So I am at Standley Lake where the bass fishing has been downright humdrum this year.  Today is one of those days you dream about: cool, overcast, calm water.  The top water fishing is surprisingly awful considering the conditions; it's like there are no bass in the lake today.  Gotta go deeper, right?

 

So I rig up a Senko (on advice from another BR member) and... on a whim... decide to rig it wacky style.  I am looking at this worm slumped over the hook and thinking "this looks silly... what fish is gonna look twice at this thing?"  But I throw it... twitch it a bit... nuthin.  I throw it again.  Nuthin.  Now I am thinking that I must look silly to all the pleasure boaters anchored offshore.

 

But I have read enough about this rigging in the BR forums that I just cannot give up on it yet.

 

The third cast starts out like the first two... twitch, twitch... reel a bit... twitch, twitch... reel a bit... twitch... the line doesn't come in.  I give it a little harder tug... the line pulls back!  There is a bass on that worm!  I absolutely did not feel the bite... but he's on there!

 

I land him.... 11 inches... hardly two pounds (it has been that kind of season)... no worm... but I got the fish.  Hook set in the corner of the mouth like you read about.

 

Now, I am not yet completely sold on this rigging.  It still looks silly to me.  But I have to admit... the thing works!

 

I caught a second smaller bass later, but he slipped the hook (I always crush the barbs).  Again... I did not feel the bite but I did feel the fish pulling the line.

 

Moral of the story?  It may look ridiculous... but it catches bass!

 

Yeah, this is about the only lure I've found that bass WON'T let go. You can't shake them off when they want it.

Once you begin fishing the wacky rig more and more, I recommend using shrink wrap. I used O-rings before but those would tear the bait up easily... guys on here recommended it and I've been hooked since!

Not to be a nit-picker, but I kinda think that an 11" fish is ALOT under 2 pounds.

Not to be a nit-picker, but I kinda think that an 11" fish is ALOT under 2 pounds.

Nitpick away, bro!  Nothing wrong with that.

Once you begin fishing the wacky rig more and more, I recommend using shrink wrap. I used O-rings before but those would tear the bait up easily... guys on here recommended it and I've been hooked since!

Yes, I noticed that the worm gets torn up a bit after a while.  Have read about guys using O-rings, but never would have thought of shrink wrap.  Good tip!

Yes, I noticed that the worm gets torn up a bit after a while.  Have read about guys using O-rings, but never would have thought of shrink wrap.  Good tip!

I've got some shrink tubes. 1/4" diameter will do for Trick Worms. But I would go a size bigger for Senko-type worms.

3/8" electrical heat shrink tubing for Senkos

 

 

Hang in there with the Wacky Rig, bud.  Here's a fish I caught on my 8th or 9th cast EVER with a Wacky Rig...

 

Perhaps of interest...

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/wacky-rig.html

I've never tried the wacky rig but I need to start. This has been a slow season to say the least!

Hang in there with the Wacky Rig, bud.  Here's a fish I caught on my 8th or 9th cast EVER with a Wacky Rig...

 

I caught one on my VERY FIRST CAST with a Kinami stick worm. I couldn't believe it. That's probably the only lure in my box I can say that about. I didn't get another bite that day, but it showed me it was not just a gimmick. Then for some reason, I got away from it for years. I started using it again early this season with good success. Even bought a combo specifically for it.