Probably one of the most unorthodox methods to catch fish to come along in a long time is wacky rigging worms, stickbaits, and other suitable plastics.
Wacky rigging is not a new method……….I can remember reading about this method back in the mid-80’s, and seeing anglers in central Florida using a similar technique to catch big bass in the hydrilla when I lived there.
In the early days of wacky rigs, a common method was to insert a small finishing nail in one end of the worm….this allowed for more weight in the offering, which in turn allowed for more “bounce” when the rod tip was worked….or at least that seemed to be the idea. This was, of course, before the days of Senkos and other stickbaits that have the weight built into them through density of plastics and salt contents.
Things have progressed a great deal nowdays…….with the advent of those stickbaits, and other baits designed specifically for wacky rigging, and the development of specialty hooks suited for this purpose, wacky rigging is as simple as throwing a crankbait or a spinnerbait, and incredibly effective when presented properly.
WHERE/WHEN:
Wacky rigging is most effective in and around cover. Weedy cover, pads, timber, all are prime areas to bounce a stickbait. In the spring, look for emerging weedcover on shallow feeding flats, preferably with dark bottoms, as these areas will be the first to warm up in the spring. The first green weeds will attract fish in droves, especially if deeper water is nearby.
Try wacky around beds, too….just remember to put the fish back when you are done snapping pictures.
Summer is when wacky rigging comes into its’ own. When the bait is abundant, and fish do not seem to be interested in your traditional offerings………rig up a wacky, and work the deeper weed edges, especially on sharp drops. Sharp drops usually mean weed walls, and weed walls facing deep water are a magnet for all kinds of bait and bass.
Wacky rigging will catch fish when the bite is tough. It may be one of the most effective ways to get lockjawed bass to bite.
HOW:
This technique can be done equally well with spinning tackle, and baitcasters. A good flouro is a solid choice, as well as mono. I typically use mono in 10-12 lb range when wacky rigging…if the water is a bit stained, a 15 lb will be fine, too. Don’t go too heavy…..(I am a lite line guy anyway).
Hook your chosen bait right in the middle of the body…you want to have equal amounts of the bait hanging down on both sides of the hook. I think this symmetry is critical. I am not sure why, but it seems to make a difference, in my experience.
Toss the bait out, and let it glide down on a semi-slack line, similar to fishing a finesse jig. Sometimes, you will get bit on the initial drop. If not, let that bait sit on the bottom for a bit before you move it. Then, move it with gentle twitches and raises of your rod tip…letting the bait flutter back down…..again, as with jig fishing, you are likely to get hit on the fall, but not always. Work the rig a few times, and then let it settle back to the bottom, and repeat the process, working back to the boat. I have had success with this approach fishing pads, deep weed edges, and a variety of different weedy cover.
Try to vary your retrieve-let the fish tell you how aggressive they want the bait fished.
THE STRIKE:
As with jig fishing, the strikes can be savage sometimes……but more often than not, the strike is little more than a soft pick-up……..you will get the feel of the bait, and if something feels different…..SET THE HOOK. Many times, the fish will simply stop the bait….you will feel that “mushy” feel on your line, similar to a jig bite.. With experience, you will get the feel for it.
The hook set can be a bit tricky…….do not slam that hook home……I use a sweeping hook set approach….make sure your hooks are sharp, and that is all the power you will need to set the hook home. Sharp snap hook sets tend to pull the hook free of the fish’s mouth…do not linger on the hookset however, as the fish tend to swallow the bait quickly.
I do not endorse any particular plastic for wacky rigging…….I have used several different brands of stickbaits, and all have performed equally well for me…..I would suggest a 5″ bait over a 4″ bait…….more action on the bounce during retrieve.
I do, however, endorse our own “RAPTOR SERIES” of wacky rigged hooks for rigging. 1/0 and 2/0 Gamakatsu shiner hooks, and stainless steel weedguards are the keys to our hooks.
Give wacky rigging a try………it is easy, fun, and will put fish in the boat.
