O-rings for wacky rigging?

[endless]

I went to Bass Pro Shop and this employee and I was talking about wacky rig. He mentioned to me about he uses o-rings and that it's helps with better hookups and you will get more use from the worm. I think this is this first time I heard about it. 

So my question is how many prefer using them and do you recommend them?

[RussBert]

I use them all the time. They make a senko last about 10X longer than if you just run the hook through the senko.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

O-rings work just fine. Heat shrink tubing works far better though. The worm lasts far longer than with the o-rings. Plus the hook goes into the worm sideways, not running along the length. You tend to get better hookups with the hook positioned like this. If you need a picture, I can take one for you later tonight.

This is Wayne P's method. I've tried it and have had some success like this as well. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1273423172/12#4

This is similar to what I do:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1250630239/0#0

[Crestliner2008]

I posted my opinion on this topic awhile ago. Less expensive than "O" rings and just as effective:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1236855515

[Nice_Bass]

It will save you a lot of money if you use O rings.  The Senko tends to slide up the line on the hookset, and you can catch multiple fish.  I have caught a limit on one senko using an o ring, although that is not the norm.

[Nice_Bass]

O-rings work just fine. Heat shrink tubing works far better though. The worm lasts far longer than with the o-rings. Plus the hook goes into the worm sideways, not running along the length. You tend to get better hookups with the hook positioned like this. If you need a picture, I can take one for you later tonight.

This is Wayne P's method. I've tried it and have had some success like this as well. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1273423172/12#4

This is similar to what I do:

Wow, this just changed my approach.  I like it, thanks.

[Fishing Rhino]

This tool may be just the ticket.

It's made of stainless steel, and reasonably priced. About ten or eleven dollars. The tips can be optimized with a bit of modification, but can be used as is. Makes Crestliners method a two hand, no knees needed, job. Put the band on, spread it, insert hook and worm, release and slip band and bait off tool.

Here's one source.

www.lynnmarinesupply.com/gaugesbandersbands128.html

[Shane Procell]

I always use an "O" ring. I can't afford not too. Considering the price of a bag of Yamamotos at $7. You get way more fish out of a Senko than without. I use the "Wacky O Tool to put the "O" ring on the worm. It is sold at Bass Pro Shops for around $6 and comes with about 10 "O" rings. You can buy the bags to reload the tool at Bass Pro Shops or you can buy #5 "O" rings in the plumbing section of most hardware stores.

[endless]

Yea I bought the wacky O-ring tool and going to give it a shot!

[endless]

I posted my opinion on this topic awhile ago. Less expensive than "O" rings and just as effective:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1236855515

Haha never thought of that!! Nice and thanks!!

[jignfule]

O rings work great, the tool (tube) makes it easy.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Trust me, try the heat shrink.  It's excessively cheap.  Senko's last much longer with the heat shrink than the o-rings.  I've got one of those Case o-ring tools myself.  It collects dust in my tackle bag most of the time.  I only use it when I run out of heat shrink tubing.

[endless]

Trust me, try the heat shrink. It's excessively cheap. Senko's last much longer with the heat shrink than the o-rings. I've got one of those Case o-ring tools myself. It collects dust in my tackle bag most of the time. I only use it when I run out of heat shrink tubing.

Believe me, I am! I was confused on it at first till someone else explained it to me. I will get some this weekend.

[Sam]

Sent PM on using shrink tubing. 

[MSAJAA]

This is Wayne P's method. I've tried it and have had some success like this as well. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1273423172/12#4

I would like to give this a try however I can't for the life of me understand how to thread the hook?

[jignfule]

This is Wayne P's method. I've tried it and have had some success like this as well. http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1273423172/12#4

I would like to give this a try however I can't for the life of me understand how to thread the hook?

Yea, what type & size of hook are you using ???

[SoFlaBassAddict]

I'm not sure what Wayne uses.  I use a #1 Owner Wacky hook.  Thread the hook about halfway through the worm.  Feed the shank down into the worm, rotate the hook just like on a t-rig.  Insert the hook point back into the worm.  The eye of the hook will be inside the worm when you finish.

[MSAJAA]

I'm not sure what Wayne uses. I use a #1 Owner Wacky hook. Thread the hook about halfway through the worm. Feed the shank down into the worm, rotate the hook just like on a t-rig. Insert the hook point back into the worm. The eye of the hook will be inside the worm when you finish.

When do you put the shrink tubing on? I guess before you thread on the hook?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Yep. Start with the worm fresh out of the bag, slide the heat shrink on it. Heat it. Then stick the hook in it. Just make sure you use an appropriate size tube for the worm you're using. Senko's are a 3/8, trick worms I believe are 1/4.

[Mike Z]

FWIW if you are using #5 o-rings with Senkos you are really pinching the worm to the point that it would rip easily. Perhaps other worms without the thickness or softness of Senkos will withstand the #5 o-ring. (one of the pics shown used a worm far thinner than a Senko.)

In my searching the net I found that #10 o-rings are appropriate for 5" Senkos. They are 1/4" ID if that helps. The tools are available on line, but for extra o-rings try hardware shops or even places like Grainger if your place of business has an account there. #10 o-rings are $2.50 a bag of 100 there.

I'm not sure how a worm lasts longer with heat shrink tubing. Before I bought some o-rings I tried some tubing. In order to get it to shrink properly you need to apply heat all around. This starts to melt Senkos. IMHO the o-ring method looks a heck of a lot cleaner and the o-rings don't tear as easy as the heat shrink tubing once heated.

Also, when using an o-ring you don't put the hook through the Senko, but instead just hook under the o-ring. This allows the Senko to slide up the line as mentioned earlier.

FWIW I'm a relative noob but tend to read about anything and everything I can find in order to help me. I've taken this info and tried it out when possible.

If you are using regular worms or thinner worms, disregard everything I just said. ;D

[endless]

Well went to local hardware store and bought myself 2 packs of the heat shrinking tubes. I'm getting ready to rigged some worms and get the ready! Thanks for the help everyone!

[vtbassin]

I posted my opinion on this topic awhile ago. Less expensive than "O" rings and just as effective:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1236855515

I saw this post from Crestliner last year.  His method works great.  Very low cost! 

[endless]

Here is what I done so far. The left to right is Gander Mountain Green Pumpkin Core, Senko Green Pumpkin, Senko Watermelon Red, and Senko Green Pumpkin / Watermelon. Now far as hook goes do you just hook through it like you would do for wacky rig or underneath like the O-rings?

I also melted the worm just a little bit that doesn't matter does it as long it hasn't made a weak point?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Right through the heat shrink.  You'll get better hook ups with the hook going across the body as well.

[Mr.Sheephead]

wow great tips guys made me think twice about what i use... but what i use is wayy more durable than anything on here since it is a plastic zip tie but i like that the shrink tube makes it so i can place the hook pointing up rather than to the side but i have not had any problem with hooking fish only diference is since the hook is laying sideways and not up like it should i tend to land fish with the hook in the corner of the fishes mouth and not deep in but lust a bit past the lips but yea ill look for new ways and will definately give shrink tubing a try