Storm Wiggle Wart?

[Shadcranker]

Any of you Ark or Mo guys out there (or anyone else):

What is the deal with the Wiggle Wart? It seems to be all I read about as far as CB fishing in the MO- Ark area around Table Rock, Bull Shoals, etc.

What is different about this bait and any other CB's like Bandits? Does it have a unique action or dive deeper than similar sized baits?

Just curious if I'm missing out on something here. May of our lakes in TN are similar to those lakes in that we have litte cover, fairly clear, and lots of rock.

Thanks

[jwo1124]

The Storm Wiggle Wart has been around for a LONG time. I'm not sure why it's so popular, besides from being a great crank, but I have heard great things about it. It sort of has a unique shape to it. I was thinking about ordering a couple after seeing them on BassPro

[Stringjam]

It has a very wide, aggressive, and at times, irregular action.   There is no other crankbait that I've used that acts quite the same way - there are just times when that action triggers fish better than anything I've got.   I think it's one of the all-time great crankbait designs.                  

 

[boondocks]

Wiggle Warts are an awsome bait . Plain and simple.

[Tin]

I always wondered that too, nice input stringjam. It has always been "THE CRANK" of the CT River and Upper Lake Champlain. Learn something new everyday.

[Guest avid]

It has a very wide, aggressive, and at times, irregular action.   There is no other crankbait that I've used that acts quite the same way - there are just times when that action triggers fish better than anything I've got.   I think it's one of the all-time great crankbait designs.                  

 

x2

[cart7t]

It doesn't take much rod action to impart a lot of lure action from a wiggle wart.  Great lure that mimics a crawfish in everyway.  

Prior to the Rapala buyout of Storm,  Storm was known for producing the WW in hundreds and hundreds of color combo's.  Some were completely off the wall, some were directed at Steelhead salmon fishermen.  Storms best were a series of match the hatch crawfish colors that came under the SV-SP color number system.  All of these were crawfish matte finish painted with various color combo's that allowed you to fine tune the color of the lure to the actual color of the crawfish in your local waters.  There were probably 8 - 10 total of these combo's.  You can still get the standard V-62 and V-63 green and brown crawfish colors, both excellant choices.  If I'm not mistaken they may still be making the other popular Phantom green craw and brown craws (excellant choice in clear waters for smallies).  

The difference between Pre-Rapala WW's and the newer ones is to look at the ridge down the back.  The old Storm baits will have a rather rough ridge (sorta cheap looking), the Rapala baits are smooth.  You can find many of the older Storm WW's (these are the best) on Ebay.  Usually NIB. They can become pricey.  I've paid upwards of $22 for some of the really hard to find SP-SV colors.  You're not only competing against other WW fishermen but also collectors.  

Keep your eye out at flea markets and the forums.  You'll find them occasionally and when you do, jump on them quick.  

[Shadcranker]

Do the guys over there use the WW at certain times of the year? With the wide wobble, is it better later in the year? We typically use a shad rap over here (TN) early in the year bc of the tight wiggle. Is the WW best in certain water temp range?

Also, what type of depth do you get out of the bait (the regualr size one - 3/8 oz I think)?

Any other advice as far as when and where to fish it is appreciated.

[tkite16]

Besides suspending jerkbaits ,crawdad wiggle warts are my favorite on table rock in the spring. Maybe because the water is so clear and it has a pretty small profile is why it works so well , but yeah it has as wide a wobble as any crankbait.

   Mostly use them on gravel banks for smallmouth.  They seem to move up first out of the deep water.  Table rock-Bull Shoals  basically only have  2 seasons. Summer -Winter   you dropshot  on 35 foot deep flats where they feed  and they suspend  35 feet deep in trees over 60-80 foot of water .

  Spring-Fall is more like a normal lake but they arent shallow near as long and there always near deep water.

 Its awesome to hook a spot dropshotting and when its 20 foot deep you can already see it flashing in the water.

