Increasing Hook Ups With Senkos

[basslover12345]

How do you guys increase the number of hook ups with baits like wacky rigged senkos? Any modifacations to the hooks?

[hookingem]

No modifications to the hook just the right hook

[zachb34]

I've seen people twist the bend of the hook a bit you can try different hook sizes I also use braid for my senkos.

[Bassn Blvd]

I only T-rig my senko's and I have about 98% hook-up ratio. In fact, if I set the hook then I bet my hook up ratio is higher than 98%. I aslo bet over 95% of the fish are hooked in the corner of the jawl or in the upper lip. How often do use Senkos? I go through about 4-6 bags a month on average per year.

Here's what I use:

3/0 Octopus hooks.

[Bluebasser86]

The right hook is important and so is the right rod. Since you're using an open hook you don't need a big meat stick to drive that hook home but you don't want an ultralite either. I have a 6' 8" M/F spinning rod with 8lb floro I use for wacky rigging and don't miss many fish at all. For a hook I like a 1/0 or 2/0 mosquito hook.

[tentimesover]

I've been using the Owner 2/0 weedless hook recently to good advantage with the Senkos rigged Wacky style. I also use the "O" rings and believe it makes it easier to get the hook placed in the jaw. The "O" ring does tend to tear the soft Senkos where it is placed. I've just purchased some shrink wrap and am looking forward to see if it is better at maintaining the Senko.

[basslover12345]

The senkos I am using are 4 1/2 inch Case magic sticks, I was originally fishing the senkos with a 7' medium Berkley cherrywood rod, but because of all the fish i was losing, I switched to a stiffer, 6'6 spinnerbait rod and still miss fish. I have been using a 3/0 hook. The thing is, is it feels like the bass will bite, but then pull off. I've tried adding JJ's magic and they still pull off. Also, I've set my drag to slip when I set the hook so I do not pull the bait away from the bass, which has helped a little. Most of the bass that i do land have either swallowed the hook, or are hooked in the bony part in the side of their mouth.

[Grey Wolf]

Senko's are a brand name only , they are one of many stick baits out there so you are not technically fishing a senko just an off-shoot of the original stik-bait.

O.K. I'll shutup now.

[basslover12345]

Also, I am using 8-10 pound test monofilament and sometimes fluorocarbon

[tomustang]

The problems not really the hook, but the smaller fish biting the rigged worm, even bluegill will strike violently at one of the ends and not where the hook is

[basslover12345]

The thing is that i will usually feel a THUMP!, then slowly lean into the fish and will have them coming towards me, or sometimes going paralell and in a few seconds they pull off

[North Ga Hillbilly]

I might switch line, but I am new to senkos myself. I have sat there and watched two ~6" bass each grab an end and fight over it for 30 seconds, which felt like one single bass chewing on it like a piece of double bubble. Might just be alot of small fish messing around with it. if your using 5" senkos you might switch to the shorter ones, id probably increase #s, however I expect alot would be dinks.

NGaHB

[basslover12345]

I've been using 4 1/2 inch ones, and where I am fishing a 14 inch fish is a big fish

[jdw174]

How do you guys increase the number of hook ups with baits like wacky rigged senkos? Any modifacations to the hooks?

Either a #1 or a 1/0 Owner Wacky Hook. Haven't lost a fish yet using those.

[basscrusher]

If a 14 incher is a big fish...sounds like you are fishing something like my favorite smallmouth stream. You could try something I use on O-ring wacky rigged Senkos...size 4 Gamakatsu Octopus circle hooks. I also use the Gamakatsu split shot/drop shot hooks in sizes 1, 2 and 4, depending on the size of fish present. Many anglers use too big a hook in certain situations. 5/0 EWG hooks have their time and place...and so do the smaller finesse hooks.

[basslover12345]

Why is a 7' flexible rod not good for Senkos, but a 6'6 rod works better?

[Bassn Blvd]

The senkos I am using are 4 1/2 inch Case magic sticks, I was originally fishing the senkos with a 7' medium Berkley cherrywood rod, but because of all the fish i was losing, I switched to a stiffer, 6'6 spinnerbait rod and still miss fish. I have been using a 3/0 hook. The thing is, is it feels like the bass will bite, but then pull off. I've tried adding JJ's magic and they still pull off. Also, I've set my drag to slip when I set the hook so I do not pull the bait away from the bass, which has helped a little. Most of the bass that i do land have either swallowed the hook, or are hooked in the bony part in the side of their mouth.

You don't want your drag to slip when setting the hook so tighten it down. Your drag being tight is NOT what's keeping you from hooking fish.

[K_Mac]

Why is a 7' flexible rod not good for Senkos, but a 6'6 rod works better?

The difference from 6'6" to 7' or more is largely about preference IMO. I use 5" and 6" wacky rigged Senkos/knock-offs all the time. I use either a 7' MXF baicaster w/12# CXX or a 6'6" MF spinning setup w/8# CXX. I generally use the baitcast in stained water/ heavier cover and spinning gear in clear/open water.

