Wacky rig fish keep getting off

[CenCal fisher]

A wacky rigged senko is my most productive technique but at least half of the fish I hook get off. I'm positive they are hooked and not just holding the bait.

 

I have tried a sweeping hook set vs a hard hookset. I have tried letting the fish take the bait for a few seconds and setting the hook as soon as I feel the bite. I have tried braid and mono, and various wacky rig hooks. Nothing seems to be working. It's frustrating because the bigger fish are normally the ones that get off. Currently I'm using a 7ft medium dobbin's spinning rod and a 1/0 trokar wacky hook. I think the fish that get off are just hooked in the skin on the side of the mouth and it tears during the fight.

 

Am I using the wrong hook or is there a technique change I should try?

[Kidflex]

Try owner hooks. Never had a problem with fish coming unbuttoned with them. I have noticed with Trojan hooks is that they make a large hole from the hook and fish come off easier. Stopped using them for that reason and they tear up plastics of rigged weedless 

[Jonas Staggs]

the wack rig has been successful for me. Every time I used it, it was carolina rigged with a 1/o worm hook. never had a problem with loosing fish. 

[waymont]

I switched to a VMC Neko hook when they came out, and haven't had one fish shake a hook since.

I like the longer shank of that hook.

[BrianMDTX]

When I started fishing wacky rig 5” Senkos, all I could find locally were Eagle Claw 1/0 circle hooks. So far so good. Haven’t lost a bass yet. 

[FryDog62]

35 minutes ago, waymont said:

I switched to a VMC Neko hook when they came out, and haven't had one fish shake a hook since.

I like the longer shank of that hook.

This... I used every brand in the past, but switched to VMC Neko hook size 2 (not to be confused with 2/0) a couple years ago and I haven’t lost a fish yet.  Longer shank and a sticky hook, almost always hooked in the roof of the mouth.  
 

One last thing is the line you are using... assuming it’s not just braid.  If so you need at least a 3-4 foot leader of fluorocarbon/mono to provide some shock absorption.  Straight braid and you could lose more fish because of lack of stretch.  

[rtwvumtneer6]

Another vote for VMC.  All I have to do is reel into them and lift.  No need for a violent swing like you would when setting a heavy wire flipping hook.

 

I use a Ned head with an Owner hook in it, with much success, also.  

[WRB]

Probably bed fish moving the Senko instead of eating it. Simple way to find out is don't set the hook until the line moves off. If the bass is gut hooked they ate it, if dropped it's a bed fish.

Tom

[PersicoTrotaVA]

As much as you want to set the hook, don’t. Just pick up the rod tip and start reeling. Wacky rig uses and open face hook, you don’t have to set it. You want your drag set low so you can reel and barely pull on them. I adjust my drag while fighting the fish to increase pull without making it so strong it straightens the hook. You have to keep the line tight or else they will spit it. This technique can wear the drag out on a reel. After 6 years of consecutive use the drag on my lew’s speed spinning reel needs to be rebuilt. 

[Captain Phil]

I don't think I ever lost a fish on a Wacky Rig.  I agree the problem is your hook.  I use Owner or Gamakatsu hooks.  These hooks are so good the fish set themselves.  

[DougHall_NY]

Owner or Gamakatsu octopus circle hooks. Have never had a senko fish come unbuttoned with either hook.

[Kdizzle]

If you aren't very quick on the hookset or you have problems detecting bites, then a straight shank hook can get in the way of sticking a fish.  EWG's seem to help with this.  I use a #1 or #2 gama ewg and don't have problems with hooksets.

[TBAG]

Yeah, try an Owner or Gamakatsu and see if your luck changes. 

[Mbirdsley]

I’ve lost about 5 fish the other day on the wacky rig.  Problem is I’m setting the hook.  This is of course After I have spent the last two years training my self to set the hook on jigs and Texas rigs