VMC Crossover Rings

[Capt. BassinLou]

My silicone tubing arrived today. I quickly cut a few pieces, rigged a worm, and off I went to test.







Unfortunately, I didn't catch anything during my short outing. I can say with pretty good confidence that the silicone rings appear to be much tougher than the system I was using before.

I will know more by next week.

[J.W.]

Anyone have an idea what size tubing to order for trick worms?

[Capt. BassinLou]

Anyone have an idea what size tubing to order for trick worms?

3/16 based on the information skidemn provided.

[chrisD46]

First off, shout out to skidemn. I looked into the information you posted, and the silicone tubing looks like a better, and cheaper solution. I purchased a roll of tubing and will be experimenting with that option next week!!  Never a dull a moment with me. Stay tuned!!

Here's a comparison of a new Daiwa Neko worm (made by Yamamoto) versus one that has caught several fish using the silicone collar method. As you can see I saved it and will use it again because, despite all the little tears from teeth, etc., it is still holding together well. I hook around the collar, not through the worm—well, I hook a little through the worm, but not enough that it gets torn up easily and can't be used for several fish. For wacky rigs I cut my collar sections about 2-2.5x as wide as seen on this worm.



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*If the silicon is soft , I see no reason why you can not run a hook through the silicon AND the worm perpendicular and still have a long lasting wacky worm .

[J.W.]

Anyone have an idea what size tubing to order for trick worms?

3/16 based on the information skidemn provided.

Thanks Lou, I completely forgot about the link that was posted.    

[Capt. BassinLou]

Anyone have an idea what size tubing to order for trick worms?

3/16 based on the information skidemn provided.

Thanks Lou, I completely forgot about the link that was posted.    

Yw, no worries.

[Capt. BassinLou]

So I took this a step further and purchased a nasal speculum.



Believe it or not, this stainless steel nasal tool is considerably cheaper than the plastic vmc ring tool.

The nasal tool can easily open a silicone ring.



Take note, however. The vmc ring tool can not handle opening a silicone ring. Since it is made of plastic, it will bend and warp, trying to open a silicone ring.

[Hobious]

i bought silicon tubing from amazon.  it was a six foot section.  a lifetimes amount.

i dont even need a tool to slip a senko on. its a tight fit, but it fits.  i like how it roughens some salt to the surface as well, and dulls the color.

[Capt. BassinLou]

i bought silicon tubing from amazon.  it was a six foot section.  a lifetimes amount.

i dont even need a tool to slip a senko on. its a tight fit, but it fits.  i like how it roughens some salt to the surface as well, and dulls the color.

I agree that a tool is not necessarily needed. I have found, with softer stick baits, if I'm not careful pulling the worm through the silicone ring I run the risk of tearing it. The tool just helps opening the ring enough to easily adjust the worm.

[Hobious]

This is my exact order.  Perfect for the 5" SENKO in which a spreader tool is not necessary.  Bought it from Amazon.
looking at pics above, the stuff i bought seems to have a thinner wall section. but i cant be sure.

[skidemn]

looking at pics above, the stuff i bought seems to have a thinner wall section. but i cant be sure.

Thinner is better since it makes getting lighter wire hooks through easier. You'll understand what I mean when you try to use the Owner 1/16oz weighted wacky hooks.


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[Hobious]

looking at pics above, the stuff i bought seems to have a thinner wall section. but i cant be sure.

Thinner is better since it makes getting lighter wire hooks through easier. You'll understand what I mean when you try to use the Owner 1/16oz weighted wacky hooks.


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Thinner is always better.   Especially with my hook choice.

[chrisD46]

My silicone tubing arrived today. I quickly cut a few pieces, rigged a worm, and off I went to test.







Unfortunately, I didn't catch anything during my short outing. I can say with pretty good confidence that the silicone rings appear to be much tougher than the system I was using before.

I will know more by next week.

*The silicon tubing wall looks pretty thick - any issues with penetrating the hook through the tubing and Senko as you have done in the picture ?

[Capt. BassinLou]

My silicone tubing arrived today. I quickly cut a few pieces, rigged a worm, and off I went to test.







Unfortunately, I didn't catch anything during my short outing. I can say with pretty good confidence that the silicone rings appear to be much tougher than the system I was using before.

I will know more by next week.

*The silicon tubing wall looks pretty thick - any issues with penetrating the hook through the tubing and Senko as you have done in the picture ?

