Senkos...when, Where, How?

[katmandew]

I'm a complete rookie when it comes to this bait.  Looking for tips on how, when and where to fish it.  When to use wacky rig versus Tx rig, etc.  What seasons and which conditions does it produce the best?  Is it just cast it out, let it fall, pump a few times, and reel it in?  Fish it on a drop shot?  Where?  At what depths, and what types of cover are most productive?  Any info is much appreciated!

[A-Jay]

 

 

A-Jay

[Zackbassmaster]

This is a very easy to fish with bait! I really like to use it whenever not many things are working and I want to slow it down a little. I normally put a smaller size weight (1/16 or 1/8oz) and work it just like a normal soft plastic. I really like to use it in all seasons really but mainly summer when the fish are kindof sluggish around midday.

Also look at the top of the page and go to "Senko FAQ"

Great info there!

[katmandew]

On 1/28/2013 at 2:18 PM, A-Jay said:

 

A-Jay

Awesome, thanks.  I totally missed that.  Please excuse the newbie.  

[drew4779]

I have yet to find a wrong way to fish them.

[Sam]

Katmandew, check out the Senko post at the top of this section.

 

Learn to fish those Senkos "wacky rigged" for some fun fishing.

 

ALWAYS KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR LINE. WHEN IT STARTS TO MOVE THE BASS HAS IT IN HIS/HER MOUTH. LET THEM RUN FOR ABOUT THREE SECONDS AND SET THE HOOK HARD OVER YOUR HEAD.

 

Have fun with those Senkos!

[Comfortably Numb]

I have very bad eyesight so am not a line watcher. I like to feel contact with the bait. I therefore prefer to fish it wacky style and can feel the lightest tick of a bite on a slightly tight line. This is sometimes all you feel. I seem to fish the wacky slower and can make it twith and not move to much.

 

For me a Texas rig has too little resistance. I therefore try to feel the bait alot and move it too far and too fast.

 

If you feel a tick or just weight, wait a few seconds and then set the hook. Usually a bass wont let go of these. If you feel numerous tap tap taps, its usually a sunny and they will let go.

 

Main tip is fish them slow and dont overwork the bait. Couple twitches and let it sink slow. Couple more light twitch and let it sink.

 

They also work great skipped under docks and overhanging trees on shore.

 

I personaly only fish them weightless.

[Darren.]

Easy answer: Whenever, Anywhere, However.   

 

No really, my favorite way to fish a Senko is wacky. Next would be weightless TX rigged.

 

Fish 'em slow, let them fall and present their shimmy to the fish on the fall. No hits, lift a little, try again.

 

Set the hook with a nice sweeping motion as you reel down. No need to rip the hook out of the jaw.

[Sam]

Easy answer: Whenever, Anywhere, However.   

 

No really, my favorite way to fish a Senko is wacky. Next would be weightless TX rigged.

 

Fish 'em slow, let them fall and present their shimmy to the fish on the fall. No hits, lift a little, try again.

 

Set the hook with a nice sweeping motion as you reel down. No need to rip the hook out of the jaw.

Darren, don't forget to hook them backwards.

 

Ike made this suggestion a long time ago to give the Senko a backward motion.

 

Ike is coming out with a backward moving trick worm so I would think the backwork moving Senko could be another way to consider fishing the bait.

 

Good post on how to fish the Senko. Thanks.

[Darren.]

Darren, don't forget to hook them backwards.

 

Ike made this suggestion a long time ago to give the Senko a backward motion.

 

Ike is coming out with a backward moving trick worm so I would think the backwork moving Senko could be another way to consider fishing the bait.

 

Good post on how to fish the Senko. Thanks.

 

Hey Sam, you know I remember watching Ike teach that on his show! At least I think it was Ike. Believe he also put a nail in the "tail" end so it went under docks, right?

 

Now I haven't fished the nail method yet, need to get some small finish nails to do that. But I have tried - a few times - the backwards TX rig. I don't recall if I had much success with that in the way I tried it. But you bringing it up gives me some ideas on fishing it on branchy laydowns.

