How Do You Fish A Wacky Rig? 2025

RoachDad reply :

Ok, I just read the post about the little kid catching a big fish.

I did a search and did not see anything recent and instructional.

Please tell me how to rig and fish the wacky rig. I'll probably use a Senko.

thanks

bluezed reply :

I fish my wacky rigged Senkos the same way I fish my T-rigged weightless Senkos. Slow. Let them fall, let them sit, bring them up and let them fall again.

Crestliner2008 reply :

Cast them out and let sink on slack line. Watch the line! If it starts to move fast, reel up the slack and set the hook. If it reaches bottom, jiggle it a bit, like you would with a shakey head worm. Then I usually jerk it about 1' off the bottom, let it fall back and repeat, until I'm out of the fish zone.

I rig my Senkos wacky style using "Goodies", as described in this posting, which is pinned in the Smallmouth forum:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/84060-senko-under-a-float/

Revival reply :

I'm in as I have yet to catch one wacky rigged my self. I seen this vid on YouTube where I tried paying attention to what they were doing with their rod.

bluezed reply :

I really like Senkos. I started t-rigging them but at this point I have more confidence in the wacky rig. The action makes me want to jump in and bite it.

MrSwimJig reply :

Search Wayne P. on here he is great at wacky fishing and always willing to share information.

RoachDad reply :

I always T-Rig weightless unless I am really trying to get deep or to penetrate grass.

I like the way wacky rig looks in the water but I really had no idea how to work it.

I'll give it a try.

What size hook do you guys use?

Felix77 reply :

I like using a Gammy 1/0 weedless split shot/drop shot hook. I cast it out, let it sink to the bottom, Give it a good lift off the bottom and then let it sink again. Repeat back to the boat. If you rip it off the bottom aggressively enough you will feel the wiggles of both sides of the worm. Sometimes they want that aggressive twitch. Other times a smoother lift is needed.

This setup also worked for me skipping under trees and docks.

J Francho reply :

I use a 1/0 Wide Gap Finesse hook for 4-5" Senkos. There is no working the bait - just cast, and let it fall. It is a "spot on the spot" bait. Casting into oblivion might work - even a blind squirrel can find a nut. Once you have located fish, or have a very good idea about location, this is a bait that will turn tough to catch fish into biters.

Darren. reply :

On 7/24/2013 at 2:23 AM, RoachDad said:

I always T-Rig weightless unless I am really trying to get deep or to penetrate grass.

I like the way wacky rig looks in the water but I really had no idea how to work it.

I'll give it a try.

What size hook do you guys use?

Here's a recent post on wacky hooks. http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/121446-wacky-rig-hooks/?hl=wacky+rig#entry1328869

Also Google the topic, there's a wealth of information on it. It is my #1 go-to setup, fished both weighted and weightless.

Size of the hook can depend on the size worm you're rigging. Some guys swear by big hooks, I do not, biggest I use for wacky is a 2/0 Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse. I use the same brand/style down to a size 4. Most common I use is a 1. And I have caught big bass off a size 4 on a 4" Senko.

For me, Zoom Trick worms, Finesse worms and Senko-style are the best. Rig them in the middle, or if they're heavier at the head, experiment with where you place the hook.

Let the worm do it's job. Wacky style lets the worm float horizontally down the water column and if the worm is a good one, it will shimmy/wiggle irresistibly to the bass.

On windy days, I use a weighted wacky hook, with a weed guard. Plenty more info out there.

RoachDad reply :

On 7/24/2013 at 2:33 AM, DarrenM said:

Also Google the topic, there's a wealth of information on it. It is my #1 go-to setup, fished both weighted and weightless.

Darren, you must know that a google search will just send me back to the greatest fishing web site in the history of fishing

Sam reply :

Fly it like a butterfly. Fly it like a bird.

Up and down. Let it fly like a bird.

Throw it out and if it does not hit bottom then a bass ate it. SET THE HOOK!

Skip it under docks, piers, wharfs, boats, marinas, etc. and let it flutter down.

You can go with Senko type baits, trick worms and even finesse worms.

You can try your luck with a side hooked lizard or baby brush hog.

Throw it weightless or with a very small 1/16 weight above your hook.

Anything goes.

Watch your line and have some fun.

Brian Needham reply :

check the senko FAQ....... no wrong way it fish it, even wacky

ww2farmer reply :

Cast, flip, or pitch it out............ and if it even makes it to the bottom, let it sit a little, then wiggle it, then take a swig of water, put another dip in, look at the graph, think about the next cast, tie your shoe, scratch your butt cheek, and maybe even wave to a passing jet skier. Then wiggle it a little, and wait some more, you'll have to reel up and cast again if your boat drifts over top of it.

lmbfisherman reply :

On 7/24/2013 at 10:57 AM, ww2farmer said:
Cast, flip, or pitch it out............ and if it even makes it to the bottom, let it sit a little, then wiggle it, then take a swig of water, put another dip in, look at the graph, think about the next cast, tie your shoe, scratch your butt cheek, and maybe even wave to a passing jet skier. Then wiggle it a little, and wait some more, you'll have to reel up and cast again if your boat drifts over top of it.

haha, yeah that is the boring part of fishing senkos. But only wave to the jet skier? I mean most of them are so curious and friendly they come right next to you and cause the biggest wake at you, just to smile and say hi to you. You are a nice guy, cause usually I give them the bird.

duckmaster55 reply :

fishing a wacky rig is the simplest way out there to catch big and numerous fish. All you have to do is cast and let it sink, they usually hit it before it gets to the bottom. I will tell you however to not use a weight of any sort other than a split shot way above the hook because then it will sink too fast or get buried in weeds.

