The Senko NIBBLE

[Bass_Akwards]

First off let me say I just started fishing Senkos about a month ago, and they have seriously been amazing.  They've caught dozens of LMB's from .5-4 pounds.  (4 pounds is very large for my ponds) Senkos catch them in the morning, at noon with bluebird skies, and at night.  

In any case, I've also noticed that i get a lot of "Nibbles" on my retrieve.  You all know what I'm talking about, the little "Tap, Tap" on your line you feel when a finicky bass isn't sure if he really wants to waste his/her energy on your soft plastic.  My retrieve is generally veeeeeeeeery slow.  I hold my rod tip straight up in the air, and reel as if the worm is crawling slowly across the pond floor.  I keep a very slack line and wait for a bite as I reel in.  

Like I said, with this retrieve I'm getting a ton of fish, but I'm also getting a ton of "Nibbles" without being able to coax the fish onto my hook.  

What happens is I'll reel in, feel the "tap tap" on my line and either...

1. Stop my retrieve and let the worm sit still

2. Keep my retrieve going the same pace

3. Stop my retrieve for a second, and then use small jerks and pauses

Is there anything I can do when I feel the "tap tap" on my Senko, or other soft plastic, to entice those finicky bass onto my hook?

If it happens 3 or 4 times in a row, should I just...

1.  Try a different retrieve from the start?  

2. Try a different color or size worm?  

3. Try a different lure altogether?

4. Slam three beers and Yell at the fish to "Get on the d**n hook, dammit!"

Thanks guys!  

Todd

[roadwarrior]

Don't let the nibbles concern you. "Nibbles" are little bass or bluegill, you're not missing a thing.

Better bass inhale the bait, even the so called "soft bite" on the fall.

[Raul]

Dude, hooksets are for free, whenever you feel anything strange ( tap, nibble or nothing like if you bait has "dissapeared" from the other en of your line ) set the hook.

[BadKarma42]

Swings are free...although Option 4 has worked quite often as well.

[.dsaavedra.]

man roadwarrior and raul hit it right on the head. the nibbles are most likely bluegill...happens to me also. but like raul said.....HOOKSETS ARE FREE!!!!!! just slam it if you feel the need for it. slot of times where i fish there are thick weeds but in isolated clumps, and i'll feel it tighten up so i rip it, and turns out its weeds, but hey, i got thru the weeds, and sometimms i'll get bit after the rip too!

[Sam]

Those nibbles are either bluegills, bream or small bass.

Not only will they drive you crazy but they will bite the tails and arms off your plastics.

I purchased those 2 inch Senkos from GY's site and I have nailed those rascals that drive me crazy with the nibbles jsut to see what they are.

I also caught a 19 inch bass on one of the 2 inch Senkos (smoke with black flake) on a #1 gold hook.

When this happens, I keep throwing my bait but I move it faster in my retrieve.

Or, I go up a size (4 inch Senko to a 5 or 6 inch Senko) to stop the nibbles.

Plus the fact that I do set the hook when I get the nibbles.

I also set my hook hard and have my bait flying all over the place and on two ocassions this summer I have popped a small bass clear out of the water with one landing in the boatand the other stopped about six inches from the boat's hull.

So set that hook!  And have fun.

[MALTESE FALCON]

Here is another vote for bluegill. It happens to me all the time, and like has been mentioned, hooksets are free.

Falcon

[airborne_angler]

I agree with the Bluegill Theory. When this started happening to me,I decided to put the bait in a spot with a large concentration of Bluegills thast I could see. Felt the same way as when the bait was in deeper water. I have noticed also the Green Sunfish aggressively attack a Soft stickbait,and even wound up catching a few of the Buggers. The good sized ones pull hard once you have em hooked.

[FishTank]

I get that nibble all the time and I end up usually with a green sunfish on the other end.  The other weird one is a nibble followed by a small jerk.  This usually lands me a crappie.  It seems that there are more than just bass that are interested in Senkos.  

[cdabelow]

You guys get the same nibble on the pork on a jig??  I do sometimes its a blue gill or a rock bass.  @ least I get promise setting the hook.  I also have a chip on my boat for everytime its just my imagination.