Pre-Rapala Wiggle Warts

[JKarbo214]

I was recently able to get my hands on some original pre-rapala wiggle warts and had a few questions.  What are the best brand and size hooks to replace the original hooks still on the baits?  Also, the ones I purchased don't have a snap or split rings on them. I have noticed that some people use snaps, swivels, and/or split rings and I'm trying to figure out what works for the best action. Should I be using a snap or split ring or is it best to tie the line directly to the wiggle wart?  Any help would be appreciated.

[J Francho]

Size 4 hooks on the regular warts. Use a split ring or snap on the connection.  I use Duo-Locs.

[JKarbo214]

I have been reading that Size 4 hooks will often get caught up with each other.  What brand do you use?  Short shank?

[J Francho]

I have three old warts, and two old sub warts.  They all have Owner ST-36 hooks on them.  I know hooks can foul, but I don't recall it being an excessive issue.  Not like the pee wee warts I have - they're a pain.

[ww2farmer]

I replaced the stock hooks on my warts with Mustad KVD's, they are short shank and work great.

[JKarbo214]

I replaced the stock hooks on my warts with Mustad KVD's, they are short shank and work great.

 

What size hooks? Are they the pre-rapala wiggle warts?

[ww2farmer]

What size hooks? Are they the pre-rapala wiggle warts?

# 4's on the front, #6's on the back. A couple are the old ones, or I assume since I have had them since the late 80's, most are not. The "new" ones I have are all the "original" wart style with the molded in bill, not the clear, separate bill that they had out shortly after Rapala took over. I don't throw the old ones any more unless I am in pike free water. Which is never, but they are sporting new hooks just in case.

[SDoolittle]

I'm confused. What is pre-Rapala? Aren't Wiggle Warts made by Storm? Is Storm the 3rd company to make them?

[J Francho]

Storm was acquired by Rapala some years ago.  While they use the original molds, the plastic is different, making the action and sounds different.

[ww2farmer]

I'm confused. What is pre-Rapala? Aren't Wiggle Warts made by Storm? Is Storm the 3rd company to make them?

Storm was bought by Normark, the parent company of Rapala, a while ago...sometime in the 90's IIRC. They changed a lot of the Storm stuff, namely the original Warts. Instead of having the bill molded as an integral part of the body, they were separate parts. People hated them. They have since gone back to the "original" way of making Warts, but many people say they are not the same as before. I actually liked the Post Rapala "clear bill" Warts. You can't find them anywhere now, and my last one was bitten off a few years ago. I have caught plenty of fish on the "new' original Warts. I like them, and it's been so long since I fished the Pre-Rapala ones, I can't honestly say I recall the differences. Looking at them side by side, they are pretty close, and as long as the new ones are working for me, I see no reason to risk losing the old ones to things with teeth, especially when some people value them dearly and they can be used for future trade/sale bait.