Wacky Rig Mania!!!! A few problems/questions

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I am a little slow to try things out of my comfort zone.  I fiinally have given the wacky rig a fair try and I must say I am hooked.  I have caught a ton of bass on this rig the past two weeks, but I have also missed a lot.  I feel like I am not getting a good hook set.  I have had a ton of bass swim off with bait, I set the hook, he is on for a good 3-5 seconds, and then all of a sudden it's gone.  I feel this might be due to line stretch and not having a stout enough rod.  I was using 8 lbs. Trilene XL and M action moderate action rod (actually my crankbait set up).  I think I am going to switch line to 8-10 Floro.  What types of rods do you "wacky" guys fish with or is the missed fish just something I am going to have to deal with?

I am actually thinking of getting a whole set up just for wacky rigging.  I am going to get a Curado 200, but I just don't know what rod to pair it up with.  I know a lot of guys use spinning gear to fish wacky rigs, but I can cast weightless rigs with no problems with Curados.  I like to use bait casting gear when ever possible.

[Kana]

im using spinning gear, a  6'2" ML action rod with 6# flouro, and a daiwa certate reel.  At first i missed a bit of hits (a bit too many) so i switched to the ML rod from a 7' M action.  then tied on flouro as per a friends suggestion.  i also switched to a  wider gap wacky hook that has allowed the senko to move just a bit back torwards the bend when hit as to expose more of the hook, and get a better hold.  this has helped me.  however since you stated that you were trying to avoid using a spinning set up i wouldn't truthfully be able to suggest a rod (since i dont fish wacky with a baitcaster).  But the line change you mentioned would help.  what type of hooks are you using?  You may change that up too.  hope this helps you.

[Boo]

I use Med Hvy baitcast rod, Curado 200, and 12lb Yozuri Hybird(Smoke/Purple) so I can see when the fish moves off with my bait.

[Boo]

Oh Yeah I use a Gamakatsu EWG hook 3/0.

[Buck_the_Basser]

Here are some tips for the wacky worm.

Use a no stretch line.  I use Fireline.

Use a wide gap hook.  I use a 2/0.

Make sure your hook is very sharp.  Check the tip for being rolded over.

Beware of false hits.  Gills, perch and rock bass will peck at it.

Use a long rod.  In windy condition, you can have a large bow in the line.  Reel up tight... feel the weight of the fish... unload.

Use a bigger nail to keep the line tighter.  This will help you detect the strike.

Do not let the fish run to long with it.  You will gut hook too many.

Good luck!! ;D

[5bass]

I have been wacky riggin using a 7'MH All Star with a Pinnacle Matrix spinning reel and 10 lb. Berkley Vanish Transition......and as of late,I have been using the Gamakatsu circle hooks (red),although I have missed a few,the hookup % is really high.I feel like the ones that I have missed were just running with one end of the worm in their mouth.I think the smaller compact circle hook sort of hides itself and in turn may draw more strikes.

I was very hesitant to try the circle hooks wacky rigged but my partner was having great success so I tried it.Now I use it on a regular basis.And another thing,the circle hooks all but hook themselves and almost always hook up right in the corner of the mouth.

[Muddpuppy]

Since we fish alot of weedy areas, we use wacky rigs alot to try to pick up fish missed on other baits.   I haven't notice wether or not I miss that many because of the rig itself or they are just not really interested.  I have also gone to the circle hooks, and finally found some Gamakatsu wide finesse ( looks pretty close to the same thing) in hopes that they are more self setting.  

[Rebbasser]

I use an AllStar WR1 worm rod, 12 lb green Trilene XL on a BPS Extreme reel and like Mudpuppy use a Gammy EWG finesse hook.  The first time I tried them I lost a few.  I figured they would be sharp enough right out of the package-they weren't.  Touched it up with a hook sharpener and haven't missed one since.