Hooking up with a Texas-Rigged Senko

[Senko lover]

Despite my screen name, I haven't figured out everything about senkos The fish around here are liking a weightless texas-rigged senko at the moment, and I've always thrown them wacky rigged in the past. Need a little help. What hook are you guys using with them, and how do you set the hook? I've been using a 3/0 EWG and setting the hook straight above my head like I always do (using both a M spinning rod with 8 lb test and a MH baitcasting with 30 lb. braid), and my hookup ratio is terrible.

Any help appreciated, thanks guys. 

[kickerfish1]

If you are referring to the Gary Yamamoto Senkos in the 5 inch size they are 3/8 oz bait. There is a fair amount of plastic there, so I generally rig them on 4/0 EWG hook, though I have used 3/0 and 5/0. For rods I use a Medium Heavy casting or a Medium spinning. For line I like 12# Tatsu. For a hook set, I use the same type of swing I do on my jigs and texas rigged plastics...straight up and cross their eyes!

[MIbassyaker]

I use 3/0 ewg hooks usually, either 8lb copoly or 20lb braid, on medium-fast spinning. I haven't noticed more missed hookups than any other texas rigged plastic....hookset is basically the same as described above although I don't really slam it as hard as I do for a jig, just a quick, firm pull, straight up.

[S. Sass]

I guess I am still to old school I do not really like the EWG style hooks. I use them some but seem to have much better success with the offset style worm hooks. I want that hook point un-obstructed as much as possible. I like it out there with nothing but the skinned plastic between it and the fish lips.

5" I would prefer a 4/0 maybe even a 5/0 if I know Im on some big ones. Definitely heavy wire, and as stated already cross their eyes.  

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Senko lover said:

Despite my screen name, I haven't figured out everything about senkos The fish around here are liking a weightless texas-rigged senko at the moment, and I've always thrown them wacky rigged in the past. Need a little help. What hook are you guys using with them, and how do you set the hook? I've been using a 3/0 EWG and setting the hook straight above my head like I always do (using both a M spinning rod with 8 lb test and a MH baitcasting with 30 lb. braid), and my hookup ratio is terrible.

Any help appreciated, thanks guys. 

I don't do a ton of Senko fishing but the few times I "Have to",  I'm using gear very similar to yours and It works for me.

Unless I'm in very heavy cover & I've plus sized my gear, a standard wire Gamakatsu ewg hook works fine.

  2/0 for 4 inch baits & a 3/0 for 5 inch baits.

I make sure my hook is sticky sharp and not totally buried in the bait.  8lb test & a spinning rod doesn't have a ton of horse power but plenty to do the job when only skin hooking the bait & the hook is sharp.

As for the hook setting "motion" - overhead or off to the side, I don't think that matters a whole lot.  As long as the fish has the bait (and Hook) in it's mouth and it's not swimming straight at you, once fairly quick & sufficient pressure is applied - you'll come tight.

Finally, if you're not doing so already - this is a must.

A-Jay

[Brayberry]

I throw 4" Senko's a ton on a Medium Action Spinning Rod w/ 8 lb Lucky Craft Iron Athlete Line. I use a 3/0 EWG hook for texas rigging and I prefer a more sideways hookset.  I probally hook between 80 - 85% of all the bass that strike.  I also like to give the bass a extra second before setting to hook to make sure he has it

[d-camarena]

Just give the fish an extra half second to eat the whole senko. They usually bite it 2 or 3 times before it is fully in their mouth

[primetime]

Straight shank offset for me and I make sure the hook point comes out in the smooth section of the worm on the GYB 5" Senko...I find I do better with straight shank hooks on thinner soft baits and I like a 4/0-5/0 depending on brand, I like a heavy wire or thicker hook for weight and when fishing heavy tackle which I do most of the time..

If using spinning gear or lighter line under 12lb test, I will use thinner hooks and a lighter hook set, I do feel the weight of the hook and placement can change the action both better or worse, nail weights can help change up the action, but I think it is all preference..For me,EWG is for Extra wide Baits with a lot of plastic, but I know many people who use 3/0 EWG hooks and do just fine...It is all preference, smaller thin guage hooks may give the worm more of a shimmy, but sometimes I lose patience waiting for a senko to reach bottom without weight, heavy guage hooks help speed that up...

