Key Takeaways
- Use a short shank, circle-shaped hook with thin wire for wacky rigs. This type of hook is perfect for wacky-style rigs and is crucial because wacky rigs work best when fished on lighter, finesse rigs.
- Match the size of your hook to the worm you are fishing with. A 1/0 hook is generally regarded as the best choice if you are fishing a 5-inch wacky rig Senko or stick bait.
- Use non-weedless wacky hooks for open-water fishing. These hooks have the highest chance of getting an excellent hook-up ratio.
- The Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Hooks is a go-to wacky rig for many anglers across the country. It has the recognizable sharpness we have come to expect from Gamakatsu and allows for fantastic hook sets and rarely allows fish to escape once they are hooked.
- If you’re fishing in an area with lots of weeds, use a weedless wacky hook. They have a weed guard on the hook to help prevent snagging and protect your lure from weeds.
What to Look for in a Wacky Rig Hook
You should actually search for a short shank, circle-shaped hook for a wacky rig. These hooks are small, perfectly designed for wacky-style rigs, and typically made of rather thin wire—all of which are crucial because wacky-rigs work best when fished on lighter, finesse rigs. When using a wacky rig, this type of hook will provide you with the highest connection ratio imaginable.
Whether you want a weedless or non-weedless crazy hook should be another factor to take into account. The next parts will go into greater detail about this.
What Size Hook for the Wacky Rig
You should make an effort to match the size of your hook to the worm you are fishing with. A 1/0 hook is generally regarded as the best choice if you are fishing a 5-inch wacky rig senko or stick bait (which is what people fish on a wacky rig 90% of the time).
Non Weedless Wacky Hooks – Best for Open Water
A typical, non-weedless wacky hook should be used if you are fishing in open water. Since there is no weed guard on these hooks, you have the highest chance of getting an excellent hook-up ratio.
I give the following suggestions in this category, in no particular order:
Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Hooks
a go-to wacky rig for many anglers across the country. In a slim, portable design, this hook has the recognizable sharpness we have come to expect from Gamakatsu. Thanks to exceptional sharpness, a small wire diameter, and exceptional strength, this hook allows for fantastic hook sets and fish rarely escape once they are hooked.
Drop shot is another application for these hooks.
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BKK Predator WG Wacky Rig Hook
This catch is well-liked for a reason. It has a sharp bend at an angle, with the point towards the hook’s shank; this enables secure hook settings. Any fish’s mouth can be effortlessly pierced thanks to the needlepoint. Your wacky rig worm is saddled by the acute bend, which keeps the bait in place and allows for the best presentation. My own favorite color is dark grey.
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VMC Ike Approved Wacky Hooks
These hooks were created with the assistance of Mike Iaconelli, a former Bassmaster Classic champion, who is well-versed in fishing wacky rigs. These hooks’ rounded shape and wide gap make for simple rigging and excellent hook settings. It is unlikely that you will lose a fish once it is hooked because these are some of the sharpest hooks you will ever come across. This makes for excellent hook sets.
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Weedless Wacky Hooks – Best for Isolated Cover
Around any type of isolated covers, such as laydowns, brush piles, and grass, a wacky rig is highly useful. You will require some protection when fishing this style of cover to prevent getting tangled. There are some fantastic wacky hooks with weed guards that will significantly lower your risk of getting snagged, even though no wacky presentation can ever be completely weedless (because the hook is exposed).
I give the following suggestions in this category, in no particular order:
Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Wacky Hooks
This hook, created by FLW Tour pro-Shinichi Fukae, completely altered the rules of wacky rig fishing near the cover. Anglers may cast their wacky-rigs into some pretty heavy cover with little fear of getting snagged thanks to the solidly mounted titanium weed guard. His hook’s tiny weed guards, which are nevertheless effective at blocking cover, are my favorite feature. The guards can move out of the way and the hook set can be solid because of the narrow diameter’s ability to flex during a hook set.
Strong, dependable hook settings are made possible by the hook’s thin wire construction, outstanding strength, and signature Gamakatsu sharpness.
Adding O-Rings
You have probably heard of or seen some anglers using an O-ring if you have ever fished with or are familiar with a wacky rig. This is a well-liked addition to the standard wacky rig arrangement.
O-rings are actually utilized to prevent your bait from shredding each time a fish is hooked. They can be a terrific solution and ultimately save you money. However, using an O-ring is not required in order to catch fish. It can help you save some time and money while simply extending the life of your stick baits.
