Wacky Rigging, My Way 2024

Crestliner2008 reply :

There are probably a 100 ways of hooking a Senko wacky style. Here's one I've adopted from a long time fishing friend (a pen-pal of mine, Hiromi), living and fishing in Japan. It's a bit hard to explain to someone by typing instructions or verbally communicating this technique over the phone. So, I took some pictures and maybe this will help someone getting started. Maybe you'll even consider changing your current technique and give this one whirl (you may be pleasantly surprised!)?

First, you will have to buy a package of "Goodys" at Wal Marts:

Next, you will need a pair of long nose pliers and put the tip thru one of these rubber bands:

Then you will DOUBLE the band on the tip and open the pliers a bit to retain a loop:

I use my knee to keep the plier handles spread open at this point. I proceed now with the next step, of inserting a hook into this newly formed loop and pulling even further, creating a bit of a triangular opening:

Believe me, this is a lot easier and simpler to do than it is to show! Finally, you insert your Senko:

All you have to do now is slip the "Goody" off one tip of the plier and then the other. Presto:

You now have a wacky rigged Senko which will keep your worm intact for quite a few fish. Another advantage to this rubber band deal is that it acts as a spring when you lift or twitch the Senko, giving it quite a different action from a solid connection, such as a straw or heat shrink tubing. A very cost effect approach which you will note, is much cheaper than "O" rings. It fits the 5" size Senko best, but I've used it on the 4" as well. A bit too snug on the 6" or 7" however. I've used this very technique for 4 seasons now myself and am very satisfied.

FYI, I only use Gamakatsu's OCT INLINE CIRCLE hooks; cat. no. 221311, size 1/0 (the smallest size in this particular hook style). You might also notice that the barb is pinched down as well. This facilitates CPR tremendously. I've NEVER lost a fish using this hook barbless.

I do hope this is value-added to some of you. Have a great day!

LAO162 reply :

Thanks Crestliner - in what section of W-M do you find those particular elastics?

Primus reply :

Great tip, I've always used split rings. Looks like I'm going to have to try that. Thanks for sharing.

Redhed reply :

nice.. where do you find these at wally world?

bumfish reply :

Those are bands for making a ponytail for your best girl. Probably find them next to the hairbands and hair brushes. Since I am bald, I would not have any idea if they work for the intended purpose but I KNOW they work for the SENKO purpose.

Crestliner2008 reply :

Quote
Those are bands for making a ponytail for your best girl. Probably find them next to the hairbands and hair brushes. Since I am bald, I would not have any idea if they work for the intended purpose but I KNOW they work for the SENKO purpose.

I agree....in the women's hair care section is where I found mine.

roadwarrior reply :

EXCELLENT POST!

NOVA Angler reply :

I'm picking some up today!

ScroGG ToGG reply :

Agree (with RW).

it's THESE kinds of posts that make me love this forum.

Of course, i always love to see pics of everyones hawgs they've caught, but posts like this are priceless. Thanks for having the thoughtfulness and consideration to take the time to present this advice in the matter you did.

See you in the girl's hair accessories aisle! :

dman reply :

!!!!! just yesterday I finally broke down and bought the wacky tool!

I always liked wacky rigging right through the worm becaue i dont know if i like the hook being sideways on a ring but i never heard of anyone having hook up problems AND they say the bait lasts longer this was so....i got one

cwb60 reply :

VERY intresting! I have a couple questions.

Since the hook is laying paralell with the worm, it seems it would be more weedless. Does it hurt your hookup ratio any?

What kind of hook set do you use with this set up? A long sweeping set, or do you cross their eyes?

Thanks

cwb60

adclem reply :

Very nice info there. Will have to try this out this spring.

Later,

Stasher1 reply :

I haven't tried this method, but it seems as though the same thing could be accomplished by putting one end of the rubber band on the hook, wrapping the other end around the senko like a sling, and then putting the other end of the rubber band over the hook. If it worked, it would make the process tool-free.

Wayne P. reply :

cwb60, the hook in the picture is a Circle Hook and it has the worst hook up ratio of any hook you can use. It is a non-hookset type of hook. The regular Octopus hook is many times better than the Octopus Circle Hook.

SCswitchback reply :

Quote
cwb60, the hook in the picture is a Circle Hook and it has the worst hook up ratio of any hook you can use. It is a non-hookset type of hook. The regular Octopus hook is many times better than the Octopus Circle Hook.

Better yet, just forget about this whole technique. Everyone knows bass won't hit a wacky worm.

Infidel. reply :

Very cool! A lot cheaper than the rubber o-rings I use and plus it is clear. Thanks!

