Wacky Rigged Stick Worm (5") Hook Size ?

[ChrisD46]

I thought I would try my hand at wacky rigging a 5" stick Worm (i.e. Senko)  : If using a O-Ring I believe a VMC #2 Neko Hook is what a good many Pros are using . If hooking straight through the 5" stick worm - I have not decided , maybe bumping up to a #1 or 1/0 VMC Neko hook is the ticket ? ... I also noticwe there are quite a few wacky rigging specialty hooks out now *What hook and hook size do you prefer for wacky rigging a 5" stick worm (i.e. Senko) ?

[Finessegenics]

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?sort=no&start=0&count=30&searchtext=Gamakatsu+stinger+finesse
 

Size 1 for a 5” bait. I suppose if you’re hooking through the bait you can try the 1/0 but IMO the 1 will still be fine. I always use an o-ring.

[BBuck]

I typically use a size 1 or 1/0. 

[ChrisD46]

6 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/search-tackle.html?sort=no&start=0&count=30&searchtext=Gamakatsu+stinger+finesse
 

Size 1 for a 5” bait. I suppose if you’re hooking through the bait you can try the 1/0 but IMO the 1 will still be fine. I always use an o-ring.

Thanks - the B10 S series is a nice looking hook ... I have noticed when you go up from a #1 to a 1/0 size Hook the diameter of most hooks also grows which is a consideration when using a spinning set up with #10 lb. ~ #15 lb. braid and #8 lb. FC leader . 

[BrianMDTX]

I use a Gamakutsu 1/0 circle octopus hook and a o-ring. On spinning rigs with either 6 or 8 lb mono or 20 lb braid with a 6 lb YZH leader. I think the only bass I have lost bit the Senko but not the hook. 

[fishwizzard]

22 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

Thanks - the B10 S series is a nice looking hook ... I have noticed when you go up from a #1 to a 1/0 size Hook the diameter of most hooks also grows which is a consideration when using a spinning set up with #10 lb. ~ #15 lb. braid and #8 lb. FC leader . 

I use the B10 S hooks for most all of my wacky and neko rigging and have never had an issue with setting the hook.  I use pretty light tackle as well, ML to M rods and 7lb-10lb straight fluoro.  The 1/0 size is fairly large compared to most other wacky hooks, which I like as has almost eliminated gut-hooked bass and I seem to get more solid roof of the mouth hooksets and less hooked lips.   

[CountryboyinDC]

I use the Lake Fork wacky system and don't use O-rings.  The ones that fit a 5" Senko are the large ones, and I think the hook is a size 1 or so.  The hook ups are pretty good, mine are not the weedguard type.  I don't know that I would use a Neko hook unless you have a bunch of them kicking around.  I think that you'll prefer the a hook with a shorter shank.  If you go the Lake Fork route, the hooks are pretty substantial.  Definitely use a medium powered spinning rod or casting setup.

[Darth-Baiter]

I use this hook. I like it weedless so I can whisper a prayer and huck it into a submerged tree. I pulled out 9 Clearlake bass from a single tree my first successful visit to that lake.  (Kicking myself for not trying a jig).  The weedless thing works pretty well. 

 

1/0.  With an o-ring or these clear plastic strap things my friend uses.  I have only lost one fist I can remember and that fish stole the worm entirely 
 

 

[JustJames]

4 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

I thought I would try my hand at wacky rigging a 5" stick Worm (i.e. Senko)  : If using a O-Ring I believe a VMC #2 Neko Hook is what a good many Pros are using.

These are pretty much hook I use now VMC weedless and none weedless 1/0 #1 and #2 for both wacky, Neko and sometimes dropshot.

I normally use heat shrink tube so I can go down to #2, or #1. You don’t really need to hook through plastic right in the middle. 1/0, I use mostly when Neko rig while ZinkerZ or Zman Finesse Worm and with other plastic when not equip with heat shrink.

[Aaron_H]

For my wacky rigs, I use a piece of clear heat-shrink tubing instead of o-rings, more secure and cost-effective IMO. Hook I use is a 2/0 Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap.

[GetFishorDieTryin]

6 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

I thought I would try my hand at wacky rigging a 5" stick Worm (i.e. Senko)  : If using a O-Ring I believe a VMC #2 Neko Hook is what a good many Pros are using . If hooking straight through the 5" stick worm - I have not decided , maybe bumping up to a #1 or 1/0 VMC Neko hook is the ticket ? ... I also notice there are quite a few wacky rigging specialty hooks out now *What hook and hook size do you prefer for wacky rigging a 5" stick worm (i.e. Senko) ?

I  get more use out of the #1 and #2 VMC weedless neko then any other size.  The 1/0 is a little bigger but the biggest difference to me is that the wire is thicker.  The Owner Jungle has the best weedguard IMO and absolutely sticks em, but I have tons of VMC nekos.  Decoy makes a good weedless wacky hook as well.  In open water I've found the 2/0 Mosquito to be really effective.   

[Bluebasser86]

1 or 1/0 Eagle Claw weedless Neko hook.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lazer-Sharp-LPS137WG-1-0-Pro-Series-Weedless-Finesse-Hook-Size-1-0-Hook/984474974

[FryDog62]

Usually #2 VMC Neko hook - I use shrink tube mostly, sometimes O-ring.  Either way when I hook through the O-ring I always hook some of the meat of the plastic too.  You get more surface area and the worm usually lasts longer IMO. 

[moguy1973]

On 2/18/2021 at 7:43 AM, BBuck said:

I typically use a size 1 or 1/0. 

Here too.

 

Berkley Fusion19 weedless wacky hook or Owner mosquito non-weedless.  I always use an o-ring or a hair band in the middle.

[MN Fisher]

5" Senko or equivalent?

1:  I always use an O-Ring

2a: Non-weedless - Owner SSW in #1

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_SSW_Needle_Point_Hooks/descpage-OSSH.html

2b: Weedless - Owner Jungle Wacky Weedless in #1

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Jungle_Wacky_Weedless_Hook_4pk/descpage-OOJWE.html

 

Note that those two are also the hook types I use for drop-shot, neko, etc...pretty much all my finesse work. I have a few different sizes for different size baits.

[kayaking_kev]

I've tried lots of hooks and by far the best for me has been the Owner Sniper Finesse Neko Hook Size 1 or 1/O when using barbed hooks. The barbs are strong and will keep the fish pinned.

 

I recently been using a lot of barbless hooks and use the Gamakatsu Barbless Octopus in the same sizes. I haven't had any problems losing any fish with them.

 

I always use an O-Ring and have caught up to 30 bass with the same worm before.

[roadwarrior]

Been fishing a Senko for 25 years, but never weighted or wacky.

Maybe I will try a wacky rig this year.