Wacky Style Setup

[Mud River Matt]

Hey guys, I was wondering what kinda setup everyone uses for wacky style. I was talking to a buddy of mine who uses a bait caster, while I myself have always used a open face reel. My buddy said when he uses a open face, he gets a lot of twist in the line when using it weightless. So I was just wondering what everyone else does. Any info is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Matt

[Fishing Rhino]

Spinning rod.  I use a weighted hook, such as the Jackall Wacky Jig Head.  Have no problem with line twist.  Weightless, it probably can cause some twist.

[Darren.]

Matt, you can go with both. I do.

 

Probably my preference is to use spinning gear. The issue with line twist is easily solved by moving to braid for your mainline and using a leader (or not). Braid doesn't have line management issues like mono, copoly, or fluoro.

 

So you can go with 10-15lb braid, and use a leader anywhere from 6 - 15 pounds (give or take).

 

TIe on your wacky style hook with a snell knot, or a palomar, and go to town.

 

I do the same with my baitcaster. I use braid main, plus a leader.

[OkeechobeeAngler]

Spinning gear here also. 

[The Young Gun]

I like spinning. Just for simplicity and I like to fish weightless

[Mud River Matt]

For the sake of discussion. If I was going to continue to use spinning gear with mono, could I use a swivel on my line to help with line twist or would the weight of the swivel cause issues????

[aceman387]

I use a spinning set up with braided line (10# test 2# diam ) with a 6# floro leader and never have a line twist problem.I have a habit of closing the bail by hand before i start turning the handle on a retrieve.I found out that helps out alot with line twist prevention.

[AGOSS]

For the sake of discussion. If I was going to continue to use spinning gear with mono, could I use a swivel on my line to help with line twist or would the weight of the swivel cause issues????

yes that is what you will tie your leader to and it causes no problems!

[ww2farmer]

Both. Spinning gear with 15lb braid and an 8 or 10lb fluorocarbon leader for light cover, clear water situations. Spinning gear with straight 20lb braid for skipping under docks. Casting gear with 20lb braid and 12lb fluoro leader for a little heavier cover, and casting gear with 30lb braid and a 17lb fluoro leader for thick cover. It's important to match your hooks to the line/rod combo your using. I won't use the light wire wacky jigs with the heavy casting gear, just as I wont use the stout heavy hooks I rig them for use in heavy cover on the spinning gear.

[Darren.]

For the sake of discussion. If I was going to continue to use spinning gear with mono, could I use a swivel on my line to help with line twist or would the weight of the swivel cause issues????

 

Ok, yes you can use a swivel, but I tend to shy from swivels that will come thru my rod's eyes. Rather not damage, or potentially damage eyelets.

 

As well, it *may* help with some line twist, but you'll still have it.

 

Have you tried KVD Line conditioner? You'd spray it on your line (the spool) the night before and let it soak in overnight. Will certainly help with line management, but won't relieve twisting issues entirely.

[Felix77]

Spinning Gear with 10 - 15lb Braid with a FC leader.  I generally go weightless unless I want it to sink faster.  Then I go weighted.

[Mud River Matt]

Thanks a lot everyone for the advice. I appreciate it.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

I just picked up a 6'6 medium.. with a caster.. with 8 pound fluro.. i mostly fish this in light.cover.. i learned.on casting reels but.i use both.. i do pretty much the same.as.everyone. else said.

[Blues19]

I really like the kicker fish bait weedless wackey worm. It looks really goofy, but its pretty awesome. The bigger one is thick enough that you can fish it on a baitcaster really easily. the smaller one I always fish on a spinning rod though

[PondBoss]

Caught my first fish ever on a Senko this weekend using 30lb braid on a baitcaster with a VMC Ike approved wacky hook.  

[cadman]

Spinning gear for me as well.

[BassAddict1911]

My favorite way to rig this is a casting reel with 10 lb. florocarbon.

 

Use a 2/0 wide gap hook (not wieghted) and stick a small nail in one end of the worm.

 

This getup just won a tournament for me last saturday, but when it comes to the wacky worm...the fisherman is way pickier than the fish!

[Fishes in trees]

For me it depends on where I am fishing.  Most of the time I'm throwing a wacky rigged senko next to sunken bushes, or trying to drift it down through underwater trees.  Lots of times, the water is fairly clear, so I think fluorocarbon line is necessary.  The majority of the time I use bait casting gear with 14 lb fluorocarbon.  Most of the time I use a 1/16 oz Falcon K-wacky hook.  Senko's in themselves are pretty heavy as plastic baits go, so with the addition of the Falcon K-wacky hook I feel like I can pitch the senko as far as I need to.    40 to 50 foot casts are very doable.   Remember that if you pitch a senko 40 feet, you've got to feed it additional line if you want it to drop anywhere close to straight down.

[A-Rob]

spinning reel with a light braid

if i'm fishing smallies in clear water I'll add a leader

[Bigbass37]

For me, a spinning rig is a must when it comes to wacky worms. You get more action, you can feel the strike and bait better and cast further. 

[MarkH024]

I use an Avid 68MXF with a Shimano Symetre FJ 2500. I almost always throw with braid in the 8-10lb class. You can feel blue gill nibbling at the ends of the senko with that rod. 

[Trailer]

What knot would you guys use to attach leader to braid on these spinning set ups?

[Wayne P.]

When I use a fluorocarbon leader with any of the 12 + rigs I use for wacky rigging, I use the Uni-Uni Knot.

 

I have baitcasting, spinning, and spincasting gear rigged for wacky rigging. Every one has superline but I don't use a superline with a mono equivelent diameter of less that 6#. The smaller stuff has very little shock strength.

[SuthernProg]

Spinning

20 sumthin Power Pro with fluoro leader, no more than 10 pds.

Jackall flik shake hooks or Owner Whackies

Jackall flik shake worms, roboworms, senkos