RichardJarel Posted June 25, 2018 Posted June 25, 2018 Hi, I'm pretty new to bass fishing (Like 3 months?), and I'm doing pretty well. I've been focusing on plastics: T-rig, C-rig, Shaky Head, Ned etc... Most of what I have been using are Zoom Trick Worms. I fish from shore and so far, haven't been skunked. Last day fishing was 20 plus bass but they were SMALL (Really small!)! My PB so far is 1.75lbs but most are about a pound if that. I've had to do research to learn the terminology, bait names, trying to learn the difference between "popular names", nick names etc, versus the actual product name so I can go out and buy what I'm reading about. The "name" i keep reading the most is "SENCO". I "think" this is referring to the Yamamoto senco, but I read about anglers substituting with other brands and names but unsure if they fall into the category of Senco. Yesterday, my wife and I went fishing a small lake/pond and say a guy fishing from a foat and saw the largest LMB I've ever seen (in person... 5lbs). When I asked what he used, he said a black and green senco. Other kids were fishing from the shore throwing wacky rigged "Sencos". My question is: What makes a Senco, a "Senco"? Defining characteristics (size, length, thickness etc)? Can you give share specific brands, names of substitutes so that I can go to my local tackle shops and know what I'm asking for (The service people I've encountered so far seem to know less than I do! LOL! Thank you! Best, Richard 1
PersicoTrotaVA Posted June 25, 2018 Posted June 25, 2018 Senko is a worm style made by Gary Yamamoto baits. They are stuck baits(straight worm). They have a very unique action but they are expensive and soft, making their durability practically non existent. Stick to the trick worms and the finesse worms from Zoom unless you have the money to drop on senkos.
RichardJarel Posted June 25, 2018 Author Posted June 25, 2018 Thank you! What you shared fits what I "think" I've learned so far... I guess my main question (?) would be regarding the thickness of "senco" style worms... All my trick worms so far have been thin and offer great movement. (and I like them for that.) But I'm wondering if the thicker worms (sencos?), offer actions that are different from what I've been using and more beneficial regarding attracting larger bass?
Super User Scott F Posted June 25, 2018 Super User Posted June 25, 2018 Senko, (with a k) is a bait made by Yamamoto that has been copied by every company that offers soft plastics. What makes Senkos and the copies different from other plastic worms is that they are loaded with salt and that they sink without the need for weights. That slow sinking action mimics the slow sinking action of dying baitfish which has proven to be extremely effective in catching bass. Other worms tend to float or need added weight to get them to sink.
RichardJarel Posted June 25, 2018 Author Posted June 25, 2018 Thank you so much! (Especially regarding the spelling. LOL!) Like I said, I'm new and always eager to learn. I'm going to go on line, find the Yamamoto SenKo, get the specs and then see who makes copies and learn enough so I can decide how to find what i want. From what I've read, watched on YouTube and now seen in person, I want to give these a try. I do see many used wacky rigged without weights. Can I T-rig them without the use of a weight too? Or do they work better wacky rigged, or.... like most answers I've seen here: Just have to try and wee what works for my local? Thank you! Richard
Super User Scott F Posted June 25, 2018 Super User Posted June 25, 2018 There is a thread here on BR that talks about everything you ever wanted to know about fishing plastic stick baits (Senkos). Myself, I prefer to fish them weightless T rigged. Many prefer wacky rigging. Which one is better? Depends on who you ask. Try them both ways and see which way you like better. 1
BillNye Posted June 25, 2018 Posted June 25, 2018 2 hours ago, RichardJarel said: Thank you so much! (Especially regarding the spelling. LOL!) Like I said, I'm new and always eager to learn. I'm going to go on line, find the Yamamoto SenKo, get the specs and then see who makes copies and learn enough so I can decide how to find what i want. From what I've read, watched on YouTube and now seen in person, I want to give these a try. I do see many used wacky rigged without weights. Can I T-rig them without the use of a weight too? Or do they work better wacky rigged, or.... like most answers I've seen here: Just have to try and wee what works for my local? Thank you! Richard I prefer to fish stick baits wacky rigged on a 1/0 octopus hook. I have tried a bunch of different types of stick baits and I prefer yum dingers especially at 2.50 a pack. Ymmv.
RichardJarel Posted June 25, 2018 Author Posted June 25, 2018 Well... be careful what you ask for! LOL! I've read TONS of the suggested threads and have learned a LOT (to much? LOL!) Defintely more info than I bargained for BUT TOTALLY grateful! OK... need to get some work done today. MUCH better informed now! Thank you all! Richard
Super User Catt Posted June 25, 2018 Super User Posted June 25, 2018 Wacky Rigs for the most part are not weedless. I throw "Senko" type lures Weightless Texas Rigged because I fish water with lots of heavy cover. I fish em on the bottom or like you would a Fluke!
