I had a really good day yesterday after I figured out what they were looking for. Only thing is, my weed guard on the Wacky Worm Hook kept getting hung up either with the O-ring or on the barb of the hook.

What am I doing wrong?? What brand / style do y’all use when you’re fishing wacky style in the shallows & weeds? I missed some really good fish yesterday because of the weed guard!

So y’all are clear that I know that’s what was causing my fish to get off, two of the fish I did get in were hooked in spite of the wire being ‘involved’ with the O-ring.

Gimme some help, please! TIA!!

JR

I rig finesse and Trick worms weedless by Tx rigging in the middle with an Octopus (not circle) or Mosquito hook.
I use 2/0 for finesse worms and 3/0 for Trick worms.
I put a piece of electrical heat shrink tubing on the worm to keep the hook eye from pulling out in cover.

Don't have to deal with weedless wire guard hooks.

I use the VMC wacky hooks but the weed guard doesn't last very long, also looking for something better.

https://www.rapala.com/us_en/wwk-wacky-weedless?childSku=us-WWK#1/0BNPP

I don't use a weedguard on my wacky hooks. Below is the hooks I use and how I rig them.

If I need to wacky a Senko, then I don't do the Tx rigging, I make my own wire guard hooks using braided stainless-steel leader which is more flexible and won't break like the single wire weed guards do. I use a 4/0 Octopus or Mosquito hook for that. Use heat shrink tubing also to make the Senko last longer,

All of those weed guards suck.

Get the very light titanium weed guards in the Gamagatsu G-Finesse hooks. They are just strong enough to help with hang ups and flexible enough to aid in hook ups.

The cheaper “Arkie” hooks are good too, with the double wire weed guards, you just need to bend them back about 1/32 behind the hook point. When you hook up, the weed guard actually helps to keep the hook pinned

Hayabusa WRM962WG or WRM201

Exactly what I’m using. They’re JUNK!

I do like this idea! I tie flies all the time. I think this is an experiment I’ll take on!

My problem with these is the fish bites down, the guard hits the worm and won’t release enough to hook the fish. Hook up ration is terrible.

I agree with Steez (damnation)... But I use the weighted version from Zappu Inchi:

Zappu Inchi Weedless Wacky Jig

I use the Gama Finesse Wide Gap Weedless. Works fine for me but be sure and cut and retie after each fish. With the short shank usually all of the hook is inside of the fishes mouth and the line gets worn quick by their rough teeth.

This hook and weed guard looks great, but I only use a tiny split shot so the bait falls ssslllooowwwlllyyy. The way the fish were hammering it, I’d like to stay with a small weight. These might work if / when I’m fishing deeper water. The water I was catching / losing fish in was 3 feet and less. Thanks for your input!

JR

Just get the Core Tackle wacky rig setup, you will never go back to anything else. It is a fish catching setup.

You got something here man. That's awesome.