3 Wacky Rig MISTAKES That Are COSTING You Fish!

3 Wacky rig mistakes that are costing you fish! The wacky rig is a super easy technique to catch bass as you just hook a stick worm in the middle and cast it around but I have experimented over the years and learned it is more specific than that. These wacky rig tips will help you to catch and land more fish with this technique! The wacky rig senko is a super effective way to catch bass during the spawn but I used to lose many fish and didn't know why. I started using these wacky rig fishing tips and started catching more fish in no time.
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[@TKsw191145]

I have never lost a fish on those VMC hooks. Love them. I use the same line combination and it is fantastic and I fish gin clear water

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Nice!

[@Tony-di5lp]

Good on ya ! Great informative information. I'm glad to have found ya Tony in Modesto CA.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thanks!

[@jeffabbey1057]

Thanks Nathan!! Great seminar on this technique. Keep on hawgin'!!

[@jameslovelace8958]

I use the VMC Neko Weedless Hook, 15 lb high vis yellow braided line with a 4’ Fluo leader and I do use the Yum Dinger 5” stick worm. I catch more fish with this setup. I’ve used a Senko in the past but I loose way to many. Lately I’ve been using the VMC crossover tube. I love them far more than the o-ring for sure.

[@danielmacdonald4453]

Very interesting. All I do is catch bass on Yum dinger- 6 inch worms with wacky rig. I do agree that at times, it seems like they sink too slow. But I also think that depends on the hook and line choice that I have on a particular rod/reel set up. Who knows though 😂

[@katietrotter9374]

If all you do is catch bass on a wacky yum dinger, then I guess you wouldn’t know if the other brands work better?

[@danielmacdonald4453]

@@katietrotter9374 “All I do” was an exaggerated statement. I do use other worms/soft plastics. I guess my corrected statement is that whenever I use Yum dingers, I have been wacky rigging them and catching bass all year long.

[@pizzaiowa3816]

They work great on a wacky rig. Have caught most of my bad using the dinger

[@Cornelius798]

As a bank angler I love the wacky rig. Great tips, thanks!

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Yes it catches tons!

[@RickBReviews]

I've caught countless bass on whacky rigged yum dingers.

[@bigmikefishingchronicles-js3my]

Great job I think that smaller hook is the reason I stopped fishing a wacky rig but I am going with a bigger hook and see if I can build my confidence back up in a wacky rig

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Good luck!

[@gregorywhite6830]

Thanks Nate. Great content and extremely helpful.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thank you!

[@dksizzr]

Thanks for sharing 👍 I'll give it a try!!!

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Good luck!

[@ronforeman5317]

FYI: Bass Pro makes a Stik O specifically for wacky rigs. It's thinner in the egg sack area to increase the action and is named appropriately enough the Wacky Stik O.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Oh nice!

[@rick4649]

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thank you!

[@johnk5193]

That was a great help. Thanks so much!

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thanks!

[@robertchadwick2925]

Very thorough video. Thanks for the tips.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thank you!

[@RogerFordTheSmilingBassHole]

Just watched this again, since I do so much wacky. LOVE the explanation of different baits. I have Big Bite & Yum Dingers. I wondered about those for wacky, since I could see it was sinking slowly. I did NOT know about the Bass Pro Stiko! Good value. I'm 1 week from the New England Fishing Expo. I'll look for colors and density at the soft bait booths, PLUS pick up some VNC Neko Hooks (I do use that Octopus hook). Great value! Love how you immediately start with educational value (not brewing coffee or mentioning your hair -- both which I've heard in videos!).

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Good luck and thank you!

[@paulgiannetto5317]

Thanks Nathan. Excellent tips which I will apply to my fishing when in Florida.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Good luck!

[@markleonard284]

Great video. I started using the Spearpoint GP finesse hook in a #1 and it is a game changer for my whacky rig and my neko rig.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Interesting I’ve never tried them!

[@michaele8157]

A small 3/16 weighted wacky hook makes the less dense worms work well. Especially the 4 inch dingers

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Yes it does!

[@tommybounds3220]

Thank you for the video

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thank you!

[@fisher-samoyed9857]

Great tips

[@carytoms9500]

Good content. I’m using Berkley weights heads

[@toadmarz]

Good stuff Nate

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thanks!

[@benwitham509]

Super helpful. Lost a few today prob because of hook choice. Good to know why. Thank you!

