Wacky Rig Setup

[jacob2000]

Just want to see the collective opinions on best wacky rig setup, i.e. pole, reel, line, etc. Also does anyone use spinning reels or is it all bait cast?

[jacob2000]

Just want to see the collective opinions on best wacky rig setup, i.e. pole, reel, line, etc. Also does anyone use spinning reels or is it all bait cast?

[ABW]

Your choice of spinning rod with with a 2500 sized reel 10-15 lb braid to 8-12 lb fluoro leader

[Darren.]

I use both spinning and bait casting for wacky.

Setup is all braided mainline (10, 15 or 20lb) and
a leader from 4-15 lb test.

Typically use either Gamakatsu Split/Drop hooks
in 1, 1/0, or Wide Gap Finesse hooks. I tie on my
own weed guards.

For worms, anything from Senkos to knock-offs to
Trick and Finesse worms to minnows, etc.

Will also use weighted wacky hooks, usually 1/8oz.

[jacob2000]

6 minutes ago, Darren. said:

I use both spinning and bait casting for wacky.

Setup is all braided mainline (10, 15 or 20lb) and
a leader from 4-15 lb test.

Typically use either Gamakatsu Split/Drop hooks
in 1, 1/0, or Wide Gap Finesse hooks. I tie on my
own weed guards.

For worms, anything from Senkos to knock-offs to
Trick and Finesse worms to minnows, etc.

Will also use weighted wacky hooks, usually 1/8oz.

Awesome, do you prefer bait caster or spinning?

[desmobob]

I used to use a light spinning rig, but I don't care for switching back and forth between casting and spinning gear, so I got a baitcasting rig that will throw them well.  It's a 6'9" MH "Finesse Worm" rod from Kistler that handles the weightless 5" Senkos beautifully.  I also have a light power Major Craft Volkey casting rod that tosses them effortlessly.  Any of the "finesse" baitcasting reels do well with light baits.   I have a Daiwa PX Type R and an Alphas SV105 that are excellent for the task.

 

Tight lines and happy holidays,

Bob

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

spinning   7'6" St Croix Legend Elite M/F SupremeXT 9230 #8 Nanofil

[Darren.]

28 minutes ago, jacob2000 said:

Awesome, do you prefer bait caster or spinning?

Well, spinning is much better when it comes to 
skipping baits under docks, low bushes/trees, 
bridges, etc.

For lighter baits, spinning is better, but with the way
my Chronarch 50e reels are rigged, I can cast some
very light baits.

If I had to choose one over the other. Spinning.

[Evan K]

St Croix Premier 7' MF Spinning rod, BPS Pro Qualifier reel with 15 lb braid and sometimes a 10 lb fluoro leader. I like Gamakatsu's finesse hooks. I always fish them weightless.

When my ML Powell 3D Max comes I'll be using that and either selling or using the St Croix for other stuff.

[jacob2000]

So I get that spinning rods work well for this, but how bad is it to not have a finger on the line like you would a baitcaster?

[JustinU1X]

1 minute ago, jacob2000 said:

So I get that spinning rods work well for this, but how bad is it to not have a finger on the line like you would a baitcaster?

Most of the wacky rig bites I've had are fairly noticeable, that or you can see your line start to move to the side.

 

7' M/F micro magic pro

Shimano Stradic FJ

15lb Power Pro/10lb Yo Zuri Hybrid

[ChrisD46]

10 hours ago, Darren. said:

I use both spinning and bait casting for wacky.

Setup is all braided mainline (10, 15 or 20lb) and
a leader from 4-15 lb test.

Typically use either Gamakatsu Split/Drop hooks
in 1, 1/0, or Wide Gap Finesse hooks. I tie on my
own weed guards.

For worms, anything from Senkos to knock-offs to
Trick and Finesse worms to minnows, etc.

Will also use weighted wacky hooks, usually 1/8oz.

