RRocket

Wait until you go down the JDM shrimp lure rabbit hole.....

If I understand correctly, I think he buries the hook eye into the plastic and then sticks the mono through the plastic and the hook eye. The mono serves as a lock pin so the bait can't pull back. I'm interested to see photos too!

Can confirm these both work in the Midwest. I've used the exact same. Margarita Mutilator in Roboworm and Junebug T-Mac

Noooooo clones, man!! Don't do it! LOL 😆 Clone is Crush City Bronco Bug.

I use a Megabass Whipsnake with a Piscifun Carbon X II reel spooled with Sunline Almight. We have toothy fish here so it leader is 8lb Big Game mono. For a hook, I use Nishine DS #2 hook with a Snell Knot. My weight is "The Dredge" from POW Casting. Usually 1/4 oz. Favorite Goby bait? Xzone's Stealth Invader is a Dropshot specific bait that looks like a Goby. Has a small inverted paddle tail. Cool little bait! I use it in "309" and "Natural Goby". Favorite non Goby? Flick Shake Worm in "Cola" wacky rigged.

It would work for sure! There's a guy on YouTube who fishes the ocean with Dolive Beavers.

https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/terminal-tackle-file-satchel.aspx That's what I use. Alternatively, if you don't like the individual boxes you could use the bait locker https://www.flambeauoutdoors.com/Fishing/Hard-Storage/Waterproof-Satchels/super-1/2-satchel-with-zerust

I know at a local pond that's the reason a wacky does NOT get bit. Because it's been thrown a bazillion times there. I know this because I watch it happen in real time. I effortlessly out fish the guys throwing wacky there.

I think you might be confusing worms? The 6th Sense Boosa worm has huge, frilly ribs with a laughingly small core. The Divine Shaky is normal worm sized but is ribbed with normal sized ribs. I've added photos of both.

Yes, that's what I do. I don't find it particularly easy getting it over the barb. But I use finer wire hooks, so I'm being careful. And yes, also agree they last a long time!

I'm afraid I don't have that answer.

I just punch a bunch of the silicone holes in the rings. That's the only pre-rigging I do. I keep several in my VMC Crossring Pliers. I use the size Large Hack as it just easier to use and a bit more rigid. So it's easier to "thread". I'm currently using this set up with the 6th Sense Divine Shakey Worm. Yes, Drew Gill used size Large with the Nekorama and says that he cuts the worm in half pretty much every fish. I caught this nice sized beautiful Bowfin today and my worm was intact. Having caught these before on a Neko, there is absolutely no way the worm would stay intact or on. These fish fight hard and thrash about once close to shore. I caught 2 of similar size. And the worm is still good. I appreciate your concerns about time. Only you can say for sure if this is worth it.

Wow!

I hope it works out for you!

No I mean for me it would be too light...it would never hit the bottom here because the current is so strong.....I'd run out of line before the weight hit bottom. It would be little deeper than sub surface here. I'm usually throwing 3/8 th here. So it really depends on current.

Yes! But they are so effective and the price so reasonable, it's a non issue for me.

It certainly depends on the current. If I threw a 1/8 here, I'd be spooled before it ever hit bottom! LOL 😆

I am convinced, now more than ever, that some baits, techniques and even colors simply don't work consistently regardless of what you do in some parts of the country..or even certain bodies of water. I say you're doing nothing wrong (wacky fishing isn't rocket science). The fish just have zero interest in a wacky where you're fishing.

While they don't bury, the little hook things extend beyond the bottom of the silicone to prevent turn. I haven't had any notable issue yet. Curiously, I think it holds better and prevents turning. How? If you use the right size Neko Hack, it barely protrudes from the silicone. While it doesn't show in photos, the worm is actually protruding some from the tiny hole...oozing into the hole if you will. A little squeeze allows the Hack to pass fully through worm and silicone. And the tiny hole I made allows the curve of the hook to sit in there..like a little guide or saddle. I agree with everything you say. The Crossover rings are probably the best solution for most people. But when I sized down, that often contributed to worm breaking. If was obvious it was too tight. Like a sausage in too small a casing! LOL 😆 It's almost as though I needed half sizes for certain worms. 5mm was too loose...4mm too tight. But yes indeed..the Crossover rings are a fantastic piece of kit I highly recommend and will undoubtedly save your plastics.

Check out a Scout 365 inflatable or the bigger 430. Designed to fish standing up. I powered mine with a 2.5 Suzuki. Great little boat!

I fished out of a 12 foot boat for two seasons. Surely some of my fondest fishing memories. This was a sub $2k set up. I see other boats here for $2k or less that will get you on the water catching fish and enjoying the outdoors. I don't think that's a sum of money that's out of reach for kids with part time jobs. I think it's a problem of unrealistic expectations for some kids. A part time job will not get you a pro level boat. I saw 2 kids out this weekend and we chatted them up. They went "halfers" on a little tin boat. We fished along side them a bit. They were having a great time. They were catching fish. You don't need to spend vast sums of money to enjoy this sport immensely. I bet a great many of us on the forum started off with some pretty austere boats when we were first starting out in this world! LOL 😆

The manufacture recognized this balling issue and made their own new hooks with both a front and rear keeper called the ZWG. Can confirm they work as advertised. Prior to that I used a few methods. First, a ridiculously easy and slick little tool called the Rapid Hook All. It installs plastic discs on your hook. Can use in front or back..or both. Top or bottom. Just snugs up to the plastic an keeps it fixed in place. I still use it on BOTH elastomer and plastisol baits. It is impossible for the elastech to pull through a disc except after hundreds of fish. Just imagine how hard it would be to shove a disc through elastec and you get the idea. It's a really great product. It also allows delicate plastics to survive longer too. I've also used Decoy L11 Silicone Gripper. It's a silicone stopper that I use as a cushion on a Free Rig or a stopper on a hook...top or bottom. Nice piece of kit. I mostly use it as a bumper cushion these days.

I disagree. Plenty are doing it out my way, just not in the latest and greatest bass boats/gear. It just depends how bad they want to fish and have reasonable expectations on the type of boat that can be purchased with savings from a part time job.

I've sent you a message about Slow Death.

Free Rig. So versatile...