[@MyBigThing2010]

EWG (extra wide gap) octopus circle hooks are also a better hook up ratio vs a standard circle hook so if you have some 1/0 or 2/0 EWG how in your box you may want to try them out before running to the store. The EWG books hook up more often and deeper behind the fish's lip... just don't be lazy or cheap and make sure you're always fishing it sharp. If it's dull then touch it up or toss it in the dull hook slot in your box to sharpen later and tie in a new sharp one

[@bruceesterline3170]

Yum dinger.

[@dougp9975]

Great video!

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thanks!

[@rodwesley2779]

Great tips! I've been using the #2 Octopus with good results, but I've lost a few on it. I use straight 10# blue ice fluorocarbon and have no trouble seeing it. I'm definitely going to try the Neko hooks and hopefully get a better hookup ratio, especially on those light bites. Another thing I do is use clear shrink wrap instead of O rings. I put a small piece around the midsection of the worm and run my hook through the shrink wrap. I rig a bunch up before I go out, but as a rule, one worm will last me several days because there's no O rings to cut into the worm. Works great and saves me $$ in worms. I'm partial to the Yamamoto Green Pumpkin and the black and blue through spring/summer. Red flake and watermelon work great in the fall.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thanks! Good luck!

[@donovanjackson7241]

A good alternative hook is the Lazer Sharp weedless neko hook at walmart. Very similar hook but only $3 for 8.

[@JS-oy6nn]

What coincidence.??? Hit the water early this morning 5/19 Didn’t start that great, couldn’t keep the Muskie off my top water dogma.??? Switched to a wacky rig and wore them out till noon. Was definitely a good day of fishing.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Nice!

[@windowlicker4192]

Spinning reels is all you need for anything!

[@shakeyhead0079]

Great video. Boy a senko is tough to beat!

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Absolutely!

[@carytoms9500]

If you use a weighted head it will make the yum dinger shimmy. Like the expensive Senko.

[@paulferber7090]

Interesting considering I’ve caught some 7 and 6 pounders throwing yum dingers on a wacky rig 🤷‍♂️

[@bluelagoontipplerloft6130]

Nice 💯🐟🎣

[@Spudz76]

I use the small hair rubberbands (cosmetic zone of whatever store, black uncoated basic rubber) instead of O-rings, they are random sizes but usually doubled or tripled over they fit a Senko diameter without hugging too hard or too loose. I've used one worm for like two days sometimes, rarely lose them (Yamamoto's usually, which I always hacked several in half per day with other hook-connection strategies, or lost them on cast). The two or three loop "harness" seems to fatigue the bait less than single rings, and I think it also translates some yanking shock into constriction more evenly around the body instead of just hammering in one spot on the leeward side. And each band loop has a slightly different tension so they apply force more gradually than a hard rubber O-ring. They may also be less weight but I've never checked. I like to keep the weight to a minimum so the drop rate is as slow as possible while still wiggling. I also use Mutu style short shank hooks, they are similar to the Octopus hooks (which I have used, and agree are bad), but the key feature is the tip angle with an inward curved tip so when it's hookset time that locates the jawbone, slides into a corner and lightly pricks a pilot hole and the rest of the hook body is forced around at hookset, the shape of a #2 size and the angle of the eyelet vs the tip still accomplishes what your long shank ones do, and I have a low loss rate even with the barbs bent, like a hog-ring sort of, hard to spit, easy to loop back out with the correct spin. I also get these in red, so that it appears more like maybe something bleeding or tasty for extra picky bass that know hardware is evil. I'd be afraid of a long shank being too much visible rigging but I do like the weedless aspect and the anti-spit.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Nice setup!

[@skinnyj-pu7vn]

I destroyed the fish at my local lake yesterday wacky rigging Yum dingers. Nothing wrong with them at all.

[@FishOn1]

Agree with you on hook choice. You can overcome the worm weight issue with a small bullet weight, flick shake head, or nail weight. I like a small weight as it allows me to fish the wack horizontally more effectively, as well as vertically.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

That’s a great tip!

[@WiggyShowtime]

Good tips

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thanks!

