WHY Bass Love the Wacky Rig: Must Know Feeding Behavior

Bass anglers know the wacky rig works -but why? This video breaks down the science behind a key feeding behavior. We can now make the wacky rig an even more effective fish-catching lure once we fully understand this.
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[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Check out my Bass Behavior Bundle: Behavior Videos, Newsletters, and Livestreams. Thank you for your support of the channel! www.steverogersoutdoors.com/bass-behavior-bundle-info

[@davehuggins5777]

This bundle is incredible. I've been bass fishing for over 50 years and still have a lot to learn. So much information in the videos I find myself watching most of them multiple times!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@@davehuggins5777 Thank you! I appreciate it.

[@avdmustang]

The wacky rig works for the same reason a fluke does (as well as the original soft stick bait called the Slug-Go).....they all imitate dying creature. Like you said, easy prey is very noticeable and appealing to all types of predatory fish (and land animals alike).

[@erichoffman2014]

You can weightless texas rig it get same action and make sure you leave it slack, throw it in the weeds/trees/brush. Great for 5-15 for sure. Thanks Steve, love this channel. Thanks for the encouragement, you just never know.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks for the tip!

[@ryansaulsbury-qb9sj]

On a drop shot I wacky rig a worm all the time on outside weed edges. I plan on working it a little different now. Great info!

[@JohnLong02245]

Great information on bass behavior with empty stomachs. I believe the same could be said about bass with full stomachs as well. Thank you 🏴‍☠️

[@stevevanhorn1909]

Shure do love me some wacky riggin '

[@Fishingwithfaithoutdoors23]

Free rig wacky rig. Can you have a video made on that technique?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That would be really interesting. Thank you for the topic! I will add it to my list.

[@Michdave700]

Great idea!

[@Fishingwithfaithoutdoors23]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors I’ve done it before but didn’t video it for my channel. But it looks amazing!

[@raygissendanner1476]

Great information thank you

[@DshaunBirch]

i’ve started carolina rigging a wacky rig on a leader so far about a 1.5 feet so i can’t go ahead and start that sinking shimmy from the bottom if i want to skip the top and/or mid portions of the water column the only problem is i’m not sure what it’s doing once i start working the rod tip and reeling in i’m pretty sure it’s not floating again unless i pop it really aggressively directly upward it’s kind of all or nothing with the initial casts but i’ve gotten some great strikes enough to keep working on it

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is great! I will try to film that setup sometime underwater. Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@jamesf1525]

Why not try a Z-Man bait? They float.

[@DshaunBirch]

@@jamesf1525 i really don’t like dealing with them but you’re right and i actually do have a couple they don’t really fit the way i “handle” my baits lol i also still want that slow sinking action just from a lower part of the water column

[@redtobertshateshandles]

That probably applies to saltwater fish too.

[@davehuggins5777]

Very good points. Calories in over calories out. Now that I think about it, I may be part bass! 😂

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Lol. I definitely need to work on the calories out.

[@repairking1990]

Surely I’m not the only one wanting to know what camera you use in these videos!!!!!!! Tag me please!!!!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@repairking1990 it is a Fifish V6 underwater drone. Lots of fun to use.

[@Paul_T843]

Thanks for the information and another great video!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you!

[@RickWebb-nn6hy]

I truly believe a wacky worm is a injured or dying bait to a bass It’s an easy to catch bait , that a bass doesn’t have to burn much energy to catch . It’s a lure that dominates since its creation, and bass never seem to get tired of eating . It’s a very slow technique that requires more patience than most can handle , but can payoff Huge , to the bank angler or the highest level tournament angler a Like .

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It is truly an amazing setup. It would be so interesting to know how many fish that rig has caught.

[@alexross26]

I genuinely didnt believe in wacky rigs at first. I thought it looked like someone who didnt know anything about fishing trying to use a soft plastic by how lazily and cartoonish its attached to the hook. but damn if it doesnt work. a small split shot 1 inch under from the hook to get it shimmying right. boom. money

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That little added weight sure makes a great shimmy!

[@somewhereinsd362]

First off, congrats on 26k subs... you deserve them.. wacky is the go to when you need a bite. .. until the next video, thank-you

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thank you! Been very good growth this year. Blessed to get to talk to so many great people.

[@richthompson3326]

The wacky shot hook from Core Tackle is the best I've seen for a wacky rig. Steve have you tried it yet? Great video, thanks!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I haven’t tried that one. I will definitely have to check it out. Thank you!

[@Drummer406]

stop making the fake bait smell like rubber fish have an extremely sensitive sense of smell make it smell like fish😮

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

They do have incredible smell. And you are so right, there are a lot of lures that just smell like plastic really strong.

[@itllkeal]

Thanks Steve

[@shannonkirby9295]

Hey ,Steve, pray u are having a great day. I am gonna have to try this again. I have never gotten a bite on a wacky rig. Great video, Steve, be safe

[@gospideygo8781]

Wow - wacky rig is soooo good! My tip is to use a 5inch Senko. Use lighter colors in clear water and darker colors in less clear to murky water. I find that when the water is clear a Senko in white or a light green works very well. When the water is stained to murky I switch to a brown, dark green or black/blue or black/purple color. Once you figure it out they’re a blast. Good luck!