^^This^^ ... The only modification to add is trying a 1/2" ~ 3/4" piece of clear shrink tubing , heat slightly for firm fit and finally run your hook perpindicular to the worm right through the middle which can assist in making a worm last longer .

[MONKEYMAN]

I use just my normal finnese baitcasting rod/reel but the key to my wacky set up is the hook. I use a mustad ultrapoint impact weighted hook in either 1/32 or 1/16 weight depending on dept cover and fishing pressure.When the fish are real finicky and you cant catch them with a senk on this rig I switch to a zoom wat. Candy or wat. Violet trick worm.

[bigfruits]

14 hours ago, jacob2000 said:

So I get that spinning rods work well for this, but how bad is it to not have a finger on the line like you would a baitcaster?

hold the line with a finger or two from your other hand as it sinks (as if you were flipping) if you think you are missing strikes. having just the right amount of slack and using a sensitive rod helps - especially when not touching the line. 

[smalljaw67]

I use spinning because I don't wacky worm with large hooks or worms as it is a super finesse tactic for me. I use either a 7'ML-F spinning for small, thin worms or a 6'9" M-XF spinning for slightly larger, heavier worms.

[The Fisher]

I only use GY Senkos. Tried Yum and Big Bass but never had the same kind of luck. I use 5" most of the year but 4" in cold weather. For the 5" I use a Lews Tournament Lite on a 6' 10"  M Fast rod spooled with 20# Power Pro and a 8# Invizix leader. For the 4" I use a ML XF 6' 9" rod  with a Shimano Sahara spooled with 6#  Silver Thread AN40 copolymer. For my hook, I always use an owner wacky hook 1/0 with no weed guard and I use O rings on my Senkos.

[Comfortably Numb]

I prefer a 6'6"-7' med fast spinning rod and straight 20# braid. I skip more than cast. 5" wacky rigged weightless stick (I make my own) with a Mustad weedless hook.

No reason to hold the line anymore with modern graphite rods and sensitive line. That was old school when rods were fiberglass and mono line.

[Big Bait Fishing]

i use a spinning set up when i'm fishing deeper than 10-12 ft.

   Shallow water (1-10 ft.) areas i prefer a baitcasting set up because i don't have to manually peel line off the spool like you can do with an open bail on a spinning set up . after a long cast i like to leave slack line on the fall .

[jacob2000]

Favorite Rod Brands/Models to use?

[Bluebasser86]

6' 8" M/F Mojo "Wacky Style" with a 30 size Pfluegar Supreme XT, 10lb braid with an 8lb leader. 

[offsidewing]

I use both.  For 4 or 5 inch Senkos I use Spinning gear: 30 sized Plueger and a 6'8" MXF St Croix rod, YoZuri Hybrid 6# line.  When using 6 inch Senkos (or weighted 5") I go with Baitcasting gear: 100 sized reel with a 7" MF sensitive rod and 12# Fluoro.  This set up also works for Fat Ikas.

 

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[deep]

Braid isn't very good at transmitting vibrations on slack line. Don't bother to hold the line.

With mono/ copoly/ fluoro; yes, it makes a difference. I don't care if you're fishing an NRX (I do).

[Airman4754]

I use a Phenix 7'2" M spinning with a Pfluger Supreme reel. 20lb Power Pro braid and 10lb Floro leader. I originally tried my TFO 7'3" ML drop shot spinning rod and didn't like it for shakey heads or Senkos.

The Phenix works well so I'll use it until it gives up on me. The whole setup was around $200.

 

[Big Bait Fishing]

custom micro guided Phenix M1 7'8'' M/XF spinning rod paired with a Pflueger Patriarch Magnesium 40 spooled with 4 lb. Gamma Poly Flex copolymer line ....

[Carterjig68]

I generally fish 4 inch wacky rigs which is a bit smaller than many people. For these, I use a Dobyns savvy 7" medium fast spinning rod with a shimano stradic 2500 fj. I pair this with 10 lb braid and a 10lb leader