What is wacky rigging?
A wacky rig is a finesse presentation in which a soft plastic worm, usually a thick stickbait, is hooked through the middle rather than at the head. Both ends hang down and flutter or shimmy as the bait falls. Because it needs no weight to get started, it falls slowly and looks natural, which is why it is often used for pressured, wary or inactive bass.
Gear
- Rod and reel: A spinning outfit in the medium-light to medium power range is common, since the bait is light and the presentation is finesse. A baitcaster can be used with a stiffer, heavier bait in cover.
- Line: Light braid with a fluorocarbon leader, or straight fluorocarbon or monofilament in roughly the 6 to 12 pound range, depending on cover and clarity.
- Hook: A small finesse or octopus-style hook, commonly in size 1 or 1/0 for a five-inch stickbait. Weedless wacky hooks with a weed guard help in light cover.
- Worm: A four- or five-inch stickbait is the classic choice. Our best bass worms article compares other styles.
- Optional extras: O-rings and a wacky tool, which makes installing rings quick.
Rigging step by step
- Slide an O-ring onto the worm using a wacky tool, centering it at the middle of the body.
- Hook the worm under the O-ring, so the hook sits across the body.
- Point the hook so it can come out cleanly when a bass bites. Keep the point exposed unless you are using a weedless version.
The O-ring protects the worm from tearing where the hook passes through, which can let you catch several fish on a single bait. If you do not have rings, you can hook directly through the plastic, but the bait will wear out faster.
Weighted or unweighted: does the weight or hook go first?
That question usually refers to weighted wacky rigs. The weight (a small nail weight or a weighted hook) goes on or in the worm near an end or on the hook itself, and the hook still passes through the middle. Order of installation is not critical, but the bait should hang level or slightly nose-down. A weightless wacky is best for shallow water and a slow fall. A weighted version gets down faster and handles wind and deeper water, at the cost of some natural fall action. Start weightless, then add weight if you need depth or control.
How to retrieve a wacky worm
Cast to the target and keep slack out of the line without pulling the bait. Let it sink on a semi-slack line, watching where the line enters the water. Many bites come on the fall. When it reaches the bottom or the depth you want, you can:
- Let it sit, then give small twitches of the rod tip.
- Lift the rod gently and let the worm fall again.
- Slowly drag it a short distance and pause.
Keep the pace slow. The bait does most of the work.
Hooksets and bite detection
Because the hook is exposed in the middle of the bait, bass often take it into the mouth quickly. Watch the line for a tick, a jump or a sideways movement, then reel down and sweep the rod to set the hook. A hard, overhead hookset is generally unnecessary with light line and small hooks. Using a hook with a slightly wider gap and a rod with some give helps keep fish pinned.
Where and when to use it
Wacky rigs are used around docks, brush, laydowns, shallow flats, and along banks. They are common when bass are bedding, post-spawn, or when fishing pressure has made them cautious. They are less suited to dense weeds unless rigged weedless. For help choosing among other options, see our best bass lures right now.
Colors
Green pumpkin, watermelon and natural baitfish tones are dependable choices. Many anglers carry a few brighter options for stained water. Our pink worm fishing article covers pink and similar colors.
FAQ
What is the best color for a Zoom trick worm?
There is no single best color. Green pumpkin, watermelon and junebug are common starting points; brighter colors can be useful in stained water.
Do wacky worms work for trout?
They can. Small wacky-rigged worms, usually in the two to three inch range, are fished for trout in some lakes. Check local regulations on soft plastics and bait use before you try it.