Wacky Senko Fishing; Slip Float Style

[Crestliner2008]

Not sure how many of you have ever tried to fish a wacky-rigged Senko under a slip bobber before? I've been fishing this rig for 2 full seasons now and I've got to tell you folks, it's a great way to present a Senko, especially with a second rod (where legal) while you are working the first with a crank, tube or hard jerkbait. Keeps the action going, if you know what I mean!

Some folks have asked me how I do my rigging with this presentation. It's difficult to put it into words, so I took a snapshot, which should help you get a better idea of what I'm talking about:

The bobber stops can be found at any sporting goods store - even WalMarts. They have the stop set-ups & small plastic beads in the package. You can find the cigar floats at Dicks; you can use all kinds of slip floats in this application, but after trial & error, I've pretty much settled on this one. It's about 4" long and the bright colors make it easy to see, even in a decent chop.

I've chosen Fireline Chrystal, as my main line, because it stays on the surface of the water, between the float and your rod tip. This makes slack retrieval much easier, as well as the hook-set (which we will talk about later). And, for me, it's easy to see! The glass bead under the float prevents the eye of the crane swivel from sticking in the bottom of the float. (There actually is a method behind my madness, believe it or not!)

Do NOT use a barrel swivel! You know....the kind that are used with "snap-swivels". Use a quality crane swivel or ball bearing style only. These turn much easier than the barrel types. The Senko hanging below a bobber, has a tendency to turn....so you will need to avoid line twist, as much as possible. I really like to use the Spro Powerswivels, size #8 or #10, but they are expensive and not easy to find everywhere.

You can use any hook you want; however, I would highly recommend you give this one shown a try. I've had excellent results with it over the years. When the bobber goes under, you just start reeling her in! The leader between the hook & swivel is anything you want it to be. If I'm fishing fairly shallow in weedy/wooded conditions for LM, I'll beef it up to about 10# test - or more! But for open water SM fishing, the 6# test cited above is about as good as it gets.

Now....the most important part! How far up the line to you set the bobber stop? This is what I do. I find bait on the structure I'm fishing. Then I attach an ice fishing depth finder - the lead weights with the alligator clips molded into them - to the hook. I lower this boatside until it hits bottom. I slide the bobber stop so that the float is about 2' underwater. This will be correct for having your Senko presented 2' ABOVE THE BOTTOM. Got that? Simple...effective. Remove the depth finder, slip on a Senko, wacky style. Cast it a short distance from the boat. The float will lay flat, until the Senko is at the end of it's travel. Now the float will semi-stand up, bouncing about and imparting a rather dramatic action to your wacky rigged Senko.

I've caught SM, LM, salmon, lake trout, and white perch with this rigging. It's especially effective when the bite is tough. When the bite is on, I prefer more aggressive presentations, but for us old folks, this rig can be a God send - when the arms give out especially! Give it a whirl next time you go fishing. I have a strong feeling that you'll always keep one rod rigged this way, once you try it!

[Sam]

Using a "bobber" with any plastic can work.

In the past I have not used a Senko but a six-inch Zoom finesse worm.

It is an OK presentation but I like to cast and reel a lot so I do not practice the bobber technique.

I also had some trouble with the fish (bass, crappie, bream, catfish) swallowing the hook.  

[clipper]

I saw a post on the smallmouth forum a few weeks ago about this techniqe (it may have been yours) and wanted to try it for spots instead of using a float-n-fly with a 9' rod.  I appreciate your post and the details and I will give it a try the next time I get out.  I had already purchased the slip float and bobber stop.  I will need to make sure I have a line that will float good as I think the copolymer I currently use will tend to sink.  After reading Charlie Brewer's book on Slider fishing, I have come to the conclusion that if you can catch inactive suspended fish you have a much better chance of catching fish in all kinds of weather and conditions.  Thanks again for the post.  

[Crestliner2008]

Hey Sam....if you use the hook outlined above, you won't have any problem with them swallowing it. They are lip hooked 90%+ of the time. I've had great success with it.