Inexpensive Wacky Rig Set Up #baitcasting

[Basser24]

I know most people use a spinning reel for this presentation, but I just hate bass fishing with a spinning reel. I have no confidence and my accuracy is terrible. Basically, I'm looking for a casting reel and rod combo that will allow me to cast weightless small senkos and trick worms. Basically a finesse fishing rig. I fish south Louisiana, so I need a rod with enough backbone to work fish out of heavy cover. My budget is $200, but would love to stay around $150 or a lil more.

Thanks

[iabass8]

for casting lightweight baits like a weightless trick worm you are looking at spending  your budget on the reel alone. finesse specific reels are pricey. i.e 50 size shimanos in the curado series will run you about 150 and will need the correct rod to throw very light baits. i still wouldn't want to throw a totally weightless trick worm on a 50 size shimano. that is really much more ideal for a spinning set up.

if throwing your standard 4-5in senko is what you want to do primarily, then as long as you are proficient with a casting reel you can throw weightless senkos with really any reel easily. 

[Sam]

Wait for the 4th of July sales and check out Academy and BPS in Denham Springs for their combo sales.

 

A 7-foot medium heavy fast action tip baitcasting rod with a 6:1 reel of your choice should cover most applications.

 

The longer the rod the farther you can cast the bait.

 

Be sure to read the rod's parameters regarding the line test and bait weight to be sure you can throw your favorite baits and the reel can handle the line test.

 

Then go to your local restaurant and eat about 10 pounds of crawfish for me as you yell Geaux Tigers after each one of those delicious little critters.

[Fishes in trees]

One outfit that is always rigged & ready in my boat is my senko rod.  There have been various configurations over the years.  Currently I am using a Calcutta TEGT with a Falcon Bucoo 6'10" MH.  I generally use 14 lb fluorocarbon.  I can pitch a weightless senko 40' with this rig.  If I wind up and put some muscle into it I can go farther but that generally isn't necessary.  You don't have to go light to throw senkos.  A 5" senko and a weedless hook will weigh close to 3/8 oz.  More often than not I will use a 1/16 oz weighted hook just to speed up the drop process.

 

I just realized I went over your budget.  I've got roughly $350 tied up in that outfit.

[Darren.]

As a new owner of a Shimano Chronarch 50e, I can heartily recommend that reel for weightless presentations.

 

I use mine with 20 lb Power Pro + Fluorocarbon leader on a 6' MF Field & Stream rod and can cast weightless 4.75" Zoom Finesse worms around 40 feet. Personally, I prefer shorter rods. Work better for me and my kayaking setup, and I get plenty of leverage and distance for the way I fish.

 

If I were to purchase a new rod for my Chronarch today, it'd probably be a 6'5" Crucial drop shot rod, or I'd trade in my Avid spinning rod for a 6' MF or 6'2" MXF Avid casting rod.

[Diggy]

Funny this was on my feed this week

[Quirkyfisher]

I fish wacky worms a lot. I've fished them on $50 to $150 baitcasters, 2pc ugly stick baitcaster rod to $100 one piece St. Croix mojo rods. I've used 12lb mono, 12lb flouro (multiple brands), 30lb braid, 50lb braid, (power pro reg and super slick). In fact I just made a post about a good evening with them in fishing reports! http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/120570-fun-evening-with-wacky-worms/ . 

 

 

In my opinion you can do it no problem with your $200 budget or even a goal of $150, but imo $200 is a better place. This is a combo I used just recently and it's right in your $200 budget.

 

Lew's Tournament MG ($105~ online, $130 retail)

Mojo bass rod ($100~)

or

Shimano Clarus worm & jig rod ($80~)

 

Then pick your favorite line, I like fluoro for wacky worms. However, I fish in areas with tons of weeds and tons of lily pads, so I use braid for now, 30# on one rig and 50# on another. I also like the braid for the no stretch and sensitivity and find it better around lily pads. 30# is probably lowest you want to go because the diameter is small it can dig in. The 30# I have is regular power pro and the 50# is super slick, very noticeable difference in smoothness, noise and casting performance. 

 

For reference, my fiance is using the Shimano Clarus 2pc worm & jig rod with a Quantum escalade HD baitcaster, 30# power pro braid, she fishes wacky worms I'd say 90% of the time, so even with the cheaper and older reel, it's np. I use my mojo bass 'plastic' with my tournament MG and 50# power pro super slick braid and I can toss them pretty far.

 

I can try to take a video to show you casting distance between the rods & reels I have when I get time. But do not worry you can easily fish wacky worms with baitcasters. I typcially use the the $3 strike king packs (shim-e-stick) and the $3 yum packs you can find at walmart. (dingers)

[wnybassman]

My weightless Senko outfit consists of a 6'6" medium St. Croix Premier with a relic (lol) Abu Garcia Black Max 1600 round reel.

[martintheduck]

As far as fishing spinning gear is concerned, I have a trick that might help you out....

 

 

So - you have the rod in your casing hand...the reel is hanging under the rod. You grab the line with your index finger, open the bail, cast the line while releasing with your index finger... right?

 

 

Well.... try flipping the rod upside down (so the reel is on top), pinch the line down onto the rod with your thumb (making sure you are just barely holding the line under your thumb), and make your cast. If done right, the line will just slip from under your finger.

[Sam]

Martin, thank you for the tip.

 

You sure you have not been eating too many crawfish and poboys and knocking down those Barq's???

[Arv]

BPS Carbonlite/Pro Qualifier - 6'6 - 7' M/F rod, whatever gear ratio you prefer.

[SwampLife]

What part of south louisiana??

[J Francho]

Any 6-7' medium/fast rod will toss 4 and 5" Senkos with ease.  I will recommend using a Bill M wacky rig tool, or similar, since genuine Senkos will tear on the back cast, especially with an underhand roll/skip cast.

[SwampLife]

Lews speed spool 70 dollars online

*** *** black medium fast 7'1" $100

I'm in south Louisiana and that's what I use for wacky and weightless rigs..the *** has enough backbone and very sensitive

[martintheduck]

Martin, thank you for the tip.

 

You sure you have not been eating too many crawfish and poboys and knocking down those Barq's???

 

Crawfish are done for the season - over - finished! It brings a tear to my eye

[SwampLife]

Crawfish isn't done down here! They are pulling plenty of sacks out the spillway still... They are a lot bigger right now price went down to about 25 to 35 bucks a sack!