“Improved” Wacky Rig: Tubing Help?

[MontclairDave]

Matt Stefan has an interesting video on how to wacky-rig a Senko by putting a hollow tube through its center and then placing the hook through the tube. Two advantages: it gives you the preferred perpendicular hook placement, similar to using shrink wrap or double crossed O rings, which often yields better hookup ratio; and it makes the Senko last a lot longer than would a naked hook. 

 

I’m willing to try anything so I bought the tubing size Matt recommends (1/8”) but the wrong material: silicone. Way too soft to penetrate the bait.

 

Anyone try this and have a source for the right tubing size and material? Yeah I can try coffee straws etc. And the shrink wrap method works pretty well for me. But if someone’s figured this tubing thing out, lemme know.  

 

Thanks!
 

 

[RDB]

I have not tried with tubing.  I now use the rubber bands.  They work well and the saddle extends the life of the bait because it prevents the hook from pulling out.  This was posted previously by someone else but here is the link.

 

 

[JustJames]

That is pretty good idea and I might try some too. I already have some ideas of what I’m gonna use for inserts tubing and might help even more action. I’ll post result once I know for sure it works.

As of now I only use pre-shrink tube that tight fit on Senko. It lasts a few fish but with smaller/ jumper one the worm get tear in half from sharp edges of shrink tube.

[scaleface]

You could strip the insulation off some electrical wire .

[GetFishorDieTryin]

1/8 nylon overflow/auto tubing should work pretty well.  You should be able to find it or something like it at lowes or HD 

[MontclairDave]

11 hours ago, RDB said:

I have not tried with tubing.  I now use the rubber bands.  They work well and the saddle extends the life of the bait because it prevents the hook from pulling out.  This was posted previously by someone else but here is the link.

 

 

Well, that looks easy! I see a trip to the dollar store in my future… Thanks!

[CrashVector]

That looks helpful .. thanks!

[Aaron_H]

I'm pretty firmly in the shrink tubing camp, I usually get 8-10 fish from a single senko this way, but this is definitely an intriguing approach. VMC makes those Crossover Rings for wacky and neko rigging that keep the hook from puncturing the worm, as well.

[HookInMouth]

4 minutes ago, Aaron_H said:

I'm pretty firmly in the shrink tubing camp, I usually get 8-10 fish from a single senko this way, but this is definitely an intriguing approach. VMC makes those Crossover Rings for wacky and neko rigging that keep the hook from puncturing the worm, as well.

Same here. 3/8" clear tubing. Cheap on Amazon and works beautifully. 

[Aaron_H]

5 minutes ago, HookInMouth said:

Same here. 3/8" clear tubing. Cheap on Amazon and works beautifully. 

 

Same one I use! 50 feet for only a few bucks, enough for roughly 1,200 senkos. Hard to beat that value.

[Bass Rutten]

I find silicone tubing  is superior to both heat shrink tube and o-rings. I haven’t tried this new method yet.

[MontclairDave]

From the man himself, who, by the way, is by far the best Youtuber at answering comments and questions posted on his site. One of my favorite tubers (see what I did there). 
 

 

[schplurg]

Poking an even bigger hole in a Senko to keep it from tearing seems counterproductive. Doesn't seem better than shrink tubing and other non-damaging methods.

[JustJames]

6 minutes ago, schplurg said:

Poking an even bigger hole in a Senko to keep it from tearing seems counterproductive. Doesn't seem better than shrink tubing and other non-damaging methods.

The problem is when catching those jumper size 1-2lb. Senko can come out of o-ring easily or shrink tube edge can also cut into Senko. I have tried them all.

The bigger smooth surface of tubing would be harder to tear plastic compare to just hook alone. And if this tubing can in fact act like line thru, it would save a lot of tearing Senko.

 

 

[ChrisD46]

On 11/3/2021 at 7:04 PM, schplurg said:

Poking an even bigger hole in a Senko to keep it from tearing seems counterproductive. Doesn't seem better than shrink tubing and other non-damaging methods.

*Curious if the 1/8th " tubing through the center of the stick worm hack would stay on the hook ? I suppose you would have to count on the hook barb to keep the hook from from backing out and throwing the stick worm off ?

[MontclairDave]

7 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Curious if the 1/8th " tubing through the center of the stick worm hack would stay on the hook ? I suppose you would have to count on the hook barb to keep the hook from from backing out and throwing the stick worm off ?

Watch the video. I think the shape of the tube catches on tbe hook barb in such a way that it prevents the worm from flying off. I still can’t find the right tubing on Amazon. If someone has a link, send it pls! 

[ChrisD46]

On 11/3/2021 at 6:03 PM, MontclairDave said:

From the man himself, who, by the way, is by far the best Youtuber at answering comments and questions posted on his site. One of my favorite tubers (see what I did there). 
 

 

*I believe this may be the correct size tubing : 1/16th" ID (1.57mm) x 1/8th OD (3.18mm) ... This is very close to that size :  Tubing - T4304 | Qosina

[ChrisD46]

Perhaps even better : 1/16" I.D. Clear Flexible Vinyl Tubing for Fish Hook Protectors (onfireguy.com)

[MontclairDave]

13 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

Perhaps even better : 1/16" I.D. Clear Flexible Vinyl Tubing for Fish Hook Protectors (onfireguy.com)

Looks pretty good. Didn’t know whether the 1/8” the video mentions was inner or outer diameter but looks like outer. Will give it a shot!

[moguy1973]

I've been using the Goody hair bands for as long as my daughter has needed them in her hair, so probably 8 year or so.  So much cheaper than o-rings and work tons better since the hook is 90 degrees to the worm.  The video above rigs it a little differently than I do.  I just double the rubber band around the worm like you would an o-ring, and then put the hook under the X the band makes.  I've caught 8-10 fish on one worm like that.  Sometimes it tears the worm a little, but then I just slide the band a 1/4" down the worm and it'll work for a couple more fish.

[ChrisD46]

7 hours ago, MontclairDave said:

Looks pretty good. Didn’t know whether the 1/8” the video mentions was inner or outer diameter but looks like outer. Will give it a shot!

*True , I don't know if the 1/8th" was the ID or OD (hard to tell from the video) ? 

On 11/3/2021 at 6:03 PM, MontclairDave said:

From the man himself, who, by the way, is by far the best Youtuber at answering comments and questions posted on his site. One of my favorite tubers (see what I did there). 
 

 

*There is no one size either for IV drip tubes : 1/8th" ID or OD ??

[Finessegenics]

On 11/3/2021 at 1:34 PM, HookInMouth said:

Same here. 3/8" clear tubing. Cheap on Amazon and works beautifully. 

 

Can you provide a link? I'm tired of using o-rings and I'm thinking I might make the switch next year. Thanks

[king fisher]

On 11/5/2021 at 10:14 AM, MontclairDave said:

Watch the video. I think the shape of the tube catches on tbe hook barb in such a way that it prevents the worm from flying off. I still can’t find the right tubing on Amazon. If someone has a link, send it pls! 

Go to a pet store.  The tubing is used in aquariums.

[Glenn]

I answer every question and comment on my channel too.  Been doing it for over a decade. Just sayin'

[WRB]

It’s new to me, learn something every day.

Tom