Baitcaster, 15lb flouro.

What type of hook set works best with a wacky worm spinning rod setup? I lose about half my fish at the boat because I don't get a good hook set.

I like spinning it makes casting less salted worms far but a steez or core will do that job also.

O rings with an exposed octopus hook (maybe even one with a weedguard) and braid mainline to 12lb leader.

With this set up on a medium or medium heavy spinning rod, you don't have to crack the whip, they just about hook themselves with the braid mainline and exposed hook. Sweep hookset.

Hook directly in the bait (without O rings) on 15lb fluoro and a baitcaster, you'll have to set the hook harder.
I'd use a widegap hook like the Mustad's widegap shiner hook to penetrate all the plastic (especially if it folds or doubles over in the fish's mouth as you set the hook)

If you fish wacky around lots of vegetation, this hook is a good option. I prefer to use o rings (saves the bait from getting torn up on a fish or two and improves hook ups)

Baitcaster with 12 lb floro and
Falcon Cara weightless worm rod
Usually throw a Zoom trick worm,nail weight ,straight shank hook rigged weedless.

I use a spinning rod for lighter wacky worms like trick worms and a baitcast for senko type of worms. I use 30lb braid to 8lb flouro on the spinning gear and 12lb on the casting gear. The Mustad wacky hook shown above. 7ft MH spinning rod and a 7ft composite casting rod. I use that same casting rod for weightless flukes as well.

This. I use 20# Sufix 832 yellow braid with 12# mono leader or 10# Sufix 832 yellow braid with 8# mono. I almost always use shrink tubing and hook through it and the Senko. Lately, I've had pretty good luck using a chicken rig with a light-wire, Tru-Turn hook, even in shallow water:

http://www.scout.com/outdoors/wired2fish/story/1520787-introducing-the-chicken-rig-for-bass-fishing http://www.scout.com/outdoors/wired2fish/story/1520787-introducing-the-chicken-rig-for-bass-fishing

I use the VMC weedguard wacky rig hooks, no O-ring, with 7' M Daiwa and 12lb Big Game. Had pretty good luck with this setup. Only been fishing wacky rig for about a year though.

One could certainly use either, but it is predominantly a spinning tackle technique.

Other than casting longer distances, using lighter lines, under docks, for many more accuracy and more, a spinning reel will allow the wacky rigged worm to fall more vertically through the water column; a baitcaster will cause it to pendulum swing back toward the angler.

Not that there aren't plenty of guys out there who can feed the line off of a baitcaster to overcome this and much more.

Brad

Mustad weighted weedless on 12-15 lb Fluro

Ahh wacky rigs...one of my favorite finesse rigs next to drop shot then Carolina rig...When it comes to all the aspects, it is really what you feel is best and most comfortable to you. The wacky rig is quite versatile and can be used in tough bite conditions as well as when the bite is hot. I wouldn't say that you can specifically target large bass with this bait since it is mostly used with more finesse baits, but it can be used a multitude of ways.

You will most commonly see people using a spinning set up for the wacky rig. The reel size and rod are completely up to you. The same goes for line as well. some people use straight braid, straight mono, straight fluro, or different assortments of main-line and leader set ups. I prefer to use a 10-15lb braid for main line and then follow it with a 8-10lb mono or fluro leader that is about the length of the rod...so usually a 6ft leader. The line selection can also depend on water clarity, so that can be one factor to consider.

As for hooks, they make hooks that are specifically made for wacky rigging, and they are great, but really any style of octopus hook or wide gap finesse hook will work. As for with or with out a weed guard, it just depends on what you will be fishing it in.

Now for the whole O-ring debate...yes they can be helpful in keeping your bait on for more than just one fish or even after a lot of casting. There is also another option out there that I like to use, which is heat shrink tubing. It comes in a multitude od colors and diameters to fit and match which ever wacky bait you are using. You just cut a piece of the tubing to a 1/4" length, slip it onto the desired location of where you want your hook, then apply some heat to shrink the tube...now don't worry about melting the plastic, it doesn't take much heat to shrink the tube. The O-rings are more commonly used on stick style baits, and the heat shrink tubing can be used on some other types of baits.

Now as for baits...worm style baits are the most common style used when wacky rigging, but don't be afraid to venture out and try some other style of baits. Creature baits like lizards and craws, or minnow style baits as well. Give the fish something different that they haven't seen before and who knows, you might find a new trend.

Last thing I like to cover on wacky rigging is weight. Using nail weights can help a lot when throwing a wacky rig. Whether you have it weighted in the middle or in the head, it can increase fall rate and give a different action to your bait. I like using nail weights from the store, but they can be pricey. I have a box of 1" roofing nails that work really well. I will take a file and put some notches on the shaft of nail to help with keeping the nail in the bait.

I hope that this helps with your wacky rigging experience and let us know how it goes!

3/0 Gammy Octopus hook for Trick worms and 2/0 for finesse worms.

BAIT CASTER WITH 15# FLUOROCARBON.

Never thought of heat shrink thanks

Not a problem Justmike, it is quite durable and really makes the soft plastic last...plus it is a lot more cost effective than the O-rings and doesn't require a special tool...just some scissors,plyers,knife,etc...to cut the tubing and then a heat source to shrink it.