Any recommendations for a wacky style hook that can handle a little heavier line? Say 12-15? I've been using the Decoy Body Guard and the Hayabusa Special Wacky. Love both hooks but feel I'm playing with fire as I've noticed a few getting out of shape after catching larger fish. Thanks!
VMC Wacky Weedless Hooks
Bill Perry
Zwolle, LA (Toledo Bend)
bpicinc_2000@yahoo.com
2001 ZX-250 VMAX 225. HDS-9 Carbon, HDS-9, 3D Sonar, HB 998c hd si, Active Target, MG Tour Pro 36v, 12" Slide Master
USN, USS Newport News CA-148
I'm not a huge fan of VMC for most things, but I do like a VMC for this. I'm different than bpicnc though! I like the VMC Weedless Neko hook. I've pulled 4-5 lbers out from under docks on 16 lb without issue more than once...admittedly on spinning gear, but heavy (relatively speaking) spinning gear. They hook up well, the weed guard is there but doesn't interfere with hookups, and overall they just work really well. It's so unobtrusive that I almost always just use the weedless version whether I'm around cover or not! I tend toward 1/0 for most of my wacky rigging which is probably bigger than most, but I also tend to wacky rig bigger baits.
I've had absolutely horrible luck missing and losing fish with their "Wacky Weedless Hook" which is what I think bpicinc is talking about...the one with the wire that tucks behind the hook point. Your mileage may vary of course.
The only downside of that VMC weedless Neko is that the weed guard isn't super reliable in heavier cover, particularly wood. If you work it through vegetation or finesse it over laydowns, around stumps or standing timber, over a limb, etc., you'll be fine. But if you need to get it through a legit tree or even other wood cover that's more "sharp," irregular, or has more layers, it will snag up pretty easily. I personally think that's the tradeoff for reliable hookups, as just about every one I'd trust to get me through a brush pile needs a hookset like a flipping jig to avoid losing fish. I'd put their regular weedless wacky into that category, though clearly that's not universal.
If you a need weedless one that will come through heavier cover, the Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Stinger is the only one I've ever used that will fit that bill while keeping the hookup and landing ratio high. They've got their drawbacks though: They're really spendy at over $2 a piece, though they hookup and land well, they don't hook up as easily as the aforementioned option, and the weedguard on them almost always breaks after half dozen or so fish. They keep selling them despite those issues though, as I think they're still the only true weedless option that doesn't require a flipping jig hookset or make you miss or lose half of what bites.
Whatever you go with, I'm a big proponent of the longer shanked "Neko" style hooks that have become popular. I've found them to be orders of magnitude better in hook and land ratio compared to the glorified drop shot and live bait hooks traditionally used for wacky rigging.
2011 Skeeter ZX225
225 Yamaha HPDI Series 2
Minn Kota Ultrex 112 52"
Console: HDS 16 Carbon
Bow: HDS 12 Carbon, Solix 12 G2, Mega 360, Garmin 106 SV, LVS 34
Thanks for the info! I've previously used the Gamakatsu wide gap finesse, which seems similar to the VMC weedless wacky, and was not a huge fan. When I switch to alternative Owner, Decoy, or Hayabusa my hook up and land ration jumped to nearly 100%. I've never tried a longer shank hook like the neko options but I've read of others that have recommended them. Think I will give it a try. Really hate to move away from what has been such good hooks but I have been fishing more heavier cover and don't want to stress about bending out the hooks everytime I get a decent fish on the line. Although this past weekend I caught one over 6 and multiple over 4 and none actually bent out but were somewhat deformed after landing the fish.Originally Posted by DrewFlu33
The end.
Owner Sniper Finesse Neko Hook is what I use
Generally while line size do you use with this hook?
VMC Neko for me. Quite sticky. Do wanna try the wacky seedless.
2017 Phoenix 819
2016 200ProXS, s/n 2B359849, Mod 1200P73BD
Gamakatsu open eye shiner hook is the only wacky hook I’ve used for over 20 years Never had one bend ever
Just received some Owner Jungle Wacky hooks that I ordered earlier this week and they look a little more sturdy...
Either 8 or 12 pound fluoro leader and mainline braid of 10 or 12 pound
VMC Neko #2
VMC Neko hook! damn flawless! Size #1 or 1/0
I still use the Gamakatsu B10s. It’s literally the hook that the rest copied. I believe it was originally made for tying large flies
Another vote for the VMC Weedless Neko hook. Great hook up ratio and almost always in the roof of the mouth. The regular VMC wacky hook gets swallowed too often.
VMC Neko.
Before I’d only use a Gamakatsu 1/0 dropshot hook or Trokar 1/0 dropshot hook. Found the longer shank neko hooks just have a better catch rate with less fish swallowing the hook
1995 Ranger 481v
1995 Johnson Fast Strike 175hp
Vmc Neko 1 or 1/0 with VMC crossover ring. Took years to get this right, this setup just works.
MoBob
2020 Z520c Ranger 250 Pro-XS Mercury
2023 Ford Raptor
O'Fallon, MO
This is what I use as well. I've never had a reason to switch away from it.
Another for the vmc neko. I used 4-5 different wacky hooks in various sizes and lost just about as many fish as I caught. Got to the point I expected to lose fish. Since I switched to the neko hook it's actually a surprise if they come off.
They handle straight 20lb braid pitched into holes in grass mats with a mh spinning stick so they should work fine for your application
I agree to on the VMC Neko hooks - https://omnia.direct/VMCNeko
Disagree on the VMC wacky, feel like I loose way to many quality fish on those because they skin hook bigger fish where as the Neko hook typically pins them through the mouth
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