[@raymaylone8563]

Hey Nathan good stuff I’ve been playing a lot with the Neko rig along with a wacky rig and my hook up ratio hasn’t been the best. I use the small octopus hooks that have the wire we guard and it just seems I lose half the fish I set the hook on. Headed out this weekend and I’m definitely gonna change my hooks And use your advice. Will let you know how the day goes

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Good luck!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Thanks for those helpful tips!!!👊🏻 I've been using the wrong type of stick baits for wacky rig so Ii guess the Yum Dingers and Bitter's are better for Texas Rig & Neko Rig.😣 Stay Safe & God Bless!!!!

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Yes they are!

[@cincinnatiking8008]

Have you ever tried a Jackall Flick Shake worm on a weighted wacky jig head. It looks amazing in the water!

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

I have it’s a great combo!

[@predatorking3131]

I use dropshot hooks for my wacky worms, literally never lost a fish or a worm on them, and i stabbed it right through the middle and i never lost a worm ever, it's awesome.

[@frankbrowning328]

Great video. What brands of braided line are best for your rod eyes? Some can be very abrasive

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

I use suffix 832

[@mjende1007]

Chompers Salty Sinkers are great too. Harder to find though.

[@sheilaanderson4043]

Amazing I’ve been doing this, proved this works.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Awesome!

[@johnnybellamy3855]

I agree on hook choice

[@northeastpac-man5692]

Nate !! Shhhhh about the 6th sense green pumpkin burst 💥!!

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

It’s a great color!

[@carlogentleman3273]

Hey Nathan, Thank so much for your instruction! Can you zeroed in on on the main line and the lead. What test should each be? How long should a lead be?

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

It can be variable but 6-10 pound test 15 feet

[@GRJTX]

thanks cause I've been missing way to many with the hooks I'm using

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thank you!

[@secretbassrigs]

Some stickworms actually works better on a weighted hook. They're usually a little stiffer but have more spring to them. They also hold up better. The more a Senko gets used, the more torn it gets and the more air pockets it develops. Also, using wider support collars does increase the resistance against the flow of water, translating to more movement. I recommend using clear shrink tubing in 1/4" ID. Just stretch the worm, to make it thinner, as you thread it through. You can also cut it at different lengths to max out the worms reflexive elasticity. I often cut mine in a "V" shape where the wider end is on top and the narrow end is on the bottom where the hook is. It also preserves the structural integrity that makes the entire body undulate naturally, rather than pinching or cutting into it when setting the hook.

[@secretbassrigs]

Also use bigger hooks, if longer shanks end up wedging between brush and rip rap.

[@dwheeler016]

Thanks

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thank you!

[@ronaldroquemore665]

Great video content. Question: What brand of braided line do you use and recommend?

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Sufix 832 is what I use

[@ronfeltonfishing]

Bassmooch Lynch worm is awesome

[@phillyman5000]

Good video, thanks!! Did you ever push a finishing nail thru the front of your worm to add weight? There is another guy on here that has a video explaining this. Seems to add some weight to help a worm sink better. This of course would be more for lighter worms.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Yes I do that a lot

[@odindio]

When I catch 16 bass wacky rigging yums, I wonder can it get better.

[@markmclemore1381]

I’m a novice when it to bass fishing. 2 questions on the wacky rig. Is the hook always exposed? Seems like you would get hung up a lot. Is the action just to let it sink to the bottom and sit there? Or are you lifting and dropping it as you retrieve it?

[@RogerFordTheSmilingBassHole]

Wacky is another one of my "go to" techniques. Thanks to your EXCELLENT advice, I'm sure it will be even MORE effective for me! Do you ever use O-Rings for wacky? Thanks! Roger, The Smiling BassHole

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

I do all the time!

[@jholl7339]

Okay, what about the way you had that hook on the worm? I've been told time and again to either run the hook through the worm, or use double o-ring, X fashion, so that the hook shank was perpendicular to the worm, and not parallel.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

You can do that as well I’ve had luck how I have it!

[@Therealpoliticalmuscle]

I have caught a 7 lbs bass on a yum dinger lol

[@rahimi420fr]

Awesome video the hook you mentioned #2 and #1 not 2/0 or 1/0 hook ??

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Correct!

[@Fugettaboutit]

Only stick worm I will use for wacky rigging is the Yamamoto senko and the Strike King KVD Ocho.

[@Cornelius798]

Yamamoto's have such great action, I'll try the KVD's

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Nice!

[@Fugettaboutit]

@@nathanquincefishing7122 But it's good to know that that the Bass Pro versions work as well, as you can get those in bulk for a lot less. I've tried others like the Yum Dinger inter exact same colors as the Yamamoto's I use, and not nearly as many bites. That soft 'salt Kelly' formula of the Yamamoto is pretty specific. Fragile, but they get the bites.

