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Matt suggested that I give B.A.S.S. Elite angler and Classic qualifier, Fred Roumbanis a call about success he has had in Oklahoma using the new Jighead Wacky. Fred was very excited about the jighead and gave me valuable insight on how to use it and why it is works so well.
The ima Japan pro angler moved to the Midwest with his wife Julie and newborn son, Jackson William, from California in 2007 and enjoys fishing Oklahoma lakes in between busy tour travel schedules.
Fred stated that he has been amazed with the ability of the jig to stay in the strike zone longer than traditional methods. The jigs are available in several weights, but Fred states that for most conditions the 3/32 ounce weight seems to work best.
A favorite tactic has been to cast to docks and let the jig do its thing until it gets to the bottom. The jigs unique design creates a fish attracting action as it is falling, this will result in a lot of strikes. After it reaches the bottom, Fred keeps his rod at the 10 to 11 o’clock position and imparts rod tip action. He usually lets the fish dictate the amount of rod tip movement, but has found that the rig will really “stay” in the strike zone and with a little experimentation you will learn to keep it in one area longer than a traditional wacky rig.
Fred has had good success with the Jighead Wacky as a replacement for traditional drop shot rigs. The hook design and placement creates a high percentage hook up and Fred states that he has lost very few fish with it. Fred also recommended using a small diameter worm as a fatter, larger diameter bait may result in a poor hookset.
Some anglers are using two worms on one jig head and this rig, called the “octopus” rig gives pressured bass an unusual presentation and results in more strikes.
The standard Jighead Wacky is not weedless, but a 1/16th ounce version is available with a wireguard. This jig coupled with a 4” worm has got to be a killer when fishing for spawning and post spawn fish!
For more information please take a look at the Jighead Wacky on the www.optimumbiats.com website. Go to Japanese products and click on Zappu for complete details, product instruction and techniques. Fred Roumbanis is also the creator of the ima Roumba wakebait. This exciting bait is also getting rave reviews and will be a future subject in Heartland Trails magazine. All information about ima Japan and their fine products are also available on the Optimum Baits website.
The Zappu Inchi Wacky is available at Bass Pro Shops..
Both of these styles have produced a lot of fish nationally and seem to work on almost any body of water. I was very intrigued about a new combination of these methods that Matt Paino, president of Optimum Baits, showed me at the July, ICAST convention in Las Vegas. Zappu, a Japanese company, is producing a tungsten (environmentally friendly) jig head called the Inchi Wacky aka the Jighead Wacky.
The bait was developed in Japan where bass fishing is very different from what we are accustomed to here in the United States. Japanese anglers fish in very crowded, highly pressured waters and the successful fishermen are very adept at paying attention to every detail of the lure they are using and the presentation that they are making to the fish. It is hard to imagine going to one spot and never moving for an entire tournament!
