Wackystyle

[jschult184]

So I am at Standley Lake where the bass fishing has been downright humdrum this year.  Today is one of those days you dream about: cool, overcast, calm water.  The top water fishing is surprisingly awful considering the conditions; it's like there are no bass in the lake today.  Gotta go deeper, right?

 

So I rig up a Senko (on advice from another BR member) and... on a whim... decide to rig it wacky style.  I am looking at this worm slumped over the hook and thinking "this looks silly... what fish is gonna look twice at this thing?"  But I throw it... twitch it a bit... nuthin.  I throw it again.  Nuthin.  Now I am thinking that I must look silly to all the pleasure boaters anchored offshore.

 

But I have read enough about this rigging in the BR forums that I just cannot give up on it yet.

 

The third cast starts out like the first two... twitch, twitch... reel a bit... twitch, twitch... reel a bit... twitch... the line doesn't come in.  I give it a little harder tug... the line pulls back!  There is a bass on that worm!  I absolutely did not feel the bite... but he's on there!

 

I land him.... 11 inches... hardly two pounds (it has been that kind of season)... no worm... but I got the fish.  Hook set in the corner of the mouth like you read about.

 

Now, I am not yet completely sold on this rigging.  It still looks silly to me.  But I have to admit... the thing works!

 

I caught a second smaller bass later, but he slipped the hook (I always crush the barbs).  Again... I did not feel the bite but I did feel the fish pulling the line.

 

Moral of the story?  It may look ridiculous... but it catches bass!

 

[the reel ess]

Yeah, this is about the only lure I've found that bass WON'T let go. You can't shake them off when they want it.

[ABW]

Once you begin fishing the wacky rig more and more, I recommend using shrink wrap. I used O-rings before but those would tear the bait up easily... guys on here recommended it and I've been hooked since!

[Fishes in trees]

Not to be a nit-picker, but I kinda think that an 11" fish is ALOT under 2 pounds.

[jschult184]

Not to be a nit-picker, but I kinda think that an 11" fish is ALOT under 2 pounds.

Nitpick away, bro!  Nothing wrong with that.

[jschult184]

Once you begin fishing the wacky rig more and more, I recommend using shrink wrap. I used O-rings before but those would tear the bait up easily... guys on here recommended it and I've been hooked since!

Yes, I noticed that the worm gets torn up a bit after a while.  Have read about guys using O-rings, but never would have thought of shrink wrap.  Good tip!

[the reel ess]

Yes, I noticed that the worm gets torn up a bit after a while.  Have read about guys using O-rings, but never would have thought of shrink wrap.  Good tip!

I've got some shrink tubes. 1/4" diameter will do for Trick Worms. But I would go a size bigger for Senko-type worms.

[Wayne P.]

3/8" electrical heat shrink tubing for Senkos

 

 

[offsidewing]

Hang in there with the Wacky Rig, bud.  Here's a fish I caught on my 8th or 9th cast EVER with a Wacky Rig...

 

[Glenn]

Perhaps of interest...

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/wacky-rig.html

[FinCulture]

I've never tried the wacky rig but I need to start. This has been a slow season to say the least!

[the reel ess]

Hang in there with the Wacky Rig, bud.  Here's a fish I caught on my 8th or 9th cast EVER with a Wacky Rig...

 

I caught one on my VERY FIRST CAST with a Kinami stick worm. I couldn't believe it. That's probably the only lure in my box I can say that about. I didn't get another bite that day, but it showed me it was not just a gimmick. Then for some reason, I got away from it for years. I started using it again early this season with good success. Even bought a combo specifically for it.