Fishing Rhino reply :

I have a wacky O ring tool. Should work just as well with the hair elastics. Gonna get some and give it a try. I like the idea of them being clear too.

dmac14 reply :

Great Post, Its always nice to have someone post some information and tips which will help most fishermen out. Thanks!

Dylan

Dock Master reply :

That is a very nice and helpful post. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Eddie Munster reply :

Thanks bud.

Just ordered some Senkos and showed the wife this rigging who then informed me that she has some of these bands laying around gathering dust. WOOT.

Dave D reply :

I just got a pack of these. The wife picked them up and all they had was a rainbow variety pack! A lot of them are hot neon colors. I think it will add some extra flair to the baits!

LAO162 reply :

Clear or neon colors... Might call for some experimentation

Josh Bassman reply :

Quote
Those are bands for making a ponytail for your best girl. Probably find them next to the hairbands and hair brushes. Since I am bald, I would not have any idea if they work for the intended purpose but I KNOW they work for the SENKO purpose.

LOL

I stole a hand full from my girls a while back and keep them in my tackle box.

islandbass reply :

Wow, that was awesome. Thanks for sharing. I might be the only guy in that section of walmart, but I'm heading in. ;D

Clark Stewart reply :

I keep a cap from a big highlighter that went dry in my bag. I place the o-ring around the cap, place the senko inside the cap, then roll the o-ring off the cap onto the senko. Same as the wacky rig tool but free instead of 9.99 like the mend-it manufacture guy wants on his site!

rubba bubba reply :

Quote
I keep a cap from a big highlighter that went dry in my bag. I place the o-ring around the cap, place the senko inside the cap, then roll the o-ring off the cap onto the senko. Same as the wacky rig tool but free instead of 9.99 like the mend-it manufacture guy wants on his site!

I do something similar to this but have drilled through the cap so you can slide the whole senko through the cap and position the band where you want it.

looking4structure reply :

Wow thats sweet.I can't wait to try these on my Senko's.Are these as durable as the O rings?Thanks for the awesome post

Crestliner2008 reply :

Quote
Wow thats sweet.I can't wait to try these on my Senko's.Are these as durable as the O rings?Thanks for the awesome post

This is my 5th. season using this technique and it's worked flawlessly. I mainly fish smallmouths on off-shore structures and can count on 3 or 4 fish (sometimes more) with each Senko. And they are quite a bit cheaper than the popular "O" rings.

The_Natural reply :

I have used O-rings and tiny rubber bands meant for braces in the past, but those hair bands you posted are clear, which is a solid improvement over what I've been using. Excellent....

JKay reply :

Quote
I keep a cap from a big highlighter that went dry in my bag. I place the o-ring around the cap, place the senko inside the cap, then roll the o-ring off the cap onto the senko. Same as the wacky rig tool but free instead of 9.99 like the mend-it manufacture guy wants on his site!

I do the same thing with the back end of an old dried up Sharpie permanent marker. Snapped it in half, pulled out the inners and away I went. Works great with the o-rings.

Just wish I could fish wacky style more often. Too many weeds where I like to fish. Every cast seems to dredge the lake and I spend more time cursing and picking weeds than fishing >

Clark Stewart reply :

Quote

Quote
I keep a cap from a big highlighter that went dry in my bag. I place the o-ring around the cap, place the senko inside the cap, then roll the o-ring off the cap onto the senko. Same as the wacky rig tool but free instead of 9.99 like the mend-it manufacture guy wants on his site!

I do the same thing with the back end of an old dried up Sharpie permanent marker. Snapped it in half, pulled out the inners and away I went. Works great with the o-rings.

Just wish I could fish wacky style more often. Too many weeds where I like to fish. Every cast seems to dredge the lake and I spend more time cursing and picking weeds than fishing >

use a weedguard hook. It helps

Brett's_daddy reply :

Burke reply :

On 3/12/2009 at 9:51 PM, NOVA Angler said:

I'm picking some up today!

After 8 years being dead...someone brought it alive again ---

Yup, me too , just need to tell the wife that she needs some of that for her hair.

That way I can steal some of it and test it out

ChrisD46 reply :

The hair band deal works fine - I have been experimenting with clear heat shrink tubing off e-bay : Cut a 3/4th" piece off , center it on a senko , hit it briefly with a heat gun then run the hook hrough perpindicular . *I'm sure it's just me but I just don't belive I get the best hook set wacky with the hook parallel vs. perpindicular . y way with the heat shrink tubing yeilds a few more fish from one senko buy the clear hair band or o-ring would last longer I believe .

XpressJeff reply :

This is why I love this forum!

Thanks folks!

CTBassin860 reply :

My wacky tool was 2 bucks at DSG.

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Wacky Rigging, My Way 2024

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