Weightless Senko. Tex-rig versus Wacky. logic choosing between them?

[Darth-Baiter]

I'm talking specifically about the Yamamoto Senko stick worm.  I tend to go with it Tex-Rigged on a 4/0 Gama offset worm hook.  last week my friend fished side to side w me.  he was Wacky Rigging it.  I do admit, he did better especially with the larger fish.

 

you use the two setups interchangeably?  or one specific to conditions?  I can't seem to wrap my mind around it.  I think my Tex Rig is more weedless? but he didn't seem to snag up anymore than I did.  

 

I have since move on to using this set up on a bait caster.  simple 12lb flouro line.   I am headed to the CA Delta soon, and just pondering the setups.  I will go Wacky this time.  for sure.  on the Delta, I might use the Spinning since I rarely dropshot the Delta, and could free up a bait caster.  dunno.

[roadwarrior]

I never  go wacky, I don't like the way it casts.

[Mike L]

6 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

I never  go wacky, I don't like the way it casts.

Me neither. 
I always feel there are better options.
 

OP, that being said there are guys on here who swear by it and for good reason. 
Personally the greatest success I have with a Senko is with a nail weight in the tail  
 

 

 

 

Mike

[TOXIC]

1 hour ago, Darth-Baiter said:

I'm talking specifically about the Yamamoto Senko stick worm.  I tend to go with it Tex-Rigged on a 4/0 Gama offset worm hook.  last week my friend fished side to side w me.  he was Wacky Rigging it.  I do admit, he did better especially with the larger fish.

 

you use the two setups interchangeably?  or one specific to conditions?  I can't seem to wrap my mind around it.  I think my Tex Rig is more weedless? but he didn't seem to snag up anymore than I did.  

 

I have since move on to using this set up on a bait caster.  simple 12lb flouro line.   I am headed to the CA Delta soon, and just pondering the setups.  I will go Wacky this time.  for sure.  on the Delta, I might use the Spinning since I rarely dropshot the Delta, and could free up a bait caster.  dunno.

Lots and lots to unpack here.  Side by side comparisons are tough to quantify.  Same colors? Same setups? Same line? Same rods/reels?   And I’m sure there are a few other things to consider.  Personally I have not been out fished by someone throwing wacky but there a point to be made about the action being different and it may trigger more bites. I’ve never fished a weightless Senko on a baitcaster or any heavier than 8lb test and always mono.  I very, very rarely have a break off and have caught smallmouth up to 5lbs and largemouth op to 8.  Throw in the occasional Northern Snakehead up to 10lbs.

[Craig P]

If you rig a Senko wacky style vs T-rig, both weightless, you’ll notice that there is more movement in the bait when using wacky. That movement is what you are paying for with a Senko and it makes a difference in strikes in my experience. I always throw wacky unless I am in grass / vegetation for obvious reasons.

[FrnkNsteen]

I use a texas rig when casting into reeds, cabbage, or grass. I prefer wacky around laydowns, docks or rocks. 

 

I think either will work in either situations, but that is when I tend to find myself using the differwnt methods. 

 

Oh,.. And I will throw texas rigged on either spinning or casting rigs, but typically throw wacky on a spinning rig.

[roadwarrior]

I know the wacky rig is VERY productive, so if you like it, stick with it. 

My style has worked for me since 1996.

 

[B-Gee]

I have fished both ways, weightles, a number of times and have always had better luck with the Wacky Rig. I never Texas rig this bait anymore.

[gim]

2 hours ago, Mike L said:

Personally the greatest success I have with a Senko is with a nail weight in the tail  

It’s then referred to as a neko rig. When largemouth move out deeper to the edge of the weed line (like they are here now), adding that nail weight makes a big difference in fall rate. Without it, it takes way too long for a senko to sink.

 

Part of the reason I prefer to rig it wacky is that I use an o ring so I don’t have to penetrate the plastic with the hook. As soon  as you stick that hook in, the plastic will rip or tear much quicker.

[Cbump]

I prefer flipping It around texas rigged. I love swinging hard on the hook sets of a t-rig. 
14 lb fc. 

[Mike L]

34 minutes ago, gimruis said:

It’s then referred to as a neko rig. When largemouth move out deeper to the edge of the weed line (like they are here now), adding that nail weight makes a big difference in fall rate. Without it, it takes way too long for a senko to sink.

 

Part of the reason I prefer to rig it wacky is that I use an o ring so I don’t have to penetrate the plastic with the hook. As soon  as you stick that hook in, the plastic will rip or tear much quicker.

I thought so but wasn’t sure as I don’t use light line on spinning rods for anything and it seems that’s what most on here do. 

You’re exactly right, when I’m pitching into a hard weed, pad or reed line most times  it makes all the difference. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[VolFan]

For me, wacky is more of a vertical/slower presentation where I’m target fishing. T-rigged covers more water and comes through cover better. Not absolutes, just how it goes for me. I tend to t-rig 95% of the time.

[FishTank]

I can quantify it.... I fished a wacky rig today for my tournament. I caught 10 bass (2 keepers). The guy that won fished it weightless with a 4/0 EWG. He was 7lb in front of me and 5lb ahead of 2nd place.  It was that kind of day. 

[flyfisher]

Wacky rig and weedles rigs are different actions for me.  I hate throwing a wacky as it is a do-nothing kind of approach.  Yes I know it catches fish but so do spinnerbaits and I am not a fan of fishing those either.

 

I always have a weedless weightles soft plastic on a rod as they are super versatile and can be used a ton of different ways.  Wacky, not so much.  

[Phelptwan]

Heavily cover dependent for me.  If I'm fishing heavy cover I'll probably throw a T-Rig, but open water it's wacky.  I've also found wacky skips under docks a lot easier.