[@shannonkirby9295]

@@gospideygo8781 thank u

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Great to hear from you! I know that you will soon. Have an excellent week.

[@lantose]

Don’t give up on the wacky worm! I’ve caught far more on a 5” Texas rigged than wacky rigged, mostly green and purple and majority were smallmouths in a clear rocky lake in Oklahoma. I actually had my rod and reel ripped from my hands before with a greenish wacky worm by either a large smallmouth or possibly a hybrid stripper, but I’ll never know! $250 down the drain!

[@maxpeditiondad238]

I like fishing a wacky rig when the fishing is tough or the fish are pressured. Oddly on my local waters everyone fishes Texas rig and Ned rig but no one fishes wacky rig. I use a weedless hook with a wire guard and cast into grass and shallow areas. I am always tantalized by color suggestions, but for our local stained-water reservoirs I think there are only two colors: Green Pumpkin and Black&Blue. I’ll go lighter colors with flukes and trailers, but I guess I stick with works for me on worms. ;)

[@jameskeim8912]

Would love to see ocho VS yum VS sinko how they fall,6 and 7 inch ocho my fav.

[@LowBrowFishing]

I love throwing a wacky rig, both weighted and unweighted. They consistently produce bites on even the toughest days. It has to be one of my top presentations that last few years! Awesome video!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

It is really amazing how that setup just is so consistent. Truly one of the best out there.

[@GreenManalichi]

Good God Steve.... There's so much information on bass fishing that my head's gonna explode. I'm an elder, finally retired with an empty nest. I've been fishing before, mostly hook and worm or crappie/trout.... wanting to get into bass fishing but WOW.... it is like rocket science !!! The what, when, where, how, and why definitely falls into this "fun"

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! There is definitely infinite possibilities with all the gear when bass fishing for sure. You'll quicky find your favorites. Good luck out there and thanks for watching!

[@GreenManalichi]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors Steve, I have a question I hope you will answer.... Salted wacky worms....are the pouches labeled "With Salt" or are all Senkos already impregnated with salt ?

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

@@GreenManalichi The Yamamoto Senkos are already impregnated with salt.

[@GreenManalichi]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors thank you Steve 👍

[@LarryTunks]

@@SteveRogersOutdoors

[@adammitchell3462]

Although I don't enjoy fishing it much but I gotta say,it's one of my number one techniques because the bass are absolutely crazy over it. It's sorta like using live bait,it works great but not nearly as fun an explosive top water bite

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

A good topwater bite is tops for sure. I can’t think of one topwater lure I don’t love throwing. Good times.

[@Boethius411]

Any tips on getting bigger bites on a wacky rig? I’d throw it a ton more if it produced bigger bites. I have put a weighted version into my rotation… it gets bit but I haven’t got a lot of confidence in it being a winning go to. It’s more a fill out a limit deal for me.

[@derrickgatz9795]

Have you tried using bigger worms? I get some bigger bites when i go to the six inch senko and ocho.

[@walterwest7457]

Steve, when fishing a wacky rig deep (12-15 feet) I fish is wacky on a drop shot

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

That is a great technique! Thank you for sharing this.

[@bradr.7249]

I have caught a lot of bass over the years using a wacky rig. I couldn't agree with your statements more. Bass are opportunist and will take an easy meal if presented the chance. Great video Steve. Thanks!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

My son was out with me the other day and he hasn’t had the time to fish in quite awhile, that wacky rig performed well and he had a great time. Blessed.

[@Woefman911]

Thanks Steve, funny my brother in Illinois exclusively throws wacky despite me trying to send him other ways. Myself i dont think i ever bought into it. Prolly because lack of luck. Now once again you going to intrigue me to try it. Lake i fish the most is my 46 acre HOA lake. No structure or rocks or brush piles, but think will throw it into fountains and bubblers.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

The fountains sure can pull in the fish. There are a few on the lake I fish a lot and there is always activity around them. Great oxygen source for sure.

[@Woefman911]

Thanks, my brother just finished 2nd on Waupaca chain, small tournament last weekend, you guessed it whacky on braid. He is hard headed wont change, i sent him your line video

[@btd6boomerangmonkey350]

Love this analysis of wacky rigs Rogers.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Thanks you!

[@davecurtis408]

Steve I think is why sometimes it is so important to slow down!

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I agree with you. Hard to beat a slow presentation.

[@Steve-ev6vx]

Oh man I lost a nice fish today on a small jig. It got so hot I had to get off the water until this evening. This Florida heat is brutal.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

I definitely like fall fishing the best. We don't get the heat that you do, but I agree, there are days where it is just horrid out there.

[@normanwiggins1320]

Very informative video Steve thanks for the information about the bass and technique

[@Rooster0529]

Love the science/research. Thanks Steve.

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ThirdLawPair]

Not so wacky after all

[@SteveRogersOutdoors]

Lol. True