Wacky rigging - Is it really less productive than T-Rigging during the summer?

[Skeet22]

While I have been catching fish on a wacky rig this summer it seems that I am getting more strikes on a 3/16oz t-rigged presentation lately. The more I think about it the wacky rig since very light in weight has a very slow fall which to me would be better suited for lethargic cold water fish. During the summer with the fish feeding more actively it seems that the faster action of a weighted plastic would be the better choice. Am I wrong in thinking this?

[Catt]

To increase the Rate of Fall add a 1" paneling nail to the tail of the wacky worm, fish the wacky worm with a weighted hook, or use a wacky Carolina rig.

[backwater4]

For some reason I'm finding the same thing. On lakes that were great with the wacky, this year a small bottom presentation seems to work better. Like Catt said, it probably has to do with the fish feeding on the bottom and not suspended in the water column.

[DBatey]

Summer fish sometimes want a faster moving bait to trigger a reaction strike. I've seen times when just changing to a heavier weight on a texas rig to get a faster fall would double the bites in the summer time even. Not to say that finesse and slow can't be on as well.

[Sam]

Go with the shaky head. 

[Primus]

While there are no absolutes or always in fishing I tend to go with slow falling baits in the spring and medium to fast falling baits in the summer. I routinely cast Texas rigged Zoom Speed Craws with 1/2 to 3/4 sinkers and fish have no problem slurping 'em up. I usually fish 10" Power Worms with 3/8 to 1/2 oz sinkers. I tend to think based on my expierience of having other fisherman in the boat that a lot of fisherman miss out on a lot of fish by not fishing aggresively and trying to get the fish to react. There is a place for finnesse fishing but I try to fish aggresively as possible and then slow down if I need to.

[Skeet22]

While there are no absolutes or always in fishing I tend to go with slow falling baits in the spring and medium to fast falling baits in the summer. I routinely cast Texas rigged Zoom Speed Craws with 1/2 to 3/4 sinkers and fish have no problem slurping 'em up. I usually fish 10" Power Worms with 3/8 to 1/2 oz sinkers. I tend to think based on my expierience of having other fisherman in the boat that a lot of fisherman miss out on a lot of fish by not fishing aggresively and trying to get the fish to react. There is a place for finnesse fishing but I try to fish aggresively as possible and then slow down if I need to.

My largest fish in my tourney this past weekend was caught on a ultra vibe speed craw with a pegged 3/4 oz tungsten sinker pitching to the edge of the thick stuff. I think I will replace my wacky rig with a shaky head for this weekend and see what happens.

[Raul]

Wacky rigging - Is it really less productive than T-Rigging during the summer?

No.

Even though there are no absolutes, you have answered your own questions, the devil is in the details:

it seems that I am getting more strikes on a 3/16oz t-rigged presentation lately

The detail is: that 3/16 oz sinker

My largest fish in my tourney this past weekend was caught on a ultra vibe speed craw with a pegged 3/4 oz tungsten sinker

The detail is: that 3/4 oz sinker

So details are telling you that a slow fall is not the ticket, it 's not the rig what 's not working, it 's the rate of fall, nowhere is wirtten like if were a commandment that a wacky rig should be without sinker, no sinker is one of the ways but not the only one.

So back to the original question the answer is NO, a wacky rig is not less productive than a T rig, your application of the rig is the one less productive.

[fishfordollars]

I fish a wacky rig with a 3/16oz. slip sinker a lot. Try it.

[Daddyodo]

Catt, what is the purpose of putting a swivel on/ does it stop your line from twisting? :

[Catt]

Catt, what is the purpose of putting a swivel on/ does it stop your line from twisting? :

Stops line twisting plus additional weight controlled by the size of the swivel 

[BlaineFred]

on wacky, I suggest a Zappu-inchi 1/8 jig head with a Jackall finesse worm...

[Wayne P.]

A wacky rig produces about three hundred bass to each one caught with a Tx rig for me. I've been catching bass since mid Feburary wacky style. I catch the most during the summer months.

I don't use a weight heavier than 3/64 oz. for depths to 30' and don't fish deeper than 20' when the thermocline forms.

[Raul]

A wacky rig produces about three hundred bass to each one caught with a Tx rig for me. I've been catching bass since mid Feburary wacky style. I catch the most during the summer months.

I don't use a weight heavier than 3/64 oz. for depths to 30' and don't fish deeper than 20' when the thermocline forms.

Wayne, you are the Yoda of wacky riggin ', you can 't expect us young padawans to do the same right away. 

[Wayne P.]

Raul, "it's so easy a caveman can do it"

I teach beginner anglers that presentation so they can reduce the learning curve for bass fishing. They get to catch as they learn as opposed to most other presentations that just gives them casting practice.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

A wacky rig produces about three hundred bass to each one caught with a Tx rig for me. I've been catching bass since mid Feburary wacky style. I catch the most during the summer months.

I don't use a weight heavier than 3/64 oz. for depths to 30' and don't fish deeper than 20' when the thermocline forms.

Wayne, you are the Yoda of wacky riggin ', you can 't expect us young padawans to do the same right away.

Young?  C'mon now, Raul.  Young?  You've got lures older than me.

[Raul]

Well, my spirit is young  , it 's this danged body that ain 't aging well   >..... the All Mighty must be pullin 'a fast one on me.  :-/