WEEDLESS Wacky Rig for a Senko (not zoom finesse or trick worm style)

[n8cas4]

I know you can rig a zoom trick worm style weedless pretty easily, however when I go to rig a senko this way it seems to impede it's all-important action.  I tried the thin-medal weed guard hooks and actually have lost fish because the metal wire stayed pegged under the barb on hook-set.  The fiber guards don't do well in the heavier stuff that I'd like to throw near / in.  Any suggestions on a strong weedless rigging method for a senko?  

[Fishes in trees]

There is nothing wrong with the spring style weed guards.  If you've tried them with no success - try harder.  If the spring week guard staged put, you didn't set the hook well enough.  Eagle Claw makes some decent ones   So does Gamakatsu.  The Falcon Weedless wacky hook ( a kahle style hook with a spring weed guard) works the best for me.  I'll throw them on bait casting gear ( the hook/senko combo weighs nearly 3/8 oz) or on spinning gear.

I prefer the weighted 1/16 oz weedless wacky hooks because I don't think that the slightly faster drop that I get with the weighted hook doesn't hurt anything and it lets me fish a little bit faster.   Dealing with Falcon baits can be a challenge.   Sometime they don't answer their phone and they've been known to take their time shipping stuff once they've got your order.   They have a good hook though.

[iabass8]

Started using the Gamakatsu G-Finesse Series Wacky Jig Head earlier this year and have no issues with it. If you can't hook them on that head you're doing something wrong. Usually use 1/16oz but have 1/8oz for other things. 

[Darren.]

8 hours ago, n8cas4 said:

I know you can rig a zoom trick worm style weedless pretty easily, however when I go to rig a senko this way it seems to impede it's all-important action.  I tried the thin-medal weed guard hooks and actually have lost fish because the metal wire stayed pegged under the barb on hook-set.  The fiber guards don't do well in the heavier stuff that I'd like to throw near / in.  Any suggestions on a strong weedless rigging method for a senko?  

I lost fish on the wire weed guard wacky hooks. 
Stopped using and never looked back.

All that said, I began to tie my own weed guards
this year using 50 and 40# test mono leader. I bought
a cheap fly tying vice kit at Bass Pro, some line and
began my experiments. I must say they have been 
very successful with single strand and double strand
weed guards. Pix below:

[desmobob]

For a weighted wacky weedless hook, I greatly prefer the Gamakatsu G-Finesse heads.  For unweighted weedless hooks, I like the Decoy or Owner wacky hooks (both have a pretty soft mono weed guard that is only mildly "weedless".)

Tight lines,

Bob

[Wayne P.]

[n8cas4]

2 hours ago, Darren. said:

I lost fish on the wire weed guard wacky hooks. 
Stopped using and never looked back.

All that said, I began to tie my own weed guards
this year using 50 and 40# test mono leader. I bought
a cheap fly tying vice kit at Bass Pro, some line and
began my experiments. I must say they have been 
very successful with single strand and double strand
weed guards. Pix below:

Those look stout - nice work!

[n8cas4]

On July 9, 2016 at 8:58 PM, Wayne P. said:

Thanks, Wayne. You've obviously been using this rig a while - have you ever lost a fish due to the wire guard?  What brand of hook is that?  

[Wayne P.]

13 hours ago, n8cas4 said:

Thanks, Wayne. You've obviously been using this rig a while - have you ever lost a fish due to the wire guard?  What brand of hook is that?  

The hook is a 4/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook with a weedguard of braided stainless steel leader that I added.

Very flexible but sturdy so it won't release coming through heavy cover. No missed hooksets.

[ssheldon1]

On July 9, 2016 at 10:52 AM, n8cas4 said:

I know you can rig a zoom trick worm style weedless pretty easily, however when I go to rig a senko this way it seems to impede it's all-important action.  I tried the thin-medal weed guard hooks and actually have lost fish because the metal wire stayed pegged under the barb on hook-set.  The fiber guards don't do well in the heavier stuff that I'd like to throw near / in.  Any suggestions on a strong weedless rigging method for a senko?  

Real simple way to solve issue. Weightless t-rig senko. I fish it in weeds out of weeds on concrete wherever...they catch fish. No hang ups. Action is very similar and catches tons of fish. The weedless wacky hooks usually have one or both of the following issues (1) they don't work (2) they prevent hook ups. If ur going to fish weedless wacky, go weighted to that the weed guard is down facing a deflecting weeds of from skinny to narrow part of hook rather than bend descending first. Always use a two fingered knuckle dragged knot too

[jtharris3]

On July 9, 2016 at 8:58 PM, Wayne P. said:

There you go! Problem solved!

[n8cas4]

21 hours ago, ssheldon1 said:

Real simple way to solve issue. Weightless t-rig senko. I fish it in weeds out of weeds on concrete wherever...they catch fish. No hang ups. Action is very similar and catches tons of fish. The weedless wacky hooks usually have one or both of the following issues (1) they don't work (2) they prevent hook ups. If ur going to fish weedless wacky, go weighted to that the weed guard is down facing a deflecting weeds of from skinny to narrow part of hook rather than bend descending first. Always use a two fingered knuckle dragged knot too

I fish a senko this way very often.  I do think there's more action when wacky-rigged, however.  It seems like I'll have to experiment with making my own weedless wacky hooks.  Thanks for the ideas!

[WRB]

TW has several weedless wacky hook designs off the shelf shown in  terminal tackle. VMC Ike approved should work for you or make your like Wayne did

Tom

[WIGuide]

Take a look at the Trokar Weedless Wacky hooks. They have very soft, double weedguard that doesn't get in the way. If it gets too thick for that, I'll switch to a texas rig instead. 

[adam lancia]

On 2016-07-09 at 8:58 PM, Wayne P. said:

Do you shrink the heat shrink tubing onto the Senko before you fish it or do you find the right size tubing that will slightly compress the Senko just by slipping it on...? Thanks!

[Dypsis]

Expensive but the best hook I have found for weedless wacky rig.  I use both the unweighted and 1/16 revision.  Don't think I've ever missed a fish due to the weed guard - but I may have and just never known.  

http://www.falconlures.com/Weighted-Hooks_c11.htm

[Wayne P.]

2 hours ago, adam lancia said:

Do you shrink the heat shrink tubing onto the Senko before you fish it or do you find the right size tubing that will slightly compress the Senko just by slipping it on...? Thanks!

No, I do not. The 3/8" tubing is an exact fit for the 5" Senko slightly compressed.

The weedguard is Malin-7. It is attached to the hook with 1/8" heat shrink tubing.

 

I tried the Senko with the rigging I use in my avatar, but the Senko is too bulky and fragile to work well that way.

 

[Haze]

I use Yum Dingers alot, and here is how I rig them wacky and it keeps it weedless, as long as you do not jerk hard when pulling over grass or a stump.  They have a hook slot on one side, and i'll use a 4/0 (that's a 3/0 in the picture but that's all I had with me) and barely expose the hook point inside the hook slot.  Action is still great and I have no problem with hook ups or and very few snags.  Just have to check the bait after pulling over or through grass to make sure the point is not pulled through and exposed.  Hope you can see what I am talking about in the picture, did the best I could with my phone.