wacky rig hook too small?

[crankbait2009]

Last season, I just started using plastics.  Specifically the 5" senko, weightless.  I was wacky rigging them on a larger circle hook, size unknown. Caught a few bass and was excited to say the least that it actually worked for me.

 

Took a trip to the local BPS to stock up on some more 5" senkos, as well as wacky rig hooks.  Since I was still new to the senko/wack rig set ups, I asked the BPS guy the best hook for the job.  He pointed me to the Owner wacky rig hook.  That size happened to be the #1 size.  Now this hook was definitely a lot smaller than my large circle hooks.  But if it said wacky rig on it, then it must be what I needed.

 

Everyone uses hooks ranging from 1/0 to 3/0 typically. 

What happens when using a smaller hook like the #1?  What can happen if the hook is too small? 

If this hook is too small, why would they make it?  If this hook is in fact too small, what type of wacky rigging can it be used for?

[PersicoTrotaVA]

I use size owner weedless wacky hooks size 1 and size 2 for my wacky rigs.  The biggest I go is 1/0 for weighted wacky(flick shake).  Try using Zoom Finesse worms instead of the Senkos.  They are cheaper and work just as well, especially with the smaller hooks.  Wacky is my go to technique, I always have my wacky rig with me.  It's caught me the most fish and my biggest fish.

[Darren.]

Here's the deal, you can use a size #4 for wacky rigging if 

you want. It's small, but it'll hook a large bass just fine. I 

know because I've used them. I like the Wide Gap finesse

in 2, 1, 1/0 and 2/0. I use them all.

 

The thicker the worm, you may have issues getting the 

#4 to stick well given the thickness of the worm.

 

People use 5/0 EWG for bass. That's fine, but it's way too 

big for me. I don't like the extra metal in those hooks.

 

Bottom line is this. People catch huge fish on tiny hooks

in fly fishing all the time...just be aware of how much 

plastic the hook has to penetrate to get a successful

hook-set.

[crankbait2009]

I use a rubber o-ring to hold my worm.  I don't actually ever penetrate the rubber of the worm.  If that matters

[NYWayfarer]

34 minutes ago, crankbait2009 said:

If this hook is too small, why would they make it?  If this hook is in fact too small, what type of wacky rigging can it be used for?

The hook is not too small. I have used that size and caught many Bass with it. Senko's and other plastic worm like the Yum Dinger come in many sizes including 3 and 4 inch sizes. The smaller wacky hooks work great with them.

 

Yes I have wacky rigged 3" Dingers for small Bass and Panfish. They love em!

[crankbait2009]

interesting.  So they are at least worth a shot.

thanks for the feedback

[Darren.]

44 minutes ago, crankbait2009 said:

I use a rubber o-ring to hold my worm.  I don't actually ever penetrate the rubber of the worm.  If that matters

That'll do the trick, too. I personally prefer to hook thru the

worm perpendicularly, but I get the allure of o-rings. I'd have

to rig 2 to get the cross pattern for perpendicular rigging. Just

too much work for me  

[Falkus]

6 hours ago, Darren. said:

That'll do the trick, too. I personally prefer to hook thru the

worm perpendicularly, but I get the allure of o-rings. I'd have

to rig 2 to get the cross pattern for perpendicular rigging. Just

too much work for me  

That cross pattern is the way I go ...I just feel more confidence in that.

Without it, I lose my senko in the airborne ! 

[crankbait2009]

umm, what benefit is there to this cross pattern you speak of?  Currently I put one o-ring on, place my hook in between it and the work, and done.  I fish from a yak, so I am literally dropping it where I want it.  No long casting at all.  Haven't tried the long casting option at all.

[ratherbfishin1]

46 minutes ago, crankbait2009 said:

umm, what benefit is there to this cross pattern you speak of?  Currently I put one o-ring on, place my hook in between it and the work, and done.  I fish from a yak, so I am literally dropping it where I want it.  No long casting at all.  Haven't tried the long casting option at all.

When you put on one o-ring the hook is lined up with the direction of the senko.  When you get a bite like that the bait will get in the way of the hook causing the bait to not get caught in the fish.  When the hooks are like an "x" the hook can go in facing the opposite way of the bait which makes hookups better. 

[bobbyg]

If you use 2 O-rings and cross them like I have drawn, you can put the hook under both of them where they cross. this lets your hook be perpendicular to the worm instead of inline with the worm.

[crankbait2009]

I just watched a video on that.  I see the benefit of it.  Definitely keeps the hook upright.

[J Francho]

5 minutes ago, ratherbfishin1 said:

When you put on one o-ring the hook is lined up with the direction of the senko.  When you get a bite like that the bait will get in the way of the hook causing the bait to not get caught in the fish.

By that logic, any weedless hook would not work.  I use one o-ring and I don't recall it being a problem.

[crankbait2009]

I certainly haven't been fishing plastics very long at all.  Were talking a couple months.  So I haven't experienced issues with the one o-ring set up.

 

I'll continue to try the single ring route, and then the double ring, and see if I have different results.

[OkobojiEagle]

What's a Senko?

[bobbyg]

5 minutes ago, OkobojiEagle said:

What's a Senko?

Growing up, it's what my dad called a five dollar bill!!

[Czorn]

15 minutes ago, J Francho said:

By that logic, any weedless hook would not work.  I use one o-ring and I don't recall it being a problem.

That is correct. If you go fishing with a small size 1-2 weedless dropshot hook you will have problems. I don't know anybody that would argue the fact that your hook up ratio would be closer to 100 percent if you could use an open hook all the time. If you use the one ring and a hook, you will lose fish because of it. Probably not many fish but it will happen.

[J Francho]

Nonsense.  My friend Bill invented the original wacky o-ring tool.  Guys have been using them for decades now with one o-ring.  Well known member @Wayne P. goes a step further, and rigs worms wacky weedless by running the almost through the ring entirely, and then turning it and burying the point back in to the plastic.  I've used this method as well.  If you are having hookset problems with an exposed hook, it's time hit the gym.

 

 

https://billm.fatcow.com/

[mllrtm79]

46 minutes ago, J Francho said:

By that logic, any weedless hook would not work.

or any neko rig for that matter.

I prefer #2-#1 finesse wide gap on wacky rigs, but will go as large a 2/0. Sometimes I use an o-ring, other times not. I haven't seen much if any difference between the two, other than the 4-5 seconds it takes to pop an o-ring onto a new senko. 

[ratherbfishin1]

I'm not saying i really have a problem and i still do it with one O-ring but that's what I've heard.  Whether or not it's true, I don't know.

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

 My friend Bill invented the original wacky o-ring tool.  Guys have been using them for decades now with one o-ring. 

My orthodontist invented the original o ring...

[Czorn]

Anybody who thinks that weedless hooks don't play a part in some fish lost is crazy. I'm not saying that it's a big number. if you use weedless rigs (and I do) you WILL miss hooksets because of it. To think that your way is better because it's the original way of rigging is a good way to miss out on big advances in our industry. The Indians protected theirselfs and hunted with bows and arrows until guns came along. My dad fished a c-rig on a 6'6" Carolina honey rod till he used my 7'6" grass rakes. New and better ways of doing things are found on a daily basis.

[Comfortably Numb]

I use these with a single o-ring. As long as you spread the wire open a bit and make sure it does not go behind/under the barb, then it will not hinder hookup percentage at all. 

 

Much better hook ups then a Texas rig or jig fiber guard.

 

And if you're not fishing wacky weedless then you are not throwing in the thick stuff and missing fish.

 

I also find that in general the smaller the hook, the easier it is for the fish to shake off.