Super User smalljaw67 Posted June 25, 2018 Super User Posted June 25, 2018 The Senko is super effective, it gets bit fishing Texas rigged, weightless Texas rigged, Carolina rigged, and wacky rigged as well as cut in half and used on a Ned rig. I feel for you as someone just getting into bass fishing, especially on your own, there is just so much available now that it is really easy to get overwhelmed and give up. I think you are doing it right, start with plastics, they catch fish in just about any situation and it will give you a good understanding of cover and structure and how the fish position themselves on those elements. One word about the Senko, it works so well that you may just stick with it for a long time, I've been at this seriously for more than 30 years and the Senko has been so good that I went 3 years without touching any other style of worm. Good luck in your fishing and never be afaid to ask a question, the guys here will give you all the help you need. 1
HeyCoach Posted June 25, 2018 Posted June 25, 2018 Other baits similar to Senkos: Yum Dinger Gambler Fat Ace Strike King Ocho Bass Pro Stick-O Berkley General Big Bite Baits Trick Stick etc Stick Bait selection at Tackle Warehouse
RichardJarel Posted June 25, 2018 Author Posted June 25, 2018 Thank you both!!! I understand the getting addicted to Senko... Kind of like the Ned rig for me.... I've really been focusing on the more traditional rigs, but when nothing's biting AND I'm getting close to throwing in the towel, I pull out my Ned rigs and my spirits soar... except... I then feel like I'm cheating! LOL! At least I know they're there, so I focus on my presentations. I also appreciate the education I've been getting. Honestly, if my boat were ready to go, I'd probably be trolling, using my electronics and not learning a thing! Bank fishing has gotten me to slow down, take a look around, project topography and how it most likely transits to under the water's surface. Feeling my baits on the bottom (even if I'm loosing gear getting snagged on rocks and such, I'm still appreciating the education... In three months, I've gotten to the point where I can tell the difference between, bumping into rock, wood, a "bite" (and the difference between pan fish and bass bites and most recently, how to tell a "non-bite" That moment when there's un, self induced slack in my line. I've caught two that way and proud that I pulled my education out of my hat to think that slack line was a bite.... Pulled back as far as I could go and just kept reeling thinking the bass was swimming my way... it was! LOL! I know I'm doing well with all of this... I'm definitely harder on myself than should be and work 'real hard" to be grateful that I get to go out fishing mid week and that My version of getting skunked,, is a dozen or so small ones... LOL! Laughing at myself and slapping myself in the face to "wake up and realize how good I've got it.... My wife is great at that... she doesn't slap me, but she's my greatest fishing supporter... Funny when we go together and I pull out another "dink" and frown... She'll look at me, **** her head to the side and look slightly down, giving me the body language of: "really? You're going to tell me that's not a bass? Wanna go home instead? (That's a taunt to get me to see what I'm complaining about... she loves fishing!) I guess this was a little letting off steam.... Seeing that guys 5lb bass yesterday left me with that "Why can't I catch one of those" feeling... and we all know that once I do catch "one of those".... I'll be wanting a double digit bass! LOL! Thank you too for the list of alternative Senkos (See... I'm trainable! I "think" i spelled it right this time... LOL!) I've been looking at the groups of Stick-O baits and they're cheap enough for me to try a bunch out and see what I like... I've read a lot of good things about them. Again, many thanks guys... You've lifted my heart back up. So comforting to know I can come here with questions and met with positive reinforcement and great information! Finished cleaning up the studio, retooling the equipment and ready for the new projects coming in. Best Always, Richard Almost signed off... Another question? Any suggestions on what size? I've been using 7" trick worms (3" Ned) TRD, and was thinking about 4" stick baits, but now thinking I should move up to 6"? Thanks again! (And no, I'm not going to ask about colors... I've red TONS!!! Enough now that I feel pretty comfortable choosing between 3 - 4 colors to match my fishing conditions LOL! (but... (Totally laughing at myself here!!!! Wouldn't mind... The biggest thing I've learned and proven to myself switching colors is going from opaque colors to translucent (not white, just not solid colors), when the sun is high and water's clear (very clear). made a big difference within one hour... Actually the first cast of my color change. LOL! 1
HeyCoach Posted June 26, 2018 Posted June 26, 2018 5” on a 3/0 EWG hook. Walmart carries Senkos and Yum Dingers. They also have a few different lines of hooks, Mustad, Eagle Claw, Berkley, and Gamakatsu. Let it fall, fish it extremely slow. 1
Super User tcbass Posted June 26, 2018 Super User Posted June 26, 2018 I’ve tried Trickworms and some of the others and they just don’t work as well as Senkos. To save on Senkos I do this.
Super User roadwarrior Posted June 26, 2018 Super User Posted June 26, 2018 16 hours ago, Scott F said: There is a thread here on BR that talks about everything you ever wanted to know about fishing plastic stick baits (Senkos). Good night Irene.
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