For those that have experimented with wacky rig stick baits - do you prefer the 4" or 5" size for wacky rigging (i.e. Yamamoto Senko , Strike King Ocho , Yum Dinger etc.) ? Thanks in advance ...

 

5 for largemouth 4 for smallmouth that's a general rule for me but there are exceptions

I started using the Trick Worm (7.5") or the Zoom Finesse Worm (4") for wacky rigging. I tried it once when i was in the kayak and didn't want to go back to the truck to get stick worms. They work great, I think because they're less bulky, it seems you get a better hookup ratio.

5" for me......

I ask the question because I was in a quandry whether the 4" or 5" in the brands I mentioned would have the best action ? I thought that being an inch longer would allow the 5" to have more action on the fall as well as "popping" it off the bottom to settle back down again would see the ends bend / flutter more ?  ... (I could be wrong though) .

I use the 5" bps brand stick worms to start and if i dont get any action i switch to a 4" dean Rojas cane thumper.  There is a huge size difference and fall rate.  The large worm sinks fairly fast, and the 4" very slow.  i get all sizes on both but they are very different and thats why i make the change.

I have most success on 4" Senkos, Stik-Os, Dingers.

Most lakes I use a 5”, however, there’s one small lake that the fish are rarely over 12”, I use a 4” there. I think it may depend a little more on fish size as it’s easier to get a smaller one in their mouths. 

Usually a 5", unless I'm targeting smallmouth on beds, then 4".

Usually 5", but I downsize to 4" for river and stream smallmouth.

5

5" + 6" for "power flicking".....IE fishing a wacky rig stick bait on a heavy wire hooked wacky jig (I like the revenge flippin wackers) on MH or H casting gear, 30-50 lb braid, and 15-20 lb fluoro leaders.

 

4" for for fishing on a light wire wacky hook wacky jig on spinning gear

 

4" for wacky rigging on a drop shot (will drop down to 3" for this too)

 

I have not fished an unweighted wacky rig in probably 10+ years, and I catch as many, and as bit of fish as anyone else.

 

 

 

5" usually but finicky fish will often eat the smaller 4" way better. I prefer the 4" for sight fishing as well. 

Both! Some days they want a small presentation or after a front  I will go small.

I prefer the 4" for wacky rigging, it just seems to get bit a little more and that's usually what I'm looking for if I'm going to throw it. 

I find myself reaching for the 4” more often. I have a mix of Smallmouth and Largemouth in the river I Kayak on. The 4” is the perfect size to catch both.

I used to only fish the 4”, but after following up a new boater one day I was schooled and he was fishing 5”. I think there is a time for each. I use senkos, trick worms, cane thumpers. Try it out and develop confidence.

Usually a 5 inch ...

 

One time, I didn't have any 4 inch,  I just put in my mouth, bite one inch off and take a lighter and melt it. They just went crazy over it. I have no idea why !

 

 

 

5". I don't wacky rig a 4" much, but I do dead stick a t-rigged  4" at times. 

I do best with 5's, but when I can't get a bite or they're biting funny, like nipping it but not really taking it, I'll switch to a 4. Sometimes the 4" is the winner!

5" would see the most action from me .... Weightless Wacky and Texas Rigs

4" (Drop Shot) and 6" (Flipping) are in my arsenal though.

When skipping them weightless under docks, I use the 5" when there is any amount of chop on the water and the 4" when it is relatively calm.  The 5" has better action and is easier to skip, but the 4" makes less of a disturbance as it slides under the dock. 

 

If it is really calm or the fish are being really finicky/spooky, I'll switch to a 3" senko or 2.5" TRD on a 1/16th Shroomz head and use that instead.  It is a Ned rig, but I don't fish it in the Midwest finesse style in this application.