The Mighty Senko Fails

[Heron]

Fish behavior is a funny thing...

 

Ive recently found a bass that has become a regular sight along my shoreline where I fish.  Looks to be a decent 3-4lber, and seems to have taken up residency near a local dock.    Ive seen him on 3 occassions now, and I like that I get to observe his behavior to different presentations that I put in front of him.......so far his response has been, "Yawwwnn."

 

He did take particular interest in a Biffle Bug on one day, and a scented Power Minnow another day.   But then of course, he changed his mind, and drifted off.

 

But then, a voice whispered in the back of my mind that said, "Hey....throw a Senko."    Of course! Thats a perfect idea!  Nice little wiggle, nice slow fall, perfect.

 

I tossed down the Senko, and well......at least the fish looked at it.   But, but he was none too impressed at all.  I used that Senko for the next half hour after that, but to no avail.   The Senko had failed.  I also, was none too impressed at all.   To this day, Ive not caught squat with that worm.

 

Maybe next time I'll try a drop shot.   After that, might have to break out the live bait.  

[Smokinal]

introduce him to Ned...

[Heron]

introduce him to Ned...

Ah.....another wonderbait.   This fish probably prefers a corn dog. 

[Senko lover]

No, no no no no! See a psychologist. Get counsel. Do ANYTHING other than doubt the senko. Please don't share such depressing information again.

[Heron]

No, no no no no! See a psychologist. Get counsel. Do ANYTHING other than doubt the senko. Please don't share such depressing information again.

Haha....Looks like somebodys been drinking the senko kool-aid.  

[CeeJay]

Refusing to hit a Senko?  Haha that's a wily bass you got there

 

It's my confidence bait, but like all lures it will fail at times.  On days where I'm not fairing too well, I always wonder how many fish were out there just staring at the lures I was tossing. 

 

It's interesting that you get to see that bass up close and how it reacts to your lures.

I bet if you dunk a minnow it'll strike

[5 Dollar Fishing Game]

Nooooooooo!!!!!

[KyAngler_1120]

Haha....Looks like somebodys been drinking the senko kool-aid.  

 

I hate to admit it, but at times I think I'm mixing the kool-aid lol...not had a lot of fishing time in the last few weeks, but when I have the only thing drawing a bite was a senko :/

[ChrisAW]

It's likely that you had it spooked from it seeing you. More often than not, if you can see them, they've spotted you too. They get a little tight lipped when that happens if they don't just swim off in general.

 

I've been fishing from shore a lot lately, and I've noticed its easy to get a fish that just cruised in to bite, especially if I had already casted and I just have to work the bait to it. The less you move, the better. Wear clothes that somewhat blend in with your background. I don't go crazy, but fishing behind my complex, I've been wearing green or brown shirts with dark jeans. I stand infront of a larger bush or tree trunk to keep my silhouette from standing out.

 

It all might seem ridiculous, but I've had much better luck somewhat concealing myself than just standing out in the open.

[bigbill]

They can see you too there not dumb basses.

I had a new state record hog swim up to me on the drop off

Look at me and go on.

[Cgolf]

Agree the senko is not that great of a bait, never got the hype. Swim senko yes, but the plain one no, could be due to how and where I fish too. I am more about finding active fish, so senko is not that.

Not sure about near shore fish being spooked, as I had a pair of 40+ muskies 2 feet in front of me hit a lure. Also had a 20+ bass directly under me on a pier strike a Crankbait I pulled along the edge of the dock.

[bassguytom]

It's likely that you had it spooked from it seeing you. More often than not, if you can see them, they've spotted you too. They get a little tight lipped when that happens if they don't just swim off in general.

 

I've been fishing from shore a lot lately, and I've noticed its easy to get a fish that just cruised in to bite, especially if I had already casted and I just have to work the bait to it. The less you move, the better. Wear clothes that somewhat blend in with your background. I don't go crazy, but fishing behind my complex, I've been wearing green or brown shirts with dark jeans. I stand infront of a larger bush or tree trunk to keep my silhouette from standing out.

 

It all might seem ridiculous, but I've had much better luck somewhat concealing myself than just standing out in the open.

Absolutely this is the case. Somtimes I dress like a tree or wear my sun costume and seem to catch more. No but seriously that bass can see you and won't hit anything until he can't or feels safe.

[bigbill]

I know the fish are there that's why I'm fishing there. I use hardbaits, spinnerbaits, inline spinners first in the dark to Sun up.

