning gear with 3", 4", 5" senkos and the Jackall flickshake worms. If you want to get rid of the Falcon hooks let me know, I'll buy all you have.

[J Francho]

He's using a 2 power Dobyns fairy wand. I bet you're right about the hook and rod not being compatible. Also a good point about the weed guard - I had the same issues with the weed guard version of the Gammies, until I figured that out.

[Comfortably Numb]

Sunfish hit Senkos HARD and sometimes almost rip the rod out of your hand.

 

I use 2/0 Mustad weedless hooks and set the hook hard. Rarely miss a fish. I also let them take it 5-10 secs so I know its a bass. They wont let go and I never deep hook them.

[Arv]

Take pliers and open up the hook a little bit.

x2

[Brian Needham]

He's using a 2 power Dobyns fairy wand. I bet you're right about the hook and rod not being compatible. Also a good point about the weed guard - I had the same issues with the weed guard version of the Gammies, until I figured that out.

 

HA HA J !! hardly a fairy wand , I have also used the DX743C as well with the same results. Today I used the 742C for kicks.

 

I also have spread the weedguard , so I am really at a loss , except for the hook. but ww2farmer uses the same hooks with no issue.......hmmmmmmmmm there must be a variable I am missing.

[J Francho]

Dude, I have a boat full of fairy wands - remember, I fish the Great lakes.

[Brian Needham]

Dude, I have a boat full of fairy wands - remember, I fish the Great lakes.

 

fair enough.......I thought spinning rods were fairy wands? this is a baitcaster, or is anything under MH classed as a fairy wand ? just want to sure we are comparing "wands to wands"  HAHHAHAHA!

[Darren.]

And FWIW, I'm not a fan of using O rings and rigging the hook parallel to the worm. J Francho suggested in another thread, if I recall correctly, using 2 O rings in an X like pattern and hooking perpendicular through that.

 

I rarely miss fish with wacky, and I don't use O rings... My go-to hooks are the Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse in 4, 2, and 1 sizes.

[Wayne P.]

I get so many bites on wacky rig senkos and a very low % of landed fish.

 

like today, 11 bites , 2 fish landed.

 

It is unlikely bream, unless they are world records, LOL as I can feel the fish and they are good fish, that is until I set the hook.

 

I set the hook various ways trying to figure out how, but today I would reel into the fish and slowly side sweep my rod applying pressure.

 

gear used: dobyns dx742c with falcon weightless "k" wacky weedless hooks. 5" senko wacky rigged with o-ring

 

not the biggest fan of these hooks, but would a hook change produce that big of a change  

 

It is the hook and it is the way you are rigging it.

 

The most consistant hookups are with round bend type hook with open point and the Senko rigged with the hook perpendicular.

 

The K type hook is a style used for cat fishing it functions somewhat like a circle hook.

 

[00 mod]

Pretty sure the hook you are using is more like a live bait hook, in that it should be a "reel set".  So if you are swinging for the fences, you are pulling it right out of their mouths.  Try a reel set first, and if that does not solve your problems, go for a gama hook like suggested. 

 

Jeff

[basscrusher]

two points:

 

1) Listen to Wayne P.  He is the master of wacky.

2) Falcon uses superline hooks for alot of their products.  Make sure that wacky rig doesn't utilize one.  Superline hooks require a very stout rod (MH or stiffer) for a good hookset.  This might not be the case with that rig...but worth checking.

[Brian Needham]

Pretty sure the hook you are using is more like a live bait hook, in that it should be a "reel set".  So if you are swinging for the fences, you are pulling it right out of their mouths.  Try a reel set first, and if that does not solve your problems, go for a gama hook like suggested. 

 

Jeff

 

not swinging.....really I am doing a reel set, almost exactly like I with a spinning rod on a drop shot.

 

I ordered some VMCs tonight.......man if I start landing 50% of these wacky fish I am going to be proud of myself.!

[Comfortably Numb]

Here are the ones I use. Mustad W37754R 2/0 with a single o-rig. I get up to 50 fish per one bait.

 

 

Reels sets dont work with this one. I get 90% or so hook ups

 

If you are not using a weedless hook you are not throwing where the fish live and missing alot of oppertunities IMO.

[WRB]

I don't believe your problem is related to your rig or hook, the bass could be spawner's and not trying to eat your Senko. If the bass wanted eat it you would hook a few by simply waiting longer befor hook setting.

The Wacky Saddle is the best type of wacky rig that I have seen to date.

Tom

[Brian Needham]

WRB, not warm enough here.

[CPBassFishing]

Are you fighting the fish for a few seconds before they come off?

If so, they only have half the worm in their mouth. If you have ever seen a bass in a tank eat a 5" wacky worm, most of the time they only bite half the worm and don't get the hook in their mouth. Use highly visible line, and when you see it jump, wait 3-5 seconds and then set the hook. This gives the fish enough time to eat the whole thing. You might also want to try 4" worms, the fish are more likely to suck the whole thing in. Just experiment with letting them eat it and see what works best.

[Brian Needham]

yeah, I wait.....watch the line move sideways for 3 seconds, 5 seconds, or more then reel down.....I have done all the variations in between. It totally may be technique, but from my readings and responses here I highly doubt it.

 

Bass don't spawn in 50 degree water, so it aint that.

 

I am got some new hooks coming and will see how that goes, as it seems to be a good idea from long time wacky riggers

[NWI-Bassin']

Dude, I have a boat full of fairy wands - remember, I fish the Great lakes.

What Great Lake are you fishing ?

[detroit1]

I am not a fan of weedless hooks, no matter who makes them. I am not afraid to throw wacky in the weeds with an open hook. Probabally need them for wood though.....