Stubbornness Vs. Flexibility

[Will Wetline]

I got a good lesson recently while fishing familiar water with a new friend. Dave had been on this big, clear reservoir a few times before; I was in my 19th season here. It's post spawn but I expected the smallmouth we were targeting to be in the vicinity of the flats they had occupied a few weeks ago, only deeper.

Dave started out with a 5" soft stickbait, wacky rigged. I've got a Plano 3700 filled with Senkos and more in old tackle boxes in a closet, but for some reason rarely throw them. Yamamoto's 5" hula grub has long been a go to bait and I've got reason to like Ikas as well. But not Senkos. I dunno, maybe it's contrariness on my part since so many other bassmasters love 'em.

At any rate, I scoop Dave's first smallie about 8:00 and within the next four hours he boats three more - and I'm talking decent fish, 2 1/2 - 3 1/2 lbers., not dinks. Meanwhile, I'm throwing a bit of everything. We had partly sunny conditions with a ripple on the water. I took a topwater for a walk, expected a smallie to slam a crank, was surprised that they passed on a tube. I did finally get a 14" fish to inhale a small offering on a drop shot rig I had been dragging.

Around noon, we headed to a different section of the lake. I'm rotating the above lineup as well as watching the flashing blades of a tandem spinnerbait to keep me awake. I took time out to net Dave's fifth decent smallie which he had interested in a - you'll never guess - a 5" wacky rigged Senko!

On the way to a steep break at the end of a large flat I was having an internal argument: Did I care to continue demonstrating my great perseverance by tossing baits that I like to throw but today's bass don't want to take . . . or do I want to catch fish?

We anchored on the break and as the boat was settling I tied an Owner #2 wacky/dropshot hook on 8 lb. mono. I stuck this hook through the middle of a Slim Yamasenko and cast into deep water. I engaged the reel and as I was lifting the rod, noticed the line moving out steadily. I lowered the tip and when the line tightened, set. This photo op came several minutes and three magnificent leaps later:

If I were a superstitious bassmaster, I'd say that this smallie was a reward for overcoming my stubbornness. I will say that I'm making room in my box for more Senkos. 6 lb. smallies like 'em.

[Fishing Rhino]

Fishermen who look down their noses at wacky rigged senkos are missing out. They are not always the best bait, but day in, and day out, they are tough to beat.

If you'd like to try something a bit different, try a 3/32 ounce Jackall, or Iniche, or a Buckeye Flick It rigged with your slim Senkos in deeper water. Heck, I use em in shallow water as well.

Normally, I fish them very slowly along the bottom, in short twitches and hops. But, there are times when it is light, but the sun has not yet risen above the horizon, that the bass (small and largemouth) prefer them to be fished by swimming them in the water column. Yes, even if they are weighted.

Don't get stuck in a rut to the exclusion of baits with proven track records.

[james 14]

I'm in search of a solid go-to bait and, generally, have a problem slowing down unless I'm flipping or am absolutely certain I know fish are in a specific spot...even then it's difficult so I can relate to the stubborness. I never got into the Senko craze and had considered spending some time with it. Seeing this post, now, is like a sign for me so thanks. I've only ever caught one 8 or 9 inch bass on one before so I've got a little work to do to. I was late on the horny toad craze as well and, since giving them a shot, it's made the different in cashing a check a time or two. I'm hoping this will work out the same way.

[Busy]

I'm a bit the opposite, I fish senkos/worms several ways and different jigs/trailers different ways. I fish very slow. I have almost no confidence in spinnerbaits (unless they are inline) or cranks. While I would like to get over this I think my next expansion will be bladed swim jigs.

I never understood the huge 10" worms myself; 5" worms will catch big fish if you are on big fish. At least I better hope so lol.

Glad you got a nice fish on your outing!

[QUIENYO]

Wow, that is a beautiful smallie you got there. Kudos to you for recognizing your "stubbornness" and making the the change. Many of us (myself included) are sometimes too set in our ways to not only just recognize the need to change tactics, but make the change after the light comes on. Good for you.

[roadwarrior]

Whenever I'm fishing with friends we always start out with something different

and keep making changes until something works. At that point, most of the time,

we start fishing the same thing.

[Fishing Rhino]

Whenever I'm fishing with friends we always start out with something different

and keep making changes until something works. At that point, most of the time,

we start fishing the same thing.

A very wise method.

Now, is it a case of "Great minds run in the same channel", or "Fools think alike."?

[Crestliner2008]

Very nice smallie there WW. Sometimes it just doesn't pay not to fish a Senko!

[Mitch G.]

Fishermen who look down their noses at wacky rigged senkos are missing out. They are not always the best bait, but day in, and day out, they are tough to beat.

Agreed....the fishing snobs don't know what they are missing

BTW, I almost forgot....AWESOME Bronze!!!.....Must have been a fun fight

[Mitch G.]

Whenever I'm fishing with friends we always start out with something different

and keep making changes until something works. At that point, most of the time,

we start fishing the same thing.

That's exactly what we do as well and it makes complete sense....good tip!!!

[Deleted account]

I never argue with fish...

[Siebert Outdoors]

Thats a nice SMALLIE!

[Big-O]

Fine Looking Smallie!!! WTG