While scrolling through the forums today I found someone who thought the "wacky rig" was founded in toledo bend. The wacky rig was founded in New Jersey and was originally called The Jersey Rig. The Jersey Rig consisted of a small 3 inch sinking plastic worm and was hooked through the middle. Thus, the jersey rig was founded in New Jersey

I'm pretty sure the Wacky rig was invented by nearly every 5 year old that has ever gone fishing.

 

 

Every time I read an article about the origin of the wacky rig,

I see a different year, different location and different founder.

I have a hunch that the real founder was Pee-wee Herman.

 

Roger 

Who cares...oh yeah i forgot he is from Jersey and they have nothing there to brag about...

Jersey? Which exit?

Its from indiana, 1972

1 hour ago, NJ Fishing said:

While scrolling through the forums today I found someone who thought the "wacky rig" was founded in toledo bend. The wacky rig was founded in New Jersey and was originally called The Jersey Rig. The Jersey Rig consisted of a small 3 inch sinking plastic worm and was hooked through the middle. Thus, the jersey rig was founded in New Jersey

 

 

So the  guy in Jersey knew what was happening on TB & they both know what was happening everywhere else at the same time!

Sorry I've been keeping it from you guys but it turns out I'm the one that invented it. All credit goes to me. 

My fishing partner and work colleague wacky rigged Creme plastic works in the early 60's because he always fished live Canadian night crawlers by hooking the worm through the egg sack collar and rigged his plastic worms the same way. His rig was a cross between a Carolina rig using a egg sliding sinker and swivel with a 3' leader (the standard lake rig*) and the wacky rigged worm. I refused to rig a worm that would spin like a helicopter blade preferring to nose hook my plastic worms so the didn't spin and used a bullet weight that stopped at the hook. Some days Ron would out fish me, others I did better, neither of us knew what a Carolina, Texas or wacky hooked rig was back then.

I am sure lots of bass anglers wacky hooked plastic worms long before Ron did, it was the natural way to hook a worm.

Tom

* lake rig was used for everything from trout, catfish and bass. Carolina rig is a lake rig with glass bead added.

The story I read was it took place in Florida.  A middle aged couple showed up at a marina & wanted to hire a guide, but they were all booked for the day.  They rented a boat anyway, but didn't know what to do or where to go to catch fish.  Someone in charge at the marina set them up with equipment, gave them a couple bags of plastic worms and gave them directions to a well known community hole.  As the story goes, since the lake was shallow, the marina guy told them to fish the worms weightless, but never thought to mention how to rig them.

 

The couple comes back to the marina at the end of the day with a limit bigger than any of the guides had fishing the same or similar areas using the same bait.  Upon questioning, it was figured out that they were rigging the plastic worms in the middle instead of Texas rig because, like WRB's partner, that was how they used to hook nightcrawlers when fishing for other species.  All of the guides took note of the "wacky" way the worms were rigged & incorporated it into their arsenals.

 

I have no idea if the story is true, but it does make for a good legend.

7 hours ago, Jaderose said:

I'm pretty sure the Wacky rig was invented by nearly every 5 year old that has ever gone fishing.

 

 

I know when I was young we used the "wacky rig" because we didn't know any better lol.  I remember my grandfather teaching me how to texas rig a worm and me thinking it was too much trouble.  

So, since I am from Pennsylvania it should be called the Pa rig, or the pensy rig, or since I am obviously the creator, the "Bret rig". I like the sound of that one.

 

When i started i use to wacky rig them because i didnt know better. I just went to walmart, bought some hooks and some worms. I would cast and let it sit there like when i used to catch catfish. I guess i also invented the deadstick

In the fall when the smallies are going bananas, I take the skirts off some buzzbaits and instead put half a stick bait (usually Shim E stick) on them. I'm sure others have done it but perhaps I will get credit for it and it can be named the Hudson rig.

 

 

Welcome aboard, NJ Fishing...

 

I don't care who or where it was invented, I just like

that it works.

I caught my first two fish on the wacky rig today. I caught them dead sticking it, which tells me it wouldn't matter how I rigged it, New Jersey, Bret, doesn't matter ?

While fishing with Tom in a wooden boat, Pee Wee skewered his egg sack a little off center and since has been considerably wacky.  Got it!

 

oe

16 hours ago, OkobojiEagle said:

While fishing with Tom in a wooden boat, Pee Wee skewered his egg sack a little off center and since has been considerably wacky.  Got it!

 

oe

Not happy with your post, no humor associated with Pee Wee Herman, he is a convicted pediphile.

.

Tom

6 minutes ago, WRB said:

Not happy with your post, no humor associated with Pee Wee Herman, he is a convicted pediphile.

.

Tom

Not that I am defending Paul Reubens, but your information is incorrect. He was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult theater. This is not the same as being a pedophile.

15 minutes ago, Scott F said:

Not that I am defending Paul Reubens, but your information is incorrect. He was arrested for indecent exposure in an adult theater. This is not the same as being a pedophile.

OK, I will change it to pervert. Great topic for Fathers Day.

Tom

I enjoy information about the history of the sport.  My first exposure to the term wacky rigged worm was in 1978 in a magazine article and the context was it was and had been an effective presentation in Texas lakes. It never grabbed at the time.  I can recall the first time I saw a package of Senkos.  My first thought was, "What a dud."  It's obvious I don't know squat.

1 hour ago, WRB said:

OK, I will change it to pervert. Great topic for Fathers Day.

Tom

http://people.com/celebrity/pee-wee-actor-settles-kiddie-porn-case/

 

you were right the first time....

13 minutes ago, flyfisher said:

http://people.com/celebrity/pee-wee-actor-settles-kiddie-porn-case/

 

you were right the first time....

 

Knowing this is a family website, I will keep this PG while I make a point.

WRB was not right the first time & neither are you for insinuating that he was.  The article specifically states that the police "found materials that appeared to depict children" and there is some dispute as to whether what was found was illegal or just some crappy art.  In either case, that makes Mr. Reuben some vile things, but it does not make him a pedophile.  You lessen the horrific crime of pedophilia when you group other lesser crimes or just bad taste in with it.  Call Mr. Reuben what you want based on the things he has done, but be accurate.

 

I don't mean to get on a soapbox about this, but one of the negative things about our society today is how often people misrepresented who other people are or what they have done in their past.  I believe it is important that any non-adults on this website to be given the correct information about anything, be it fishing or other subjects.  WRB is correct, it is indeed Fathers Day and as those of us with kids all know, it is important as a parent to set a good example.

Yeah that is true, most people cop a plea deal on something that are completely innocent of and then have to register as a sex offender for three years.  I know I would go ahead and plea out t stop it form happening...said no sane person ever.   

What's even more sad is someone trying to defend these acts because of a word "appeared" while disregarding the quotes from the spokesperson for the city attorney...“We view both of these counts equally in terms of serious nature of child pornography,”

Would you take a plea and be forced to register as a sex offender for three years if you believed you weren't guilty?  I know i sure wouldn't and I would fight it to the end.

 

 

Let's get back on track to all the tall tales and lies about who created the wacky rig. 

You guys need a drink.