Exciting News!

[Fisher0517]

So, as I’ve said I fish every Wednesday the weather was rainy this past Wednesday but it cleared up by the time I went it was very cloudy with occasional sun and low sixties I was there from 4:20 - about 7:20 I met this fishermen that told me where to cast put scented spray on my bait, re-rigged my wacky rig the right way, and even did a comparison with me Carolina rig vs wacky rig. I casted about three times, oh also I forgot to mention I was fishing and talking not paying attention had a huge bite and lost my worm. Anyway back to after this the fishermen had told me let it sit slowly pull back reel in slack 1 movement 3rd cast it was sitting for a minute I pulled back and felt a pull i didn’t get a chance to set the hook and didn’t feel the bite the Bass jumped it was over 2 pounds at least. After that I lost the fish, it happened again but the fish didn’t jump again I didn’t say the hook I guess I don't really know how so any tips on that help, anyway the fishermen was catching bluegill for catfish bait and then was bass fishing, he said the hooks I’m using are easy for the fish to spit he gave me a bigger better hook (hopefully) I might be able to go before next Wednesday I just wanted to share this because I can’t get over how big that bass was any tips on hook sets would be absolutely amazing and any pics of your wacky rig either way but specifically if you were to use a ewg hook. 

[Fishes in trees]

Hook sets are pretty simple, if you don't think about it too much.    If you feel a strike - tighten up and set the hook.   If you're feeling your bait as it sinks through the water and then, all of a sudden you don't feel it, you don't feel anything - tighten up and set the hook.   If, when you're watching your line and it does something wonky,

you didn't feel anything, just your line did something unexpected - then tighten up and set the hook. The sooner you get a decent hook set, the more likely you are to land the fish.

[garroyo130]

Agree with the advice. Reeling in the slack is likely the issue.

 

What kind of line are you using?

[Fisher0517]

7 hours ago, garroyo130 said:

Agree with the advice. Reeling in the slack is likely the issue.

 

What kind of line are you using?

20 pound braid

[garroyo130]

33 minutes ago, Fisher0517 said:

20 pound braid

 

I don't know how tight your drag is, but maybe loosen it a bit if it doesnt have any give. 

[Fisher0517]

My drag right now can’t  be pulled at all I don’t know how to set it

[MN Fisher]

Just now, Fisher0517 said:

My drag right now can’t  be pulled at all I don’t know how to set it

Spinning reel - turn the knob at the top of the spool - looking down on it from end, "righty-tighty, lefty loosy"...clockwise to tighten, counter-clockwise to loosen

 

Baitcaster - the 'star' under the handle - same thing - clockwise to tighten...etc

 

Loosen until it takes a bit to pull line out - but not having to strain...maybe 4-5 lbs of pull for that 20# braid.

[BrianMDTX]

First off, in my “not as experienced as most” opinion, an EWG hook on a wacky rig is lipstick on a pig. There are numerous hooks available for wacky rigs. Use a correct wacky rig hook. Whether you use o-rings or not, the hook makes a difference. I like a 1/0 circle octopus hook for Senkos. Others prefer more traditional wackybrig hooks (they are labeled “wacky rig hooks”. But I lost more fish using 20 lb braid to 6 lb leader than using straight 6 lb mono. I think the stretch of mono helps with hook sets on wacky rigs. 
 

When you cast a wacky rig, it sinks on semi-slack line. Once again, in my opinion, you will get most strikes on the initial cast and sink. If your slack line starts running, or stops before it hits bottom, raise your rod tip to about 45° and reel in the slack until the line is tight. If using a correct hook, the bass will set the hook itself. 
 

A 3/0 EWG is my favorite hook for most soft plastic Texas rigs. It’s not a good wacky rig hook. 

[Fishin Dad]

Brian is correct above.  Don’t set the hook hard with a wacky rig and correct hook.   Reel up and lean into them.  Meaning don’t jerk the hook set hard.   With the correct hook, line, drag, and hook set, wacky rigs are very easy.  

[Fisher0517]

20 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Spinning reel - turn the knob at the top of the spool - looking down on it from end, "righty-tighty, lefty loosy"...clockwise to tighten, counter-clockwise to loosen

 

Baitcaster - the 'star' under the handle - same thing - clockwise to tighten...etc

 

Loosen until it takes a bit to pull line out - but not having to strain...maybe 4-5 lbs of pull for that 20# braid.

I know how I just don’t know how much to turn it

[Fishin Dad]

9 minutes ago, Fisher0517 said:

I know how I just don’t know how much to turn it

Turn it and pull your line to test it.  Line should take a firm steady pull to activate the drag.  Not a hard pull or an easy pull.  Keep turning it until you get that. 

[BrianMDTX]

Turn the knob like you’re removing the spool until it’s loose, then turn it back to tighten until you start to feel resistance. Grab your line just before the first guide and pull smoothly but firmly. If it’s easy to pull the line, tighten the knob a bit more and check it again. Continue until the drag is set to where you have to put a little effort in pulling the line to get the drag to release line as you pull. 
 

Check videos on this site if you need further assistance.