Weedless Wacky Hook: Missing Fish

[Dorado]

Using a 2/0 VMC weedless wacky hook and I’ve been missing A LOT of fish on the hook set.  I’m setting the hook like I would on a Texas-rigged set up so what am I doing wrong?

 

Before all of this algae and weed growth, I was using a regular wacky rig and nailing them this year. Went to a weedless wacky hook and I’m striking out. Thanks

Also, I know what pan fish feel like and these are definitely green bass bites. This honey hole has average 2#-4# LMB. I’m waiting a couple seconds too

[PersicoTrotaVA]

You’re setting the hook. Just lift up and reel. The hook does all the work. And don’t let the tension go slack so that the hook stays pegged. 

[Dorado]

19 minutes ago, PersicoTrotaVA said:

You’re setting the hook. Just lift up and reel. The hook does all the work. And don’t let the tension go slack so that the hook stays pegged. 

I do that with a regular wacky hook, reel quickly and gently lift the rod tip up, like I would with a circle hook. It just seems like I change up my hookset technique whenever I have a weedless guard. They don’t stick easily 

[NYWayfarer]

Not a fan of the VMC wacky weedless hooks. They use a wire weed guard that I have had issues with. something about the way it sits under the barb is the problem IMO

 

I like the Berkley Fusion wacky weedless as it uses a heavy piece of fluorocarbon as a weedguard.

 

The only issue free weedless hook I have that uses a wire is the Eagle Claw brand.

[kylek]

I had the same problem with the VMC hooks.  I switched to the Berkley Fusion hooks and love them!

[moguy1973]

38 minutes ago, kylek said:

I had the same problem with the VMC hooks.  I switched to the Berkley Fusion hooks and love them!

This is the ticket here.  I love the Fusion19 weedless wacky hooks.  They have a fluorocarbon weed guard where the VMC have a wire one and the fluorocarbon one gets out the way better while still maintaining excellent weedless capabilities.

[Dorado]

Thanks guys! I’ll cut the wire guards off and use them in open water. I’ll try the fusions out because that Fluoro guard seems more forgiving. 

 

I’ve rediscovered the magic of throwing wacky rigged sticks worms in cover.  It’s so action packed  

[johnmyers]

Gamakatsu 3/0 offset won’t miss them

[Fishes in trees]

I think that the wire on the VMC hook is just a little too stout.  As an alternative, if you want to stay with the mouse trap wire design, go with the Falcon K-wacky weedless hooks.  I use the 3/0 size.

[padon]

Switch to the fusion hook but also set  hook like a circle hook.that style hook with a short neck/shank does t respond well to a hard book just lift and reel or sweep smoothly and reel.

[SWVABass]

Vmc seedless Neko hook. They are like mono I’ve had no problem sticking fish. Unless you want the weighted jig head. If that’s the case slide a small nail weight in the center of your worm.

[IgotWood]

I like the Gamakatsu G Finesse wacky hook. It’s about as weedless as they get, and I rarely miss with them. I used the old style gamakatsu weedless hook (which essentially is the same as the Berkeley Fusion) for a while and I hated it. It was probably around 50% on hooksets. And it catches a ton of grass. That little crease between the eye of the hook and the bend of the weedguard would always catch some grass. 

 

The new Gama G Finesse has been great so far. Started using it this year. 

[LxVE Bassin]

 

On 5/9/2019 at 9:45 AM, Fishes in trees said:

I think that the wire on the VMC hook is just a little too stout.  As an alternative, if you want to stay with the mouse trap wire design, go with the Falcon K-wacky weedless hooks.  I use the 3/0 size.

Good man, I use 3/0 as well and have really good hookups. I set the hook 95%.