ChrisD46

Pick up a spool of Zebco Omniflex from WM in 10lb. ~ 12lb. test. Spool baitcaster approx. 35% with above mono . Use a double uni or crazy alberto knot to join mono to braid . Make sure both mono backing and braid are reeled on tight (try spooling with line running through the middle of a telephone book's pages) . Depending on situation a good quality mono / co-poly (Sufix, Seaguar , P-Line) or FC leader (Seaguar , Sunline) can be used with the same previous knot choices OR use braid without a leader .As for braid you can't go wrong with Power Pro or Sufix then as you gain experience look at other braids such as Daiwa , Seaguar , Sunline and others .

Wayne P. - I had mistakingly compared against Octopus circle hooks ... Gammi 2/0 ~ 4/0 Octopus hooks would definately work .

Darren : Good replies as usual ... I have heard similar comments before regarding curved "beak" hook tips resulting in either rolled hooks or lower % hooksets . I don't have enough experience with the Owner Wacky or Mosquito style hooks -but may give them a try any way .

Good Stuff Will Wetline !!

I don't disagree with the hook choices - just the hook sizes : * Again , I want to wacky rig straight through the worm at a 90 degree angle . * Regarding the Owner non - weedless wacky in a 1/0 size : It looks like it could work , but border line small going through a 5" stick bait - I will try a 2/0 in the Owner as well just to compare. * Same thing with a Gammi Octopus hook in 1/0 size : it looks like it could work , but border line small going through a 5" stick bait - I will try a 2/0 Gammi Octopus hook as well just to compare . A Gammi Octopus 4/0 hook going through a 5" stick bait at a 90 degree angle would be insanely large in my opinion !

Thanks for the replies - The Owner wacky rig (green) hook was on my short list along with the do-everthing Gammi Octopus hook . I do like the fact that the Owner wacky hook has that little knook at the base of the hook which would appear to hold a 5" stick bait in place better .

It would help to note - I want to rig the hook straight through the middle at 90 degrees to the worm (i.e. no o-ring , cable tie , etc. )

My local tackle stores have these hooks in stock for wacky rigging soft plastic stick worms (i.e. Senkos & Yum Dingers ) : * Owner Wacky Hook * Owner SSW Needle Point Drop Shot Hook (new !) * Owner Mosquito Hook * Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap * Gamakatsu Octopus Hook * Gamakatsu Drop Shot / Split Shot Hook Which hook - and especially the size (i.e. #1 , 1/0 , 2/0, 3/0) do you use for wacky rigging soft plastic stick worms ? Thanks in advance for your replies !

One could make an arguement for a swim jig set up using say #30lb. Power Pro braid with a #12lb. leader of P-Line C-XX co-poly . A bit better line manageability , distance and hook setting ability at distance with the braid .

Thanks for the replies to date ... The reservoir I fish is approx. 40 years old and devoid of brush (except for fallen down trees shoreline OR discarded xmas trees planted offshore by conservation groups ) . Although I have not tried it yet - I heard the P-Line C-XX co-poly line fishes a bit stronger than it's rated test (i.e. #12lb. is more like others #15lb. test & #17lb. is more like others #20lb. test as far as line diamters go ...) Strength and abrazion resistance are supposed to be higher too with C-XX , so #12lb. may be a good place to start ... I already have backing on my baitcast reel so no harm in spooling up 75 yrds. of #12lb. C-XX to try . If I find something ugly in the C-XX charecteristics I have #15lb. Big Game mono and Stren #14lb. mono waiting on deck . I'd like to think that a good co-poly line would be preferred over mono in a swimbait application ?

I'm getting ready to assemble a dedicated swim jig outfit to coincide with the upcoming shad migration to the shallows . I fish a fairly open semi - stained SE reservoir where docks , rocks and boulders are the main obstructions . In looking at my available line inventory - I have new spools of both P-Line #12lb. & #17lb. C-XX co-poly lines ...Would either of these be suitable for stated conditions using 1/4th oz. & 3/8th swim jigs with trailor ? ...If so , which size would you select ? Thanks in advance ...

I like the original non - fat Roboworms in 4" & 6" lengths with a Gammi #2 split shot / drop shot hook thru the nose .

Search google for : "Powershot" set up technique - basically the same as drop shot except everything is biggie sized (i.e. line , hook , weight and soft plastic) .

I saw a TW exclusive showing a newer formula Big Bite Baits Trick Stick called the : "Super Soft" Stick ...Anybody used this before ?

Fishes in Trees : Great advice - I researched this topic of which line to use with wacky rigged soft plastic stick baits further and came across two articles by Bret Ehrler and Randy Howell : Both use a hi - viz braid + FC leader set up for wacky rigged soft plastic stick baits and gave their reasons why (line watching and reel set hook set) . The more I researched , the more mentions of braid to FC leader set up specific to wacky rigged soft plastic stick baits . It's not to say that co-poly and FC won't work with this technique but may be better served with other techniques such as : drop shot , c-rig , split / slip shot , etc. where I still prefer co-poly or FC vs. braid .

Spinning reel is a Quantum 3000 series .

Current spinning setup is 20lb. brain + 8lb. FC leader on one spool (2nd spool is currently empty) . I'm concerned when throwing a weightless soft stick bait wacky rigged I'm going to have issues with bow in the line with braid (a breeze will only compound the issue I believe) . * What is your favorite FC or Co-Poly line and size to throw on a spinning setup for weightless soft stick baits wacky rigged ? ... My short list would include straight InvizX 8lb. FC but am open to suggestions which allow good feel and don't create excessive bow in the line (a negative for fishing weightless soft stick baits wacky rigged !)

For those who have used - how would you rate the wacky rigged action of a Big Bite Trick Stick ? ...I see this soft plastic showing up at more and more stores .

Safe to say the Yamamoto Senko holds the #1 slot for best action in a wacky rigged stick bait ... Who would you put in the runner up slot for ONLY best action (not interested in longest lasting stick bait here - only the best action stick bait wacky rigged !) : Yum Dinger ? Strike King Shim - E - Stick ? BPS Stik - O - Worm ? Thanks in advance for your replies !!

Ditto - for added choices I would love to see VMC come out with a 1/16th oz. "half moon jighead jr". with a #4 or #2 size hook to cater to those of us from the Ned nation !

Good suggestions T-9 ...I also have some finesse shroomz heads in 1/15th oz. size - do you open the hook gap on these any or leave them alone ?

I just got a batch of 1/16th oz. Gophers (brown) with #4 size Eagle Claw hooks - quality looks good . My instinct was to use the #2 size hook but I forced myself to go smaller knowing that Ned has even used #6 size hooks with success . I'm going to stay with the 1/16th oz. Gophers in a #4 hook size until there is some valid reason to go bigger (#2 hook size) with a TRD or 1/2 Zinkerz.. Next batch I may also get plain unpainted Gophers - then hit them with some fingernail polish (like Shinichi Fukae) or give them a quick dip in powder paint .

On a mushroom style or wormhead style jig it's a #4 or #2 hook size - anything larger and your leaving the Ned reservation .

I like a 1/4oz. in deeper water or windy days , otherwise 1/8th oz. allows bass to see it a little longer on the fall where you will often get bit before hitting bottom . Therefore don't think of a shakyhead as just a bottom bouncer - get yourself some 1/8th oz. shakyheads to try !

What Tom ^^says^^ only with a slight revision : #2 ~ #4 Gama Octopus hook , 1/16th oz. tungston bullet weight held in place with a small rubber bobber stop ... This set up also makes it quick to adjust the leader length simply by sliding the bobber stop up or down a few inches .