Wacky hooks

[bassbandit2]

I'm looking for wacky hook recommendations. I've used the green owners in the past and today I improvised and used a  offset EWG 2 hook and it worked actually well. I throw 4 and 5 inch stick baits and worms like zoom trick and finesse worms and similar.

[FishinBuck07]

I use the VMC weedless Neko hooks for wacky rigging.  They work for me!

[bassbandit2]

13 minutes ago, FishinBuck07 said:

I use the VMC weedless Neko hooks for wacky rigging.  They work for me!

What worms do you wacky rig? What size vmc hooks do you use?

[Born 2 fish]

I just use a gamagatsu #2 octopus hook works great for me usually use a 5” stick o.

[bassbandit2]

17 minutes ago, Born 2 fish said:

I just use a gamagatsu #2 octopus hook works great for me usually use a 5” stick o.

Is there lots of room with the #2 octopus hooks and a Senko? I also use trick worms and s don't want huge hooks.

[MN Fisher]

#1 Owner Wacky hook - 5" Stik-O, Senko or Zlinky

 

[FryDog62]

Don’t do it - that is wacky hooks... As mentioned above, use a VMC weedless Neko hook size 2 (not 2/0).  Higher hook-up ratio, they don’t come un-buttoned and you catch them almost always in the roof of the mouth.  

[Born 2 fish]

3 minutes ago, bassbandit2 said:

Is there lots of room with the #2 octopus hooks and a Senko? I also use trick worms and s don't want huge hooks.

I think it’s perfect I’ve caught some big bass and pike on this rig.

[Darren.]

For me, after years of use, my favs are Gamakatsu Split/Drop Shot

and Wide Gap Finesse. Various sizes. Have tried several brands but

keep returning to Gammy. Consistently sharp, strong, etc. No reason

to change up any more...just my .02.

 

I also tie my own weed guards.

[bassbandit2]

Awesome thank you everyone for the replies! 

14 minutes ago, Darren. said:

For me, after years of use, my favs are Gamakatsu Split/Drop Shot

and Wide Gap Finesse. Various sizes. Have tried several brands but

keep returning to Gammy. Consistently sharp, strong, etc. No reason

to change up any more...just my .02.

 

I also tie my own weed guards.

What size would you use for all around worms I've mentioned?

[BrianMDTX]

I use 1/0 Gammy octopus circle hooks for 5” stick baits. I rarely miss a hookup. 

[kayaking_kev]

I have tried several hooks and have settled on Gamakatsu Barbless Octopus or Owner Sniper Finesse Neko Hooks for when I want to make sure I don't lose a fish. I tried the Owner Sniper Finesse Neko Hooks. They are the exact opposite of my barbless hooks, hard to even pull out of a fish because the barb is so strong. 

[bassbandit2]

3 hours ago, Born 2 fish said:

I just use a gamagatsu #2 octopus hook works great for me usually use a 5” stick o.

Maybe Neko hooks for the win! Thanks everyone for all the help

[ChrisD46]

7 hours ago, bassbandit2 said:

I'm looking for wacky hook recommendations. I've used the green owners in the past and today I improvised and used a  offset EWG 2 hook and it worked actually well. I throw 4 and 5 inch stick baits and worms like zoom trick and finesse worms and similar.

* Gamakatsu Drop/Split Shot Hooks : #1 size for the 4" Stick Worms and #1/0 size for 5" stick worms are my favorite - the VMC Neko hooks would work well in the same sizes as above followed by Owner wacky rig hooks , then followed by Berkley Fusion 19 wacky rig hooks in same sizes .

[00bullitt]

Owner Sniper Finesse #2 or #1 work great for Wacky, DropShot and Neko rigging. There is also a weedless option.

[FishinBuck07]

10 hours ago, bassbandit2 said:

What worms do you wacky rig? What size vmc hooks do you use?

4 and 5 inch Berkley Generals and also Reaction Innovations Pocket Rocket.  The hooks are Number 1 size

[gim]

11 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

As mentioned above, use a VMC weedless Neko hook size 2 (not 2/0).  Higher hook-up ratio, they don’t come un-buttoned and you catch them almost always in the roof of the mouth.  

I used to always use a VMC wacky hook too.  I had pretty good success with it but the longer shank of the neko hook seems to keep fish on better.  I haven't been using it long enough to say that fish always get hooked in the roof of the mouth yet.

[00bullitt]

As mentioned, the longer shank of the Neko style (Sniper Finesse) hook is big key to a higher hookup and landing ratio.

VMC Neko/Gamakatsu Stinger/Owner Sniper Finesse are all great hook options.

I use #2's for nose hook dropshotting and thinner wacky and #1 for larger wacky and Neko and thread on drop shotting.

 

 

[Team9nine]

You can simplify your life tremendously if you just get rid of all the plain wacky hook stuff/weights/bands/etc. and simply convert to a ‘jighead wacky’ lifestyle ? Works especially well with the finesse worms.

[Chonch12]

What ever you do, DO NOT BUY THESE. They are weedless but have the WORST hookup ration ever. I missed 5/6 fish one day. Cut off the weed guard and landed 5/5 fish. The VMC wacky hooks are great, just don't go with this weedless version. I ended up cutting the weed guard off of all of them.

[NHBull]

I have gone to the NEKO hooks ( ke Approved) for all Wacky, DS, NEKO rigs.  Incredible landing average.

[bassbandit2]

I appreciate all the info and responses. Looks like Neko hooks are the winner. I'm going to give them a try! Thanks again!

[GetFishorDieTryin]

3 hours ago, Chonch12 said:

What ever you do, DO NOT BUY THESE. They are weedless but have the WORST hookup ration ever. I missed 5/6 fish one day. Cut off the weed guard and landed 5/5 fish. The VMC wacky hooks are great, just don't go with this weedless version. I ended up cutting the weed guard off of all of them.

100% on the money...In 28 years of fishing these may be the worst hook I've ever used.  

[Chonch12]

3 minutes ago, Rusty_Shackleford said:

100% on the money...In 28 years of fishing these may be the worst hook I've ever used.  

Seriously I was so confused, I do not wacky fish often at all, usually T Rig and I could not figure out or understand was going on. Cut off that guard and boom, couldn't miss. The hook itself is fantastic! the Guard is terribly designed.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

The Owner Jungle hooks have done really well for me, the wire guard is perfect.  You don't have to use a wacky style hook though.  I don't like VMC as a whole, but they have put out a couple products I really like, the rugby head and the neko hook.  #1 and #2 weedless neko are great as far hook up %, but what I really like is that It almost always sticks em in the roof of the mouth.  Another great wacky hook is the 2/0 Owner Mosquito, just like the VMC neko its not an inline hook and that really helps with the hook up % and like any owner hook I've used they're sharp.  The Mosquitos are cheap compared to some other wacky hooks and theyre good for nekos, DS, and some ppl use them for live bait.