3 Simple Tips To Master The Wacky Rig
In the context of bass fishing lures, there’s not much better at generating strikes than a wacky worm. Despite their unnatural appearance, the subtle shimmy they have on the fall is straight catnip to the brains of bass everywhere. As good as they are at getting bites, though, there is definitely a learning curve associated with becoming a master of the wacky worm.
We'll cover three basic gear recommendations, on the water skills, and general finesse mindsets to help you master the wacky rig.
Check out these three tips to take your wacky worming skills to the next level:
1. Mastering The Wacky Rig: Use Braid
The two biggest drawbacks to fishing a wacky worm are missed and lost fish. Both of these can be dramatically reduced and often eliminated by switching your main line from monofilament to braid (with or without a fluorocarbon leader). Missed fish happen when there is slack in the line – causing a poor hook set. Braid has no stretch, so when you get a bite and set the hook, it drives deeper into the fish’s mouth regardless of slack. Lost fish are often due to break-offs, as many of the best places to toss a wacky worm are also full of snaggy cover like docks and laydowns. Braid is super strong and tough, so when that bass wraps you around a dock piling, you can just keep pressure on him and slowly work him free.
2. Mastering The Wacky Rig: Learn How To Skip
Wacky worms are excellent on their own – but when used in conjunction with the skip cast, they are absolutely devastating. They have minimal resistance, and as such skip extremely well - making them the ultimate tool for fishing around docks, laydowns, and other vertical covers. Spend some time learning to skip in open water, then bring it to the bank, you’ll be amazed at how many more fish you catch when you can put it closer to the cover.
3. Mastering The Wacky Rig: Be Patient
Another frustration many anglers share is that wacky worming can be seen as boring, as you mindlessly cast and then wait, reel in, and repeat. For lots of beginners, this results in them quickly putting it down if they don’t get bit right away. Concentrate on being patient. With wacky worming, it’s not about whether you going to get bit, it’s just a matter of when. There’s a reason most top touring pros don’t leave the dock without one on the deck.
Updated August 2nd, 2021 at 11:54 AM CT