How to Fish a Wacky Rig During Summer

Learning how to fish a wacky rig during summer is a staple of successful bass fishing. When the heat of summer sets in and bass become sluggish or tight-lipped, the wacky rig stands out as one of the most effective finesse fishing techniques available. Its subtle action and easy setup make it ideal for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you’re targeting shallow shoreline cover or deeper submerged structure, a wacky rigged Wiggle Stick from Red Angle Fishing Products is a deadly combo that bass just can’t resist.

In this wacky rig fishing guide, we’ll cover the full history of the wacky rig, how to rig it properly, what size and type of hook to use, and when to vary your retrieve speed to get the most bites during the summer bass season.

History of The Wacky Rig

The wacky rig may look unconventional, but its effectiveness is undeniable. It first started gaining serious traction in the late 1990s, when finesse fishing began to rise in popularity due to increasing pressure on public lakes. Bass were becoming more wary of traditional presentations like the Texas rig and Carolina rig, which opened the door for something more subtle and natural.

Some credit Japanese finesse anglers for helping popularize the wacky rig in North America. Tournament anglers began experimenting with mid-body hook placements on soft stickbaits and quickly realized the power of this simple technique. The quirky, erratic fall of the worm when hooked in the center created a seductive fluttering action that mimicked a dying baitfish or struggling worm.

As soft plastic stickbaits like the Wiggle Stick became more refined in their action, texture, and durability, the wacky rig became a go-to technique. This technique is ideal for casual and competitive anglers.

Today, the wacky rig is a year-round tactic, but it truly shines in the summer when fish seek cooler water, shade, and subtle presentations that don’t spook them.

What Kind of Hook When Fishing a Wacky Rig During Summer

Setting up a wacky rig is simple, but understanding finer details such as hook size and type is extremely important. Fish behavior changes during summer months, and having the proper hooks can determine your success. Learn how to fish a wacky rig during summer with the proper wacky rig hooks.

Best Wacky Hook Sizes for Summer Fishing

The right hook size makes a big difference in action, hook-up ratio, and presentation. For a standard 5-inch Wiggle Stick, a 1/0 or 2/0 wacky-style hook is ideal. It offers the right amount of gap to hook bass cleanly while still allowing the bait to move freely during the fall.

In deeper water or with larger-sized soft plastics, you can bump up to a 3/0 hook, but anything bigger risks affecting the natural fall and action of the bait.

Choose the Right Wacky Rig Hook Type

There are many options to select when choosing a hook for a wacky rig. The most common approach anglers take when selecting an effective wacky rig hook is a standard or weedless wacky hook. We provide the benefits that each of these hooks provides when learning how to fish a wacky rig during summer. 

Standard Wacky Hook (Open Hook)

• Best for open water, hard bottoms, and when fishing around docks or submerged structure with minimal cover.
• Great hook-up ratio thanks to its exposed point.
• Recommended for beginners or when fish are less pressured.

Weedless Wacky Hook

• Comes with a wire or fiber weed guard to help deflect grass, twigs, and brush.
• Essential when fishing around vegetation, lily pads, laydowns, or brush piles.
• Slightly reduces hook-up ratio, but allows you to fish in heavier cover.

Pro Tip: When using a weedless hook, make sure the weed guard is firm enough to block debris but soft enough to collapse easily during a bite.

When to Use a Weighted Wacky Hook

Fish, especially bass, like to head into deeper water during the summer months. When fish are in deeper water, sometimes you need to get the bait down faster. Or when fishing in wind or current, a weighted wacky hook or wacky jighead comes into play.

Use a weighted hook when:

• Fishing deeper water (8–20 feet), such as drop-offs, ledges, or deep weed lines.
• Facing windy conditions that disrupt a slow fall.
• Targeting suspended bass in open water.
• Covering water faster, especially when fish are more aggressive.

The added weight helps the Wiggle Stick fall more directly and reach strike zones that a weightless setup can’t reach as efficiently.

Start with a 1/16 oz or 1/8 oz wacky jighead when fishing a wacky rig during summer. You’ll still get the tantalizing action, but with the added benefit of precision.

How to Fish a Wacky Rig During Summer Based on Retrieve

The retrieve speed is what separates a good day from a great one when fishing a wacky rig. In summer, bass behavior can vary dramatically based on temperature, pressure, and time of day.

When to Work a Wacky Rig Slow in Summer

• During midday and when the sun is high.
• Bass are hiding in shade (under docks, overhanging trees, grass mats).
• The water is clear and bass are spooky.
• Fishing is slow after a cold front or heavy boat pressure.

In these conditions, dead-stick the bait. Let the Wiggle Stick fall on a slack line, pause, and give it occasional twitches. Let it sit 10–20 seconds between movements. Often, strikes come on the fall or while the bait is just sitting on the bottom.

When to Work a Wacky Rig Fast in Summer

• Low-light conditions, such as early morning or evening.
• Water is stained or slightly dirty, reducing visibility.
• Bass are actively feeding or chasing baitfish.
• You’re trying to locate fish quickly.

Use short, rapid twitches of the rod tip, keeping the bait darting and fluttering. Let it fall for just a second or two before working it again. This triggers a reaction strike from aggressive summer bass that don’t want to miss an easy meal.

Why The Wiggle Stick by Red Angle Fishing Products?

Not all stick baits are created equal, and the Wiggle Stick by Red Angle Fishing Products is built for serious anglers who want performance, durability, and lifelike motion.

• Secret formulation for realistic action on the fall. (Some stick baits provide too much action, limiting you from having a subtle approach if needed.)
• Salt-infused body for added density and taste, encouraging bass to hold on longer.
• Durable design that lasts multiple fish per bait, even on the same hook.
• Available in a wide range of proven fish-catching colors, including natural green pumpkin, watermelon red flake, and obi-wan goby™.  

Pairing the Wiggle Stick with a wacky rig setup allows the bait to shine with its natural shimmy, making it an irresistible target for even the most pressured bass.

Watch The Wiggle Stick in Action!

Final Thoughts on How to Fish a Wacky Rig During Summer

If you’re wondering how to catch more bass during the summer, look no further than the wacky rig. It’s versatile, easy to rig, and deadly effective when fish are tight to cover or in a mid-day funk. Mastering hook selection, weight options, and retrieve speeds can help you unlock its full potential.

And when it comes to bait choice, trust the Wiggle Stick by Red Angle Fishing Products to deliver the perfect blend of action and durability. Whether you’re skipping docks, fishing grass lines, or fishing ledges, this wacky rig will keep you hooked up all summer long.