What do you guys use for wacky rigging? I’ve been using the wacky hooks with the weed guard but keep missing fishing. I’ve had no issues with regular no weedless hooks

I use the vmc neko hook # 1 or 1/0 for 5” senkos. I would avoid any weed guard, especially the ones that have the wire type style that come on the vmc wacky hook and gamakatsu finesse wide gap. The hooks are too small and the weed guard most of the time gets deformed and/or falls out after a few fish. If you need to fish weedless I just fish it Texas rig style

Owner Jubgke Weedless Wacky Hook #4109 size 1 for 5” or 6” wacky rig Senko. This hook isn’t a heavy wire but is very strong and no issues missing strikes.

Tom

Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gape 1/0

Berkley Fusion Wacky. Best hooks I have used for wacky rigging. https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Berkley_Fusion19_Hooks_Weedless_Wide_Gap_Wacky_Hook/descpage-SFWW.html?from=gshop&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4s-kBhDqARIsAN-ipH1P0OmwJO4tLa1EFOx8dMvqEIi3OzxFvnQvAnhx9LrDgu3SfbPXHqkaAoZPEALw_wcB

Those style hooks are fine if you use o rings or crossover rings but if you hook it through the senko directly or with a piece of tube/shrink tube the weed guard has trouble collapsing. The weed guard will actually hit into the bait causing it to not fully collapse

Docks - https://gamakatsu.com/product/g-finesse-weedless-stinger/

Vegetation - https://gamakatsu.com/product/g-finesse-weedless-wacky/

11 minutes ago, Lmbasshunter said:

Those style hooks are fine if you use o rings or crossover rings but if you hook it through the senko directly or with a piece of tube/shrink tube the weed guard has trouble collapsing. The weed guard will actually hit into the bait causing it to not fully collapse

I use vmc crossover rings - I have managed to catch 10 bass and fished about 8 hours with the same senko. 

1 minute ago, JediAmoeba said:

I use vmc crossover rings - I have managed to catch 10 bass and fished about 8 hours with the same senko. 

Like I said they’re fine with rings. I like

hooking through the bait with a tube so I find neko hooks to be a better option

9 minutes ago, Lmbasshunter said:

I find neko hooks to be a better option

I use nothing but the VMC neko now.  I think its size 2 (not 2/0).  Used to use the VMC wacky hook.  The neko gets stuck in the roof of the mouth more.  I think the longer shank helps.  I use o-rings on my wacky rig.

23 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I use nothing but the VMC neko now.  I think its size 2 (not 2/0).  Used to use the VMC wacky hook.  The neko gets stuck in the roof of the mouth more.  I think the longer shank helps.  I use o-rings on my wacky rig.

Just curious are you “criss crossing” the o rings? Or are you just using a plain single o ring and hooking it right under the bait with the hook point facing the end of the worm?

I’ve had good luck using circle hooks. Just reel down on them to set the hook. I’ve heard it said people get more gut hooks with them but that’s not been my experience at all.

18 minutes ago, basser27 said:

Just curious are you “criss crossing” the o rings? Or are you just using a plain single o ring and hooking it right under the bait with the hook point facing the end of the worm?

Both.  If I'm around a lot of panfish I'll double the o-ring, cross them, and then put the hook under the cross section.  I've had panfish pull the tail end and it slides right out with a single o ring.

 

If I'm not around a lot of panfish, then one o ring will suffice.  I neko rig a fair amount and that is just a wacky rig with a nail weight in the thick end that helps it fall faster to deeper water.  I prefer to only use one o ring when I neko rig.

11 hours ago, basser27 said:

What do you guys use for wacky rigging? I’ve been using the wacky hooks with the weed guard but keep missing fishing.

Where are you in NY?

 

Are your waters loaded with this?

 

If so you may be limited to the VMC or the Berkeley. Those both have leaf spring type weedguards that come through thick weeds better than anything, but you'll be better off with either crisp M or a MH rod. I have zero issues setting the VMC because those are the rods I'm using. The benefit is that I can fish above and in those types of heavy weeds and right along pad lines. I'm usually running straight braid, so I can sock it home.

4 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

Where are you in NY?

 

Are your waters loaded with this?

 

Southeast NY. Yes tons of milfoil

1 minute ago, basser27 said:

Southeast NY. Yes tons of milfoil

So, the neko hook with the two prong fluoro weed guard, or the Gammy with the same type suck here. They'll snag up in an instant. More misery than fun. I've been through them all. Go straight braid for no stretch hook setting power. They don't care here. They're not line shy, especially not in heavy weeds. I've had 30 bass days throwing a wacky on 30lb J Braid green letting the worm settle right down into milfoil and coontail to get bites or skipping right into brush.

21 minutes ago, PhishLI said:

So, the neko hook with the two prong fluoro weed guard, or the Gammy with the same type suck here. They'll snag up in an instant. More misery than fun. I've been through them all. Go straight braid for no stretch hook setting power. They don't care here. They're not line shy, especially not in heavy weeds. I've had 30 bass days throwing a wacky on 30lb J Braid green letting the worm settle right down into milfoil and coontail to get bites or skipping right into brush.

So which hooks do you use?

I am horrible at criss crossing o rings is one regular o ring fine? I’ve heard it has poor hookup

I have been using these in the River for Smallmouth. The weight helps in current. They are really sticky. I really like em 

4 minutes ago, basser27 said:

So which hooks do you use?

WWK Wacky Weedless | VMC (rapala.com)

 

Fusion19™ Weedless Wide Gap - Berkley® Fishing (berkley-fishing.com)

 

Both use leaf-spring weed guards. Wire weed guard types, single or double, will quickly foul up in our weeds.

I use the Trokar TK97W weedless wacky hook. The guards do enough to keep a little bit of the grass off, but soft enough to prevent missing fish. 

Owner Sniper finesse Neko hook either #2 or #1 for me

12 hours ago, Wprich said:

Owner Sniper finesse Neko hook either #2 or #1 for me

Same here. #2 for 4" Senko and #1 for 5". I've tried many different hooks and have settled on these. Very happy with them.

I have been using the Berkley Fusions. Hook ups with these have been great. The only downside is the weed guard. It seems to untwist quickly. 

Vmc neko #2 weedless. I’ve used two O rings but usually one and I guess I didn’t notice a difference in the hook up ratio. The monkey lately has been suggesting I need the crossover system though…

The VMC Neko hook is the best option for wacky rig hooks in pike/pickerel waters, the hook is longer than most for this type and it really makes a big difference between hooking the pike or getting the line cut by its teeth.