Wiggle Wart Hook Change Out

[mowigglewart]

Have some pre rapala warts that need the old hooks replaced. Anyone have an opinion on what hooks to use on them? Have heard of guys putting a #6 on the front and a #4 on the back. Mustad triple grips? Thoughts?

[steve1206]

I have used a BUNCH of different hooks on pre-Rap warts. My favorite is probably 2-#6 Owner Stinger ST-41s (2x). I'd love some ST-41 #5s, but they only make them in the ST-36 (1x). The #4 and #6 trick works with the KVDs. I have used a lot of regular #6 black nickel triple grips...Still seem to lose too many fish. I have used the Gama EWGs and wasn't thrilled...One day a few years ago I experimented a full day on LOZ with a rear #6 VMC sure set...I swear I caught a 14+lb. limit on the front hook only...Didnt hook a single fish on the rear Sure-Set. That will NEVER happen again, I guarantee it.

Whatever you settle on, I will give you one good piece of advice. When you put the hooks on, put the single hook sides of the trebles facing toward the head and toward the tail. This leaves the "2-hook sides" of the trebles facing each other. These sides have less "reach" and will keep the hooks from fouling together as much. For anyone that has thrown the Wart a lot, you realize this is the biggest problem there is with these baits.

[reelman]

Interesting...I had a couple ole WW re-painted...

My general rule is the largest red round bend on the front (prey is attacked head 1st mostly) and the largest KVD elite treble on back that will NOT overlap the front hook....22/23 keepers last T...on a crank and a couple crank wins in late Sept...
#2 front red round bend Gamma and #4 on the back of an Academy crank...#2 KVD on the back if more open water use...the #4s on back are to reduce hangups when fishing shallow wood like I do.

BTW, I change hooks OFTEN and do not reel slowly much at all so the hooks whack the paint off in a line at times.

I know guys that up their Spook hooks to 1/0...as long as the hooks cannot tangle...get all the size u can and that KVD has the huge advantage of a very short shank so I like them on the back hooks because they allow the front to be bigger!

[medicpelle]

Glad this was brought up, this is actually on my list of things to do/experiment over the winter. If you fish here in the ozarks you chuck these a lot. I'm not sure what route I'm gonna go but I know I have had good luck with the KVD's

[mowigglewart]

Thanks guys, AWESOME info. Much appreciated and I already can't wait til next April on Table Rock so I can throw the pre rap warts I am getting done this winter!

[medicpelle]

Here is some pre- Rap and some newer WW that I had custom painted by Pizz. Great work in my opinion.

[steve1206]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by mowigglewart &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Thanks guys, AWESOME info. Much appreciated and I already can't wait til next April on Table Rock so I can throw the pre rap warts I am getting done this winter!

</td></tr></table>

I recently condensed my main replacement treble hook box down the ST-41s, KVDs, and some Lucky Craft replacement (and some #6 MB Katsuage outbarbs). B/t the ST-41s and the KVDs, you will find the combo you like....I almost guarantee it. Just remember, you are going to hook some fish outside the mouth...therefore you will lose some fish...Minimizing the lost fish is key

[mowigglewart]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by steve1206 &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">

I recently condensed my main replacement treble hook box down the ST-41s, KVDs, and some Lucky Craft replacement (and some #6 MB Katsuage outbarbs). B/t the ST-41s and the KVDs, you will find the combo you like....I almost guarantee it. Just remember, you are going to hook some fish outside the mouth...therefore you will lose some fish...Minimizing the lost fish is key</td></tr></table>

Thanks Steve you've been a great help. And Medicpelle......I don't think I would even dare throw those! Those are a work of art and wouldnt chance losing one.

[dchance]

thanks for the question and info from an Ozark observer

[gizzardshad]

I know this has been discussed a million times, but rather than searching for it..whats the difference in a pre rap wiggle wart and one off the shelf at bass pro?

[dchance]

I think that the pre Raps have Wiggle Wart on the bill bul I could be wrong. It is said that they run more erratic than the rapala ones. Almost like the newer ones run too true.

[steve1206]

They do run a bit different...THe newer warts seem to run "tighter."One thing that Rapala scrwed up was the color chart. There would not be nearly as many people searching out the older ones if the would have copied the colors EXACTLY. Some colors are exact and some are WAY off. I am as guilty as anyone with the Pre-Rap stuff as I am way north of $1000 worth of baits....but the new baits do catch fish too...FYI.

[mowigglewart]

Have a question about pre rap warts. Are the original boxes without the lure worth anything? I have some of the original yet empty boxes.

[steve1206]

Not really unless you find someone trying to sell an unused bait and the label/color on your box matches what they are trying to sell...It may be worth something to that person...maybe to a collector also, but they would most likely want an unopened box...

[cartrader]

got some old wiggle warts, that I have not used in a long time. might be time to get them back out. its been so long I cant rember what reel I used on them, what gear ratio do most of you use on the wiggle warts? thanks

[mowigglewart]

Send them to me and I will figure out which ones need to be paired with 4.7, 5.2 and 6.4 reel ratios then report back. I would do that for you.