Adding Weight to a Wacky Rig Stick Worm ?

[ChrisD46]

Some lower salt content stick worms (Yum Dinger) have better action if you can add a little weight to them near the hook . Specialty weights such as Eco Pro wacky weights are available , assorted weighted wacky jig heads with hooks and lastly adding a small split shot or a pegged small bullet weight near the hook may work . What method do you prefer when needing to add weight to Yum or other soft stick worms ?

[gim]

Neko rig.  Its essentially a nail-weighted wacky rig.  Shove the nail weight in the stubby end and go to work.

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

What method do you prefer when needing to add weight to Yum or other soft stick worms ?

I use Reaction Tackle Tungsten Wacky jig-heads - 1/16oz or 1/8oz normally

[ChrisD46]

Some lower salt content stick worms (Yum Dinger) have better action if you can add a little weight to them near the hook . Specialty weights such as Eco Pro wacky weights are available , assorted weighted wacky jig heads with hooks and lastly adding a small split shot or a pegged small bullet weight near the hook may work . What method do you prefer when needing to add weight to Yum or other soft stick worms ?

[Mike L]

It’s the specific action of the stick bait that gets ‘em which having a weight close to the hook kills. 
 

I rarely use a weight preferring weightless almost every time but not Wackied. 
However, when the need arises for more depth I just use a light split shot about a foot or so up to not inhibit it’s natural action. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[Glenn]

 

[ChrisD46]

4 hours ago, Mike L said:

It’s the specific action of the stick bait that gets ‘em which having a weight close to the hook kills. 
 

I rarely use a weight preferring weightless almost every time but not Wackied. 
However, when the need arises for more depth I just use a light split shot about a foot or so up to not inhibit it’s natural action. 
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

While the Yamamoto Senko has great action on its own - a number of other soft stick worms have little to no action on their own and I believe need a little help to get those ends stick worm ends twitching a little more snd adding weight may help … I will experiment with wacky jig heads and wacky weights such as : VMC wacky jig head  1/16th oz. , Eco Pro wacky weight 1/16th oz. and a 3/0 or #5 split shot near the hook . I like the Yum Dinger price , colors and durability but they lack action when wsvky rigged and to me fall rather stiffly down through the water column when wacky rigged with the ends offering little movement . 

[MIbassyaker]

I use 1/16oz gamakatsu wacky finesse jigheads for wacky rigged stick worms; actually, i don't think I've thrown a wacky worm without one in a few years.  For fishing a stick worm weightless, i rig on an EWG, texposed instead of wacky.

[Mike L]

There are definitely cases where a weight would be needed.
Others will need to talk more intelligently when it comes to weighting a light line wacky finesse presentation as I rarely if ever have the need too
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[gim]

17 minutes ago, Mike L said:

There are definitely cases where a weight would be needed.
Others will need to talk more intelligently when it comes to weighting a light line wacky finesse presentation as I rarely if ever have the need too
 

 

 

 

 

Mike

 

I'll take a stab at it.

 

I take my same exact wacky rig and place a nail weight into the stubby end of the stick bait.  I use a variety of brands of plastics including yamamoto, yum, kalins, etc.  I currently use the double o-ring with the hook passed under where they cross in the middle of the stick bait.  There are other ways to rig a stick bait, but that's another topic.

 

What the nail weight does in the stubby end of the stick bait is make it fall faster.  Which is an advantage in deeper water.  I use it a lot in midsummer (this time of year) on established weedlines.  I use this neko rig in anything that is deeper than about 6 feet of water.  Shallower than that I just use a straight wacky rig without the nail weight.  The weedlines here are generally out to about 10-15 feet of water.  Quite often fish will hit it on the initial fall, so its important to watch your line and maintain feel for any kind of resistance.

 

You could use a wacky jig too, but the jig has the weight, so that would be the part that falls first instead of the actual stick bait, which I think looks unnatural.  I want the stick bait to be the part that drags the setup down; not the jig.

 

So far this season, I would estimate that about 50% of my largemouth have been caught using this presentation.  These are a couple of them.

 

 

 

 

[Team9nine]

Jighead is the simplest way to accomplish what you want. Just be sure to adjust hook size to the bait being used (typically larger hook for traditional stick worms).

[bowhunter63]

I like the Berkley fusion weighted Wacky head. 1/16 ounce 

[Jig Man]

In a pinch away from home I have used carpet tacks.

[rangerjockey]

12 hours ago, Jig Man said:

In a pinch away from home I have used carpet tacks.

Yep, a 1 inch finish nail works fine.

[OkobojiEagle]

buy a heavier salt impregnated bait would be my 1st choice... next would be a nail weight inserted in the middle of the bait (not the end as a neko rig if you want to keep the wacky rig action).

 

oe

[JackstrawIII]

I use weighted wacky rig heads. Specifically the VMC 1/8oz wacky head. 

[papajoe222]

I’ve used a Finishing nail to add a little weight, but I prefer a heavily salted worm that sinks  bit faster. They don’t last as long, but they sure do catch fish.