[@10--50]

Would you suggest an FG knot or something different for your braid to fluoro?

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

I use an Alberto knot

[@davidhopper4433]

Great detailed info & Tips. I will use this on Guntersville & Chickamauga down south.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Good luck!

[@CK-cz6jb]

I’ve caught more bass on yum dingers rigged this way than any other bait .. not sure why you don’t think they aren’t good

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

They don’t have the salt content not saying you won’t catch fish but the others out perform for me

[@ScottHynson-if9vn]

Strike king ocho works well also

[@the-stickman]

I’ve noticed that the crème worms at Walmart actually have a very nice fall rate.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Never tried them!

[@fishaholic122]

Nate, help me out brother, how about some advice for lake berlin

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

I have never been there!

[@fishaholic122]

@@nathanquincefishing7122 well today was the day and I got skunked

[@clayfish]

If you’re setting a circle hook you’ll lose fish. When you get a bite reel fast and hard and you’ll see your hook up ratio pass any other hooks.

[@bbrahbboul2748]

What is the best worm for this set up . Is it the one that falls fast or the one that falls slow ? Or is it the heavier or the lightest?

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

You want a fairly fast fall. A dense bait is best

[@MrMadhouse70]

x zone true centerstick is also a good bait and it is stronger than the yamamoto. For half the price:)

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Interesting!

[@MrMadhouse70]

@@nathanquincefishing7122 If you test it let me know if you like it:)

[@markstengle8452]

I I use the Clout worm on St Clair

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Nice!

[@leechaney3703]

You don’t set the hook with the circle hooks. Just reel first and the set after you feel the hook up.

[@eaglespetty]

What about using a weighted wacky rig hook?

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

You could!

[@alonzoharris1467]

Let me toja, U need to be getting paid by one of these big companies for your presentation. U are casting the info out there & u can have a audience silence listen to every word you say you are the man

[@account2292]

Man, I catch a ton on weightless Dingers.

[@robertmayberry5184]

What kind of line and lbs use ?

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

15 pound braid to 8 pound leader

[@robertmayberry5184]

What spinner baits good for April and or spring

[@seadogjack2022]

Sorry I have to disagree on Yum Dingers being bad for wacky rigging. That's nearly all I used during the 2022 season and I've never caught so many smallmouth

[@SuccessWithHonor1855]

Nate, do you think 5.4" is too large for Smallmouth Bass? I usually use a 4" Senko. I live in Coraopolis and mostly fish for Smallmouth. Thanks!

[@Cornelius798]

Not at all, I've caught dink largemouth's on a 7 inch worm.

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

I prefer the 4 but 5 isn’t too big!

[@davethurston3408]

Never have understood why fishermen target spawning bass! This just cannot possibly be good for future generations of the species

[@j_w-hu9kl]

Just curious, why not?

[@travisledford4632]

StrikeKing Ocho is the best I’ve found

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

They are good

[@Bassmaster_Ice318]

You've forgotten the setup. What Length and Action rod would you use for this setup. And what setup would you use for a weighted Wacky Rig?

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Just a standard 7 foot medium spinning rod

[@jdalend]

Neko hook all day

[@alonzoharris1467]

The president need to send u from state to state preaching your fishing knowledge. Keep jacking them outta the water

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Thanks!

[@tbone6924]

"You don't even need a baitcaster..."....you don't NEED a baitcaster for any technique. Gotta love these baitcaster snobs who think anyone using a spinning reel is a "beginner".

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Nothing wrong with using a spinning reel it doesn’t make you a beginner but it’s where all people start

[@tbone6924]

@@nathanquincefishing7122 Not always, my first reel was a fly fishing real....but I get your point :)

[@0017Bulldog]

Someone told me that the Senko's trick to its density is that they add a small amount of fine sand to them. Have you ever heard of this?

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

I have some use sand and some use salt!

[@descalf]

2000 pounds of grass?

[@theconstructionguy8675]

Honestly I use the whacky rig on my home river and I use it on a drop shot. Green pumpkin or orange black work best. I've not used a better lure on this river .

[@nathanquincefishing7122]

Awesome!

[@descalf]

You caught 2000 pounds of fish!?

[@twiztedtatz]

Be a better video if it looked like you were talking to the viewers and not something else to the right