Dedicated Wacky set up thoughts

[NorthStar]

Decided to have a dedicated wacky rod set up and a shakey head rod set up instead of trying to do both with the same rod.  I've got a 7 medium fast veritas with a revo s 20 that I've been using for both.  

 

Just purchased a revo stx 20 that I'm looking at getting a St. Croix rod for. 

Would you use the current set up as the dedicated wacky rig or for the shakey head set up?  

What rod would you be buying to complement that choice?  

Legend Tournament would probably be the highest Croix that I would be willing to get.  

Thanks for your help, and tight lines. 

 

[PAbasser927]

I’d use the existing MF for shakeyheads.  For a light wire single hook presentation like wacky rig, I would go ML.  St. Croix’s MLXF rods are fantastic for throwing a wacky rig.  That’s what I use myself, in the Avid X series.  

[Fishes in trees]

If you like the set up you got, buy another one.  Going to stick with spinning or go to bait casting?  I don't know my revo numbers very well.  I've had a number of different bait casting set ups over the years and they all had the same issue, i.e. when I was trying to pitch an unweighted senko into or mostly into the wind, at around 40 feet I had accuracy and control issues.  Four years ago, I went to spinning gear for throwing wacky senkos.  Current rig is a 7' Fenwick MH/extra fast tip and a smaller Pflueger President reel.  I throw 20 lb braid and a 2' or so fluorocarbon leader (10 lb to 20 lb, whatever is handy when I grab the leader bag.). I also like the relatively straighter drops that I seem to get from spinning gear.

 

 

[Tyler.]

What type of hook you all use? I just rigged one up with regular bait hook I may use for minnows. 

[Allen Der]

st croix's wacky rods are the 68MXF.  personally I like a shorter and slower action, so I use a 66MF premier for wacky rigs.

[NorthStar]

Good advice keep it coming.  

Planning on staying spinning gear for this set up, I like an octopus style hook, but they make wacky hooks now that are pretty similar.  Leaning towards the 68 mxf, just not sure what model yet.  Not sure that I need a 300 dollar rod for a wacky set up as its fished on slack line a lot.  

[BoatSquirrel]

1 hour ago, NorthStar said:

Not sure that I need a 300 dollar rod for a wacky set up as its fished on slack line a lot.

How about a 13 Fishing Defy in MH power, fast action for $59.  15 lb PowerPro with a Seaguar Red leader on a Pflueger President reel.  Cheap, effective, and I can skip a senko into your pocket from 50 feet!  

[MIbassyaker]

1 hour ago, NorthStar said:

Good advice keep it coming.  

Planning on staying spinning gear for this set up, I like an octopus style hook, but they make wacky hooks now that are pretty similar.  Leaning towards the 68 mxf, just not sure what model yet.  Not sure that I need a 300 dollar rod for a wacky set up as its fished on slack line a lot.  

 

You don't need a 300 dollar rod.  The St. Croix 6'8" mojo is $130.  I use the same rod in the Avid X line, but I don't think of it as a "wacky rod", rather I think of it as my "senko & fluke" rod. 

 

Sometimes that means a wacky worm, weightless or on a 1/16-1/8oz head, sometimes with a weedguard, sometimes not. Sometimes that means rigged snagless on weightless t-rig or screw-lock hook. The M-XF can do all of that exceptionally well, whereas a lighter power or softer action suffers a bit on some of those things. Although, if all you're fishing on it is a wacky rig, it doesn't matter much.

[j bab]

On 4/10/2019 at 8:04 PM, Tyler. said:

What type of hook you all use?

I used a regular ole 4/0 EWG for years for wacky rigs. I haven't fooled with specialized "wacky" hooks much, and I never use spinning gear for that technique.

 

13 hours ago, NorthStar said:

Not sure that I need a 300 dollar rod for a wacky set up as its fished on slack line a lot.

IMO that's when higher end rods shine. They're so much lighter, making it easier to hold that rod tip up all day, and more sensitive, often making that 'tick' more apparent. At least that's what I tell myself  

[Bluebasser86]

The St. Croix Mojo "Wacky Style" rod is an excellent wacky rig rod. It's a really versatile spinning rod for lots of things really. 

[TBAG]

I just got a new wacky and weightless Senko rod yesterday, went with the Avid X 68SMXF after tons of recommendations. I haven't fished it yet just handled it last night. I think I'm going to enjoy fishing with it!

[NorthStar]

Decided on the mojo wacky 68 mxf.  I'm hoping this will fill my needs.  

 

[TBAG]

1 hour ago, NorthStar said:

Decided on the mojo wacky 68 mxf.  I'm hoping this will fill my needs.  

 

Nice, don't think you can go wrong!

[J Francho]

On 4/15/2019 at 8:57 AM, NorthStar said:

Not sure that I need a 300 dollar rod for a wacky set up as its fished on slack line a lot.

You don't need a $300 rod, but if you use a quality fluorocarbon, mono, or  copolymer line, you'll feel the taps from a bite.  It's the very reason I do not prefer braid for this.  If you go the braid rout, plan on line watching.  I seen violent strikes using braid while sight fishing, and never felt a thing, and I was using an expensive rod.

 

2 hours ago, NorthStar said:

Decided on the mojo wacky 68 mxf.  I'm hoping this will fill my needs.  

 

Really great choice.  Congrats, and enjoy it!

[TBAG]

7 minutes ago, J Francho said:

You don't need a $300 rod, but if you use a quality fluorocarbon, mono, or  copolymer line, you'll feel the taps from a bite.  It's the very reason I do not prefer braid for this.  If you go the braid rout, plan on line watching.  I seen violent strikes using braid while sight fishing, and never felt a thing, and I was using an expensive rod.

 

Really great choice.  Congrats, and enjoy it!

How do you like 6lb copolymer for this application?

[J Francho]

I don't, actually.  But forced to use a copoly, I'd go with CXX.  I use 6# Tatsu and Invisx.