Wacky Hook
A small short-shank hook (often with a weed guard) that pierces a stick worm through the middle so both ends shimmy on the fall - the wacky rig's whole trick.
The wacky rig hooks a Senko-style stick worm through its egg-sack middle and lets it fall, both ends fluttering in a way no retrieve imitates. The wacky hook makes it work: a short-shank, wide-gap hook - frequently with a light weed guard - that sits at the worm's midpoint through an O-ring, exposing enough gape to hook a bass that inhales the shimmying bait.
What it is
A short-shank, wide-gap finesse hook (often weed-guarded) for hooking a soft stick worm through its midpoint, wacky-style.
When to use it
Wacky-rigged stick worms for shallow, pressured bass around docks, laydowns, grass edges and beds - and as a follow-up when a fish misses a faster lure.
How to rig & set it
Slide an O-ring over the worm's middle and pass the hook under the ring (protects the bait and centres it); add a nail weight for a faster fall (neko-style) if needed. Cast, let it fall on slack, and lift-set on the tick.
Sizing
J-numbering, small: size 1-1/0 for a 5 in stick worm; weed-guarded versions for cover, bare for open water.
Strengths & weaknesses
Triggers the deadliest shallow fall in bass fishing, easy for beginners. Weakness: an open finesse presentation - it's a shallow, light-line specialist, not a heavy-cover or deep tool.
Common mistakes
Tight-lining the fall (kills the shimmy and hides bites), skipping the O-ring (worms tear off fast), and using it in heavy cover a Texas rig would fish better.