Trouble Setting The Hook With Senkos

[AJMichigan]

So used some senko's for the first time the other day, caught a few nice fish but had a few bigger ones get away. I attempted to set the hook like I always do, however it wasn't working like it normally does with other softplastics/fake crawlers. Always texas rig and have never had a problem until the other day with the senkos.

[roadwarrior]

Never heard of this being an issue. I use light wire Gamakatsu #4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks.

 

 

 

[BrianSnat]

I T rig my Senkos and hookset hasn't been a problem.   In fact the problem with me is that they inhale the bait and are hooked too deeply. I always C&R bass and hate getting involved in a surgical procedure to get the hook out.

[Crestliner2008]

I've never experienced this either. Senkos are so soft than hook-up are the least of your problems. Deep hooking is usually number one.

[CPBassFishing]

Are you wacky or texas rigging it? For the wacky rig I use a big hook- a 3/0 gamakatsu finesse widegap. For texas rigging I use a 3/0 EWG.

[Sam]

Watch your line and when I moves to the right or left reel in the slack and set the hook.

 

If you are missing the bass then 1) you are setting the hook too fast or 2) the bass (bream, Crappie, catfish, etc.) has the Senko by its tail and is walking away with it without the hook in its mouth.

 

I fish Senkos wacky and use a Gammy or Eagle Claw weedless 1/0 hook under a 1/8 inch piece of shrink tubing. Works great and you can continue to use the Senko as it does not get torn up that fast.

 

As the guys posted above, I hate to wait too long as the fish will have the Senko and hook too far down in their throat and you will have to go through the gills to remove the hook safely.

 

Always keep finger on the line to feel the "tap tap" and then watch for your line to move. Point rod tip at the water, reel in the slack fast and set the hook hard over your head.

 

Give I a shot and let us know if your hookup ratio improves.

[flyfisher]

No additional info to add here other than to second the suggestion to watch your line.  I probably see over half of the strikes before i feel them and this limits the deep hooking problem as well.

[bigbill]

I keep in constant contact with my carolina rig with the wacky rigged senko. It's a very soft double thump sometimes. I watch my rod tip. The hit can be as soft as worm fishing.

If the fish is taking in the senko too deep your waiting too long to det the hook. I use a 2/0 or 3/0 hook. The larger the better for me. I missed too many fish on senkos at first then I learned. My hook was too small. I learned to use the eagle claw 249w weedless hook. If we get a strike and a miss the weedless barb will be open when it comes up. The weeds never open the barb.

[nascar2428]

Gary's hookset tips

http://fishstrong.com/gary-yamamoto-hookset-philosophy-and-spinning-setup/

[moguy1973]

Never heard of this being an issue. I use light wire Gamakatsu #4 Offset Worm Hooks.

 

 

 

 

A #4 hook seems kind of small to me for a 4-5" senko.  Did you mean 4/0?

[roadwarrior]

Yes. 4/0 EWG

[gobig]

I can't stand the EWG hooks (except trebles). For texas rigged senkos (6in) I go with a the Trokar HD Worm hook in 4/0. 

[Comfortably Numb]

I'm guessing sunfish are grabbing the tail.

[cdaggett]

Dont bury the hook as deep in the plastic, and wait until you feel the weight of the fish. Sometimes little guys will swim off with just the tail end

[bigbill]

I also see some guys put two smelled hooks one on each end but we're losing the floppy

action of the wacky rig. Ever see this?

[Arv]

What does your "bite" feel like? If you're getting small taps you may be yanking the rod too quick. If not I would question the hook size you are using like mentioned above. Another echo from others before as well, you don't need to crush the fish on the hookset either. Not sure what the issue is, but that's my 2 cents.

[Gavin]

Try a circle hook with an offset point...no need to set the hook and it eliminates the gut hook problem. Works with flukes too.

[David Rangel]

Could happen different things, I would like to know what size of senko and what size of hook ? in 5" Senko the best hook in my personal opinion is 4/0 Gmakatsu EWG, or Mustad 37177 in 6" Senko you must go in the same hooks to 5/0, in 4" Senko I go 2/0 even 3/0 in 3" senko 1/0, in 7" Senko I go with Owner over size 7/0 worm hook, all this thinking that you have an undersized hook. if the senko is skin hooked, helps, except on 7"

 

Another thing mentioned above is that you are setting too fast, just wait another extra second, and the other possible thing is the mood of the bass that are short striking or not having enough time the lure into the mouth, then can help an attractor.

 

I hope this help

 

Good fishing

 

David

[AJMichigan]

I wait for the line to go tight to set the hook, that's what ive always done with fake crawlers and it's always worked before. I'm using a big senko (i believe 7 inches, might be bigger) and using a big hook (not sure the size, but the hook is always texas rigged and the point is right in the middle of the senko

[roadwarrior]

7" is the biggest Senko

[AJMichigan]

7" is the biggest Senko

 

Then that's what it is.