Wacky Rigs

[Clumsy fisherman]

I use the rings. I cross one over the other and run the  hook underneath the middle of the "X" where the rings cross so the hook is perpendicular to the lure. The ads I see claim that the Gary Yamato senkos have some kind of unique action that other similar baits, e.g., Yum dingers, do not have. Is this true? Does it make a big difference?

Edited May 1, 2022 by Clumsy fisherman
To clarify hook setup

[gunsinger]

I fish the Yumdingers with no rings and just buy them in bulk.   

[5/0]

Many swear by the alternate brands and have success with them. Many posts on here attest to that.
 But the addiction to GYCB is hard to kick.

[FrnkNsteen]

If they are biting heavy and I'm going through a lot of baits, I do the same thing with the x-pattern o-rings. I don't do it until they start hitting though so I can quickly try different size and colors.

 

There's a new accessory that allows the hook to ait perpendicular to the bait, but it takes a special pliers to spread them open to loadbthe bait so I haven't tried them. I'll see if I can find an image.

 

As for Yamamoto baits,... I rarely spend the extra to get them. I usually go with Berkely, SK, or Big Bite,... Whichever is best deal. A local store up by my brothers sells Bulk Big Bite fot a really good price, so most of mine are those.

[BrianMDTX]

I have used Yum Dingers and one day I used them as a WR was one of my best ever. But overall I’ll take the Senko. Excellent as a wacky rig, weightless Texas rig or a Texas rig with a 3/16 or 1/4 oz. bullet weight. 

[FrnkNsteen]

5 minutes ago, FrnkNsteen said:

If they are biting heavy and I'm going through a lot of baits, I do the same thing with the x-pattern o-rings. I don't do it until they start hitting though so I can quickly try different size and colors.

 

There's a new accessory that allows the hook to ait perpendicular to the bait, but it takes a special pliers to spread them open to loadbthe bait so I haven't tried them. I'll see if I can find an image.

 

As for Yamamoto baits,... I rarely spend the extra to get them. I usually go with Berkely, SK, or Big Bite,... Whichever is best deal. A local store up by my brothers sells Bulk Big Bite fot a really good price, so most of mine are those.

 

[gim]

I normally just use one o ring when I’m wacky rigging. I don’t do a ton of fishing this way, so I primarily use the original brand senko. I keep forgetting to use two o rings and cross them.

[RealtreeByGod]

O-rings are too annoying to thread on and here's some weird reaction between the plastics or something in my messy plano that causes the crappy hair rubber bands to melt and goo up everything, so I stopped bothering with trying to save my senkos. Being happy I caught fish is worth an 8 dollar bag to me.  

[gim]

23 minutes ago, RealtreeByGod said:

O-rings are too annoying to thread on

Why are they annoying to thread on? I use a VMC wacky tool and pre load a bunch ahead of time. If I can avoid having a 12 incher rip apart each senko so that I can continue using it, I’m all for it.

[suzuki2903]

There’s several YouTube videos about this and the action between stick worm brands and Yamamoto always comes out the best and they catch fish… the bps stik-o worm is pretty close and has similar salt content but are much cheaper and can be purchased is a bulk pack.    Throwing weightless I prefer all the salt I can get for weight and yum definitely lacks that and doesn’t have a decent shimmy in the water when falling but they do catch fish as well.  So use what you can afford/like and catch some fish! But there’s definitely a difference in the brands …

[swhit140]

I usually use Trokar Weedless size 1 for most of my wacky rigs. I normally use the Bass Pro Stik-O worms since they have the closest weight/salt/fall rate as a Senko and you can get them cheaper. Then a normal wacky tool with 2 o-rings crossed/x pattern.

[BrianMDTX]

I am going to assume that most anglers who use O-rings on a 5” Senko are using ones with smaller than 1/4” I.D.  Because that’s what I use, and I can roll an O-ring on a Senko in two seconds. And I rarely lose one. 

[Clumsy fisherman]

17 minutes ago, suzuki2903 said:

There’s several YouTube videos about this and the action between stick worm brands and Yamamoto always comes out the best and they catch fish… the bps stik-o worm is pretty close and has similar salt content but are much cheaper and can be purchased is a bulk pack.    Throwing weightless I prefer all the salt I can get for weight and yum definitely lacks that and doesn’t have a decent shimmy in the water when falling but they do catch fish as well.  So use what you can afford/like and catch some fish! But there’s definitely a difference in the brands …

Thanks, but at a buck apiece Yamato senkos should be better. Yes, if I caught a fish with each one, it would be worth it, but, note my screen name, I actually lose more lures than I catch fish.

