Rigging Wacky Options

What I am about to tell you is probably one of the most effective ways to catch bass for most of the fishing season. It’s called the “Wacky Rig”. This is by far one the best ways to put bass in the kayak under any conditions. The wacky rig is used in many applications but for today I wanted to hone in on just one of these ways which has opened my eyes to the world of the Senko worm or stick worm. There are many companies out there that make these baits and if you don’t already own some, GET SOME! Trust me on this. You will not find a more versatile bait. I personally use the Crabby Whacker which comes from the fine people at Crabby Bass Lures. This stick worm kills in so many situations. I have landed many 20+ inch fish with this worm and technique and you can too. This article is meant to educate the fishermen that may not know of this method. From novice to professional, this presentation will deliver results.

First there are a few ways to rig the wacky worm. The best way to start setting up is to grab a 7’ Med action spinning rod with some (8 lbs test) line of your choice. Then tie the hook, using a Palomar Knot, to a 4/0 Gamakatsu Finesses weedless hook (size is preference) and puncture the worm in the middle and proceed to drive it all the way through as seen on the pic below. The other way of rigging this worm is almost the same way except this time you will use an “O ring” that can be put on your worm with a rigging tool that you can purchase at Bass Pro. I personally think this is the way to do it especially if you don’t want to be going through your bag or worms fast. You can simply put (1) O-ring on the worm and rig the hook to face to the left or the right without puncturing the worm. I use the (2) O-ring rigging technique which consists of being able to make the hook face forward a lot like the hook through the worm rigging except this time my hook is rigged through the O-rings and is just above the worm, again not puncturing the worm at all. (By not puncturing the worm you will be able to catch a lot more fish on one worm). Color preference is your preference. I would start with a dark color in most cases but let the fish tell you what they want. Now you’re ready to fish.

Simply cast the worm out and let it sink for a few seconds depending on your desired depth. Raise the tip of your rod to about 1 o’clock and then drop your tip while reeling in the excess line as your rod tip descends to a low position. You can fish at whatever cadence that you want. You are trying to mimic a dying fish or creature so to get the bass to think that your presentation is an easy meal. Let the fish tell you what they are looking for. Continue this method to shore and repeat. You can cast along shorelines, by fallen trees, around rocks, docks, break walls, grass along the edges in and under the water, the presentations are endless. Wait for the double tick, thump or hit on the line. Make sure to watch the line and if it starts to move in any direction you will want to reel in the access line and lower your rod tip. Then raise the tip of the rod and set the hook. Now you don’t need to set this hook hard. Most wacky hooks are designed to let the fish hook itself and all you need do is raise the tip and start reeling. Trust me on this. If you set the hook like it’s a jig you will lose that fish.

Now you know everything that you need to know to start fishing with a wacky rig.