As the fish move away from shore I go deeper with a c-rig and jigs.

These unfinished places are full of bass. The heavily fished places there not throwing bass baits. So it's open season. I don't fish in the evenings so I don't teach people who take fish.

One guy I met there stopped by one night and hollered out from his window he'd be back checking licenses. The whole family of ten packed up and left. Too many non licensed people taking fish.

[cdemarse]

Throw a banjo minnow at him. It worked on TV. Lol

[bigbill]

You would be surprised I threw a flying lure in a new drainage pond and it caught bass. I purchased the flying lure on clearance for 0.99 cents. Then I'm thinking maybe throwing something completely off the wall different silly right?

[EvanT123]

Senko is the last bait I throw when I feel fish are around.

[Bluebasser86]

I bet a big glide bait would move him. 

[iceintheveins]

I've had the senko fail plenty of times. Even plenty of times they won't hit a hudd gill or a lizard on the bed even.

[Sam]

The bass may be a female which means it can be more picky than a male when it comes to feeding.

 

May I make these suggestions:

1.  Stay out of her sight. If you can see her she can see/feel you.

2.  Using the flipping and pitching method rig up a 1/8 jig head with a three inch heavy hook and add a Zoom Junebug trick worm for bait.

3.  Slather the Junebug trick worm with MegaStrike.

4.  When you see her or just fishing the bank have the bait make a splash for a few casts and then cast it so that it enters the water very quietly.

5.  Let the trick worm just sit there for at least 60 seconds - an eternity in bass fishing.

6.  Wiggle rod tip a little but let trick worm sit there.

7.  After letting worm sit for 60-seconds and then giving it a wiggle, start to move is very slowly.

8.  If this does not produce any interest or bites get a shotgun and ...................

 

Oops. Number 8 is for guys living in Louisiana.

 

Remember, bass are inquisitive animals and your bass should show some interest in your bait.

 

If she does not want Junebug, try green pumpkin. Then watermelon.  How about watermelon candy? Pink? White? Neon green?

 

And you can throw the bait weightless, too.

 

Add to your list of baits the Mag II trick worm and give it a shot.

 

As for the Senko, do the same as above but fish it unweighted wacky rigged.  Move it up and down so it flies like a bird in the water. You can add a touch of yellow dye (JJ's Magic) to the tips of the Senko to try to entice her to hit it.

 

Sooner or later she will hit your bait.

 

Or go back to your house and get that shotgun!!!
 

[sofarfrome]

Throw him a hot dog. Seriously. I used to fish this small pond. Threw everything at them. Though not much pressure on the fish they were still picky as hell. One day I took my young daughter with me and she was "ootzy" about baiting the hook. I told her that we would stop at the local mom and pop grocery and buy some cheap hot dogs to bait her hook(s). She gave me a funny look but I assured here that it would work. We bought a $1 package of wieners and away we went. She placed about a 1/2 inch of dawg on her 2/0 hook and in less than 1 minute BANG. She landed a 3 pound LM. I was so proud of her. She kept saying "dad, it's a big one" while she was reeling it in. Oh well, had to share.

[ColdSVT]

And people wonder why i dont own a senko lol

[CeeJay]

I have no explanation for why some anglers don't have much luck with the Senko.

I'm sure we all have a style of lure or two that for some reason...just doesn't work for us.  Could be flat out bad luck I suppose: wrong place, wrong time, etc.

For me it's lipless cranks.  Never caught a single bass on one, ever.  And believe me I tried to make them work.

 

Senkos however, well I love them because they work for me very consistently.  Not 100% of course, as no lure ever made is a guarantee.  But I have great confidence in Senkos.

It's strange...our choice of lures, what works for us and what doesn't.  One of the mysteries of angling I guess

[F14A-B]

What? You mean the Senko can fail? You mean its not infallible? Lol, yes, it's rhetorical..

[Catt]

I do not buy the hype it was because the bass saw you!

I've caught to many bass that were looking at me, as matter of fact my grandson & I do it daily. There is a small bayou 40 steps out my front door, it's only 6-14" deep & very clear. We fish it almost ever day, some days they bite anything, some days they will not touch any thing.

[bassr95]

There are many times that you can see a bass, and nothing will convince him to bite. There is a huge difference between saying a senko did not work on that fish, and saying they don't work in general! Because I've caught a hundred bass that prove they do work!