What determines the length of the leader for a Wacky 5" soft bait?

[SpokaneDude]

For some, this is probably a lame question; however, for me, a relatively new bass fisherman (81 years old)... it is needed... for instance, I have been trying to use Drop Shot rigging, with no luck...  I am assuming the Wacky Rig bait goes on the end of the leader so the Wacky Rig lure rests on the bottom..  Is that correct?  if not, how/where is the Wacky rig positioned?
 

[Danocaster]

That’s correct 

 

and no drop shot weight 

 

just a hook tied directly to your line and fished weightless 

 

and although it’ll eventually sit on the bottom, most bites usually come before it reaches the bottom… Which is why it’s very important to watch your line so you can see them swimming away with it on slack line

[MN Fisher]

If you're using braid mainline - then the leader length is as long as the water is deep. Basic wacky is just a hook tied on the end (octopus is regularly suggested, I use Owner SSW hooks). Just cast and let it flutter to the bottom. 5" Yamamoto Senko is the 'base' worm to use here. Let it sit for a minute or two, then a quick 'yank' to pull it off the bottom and let it flutter down again...rinse and repeat until it's at the boat.

 

Certain other stickworms work better with a little weight - there are wacky jigs out there, and I use Reaction Tackle Tungsten Wacky Jigs in 1/16 & 1/8 oz. 5" Yum Dingers work well with the weighted wacky - the slightly faster fall gives them a Yama-Senko type flutter. Work it just like the weightless version.

[Dye99]

For wacky the relative depth of the water is what I use to determine the leader length. 

It's not going to be exact but in a perfect world I have the connection knot to my braid sitting on the surface.

 

[OmegaDPW]

Are you fishing clear water? In my local places, the water is always muddy without much visibility at all. I just run straight braid and have no problem catching them. I also prefer weightless, but a #4 splitshot directly above the hook eye works just as well as a special wacky jighead in my book for a lot less money. 

[rangerjockey]

For me, leader length doesn't change depending on what bait I'm using. I start with 12 or 15 feet. 

That lets me change baits and retie many times before I have to change it.

[BrianMDTX]

@rangerjockey I normally run about 8’ of leader on my spinning rigs. I don’t like a lot of leader on the spool. But I always carry a spool of leader if I need to replace it. 
 

I use 8 lb. mono for leaders on my wacky and weightless TR. I normally fish shallow waters (8’ depth max) so that’s a good length for me. Mono seems to sink fast enough and the leaders last a long time unless damaged. 

[Functional]

One rod length regardless of what I'm fishing if I'm using a leader. I want 3-4" hanging out of the rod tip and the joining knot to be just ahead of my level wind. Longest possible without entering the reel, just makes things more reliable for me. 

[casts_by_fly]

I subscribe to the A-jay theory on leaders.  I want a couple wraps on the reel spool when the fish is boatside.  That means 2 rod lengths plus a couple wraps (another 2').  Then I add a couple more feet to allow for tying and retying a couple trips.  On my spinning rod that means I've got about 20' of leader on the rod to start.  I'll take it down to 15 or so before I retie (which is pretty soon).

[MN Fisher]

I'm similar to A-Jay and Casts - I like a longer leader, but not as long as them...10'-12' to start, retie when it's down to 6'

[FishTank]

I use spinning gear for Wacky Senkos.  I use Sunline Xplasma 16lb and 10lb Seaguar Gold Label for leader.  My leaders are usually 7-8ft in length. 

[WRB]

There are several old farts in the 80’s on this site me included.

I don’t like to guess at what rod, reel and line you are using so please answer the question. Knowing what you are using will get more detailed response.

Tom