The Wacky Rig

[Ebrahim Ali]

hi

so while fishing my favourite dam i decided to use live worms.i noticed that the bass only take the worms when they move and wriggle about.

This got me thinking,instead of cheating and using live bait why dont i just wacky rig some finese worms.

I have a couple of questions.

1.where do i use this rig most effectively?

2.what line should i use to get the most action from the worms?

3.how exactly do i rig the worms up,im using mustad circle hooks size 2.should i rig them dropshot style or plain weightless.

Thanks in advance

ebrahim

[grimlin]

Jackall flick shake on a wacky jighead= deadly.

Look up Jackall flick shake and it'll show you how to rig it on the website.

[Ebrahim Ali]

thanks will do

[Ebrahim Ali]

thanks for the sugestion but jackal is not sold in South Africa and i dont realy have the budget to source it right now

[lmoore]

http://www.insideline.net/1999/xiques-0910-99.html

That site has pictures of a guy setting up the wacky rig. I would imagin there's an article on this site too, but IDK.

[dumfish]

You can use this rig anywhere, it is just another finesse rig to use in pressured waters or when fish are finicky. Line size always depends on the weight of the bait you are throwing. I use spinning gear exclusively due to the fact I fish from a custom canoe or from the banks of ponds. I like a 6.6' or 7' medium action rod with 14# fire line in smoke color and 20# fluorocarbon leaders, I use the surgeons knot because it is the simplest way to join the leader. As far as worms go its vast, use at least a 5" senko or other.

[Ebrahim Ali]

thanks lmoore that article was helpful.now all i have to do is make some time to go fishing

[Ebrahim Ali]

dumfish do i have to use senkos?

[Bluebasser86]

Senkos and similar baits are good. I like magnum finesse worms and heavyweight worms by Zoom and Berkley. You can fish them almost anywhere but heavy cover will get you snagged more and the slow sink makes it a pretty poor choice for deep water. Not a great choice for dirty water either. I like wide gap finesse hooks but lots of guys use circle hooks without any problems.

[Wayne P.]

All you need is the rig in my avatar. It can be used anywhere.

The picture is with a Trick worm and I do the same with a finesse worm.

I call it the Weedless Wacky Rig.

[A-Rob]

any finesse worm or senko style worm works great

Just take a hook like the one you use (I use the Gamakatsu EWG finesse hook) and hook it thru the middle of the bait. Use light line (6-10# mono to keep it simple, I throw it on braid with a leader but thats another huge debate).

Throw it ANYWHERE, you can skip it under tree limbs or docks. Or just throw it out over whatever (weeds, rocks, wood etc) and let it sink down and do its magic.

Good luck dude!

[Wayne P.]

any finesse worm or senko style worm works great Just take a hook like the one you use (I use the Gamakatsu EWG finesse hook) and hook it thru the middle of the bait. Use light line (6-10# mono to keep it simple, I throw it on braid with a leader but thats another huge debate). Throw it ANYWHERE, you can skip it under tree limbs or docks. Or just throw it out over whatever (weeds, rocks, wood etc) and let it sink down and do its magic. Good luck dude!

Your "ANYWHERE" and my anywhere are nowhere alike.

[00 mod]

Hey Wayne, where is this jig-fisherman's heaven? MUST GO THERE NOW.......

Jeff

[Aluma-Bass]

Hey Wayne, where is this jig-fisherman's heaven? MUST GO THERE NOW.......

Jeff

Briery Creek, standing timber through out the whole lake. Produces lots of double digit bass each year.

http://maps.google.com/?q=37.1787798909411,+-78.4562055175561&ll=37.177244,-78.458605&spn=0.009284,0.021136&t=h&z=16

[SirSnookalot]

This got me thinking,instead of cheating and using live bait why dont i just wacky rig some finese worms.

Live bait is not cheating, just a preference, that personally I choose not to do.

A few weeks back I was fishing next to guy wacky rigging and he was catching fish, I decided to try it for the first time ever. As rule I seldom use worms, what I do like about it is I get a chance to set the hook, which I do not do in saltwater, to me that's the fun of worm fishing. I rigged up wacky with a 2/0 circle, not having to set the hook due to the fact I was using a circle removed all the fun, I caught plenty of fish too. There is merit to it, hooking the fish in the corner of the mouth, no gut hooks and good action, but I would never go wacky again.

[Ebrahim Ali]

thanks for all the info fellas.i use circle hooks becuase i dont want to gut hook the fish.im using the 4 inch finese worm because the dam i fish has predominantly small fish,about 1 to 2 pounds.

I consider using live bait cheating.it takes skill to fool a fish with a lure,the live bait does all the work for you.

I found a way to make the wacky rig weedless from the article lmoore posted.

[Ebrahim Ali]

wayne what are using to pin the hook to the worm?

[Wayne P.]

The top picture is Briery Creek Lake in VIrginia and the bottom picture is Lake Fork in Texas.

The rigging of the Octopus hook in the worm is just Tx rigging in the middle. I use the electrical heat shrink tubing to keep the hook eye from pulling out of the worm when pulling it through heavy cover.

The rig without the tubing looks like this:

[Ebrahim Ali]

thanks for that.we have some bait bands at the tackle store where i work.will give those a try and see how it goes.

[dumfish]

I choose worms based on the mood of the fish, Jackall flick shake worms are great but expensive.You have to be careful using small diameter worms because bluegills love them. Don't set the hook right away, be a line watcher and let the fish swim away a little before setting the hook. If you believe a bluegill has your worm gently pull it away or you'll lose alot of worms. Bass Pro has a new flick shake worm with a natural bend incorporated in it like the jackall worm.

[Ebrahim Ali]

in south africa bluegill are only in the natal province.i live in gauteng province.the fodder in our waters are tilapia

[fishnla]

I use 100% fleurocarbin 8 or 10lb test with a small plain hook with a spinning rod and reel. I have fished with many people who use weedless hooks and they never seem to catch as many or even get as many bites. I guess its just a visibility thing. The best bait in my opinion is a zoom trick worm with a finishing nail (size depends on depth). You talked about budget and thats why I use finishing nails, cause the little lead nail weights that you break for different sizes cost more and you dont get near as many as a box of finishing nails. I dont even use the rubber bands around the worm I just hook right into the egg sack of the worm. And I do use it anywhere even very stumpy areas (if they a little finess to get them out), but dont think you wont get hung up or lose a couple fish, but I don't make long cast when in the stumps, thats just asking to lose everything that bites. Hope this helps.