[BassThumb]

Could the missed strikes have been from panfish? Sunfish love to peck at wacky-rigged soft plastics. There's not much you can do about that. A bite from a bass doesn't really feel much different, so it can be frustrating at times trying to figure out which is which.

When I get a bite in panfish infested waters, I wait for a half second, then slowly tighten the line to feel for any weight. If I do feel weight, I do a sweeping, sidearm hookset while reeling fast. I've had better luck doing his rather than a harder 3/4 hookset like if I were fishing a Texas rigged Senko. There's really no hurry to set the hook on Yamamoto Senkos, because a bass is in no hurry to spit them out. Take your time and feel for weight before setting the hook, and you'll end up with fewer torn baits.

[basslover12345]

I know there not panfish because I either see the bass flash on or eat the lure on the fall and sometimes bring them to the surface when reeling them in? Could a 3/0 Straight shank hook make a difference?

[CoBass]

I've modified my hookset for wacky rigging and it really upped my hook up ratio. Instead of a sweeping motion or the swinging for the fences, rip their lips off hookset, I simply drop my rod tip just enough to create a little bit of slack, then pop it straight up. The popping action is all wrist, not the power hookset using biceps and forearm strength. To me, it feels like I'm applying a lot more speed than power to the hook. But as someone said earlier, its an exposed hook so you don't need to load up on it as much to get penetration.

I will say that I'm in a similar situation to the original poster. Anything over fifteen inches is considered a pretty respectable bass in my neck of the woods. Not sure how well this would work on larger fish.

[basslover12345]

Yea, I think my hook sets may be part of the problem, I was out with a proffessional bass guide a month or two ago fishing on a private pond and he watched me fish and told me sometimes I don't even set the hook, I just lean into the fish.

[Sam]

Some things to consider when using Senkos:

1. The bass will take it and run.

2. You will feel two bumps. Sometimes no bumps as they will just inhale it and swim slowly away or just sit there.

3. Let the fish run with it.

4. Watch your line as it will move right to left or left to right.

5. Depending on your excitement level, let the fish run for two or three seconds before setting the hook.

6. Set the hook as stated above, hard over your head.

7. Keep all slack out of line when battling the bass.

8. If the bass jumps, put rod tip in the water to stop the jumping.

9. ALWAYS have a needle nose pliers with you to remove hook.

10. Check the depth of hook in bass' mouth. Too deep means you need to set the hook faster; too shallow means you let them have it for another second.

11. Use scent on Senkos so they will hold onto it longer. MegaStrike works very good.

12. When reeling in a wacky rigged Senko be aware that a bass may hit it on the way in. Not often, but it has happened to me a number of times.

No matter how you rig your Senko YOU HAVE TO LET THE BASS RUN WITH IT so WATCH YOUR LINE and keep your fingers on the line to feel the bump-bump.

Smaller bass and bluegills will also hit the Senko which can drive you wacky. It is part of the fun of fishing a Senko.

Use the smallest hook you feel comfortable. I use a 1/0 or 2/0 weedless hook as I throw the Senko in cover and structure and the weedless hook helps reduce the snags but does not interfere with the hook set.

Also, use the shrink wrap to hold your hook. Let me know if you need to have the details and I will PM them to you.

You can throw a Senko on either a baitcaster or spinning rig. Your preference. I like a baitcaster as I use 12 to 17 pound line although I do scale down in certain situations and use a spinning rig with 8 pound test.

Medium heavy rod with fast action tip is a good selection. Review the rod's specifications to match with the reel's paramaters and you are ready to go.

Be sure to do as stated above and "balance" your baitcaster, including the drag, when changing baits every time. PM me and I can send you the directions to balance your bait with your baitcaster setup.

When fishing the Senkos, start with the 5-inch size. No takers, go down to the 4-inch size.

Watch your colors. Watermelon, Junebug and Greenpumpkin with black flake are three good colors depeding on the water clarity.

If they don't want the Texas rigged Senkos go with a wacky setup. If neither, go with a drop shot or Flick Shake using a wacky rigged Senko.

Senkos are soft and they will tear. If you use the shrink wrap you can use one Senko over and over until a bass throws it or it tears in half.

Good luck and let us know how you do fishing the Senko.

[Sam]

P.S. I forgot to tell you that you do not need to add a sinker when fishing Senkos.

Let the bait drop using its own weight.

It will fall slowly which is why it can drive the bass nuts when they see it floating to the bottom.

After casting it out, let it sit on the bottom for 30-seconds. An eternity. Then, gently raise your rod tip one or two inches and bring it back to you.

Remember, for every inch you move your rod tip upwards the bait on the bottom will move 6-inches off the bottom.

Let the Senko sit again for about 5 to 10 seconds and move it again until it is either out of your strike area or you want to move it faster to recast.

The fish will tell you if you are to fish the Senko slow or fast so remember EVERYTHING after catching the first bass on a Senko (and all other baits).

You will then be establishing your pattern for the day.

Have fun and send pics!!!!

[Sam]

P.S.S. Check out the Senko information on this Forum.

Look for it and read, read and read some more.