Jim,
Here is what I’ve discovered after fishing these baits for about twenty years (think Sluggo). There really is no one presentation that always works. A soft stick bait is normally heavy, so it sinks fairly quickly and undulates as it does so. The use of flouocarbon line will help it sink because it doesn’t float like mono. They can be crawled along the bottom, super slow, or zipped along quickly then “killed” to draw strikes (one of my favorites). Wacky, Carolina, even weighted with a bullet sinker causing them to descend at an angle that fish like. Fished with a tiny split shot or drop shot. These baits are neutral bouyancy which is a big part of their natural appeal but they are one of the most versatile baits ever devised. Do some experimenting until you find some techniques that will work for you in the waters you fish. Good Luck!

Jim,

Great question and some great answers too. I have mostly fished weightless on many of these lakes and have hammered em with this technique. The issue in the summer many times becomes thick vegetation with many of these lakes / ponds growing up from the bottom. Weightless becomes a very attractive offering as many times the fish are hunkered down in the grass and the slow flutter of a weightless presentation not only moves water but gives them time to locate the bait. Carolina rigging is a deadly technique but is really more of an open water technique that you use for dragging a bait over rocks, gravel, shell beds, etc. The weight gets tangled in grass and it can be pretty innefective in some of the grass growing in the bottom of these lakes. There really isn’t a lot of difference between wacky rig and texas rig as far as fall rate, I think wacky rig falls a little slower and the action drives fish crazy. For summer time I think you have picked the 2 best presentations when the grass starts to thicken up. But don’t hesitate to also have a texas rigged senko or other soft platic with a 1/4 pegged bullet sinker as well. That will give you the option of a faster falling bait, then let the fish tell you what they want. As you can imagine, for the most part natural colors such as green pumpkin and watermeleon seed have served me best. Best of luck! 

Thanks to you all for offering your advice and suggestions.  I was able to fish on Saturday morning and I put your ideas to work.  Proud to say that I caught my first fish on a Senko, rigged wacky style and fished weightless - a beautiful 8.6lb bass, followed 10 minutes later by a 4.7 lb bass.  Thanks!!