[CrashVector]

I'm no wacky rig expert, but I DO use them on occasion.

 

I've used literally every brand of stickbait I could get my hands on.  The one I've caught the most fish on...is the bass pro brand stickbait, specifically in green pumpkin magic color.

 

Wacky rigged, I use the 3degree offset VMC hooks or an owner rigging hook.  No o-rings.

 

The rings don't seem to keep them from getting torn up anyhow.

[rtwvumtneer6]

3 minutes ago, Clumsy fisherman said:

I actually lose more lures than I catch fish.

As far as the o-rings go, it also helps to keep from depositing unnecessary amounts of plastic into the water.  I've seen more than a few studies where eating plastics can have a negative impact on a fishes digestive health.  

 

GYCB Senkos are the pinnacle of stick baits, but any stick bait will catch fish.  If there's money on the line, I'll throw Yamamoto.  Any other time I'm throwing Stik-Os. 

[Clumsy fisherman]

2 minutes ago, CrashVector said:

I'm no wacky rig expert, but I DO use them on occasion.

 

I've used literally every brand of stickbait I could get my hands on.  The one I've caught the most fish on...is the bass pro brand stickbait, specifically in green pumpkin magic color.

 

Wacky rigged, I use the 3degree offset VMC hooks or an owner rigging hook.  No o-rings.

 

The rings don't seem to keep them from getting torn up anyhow.

Good point. I have started crossing the rings while they are still on the wacky tool screw and sliding the hook under them then. I can't have but 4 rings on the screw at one time to do that, but it is easier than trying to cross the rings or slide the hook under them once they ae on the worm.

[GTN-NY]

Does anyone use the mustad rings?

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustad_Wacky_O-Ring_Replacement_Pack_25pk/descpage-MWO.html

 

I just tried them the other day. First thing I noticed is the worm doesn’t spiral on its way down. It just went straight. 
 

Thoughts on these rings?

[throttleplate]

i quit using the o-rings and the vmc tool has been retired. I hook it commando and throw it out, berkley generals 5 inch and yamamotos.

 

 

[Catt]

Y'all need to expand your horizons!

 

I throw Zoom's Trick Worm, Magnum Trick Worm, Magnum Finesse Worm, Zlinky Stick Worm.

 

Bass Assassin Tapout Worm 

 

Wave Worm Tiki Stick 

[CrashVector]

2 hours ago, Catt said:

Y'all need to expand your horizons!

 

I throw Zoom's Trick Worm, Magnum Trick Worm, Magnum Finesse Worm, Zlinky Stick Worm.

 

Bass Assassin Tapout Worm 

 

Wave Worm Tiki Stick 

 

Zoom trick worms are some of my favorites.  The watermelon red candy color has been getting it done for me this year.

[RDB]

18 hours ago, GTN-NY said:

Does anyone use the mustad rings?

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Mustad_Wacky_O-Ring_Replacement_Pack_25pk/descpage-MWO.html

 

I just tried them the other day. First thing I noticed is the worm doesn’t spiral on its way down. It just went straight. 
 

Thoughts on these rings?

I’ve used them and didn’t notice a difference.  I’m not sure what you mean about spiraling.  When I wacky, the fall on a slack or semi slack line makes the ends flap but the fall is basically straight.  I get that whether using an o-ring, a rubber band, or a hook through the bait.
 

I mostly use dental rubber bands.  IME you get less hook tear.  I use tubing for smaller sizes.

[The Bassman]

I bought some VMC wacky rings in three sizes; 5,6, and 7mm. I can offer some input based on recent experience. First, you don't need the 14.00 pliers. Any needle nose gets it done. Second, a 5" Dinger gets thrown off of a 6 mm ring easily.  What I started doing is not using the hook tab but poking my hook through the ring and the worm. Keeps everything together but causes the ring to start tearing if you don't remove the hook very carefully. Probably better to just keep it rigged as long as possible. When I finally use these up I'll go another route. Kinda pricey for what you get but they're "Ike Approved".

[TOXIC]

There is no correct answer to the question to “Is the Senko worth the price”.  My answer to that question in my seminars is to throw what you have the most confidence in.  Period. 

[roadwarrior]

Throw what you like.

I have been fishing the Senko since "discovering" it in 1997.

I like the Fat Ika, too!

[J Francho]

I fish legit senkos skewered on a hook like a savage.