Also, if I were you I would look into getting stikos from BPS because they are way cheaper than senkos, you get more of them and from my experience they work just as well.

Cabbage_donkey reply :

so far I have been using Trokar weedless whacky hooks.....a bit pricey but they haven't let me down yet!!

Bassfishing375 reply :

I let the senko fall on a semi-slack line so if I fell something I can set the hook right away. When it is falling I sometimes shake it in place for a second or two and then I let it fall to the bottom then shake it in place again and then pop it up. Then I repeat the process.

This is just what I do and it is very effective. It is hard to fish a wacky worm wrong.

I'm not picky on hooks, I have caught a lot of fish on 2/0 ewg hooks and hook specially made for wacky fishing, they both work.

livetofish28 reply :

i use 3/0 lazer sharp circle hooks i haven't caught a fish yet that wasn't hooked in the side of the mouth

Arv reply :

I mostly throw it around cover. I don't like it as an open water application. I either throw it weightless or on a wacky jig head. Both have worked well for me. Most of the time I get bit on the initial fall. If not, I lift it up once and let it fall again. If I don't get bit then I reel in and cast again. This is also my favorite application for skipping docks. I can get way in the back skipping a weightless wacky worm.

RoachDad reply :

Thanks team Wacky! Sounds like what I do t-rigged except with a smaller hook.

I'll give it a try at my earliest convenience.

jiggz125 reply :

What set up do you guys prefer for Wacky Rigged Senkos? Rod type and line type? Thanks

Fishes in trees reply :

If I'm going to wacky rig a bait, it will be a senko 99% of the time. I thread them on O rings and use a weighted weedless hook. My current favorite is a Falcon K wacky 3/0 1/16 oz. I throw them on a MH rod using 15 lb fluorocarbon. Specific rod & reel varies. Anyway, it seemed to me like your question was more like where to throw them. The answer is next to something. In from of a deep weed wall. On the shady side of vertical structure, like trees. On the edges of sunken bushes in 5 to 9 feet of water. Holes in grass mats. Next to a stick up. For me, the other key to senko use is water clarity. I like a secchi disc reading of 3 or more. Any less , and for me at least, senkos become ineffective, because the water is too murky.

Comfortably Numb reply :

I use an o-ring and a 2/0 mustad weedless hook. 6'6" medium spinning with straight 20# power pro

Jmrichardson2011 reply :

I use a medium spinning set with 8 or 10 lb flourocarbon line. Currently my rod is a custom 7' that I made myself on an IM7 blank. The lighter the line the more easily I am able to see it start to move once the fish grabs the wacky worm (light line = less mass = less force to get the line to move).

I have fished wacky rigs on many hooks and jig heads, you really can't go wrong but I prefer the weedless 1/0 finesse hook as it doesn't hang up quite as often.

As far as worms go, I mostly use Senko style trick sticks (yum dingers, local plastics prodcuers etc...can't justify the price for flimsy Senko worms), but have wacky rigged roboworm strait tail worms and curltail worms with some success.

michang5 reply :

Setup 1: Shimano Stradic spinning reel (size 10/1000) > St. Croix Premier 6'6" MF rod > PowerPro Super 8 Slick 10# high-vis yellow braid > Invizx 6# fluoro leader (7-10') > Gamakatsu size 1 drop shot hook > Zoom Finesse Worm hooked just below the "egg sack".

*I've occasionally used a 1/4" piece of heat shrink to extend the life of the worm.

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Setup 2: Okuma Stratus spinning reel (size 25) > Okuma Reflexions 6'6" M rod > backing > PowerPro Super 8 Slick #20 high-vis yellow braid > Seaguar Red Label #10 leader (7-10') > Gamakatsu size 1 weedless finesse EWG hook > o-ring > 4" or 5" GYCB Senko.

*I've experimented with larger weedless hooks sizes, open hooks, heat shrink instead of o-rings, and my daughter's hair ties instead of o-rings (which allow for hook to be perpendicular to senko). I have the most confidence in the final setup above.

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I throw the more finesse Setup 1 into lighter cover with no wind. I reach for Setup 2 when the situation is the opposite, or when there is rip-rap or if I need to skip under branches.

Both have been very effective.

jiggz125 reply :

Thanks for the help. I will be using braid for the first time this spring and I am getting hung up on the fluoro leader/no leader and visibility debate. But it looks like most people fish wacky with straight fluoro anyway. I might try to wacky rig and texas rig fish on 30lb PowerPro Moss Green, if I dont have luck I guess I will have to tie on a leader.

The Fisher reply :

I fish wacky rigged a lot. I use an o ring in the middle of a 5" GY Senko, rigged on a 1/0 Owner wacky hook (not weedless) on 12# seagur invizix, 7' medium baitcaster. If it's windy I'll switch to a spinning set up same length rod. I prefer St. Croix Premier. I cast, let them sink (as with most plastics, frequently get the tap on the sink). If I get no bite I reel a little with a little shake and wait. Watch the line because a lot of times you won't feel a tap but the line will start moving. Give it a little side sweep to set the hook but nothing violent.

geo g reply :

Everyone is giving great advice. One common denominator is fish it slow. A gentle shake on or near the bottom is where I start. I have also done quite well with a sharp snap off the bottom and let it settle again. They often hit it on the settle. You have to be a line watcher, and keep slack line on the fall. The fish will tell you how they want it that day. My favorite plastic is a zoom trick worm, black or watermelon red. When things get tough I go to wacky rig. Good luck, you will catch fish.

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How Do You Fish A Wacky Rig? 2025

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