[cart7t]

Do the guys over there use the WW at certain times of the year? With the wide wobble, is it better later in the year? We typically use a shad rap over here (TN) early in the year bc of the tight wiggle. Is the WW best in certain water temp range?

Also, what type of depth do you get out of the bait (the regualr size one - 3/8 oz I think)?

Any other advice as far as when and where to fish it is appreciated.

Around here they are a transitional bait that bridges from when the rogue/shad rap bite ends (marking the end of the shad die off period) and when the crawfish begin emerging.  This will happen somewhere around the 50 - 52 degree mark though that isn't set in stone.  Typically the bait works best in water depths ranging from literally 6" deep to around 6foot.  Those are traditionally the best depth zones at that time of year.  Chunk rock banks and secondary points back in main spawning coves are ideal places to throw them.

Depth wise, depending on lb test.  WW's will run down to 10-12ft if tuned properly.  Magnum WW's will go much deeper.  

[cart7t]

I've caught both White bass and crappie on WW's by accident of course.  

[Tin]

Did storm ever make shallow diving wiggle warts? Like a 3-6' diver?

[Tin]

Ok, I see they make a sub-wart. But does it still have that crazy wobble?

[5bass]

I think the reason its so popular in that area (Ark-Mo) is that good 'ol boy Mark Davis used to wear 'em out (fish and fisherman) with the Wiggle Wart.....and he probably still does.

[Stringjam]

Did storm ever make shallow diving wiggle warts? Like a 3-6' diver?

The standard Wiggle Wart is actually a good choice for that depth range.....they aren't particularly steep divers, and the most you're going to see is about 10' with them - in that 3' -6' range, they'll be smacking and wiggling all over stuff in a very fish-enticing manner.    

[The Next KVD]

BEST CRANKBAIT EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[.dsaavedra.]

ive seen these at Dicks and i was thinkin of picking one up cuz i wanted a lure that goes in the 2-5 foot range, but i saw these went like 6-10 so i passed. i ended up getting a DT4

anyway, they look like good cranks ive heard alot of good stuff about them. maybe i'll pick one up next time im out.

[Tin]

ive seen these at Dicks and i was thinkin of picking one up cuz i wanted a lure that goes in the 2-5 foot range, but i saw these went like 6-10 so i passed. i ended up getting a DT4

anyway, they look like good cranks ive heard alot of good stuff about them. maybe i'll pick one up next time im out.

Hehehe, you should have been on ebay tonight. I picked up 3 old school pre-rapala wiggle warts, all shallow divers all for under $4 a piece, still have the hard plastic snap open cases. One in chrome with a black back, 1 chrome with a blue back, and one crawfish color.

[.dsaavedra.]

hooka brotha up homie! 8-)

[cart7t]

Did storm ever make shallow diving wiggle warts? Like a 3-6' diver?

I'm not sure they still make it but the Wiggle Wart had a mini-me called the Wee Wart.  Same lure only smaller.  Ran at that depth range.

[cart7t]

ive seen these at Dicks and i was thinkin of picking one up cuz i wanted a lure that goes in the 2-5 foot range, but i saw these went like 6-10 so i passed. i ended up getting a DT4

anyway, they look like good cranks ive heard alot of good stuff about them. maybe i'll pick one up next time im out.

Hehehe, you should have been on ebay tonight. I picked up 3 old school pre-rapala wiggle warts, all shallow divers all for under $4 a piece, still have the hard plastic snap open cases. One in chrome with a black back, 1 chrome with a blue back, and one crawfish color.

You can get good bargains on Pre-Rapala Wee and Magnum Warts.  The demand isn't as great.  I just looked over there and there's a V54 Baby Bass Wiggle wart with orange belly at $26 with 1 hour left!  

Box not included!

[hammer84]

I use the sub wart on ponds and small lakes and it has been a killer.  It has a very wide action.  The smaller of the subwart cathes bass and crappie.  It is great when things are slow I need something to hit to keep me going !!!