Wacky Rig Hooks?

[moguy1973]

I just recently started fishing with wacky rigged 5" stick worms with great success.  What hooks does every one use for wacky rigs?  I know they make hooks specifically for wacky rigs, but is that what everyone uses, or something else?

 

I've been using a size 1 mosquito hook for the time being.  Seems to work ok, although they are getting hooked deeper than I would like, and it seems they get hooked in the roof of the mouth a lot, and is probably why I lose a few after they are hooked.

 

Also, any hints on how to make the stick worm last longer?  I am using o-rings already and I'm lucky to get about 3 fish out of them before they are either thrown while fighting a fish, or they are torn almost completely in half making them unusable.

[ww2farmer]

I like stuff everyone else hates. BTW.............Brain Needham..... I have won one tournament, cashed in two others, and also got lunker in the one we won ,on those hooks you gave me...........got any more??? LOL.

[Arv]

I use 1/0 Gamakatsu octopus hooks, 1/0 Gamakatsu weedless dropshot/split shot hooks and VMC Wacky Weedless Jig heads which I believe also has a 1/0 hook.

[Darren.]

I just recently started fishing with wacky rigged 5" stick worms with great success.  What hooks does every one use for wacky rigs?  I know they make hooks specifically for wacky rigs, but is that what everyone uses, or something else?

 

I've been using a size 1 mosquito hook for the time being.  Seems to work ok, although they are getting hooked deeper than I would like, and it seems they get hooked in the roof of the mouth a lot, and is probably why I lose a few after they are hooked.

 

Also, any hints on how to make the stick worm last longer?  I am using o-rings already and I'm lucky to get about 3 fish out of them before they are either thrown while fighting a fish, or they are torn almost completely in half making them unusable.

 

Mosquito is a good hook, sticky point. My favorites for wacky are the Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse in anywhere from a size 4 up to a 2/0. I'm normally favor small-hooks for the light wire and easy hookset penetration.

 

That said, I bought some 6" worms and decided to try a 2/0 Weedless Wide Gap Finesse (Gammy) hooks. First time using a wacky hook that big. Works fine.

 

Other thing - and this is me - I don't like hooks that have a "beak", where they point slightly inward toward the shank. I feel I have lost a lot of fish with this style (typically Owners). The Gammy hooks I use do not have this feature.

 

As for making a worm last longer, try buying some shrink wrap from Home Depot or Lowes, cut a short section and slide it over the worm and hook through that. Can't remember the size off-hand, whether it's 1/4" or 1/2" all depends on the worms you're using.

[BigMoneyGrip]

I use the weedless worm hook from Gamakatsu and really like it. I recently bought the wacky hook that VMC has and they suck. The wire guard would also double as a leaf spring for a dump truck. I kept missing fish and figured out the weed guard is too stiff. After reading the reviews on TW, every one else says the same thing.

[Fishing Rhino]

I use the weedless worm hook from Gamakatsu and really like it. I recently bought the wacky hook that VMC has and they suck. The wire guard would also double as a leaf spring for a dump truck. I kept missing fish and figured out the weed guard is too stiff. After reading the reviews on TW, every one else says the same thing.

 

The weedless Gamakatsu is the way to go, unless your state bans lead.  I've fished the Buckeye Flick It with the football head.  I prefer it to the Jackall for two reasons, price, and they are better in the weeds and rocks.  I have fished both extensively.  When all is said and done,  the Gamakatsu Wacky Jig with the two nickel titanium guards are the absolute best for slipping through the weeds.  The Jackall and the Buckeye have eyes that protrude from the jig head.  That configuration is great for snagging vegetation, especially the fine stemmed stuff.

 

The eye on the Gamakatsu is recessed into the front of the head, which allows it to slip more cleanly through the plant life.

 

The Gamakatsu comes in four weights, 1/16th, 3/32nd, 1/8th, and 3/16th ounce.  I use the 1/8th ounce versions.  It suits my style better than the lighter versions.  If you fish weightless, start with the sixteenth ounce version.   They are pricey, but in my opinion, they are worth every cent.

 

For those who have experienced the fish taking their wacky offerings deep, try using a circle hook.  You do not need, nor should you use a cross their eyes hookset with circle hooks.  You may just pull it out of their mouth.  Take up the slack, if you have any, and put a smooth pressure on the rod.  The hook should work its way to the corner of their mouth, just about eliminating gut hooked fish.  The bent in tip of the hook prevents it from setting into flesh until the eye and part of the shank are out of the fish's mouth.

[Kevin22]

I use the VMC weedless wacky hooks #1. They are really thick and stout with good points and huge barbs. If the hook goes in, it isn't coming out. If I was wacky rigging with a spinning rod I would choose a thin wire hook to get a better hook-set, but most of my senko fishing is in cover so I use a baitcaster. 

 

 

As for having the stick last longer, one trick I have found is to nick the worm when putting it under the o-ring. Each time it breaks loose on a fish, hook it on the other side of the worm in fresh plastic. When I have exhausted all plastic to hook to I pull the o-ring off and just hook the worm. It will be lost the next fish anyways and this way I saved the o-ring for the next bait (yep, I'm cheap like that!). 

[iabass8]

i use the gama weedless 1 hooks. no issues. great hook ups

[29JMP29]

I have been using 1/0 owner wacky hooks for the past year.  I've caught a ton of fish with them and most of the time the fish gets hooked in the corner of its mouth.  I've never guthooked a fish using them

[Brian Needham]

I like stuff everyone else hates. BTW.............Brain Needham..... I have won one tournament, cashed in two others, and also got lunker in the one we won ,on those hooks you gave me...........got any more??? LOL.

 

 

I think I do!!!

I swear I saw a few packs when cleaning out the boat the other day.....when they surface again, they will be headed your way!

[Brian Needham]

when rhino speaks "wacky" you better listen........... I have heard of this legend but must say never seen it first hand (my fault for not doing so at the roadtrip)

 

the man is by all accounts, a walking, talking, breathing wacky rig clinic giver!!!

[ClackerBuzz]

x2 for gammy weedless and mend it, mend it and mend it.  i put my soft plastics away after they get tore up from fish.  at the end of the week pull out the Mend-it and fuse them all back. like new.  stuff is amazing and easily saves me $100+ every season. (yes super glue and a lighter work but they make the plastic hard and not 'wacky')

[Fishes in trees]

I like Falcon K-wacky weedless hooks.   Mostly I use the 3/0 size, with a 1/16 oz weight molded onto the hook shank.

[endless]

I use anything from Widegap, Octopus, to Owners Wacky hooks. The weedless Gammy could be consider pricey. I would PM Wayne P and see if he will explain how to do the weedless wacky or make your own weedless hooks! I don't do the O-rings though I own some and the tool. I do the 3/8 heat shrink tube.