Alright, let’s talk about them wacky worms, you know, the ones for catchin’ fish. I ain’t no fancy fisherman, but I know a thing or two about gettin’ them bass bitin’.
First off, what’s a wacky worm anyway? Well, it’s just a regular ol’ plastic worm, but you hook it funny-like. Instead of threadin’ it on straight, you hook it right through the middle. Makes it wiggle all crazy in the water, and them fish, they just can’t resist it. I tell ya, it’s like dancin’ a jig in front of their noses.
Now, some folks say you gotta add weight to them worms, and some say you don’t. Me? I say it depends. Sometimes them fish are lazy, sittin’ on the bottom, waitin’ for a meal to come to ’em. That’s when you need a little weight to get that worm down there where they are. Weight helps that worm sink faster, you see. Gets it right in front of them lazy fish.
- Nail weights, them little things you stick in the head of the worm. They work pretty good, keep the worm lookin’ natural.
- Then there’s them wacky jig heads. They got a hook and a weight all in one, makes riggin’ up real easy. I seen some folks use them little Eco Pro wacky weights too. They say them things are small and don’t get stuck on weeds too bad. And they make your worms last longer, which is good, ’cause them worms ain’t cheap.
- And don’t forget good ol’ split shots. Just pinch one or two onto your line above the hook. Cheap and easy, that’s my kinda style.
But how much weight you use, that’s the real question. Too much, and your worm looks like it’s doin’ a nosedive. Too little, and it just floats around on top, and the fish won’t even see it. You gotta find that sweet spot, where it sinks slow and wiggles just right. It’s like makin’ biscuits, you gotta have the right feel for it.
I reckon a good place to start is with a 1/8 ounce weight. That’s usually enough to get it down, but not too much to make it look unnatural. But if the fish are deeper, or the water’s movin’ fast, you might need to go heavier. Maybe a 1/4 ounce, or even heavier than that. Just gotta experiment a bit, see what works.
And where you put the weight matters too. Like I said, you can stick it in the head of the worm, that’s one way. Or you can put it on your line above the hook. Each way makes the worm act a little different. Stickin’ it in the head makes it fall straight down, like a little snack droppin’ from the sky. Putting it on the line makes it fall at an angle, gives it a little more wiggle. You gotta try both ways, see which one them fish like better.
Now, some folks get all fancy with their rigs, but I keep it simple. I just tie my hook right onto my line, maybe add a split shot or two if I need it. Keep it simple, stupid, that’s what my husband used to say, God rest his soul. And he was a pretty good fisherman, even if he did snore like a freight train.
And don’t forget about the hook. You want a hook that’s sharp and strong, but not too big. A size 1 or 2 hook is usually about right for wacky worms. And make sure you tie a good knot, you don’t want that fish gettin’ away. I lost a big one once, ’cause I didn’t tie my knot good enough. Learned my lesson that day, I tell ya.
So, there you have it. That’s about all I know about wacky worm weights. It ain’t rocket science, just gotta use your common sense and pay attention to what them fish are tellin’ ya. And if you don’t catch nothin’, well, at least you got to spend a day out on the water. That’s better than sittin’ inside watchin’ them soap operas, that’s for sure. Now get out there and catch some fish!
Remember, cuttin’ the head of the worm flat before you stick the weight in helps keep it straight. And if you are fishin’ around weeds or cover, you might wanna try a weight that won’t get snagged up so easy.
Tags: [Bass Fishing, Wacky Rig, Fishing Weights, Worm Fishing, Fishing Tips]