 

Hope that helps.

[Airman4754]

Make the size match the EWG. 4" = 4/0, 5" = 5/0, etc. 

It will get it down to the fish quicker too which is the important part. 

[chadmack282]

If using a 5" senko I would increase your hook size.

[Big Swimbait]

I use this hook. The design sets the hook point back a little farther.

http://penhooks.com/collections/all

[nascar2428]

This info is what the master himself(Mr. Yamamoto) recommends. Med Lt to Med spinning rod, 15 lb braid with 10-15 lb fluorocarbon leader, 3/0 Owner twist lock hook on the 5". Use a swing set to set the hook. I use hi vis braid, this makes it easier to see the bite. If you are not line watching you are going to miss a lot of bites. Tons of info on the pinned senko thread, check it out.

[Senko lover]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I don't have hookset problems with any other bait, so I found it kind of ironic lol. I think I need to wait a little longer before setting the hook, so thanks for the advice.

[kickerfish1]

Not sure if you stumbled across this article or not but it may be worth a read.

http://www.***/articles/senko-gary.shtml

[Mothercanucker]

5 inch senko= 5/0 EWG hook like pictured above. Also add scent and they legit hang on longer.

[Cgrinder]

Y'all use a lotta hook. 3/0 round bend or skip gap here. If I'm feelin' frisky, maybe an Owner Twistlock Lite.

[Bluebasser86]

I like how the Owner Twistlock makes them last longer, but my hookup ratio is horrible with them for some reason. Other than those, a 4/0 EWG works great but they only last 2 fish at best. 

[Brayberry]

23 hours ago, kickerfish1 said:

Not sure if you stumbled across this article or not but it may be worth a read.

http://www.***/articles/senko-gary.shtml

Whats the link? It won't let me click on it.  If nothing else message it to me, Thanks

[kickerfish1]

Brayberry, I will try to send it to you via PM. I guess just about everything has been censored from this site.

[Further North]

On 5/8/2016 at 2:22 PM, A-Jay said:

Unless I'm in very heavy cover & I've plus sized my gear, a standard wire Gamakatsu ewg hook works fine.

  2/0 for 4 inch baits & a 3/0 for 5 inch baits.

Exactly what I do.

[Crankinstein]

I'm fishing NC waters too and you are right they are all over the T rig senko right now. I've been using a 4/0 EWG and haven't missed many. I usually use a MH rod with 12-15lb FC or 20-30lb braid. Right now I have one rod with the 15lb FC and another with 30lb braid and I've used both with success. I haven't been throwing them weightless T rigged but have actually been using a small 1/8th oz bullet weight, it still has a slower fall but the weight lets me get a little longer cast on it. I've used both sweeping hooksets and the over the head hookset and both seem to work well. Tight lines!

[SwampLife]

Well according to  sHallow water expert pros such as , Tharp, ish Monroe , hackney, cliff crochet, etc......Ewgs have the worst hook up ratio of all hooks, offset round bend being second and straight shank being the highest hook up percentage ..  When pitching and flipping I use 4/0 offset round bend and straight shank, depending on cover and gear...

Weightless Senkos I always use a off set round bend.. 

Never understood why you would want to  use a Ewg with anything besides maybe a thick plastics beaver, where you might need extra room for the plastic to go on hook set??? 

 

 

[Airman4754]

On 5/9/2016 at 11:23 PM, Senko lover said:

Thanks guys, I really appreciate it. I don't have hookset problems with any other bait, so I found it kind of ironic lol. I think I need to wait a little longer before setting the hook, so thanks for the advice.

Something I do when it's windy and can't line watch is to slowly lift the rod to feel for weight before I twitch it up off the bottom. 

[Red Bear]

On 5/10/2016 at 10:39 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I like how the Owner Twistlock makes them last longer, but my hookup ratio is horrible with them for some reason. Other than those, a 4/0 EWG works great but they only last 2 fish at best. 

unless a fish completely throws the bait off the hook/line while fighting it, i will get more fish than 2 off a senko. i will do things such as flip the senko over and hook from the otherside, or i will cut a bit off and re-rig it. the fish dont seem to care if its 5in or 4 7/8in...

[Fishinthefish]

4/0 5/0 EWG gamagatsu hooks exclusively