It's not supple, that's for sure. I can say that once you drive the hook through, that worm isn't going anywhere.

I need to familiarize myself with silicone tubing and see if there are varying degrees of softness to them.

[apenland01]

Tubing is going to be somewhere between very stiff (water lines, etc) to extremely supple (surgical tubing).  I might check out some surgical tubing once I run out of O-rings.  I don't fish wacky very often, so it may be a few months lol....

[chrisD46]

Tubing is going to be somewhere between very stiff (water lines, etc) to extremely supple (surgical tubing).  I might check out some surgical tubing once I run out of O-rings.  I don't fish wacky very often, so it may be a few months lol....

*Yes , you want that tubing softer with more stretch and a thinner wall thickness . This may require buying a few types of silicon tubing as aquarium tubing is too rigid .

[Oldfart9999]

Try using surgical tubing from the big box stores. The hook can be run through it. It can be colored in plastic dye. Regular fishing pliers will open it.
Rodney

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[Hobious]

the tubing i posted up from Amazon is the best i have ever used.  thin, flexy, all the stuff we are looking for in a wacky tube. 

[chrisD46]

Check out this alternative flexable silicon wacky rig kit : https://www.ebay.com/itm/265649813309?hash=item3dd9f6773d:g:P2cAAOSwRRheLalb&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8CTIG19d4LC%2FAeWlkQq2faix8ED7DnxVWdBx1lA8ZplrSLDrViRnNXJe7yHIJzEBb8uLzj80Lb9jc9eedejcpx76NLshp1XBlcBxs%2F0LU8wLri1WTNiR%2BgAmwJFPKRk5hMX1zPrBHVpPb8twwyW5RQn%2Fg%2FWU2227NzRUi3tyE10lwui5X2cC6z5ulLv6Ng4oLKm7Hl5JI5GIqJaWAqqW8TbAUHbCOjgXssuvRV1b5r%2BwaetczfL5MpNnyGIjRMZYM4fMqPJ5XAT5MH0zDUBUWwv%2BvRXx1Q9Jtxbt0wZoWKgHZYK%2BrihTTglbsaoaBGv3Gw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8azrK2TYg . *Good information on various sizes - then go to Amazon to try and find thin wall flexible tubing in the same three ID sizes for wacky rigs .

[Capt. BassinLou]

Check out this alternative flexable silicon wacky rig kit : https://www.ebay.com/itm/265649813309?hash=item3dd9f6773d:g:P2cAAOSwRRheLalb&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8CTIG19d4LC%2FAeWlkQq2faix8ED7DnxVWdBx1lA8ZplrSLDrViRnNXJe7yHIJzEBb8uLzj80Lb9jc9eedejcpx76NLshp1XBlcBxs%2F0LU8wLri1WTNiR%2BgAmwJFPKRk5hMX1zPrBHVpPb8twwyW5RQn%2Fg%2FWU2227NzRUi3tyE10lwui5X2cC6z5ulLv6Ng4oLKm7Hl5JI5GIqJaWAqqW8TbAUHbCOjgXssuvRV1b5r%2BwaetczfL5MpNnyGIjRMZYM4fMqPJ5XAT5MH0zDUBUWwv%2BvRXx1Q9Jtxbt0wZoWKgHZYK%2BrihTTglbsaoaBGv3Gw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8azrK2TYg . *Good information on various sizes - then go to Amazon to try and find thin wall flexible tubing in the same three ID sizes for wacky rigs .

Thank you for sharing!

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[chrisD46]

Check out this alternative flexable silicon wacky rig kit : https://www.ebay.com/itm/265649813309?hash=item3dd9f6773d:g:P2cAAOSwRRheLalb&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8CTIG19d4LC%2FAeWlkQq2faix8ED7DnxVWdBx1lA8ZplrSLDrViRnNXJe7yHIJzEBb8uLzj80Lb9jc9eedejcpx76NLshp1XBlcBxs%2F0LU8wLri1WTNiR%2BgAmwJFPKRk5hMX1zPrBHVpPb8twwyW5RQn%2Fg%2FWU2227NzRUi3tyE10lwui5X2cC6z5ulLv6Ng4oLKm7Hl5JI5GIqJaWAqqW8TbAUHbCOjgXssuvRV1b5r%2BwaetczfL5MpNnyGIjRMZYM4fMqPJ5XAT5MH0zDUBUWwv%2BvRXx1Q9Jtxbt0wZoWKgHZYK%2BrihTTglbsaoaBGv3Gw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8azrK2TYg . *Good information on various sizes - then go to Amazon to try and find thin wall flexible tubing in the same three ID sizes for wacky rigs .