[Comfortably Numb]

http://www.landinglunkers.com/2008/03/23/wacky-rig-neko-rig/

 

I think adding weight to a Senko defeats the allure of the slow falling bait.

[Darren.]

On 1/29/2013 at 5:53 AM, Comfortably Numb said:

I think adding weight to a Senko defeats the allure of the slow falling bait.

I'd agree, but think the point of the rig is mainly to get the bait to "swim" under docks where it otherwise may not go....

First and foremost, wacky! The shimmy is a thing of beauty ... To bass LOL

[Hanover_Yakker]

The Senko or more specifically the wacky rig is a great follow up bait for missed fish also. Its a great throw back lure when targeting cover like laydowns with a jig-n-craw or shakey head and you miss the fish or the fish doesn't appear interested. When you do it, don't just limit yourself to stick baits like senkos, zeros and dingers. Consider using flukes, ribbontails, finesse worms, tubes ,etc......

Think outside the box. If everyone else is using a stick bait, then rig a fluke the same way and give them something different to look at. Or rig the stick bait off center at least before switching it up.

[bass1980]

Google wacky-o-tool. I use that to wacky rig my senkos. This helps the senkos last a lot longer. You can use rubber bans instead of O-rings if you like. Use a weightless weedless hook for shallow water. If fishing deeper water I like a weedless hook with a built in weight. Up north the vegetation is crazy and weedless hooks are a must in most lakes. Maybe it's my imagination but red hooks works a lot better for me. That's the only way to use senkos.

[Darren.]

The Senko or more specifically the wacky rig is a great follow up bait for missed fish also. Its a great throw back lure when targeting cover like laydowns with a jig-n-craw or shakey head and you miss the fish or the fish doesn't appear interested. When you do it, don't just limit yourself to stick baits like senkos, zeros and dingers. Consider using flukes, ribbontails, finesse worms, tubes ,etc......

Think outside the box. If everyone else is using a stick bait, then rig a fluke the same way and give them something different to look at. Or rig the stick bait off center at least before switching it up.

 

Not only that, but thinking outside the box last year netted me my PB. Wacky rig watermelon goldflake lizards, weightless, or a split shot a couple three feet up the line if needed.

 

Wacky is versatile for so many different types of bait. I wacky rig tiny Zoom flukes as well. Need to break water tension to get them to sink, but they're deadly, too.

[WRB]

If you wacky rig a Senko or worms there is a great new product called Waky Saddle, available at TW.

They make a kit that includes 25 ea for Senkos and 25 ea for worms, check it out.

Tom

[upnorthbassin]

You can also use 2 o-rings, criss cross them and put the hook in the middle. You can get bags of o-rings super cheap (a fraction of the price of that saddle kit) at an auto parts place...most of the right sizes are in auto A/C systems. Just slip them on using your pliers. They even come in multiple colors.

 

I take a paper clip and load it with o-rings and toss it in the tackle box. All of that being said I still usually use a weightless texas rig 90% of the time.

[WRB]

You can also use 2 o-rings, criss cross them and put the hook in the middle. You can get bags of o-rings super cheap (a fraction of the price of that saddle kit) at an auto parts place...most of the right sizes are in auto A/C systems. Just slip them on using your pliers. They even come in multiple colors.

 

I take a paper clip and load it with o-rings and toss it in the tackle box. All of that being said I still usually use a weightless texas rig 90% of the time.

O-rings do not prevent the Senko from tearing off during fighting and landing bass, been using them for a long time, the saddle works, keeps the Senko in place, the hook positioned properly. This is not for everyone, just those that want to maximize hook set ratios and bass per Senko or worm, like tournament anglers fishing a Neko rig or drop shot.

Tom

[Sherlock 60]

Everywhere;  weightless, Texas rig or wacky; shallow or deep; always fish very slow.

 

"When you think you are fishing a Senko too slow...slow down."