Thank you for sharing!

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*I bought the kit (silicon cut tubes + nasal plyers) . Yes , the silicon tubing is definitely pliable and thinner in diameter as the ebay pictures show . Now , I want to find the exact same tubing source and cut my own .

[Capt. BassinLou]

Check out this alternative flexable silicon wacky rig kit : https://www.ebay.com/itm/265649813309?hash=item3dd9f6773d:g:P2cAAOSwRRheLalb&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAA8CTIG19d4LC%2FAeWlkQq2faix8ED7DnxVWdBx1lA8ZplrSLDrViRnNXJe7yHIJzEBb8uLzj80Lb9jc9eedejcpx76NLshp1XBlcBxs%2F0LU8wLri1WTNiR%2BgAmwJFPKRk5hMX1zPrBHVpPb8twwyW5RQn%2Fg%2FWU2227NzRUi3tyE10lwui5X2cC6z5ulLv6Ng4oLKm7Hl5JI5GIqJaWAqqW8TbAUHbCOjgXssuvRV1b5r%2BwaetczfL5MpNnyGIjRMZYM4fMqPJ5XAT5MH0zDUBUWwv%2BvRXx1Q9Jtxbt0wZoWKgHZYK%2BrihTTglbsaoaBGv3Gw%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8azrK2TYg . *Good information on various sizes - then go to Amazon to try and find thin wall flexible tubing in the same three ID sizes for wacky rigs .

Thank you for sharing!

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*I bought the kit (silicon cut tubes + nasal plyers) . Yes , the silicon tubing is definitely pliable and thinner in diameter as the ebay pictures show . Now , I want to find the exact same tubing source and cut my own .

It may be medical tubing. For example, the ones that nebulizers use.

[Capt. BassinLou]

I'm happy to report that the biggest bass of my outing yesterday came off using the silicone wacky ring. The bass was over 5 lbs but less than 6 lbs.



As I have mentioned before, I have been testing out this silicone ring system for about 3 weeks now. Yesterday was one of the most productive soft plastic outings I have had in a while, and I was able to really test out the silicone rings.

I threw 5" Senko stick baits. The rings secured the worm great. The nasal tool worked like a charm. I did lose 2 or 3 rings after fighting a few nice bass. However, I made a hook inserting adjustment and did that t lose any more rings. Did lose worms, which is expected, but not the rings. I will add, I did not lose any worms due to casting. If I did, it was because the worms were really damaged from fighting a bass from the previous cast.

I will say, the silicone tubing thickness and pliability discussion is one topic I will continue following. The tubing I purchased, although its tough and holds well, requires careful hook penetrating effort to rig successfully.

I'm sure using softer tubing will help make inserting the hook easier, so again, I will be following this discussion to see if anyone comes across what call the silicone tubing "sweet spot."

[FlatsNBay]

I just got back from a media trip in NY for smallmouth bass. During my trip we wacky rigged a lot. I found this thread very interesting and took notice of what the 4 pros used while I fished with them. Granted that they all got their baits for free but none used an o ring or tubing while wacky rigging. I thought to myself that we would be going through a ton of worms, but in 2 days of fishing I don't think we lost one single worm to a fish or cast off. At one point one of the pros handed me a wacky rigged Berkley General stick worm that was hanging by a thread and I thought it wouldn't last long. 3 fish later, it was still hanging in there.

That got me thinking, does the brand of stick worm affect the durability? Those Berkley Generals lasted forever.

I'm going to go in a reverse direction from this thread and experiment with various makes of worms wacky rig without any type of ring or tubing. I've always been a big fan of an o ring so it will be interesting to see if I like it more or less while rigging without.

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[Smallie_Stalker]

Interesting and I will be following along to hear your thoughts on this.

I do think the brand will affect it some. The Yamamoto Senkos are softer and don't seem to last as long as say the Yum Dingers.

Back in the day, long before O-Rings became a thing we used to rig floating worms through the egg sack and they seemed to last forever.

Not sure what accounted for that. Things like hooks and plastic formulas were different back then so I wonder if that played a part.

At any rate I'll be interested to hear your thoughts as you experiment with this.

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