josh.schreiber
Well-known member
Any senko masters here? I tried them for the first time yesterday and was pleased w/ what little I know. Ive been reading up on how to fish them, but I'm looking for any 'masters tips.'
thanks
thanks
senkos
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Bprice
Well-known member
Senkos are my number one go to bait. I prefer using a Gammy 2/0 offset worm hook. I always leave the tip exposed slightly for better penetration. There are times I go weightless and there are times I will add anywhere from a 1/8 oz to 1/2 oz texas rigged bullet weight. If I was fishing ponds like you do mostly, I would always go weightless, since the ponds don't experience high levels of current. The natural weightless drop of a senko is dynamite in fairly calm conditions. On the river, I will add a weight to work to my advantage with current. I mostly swim the bait, with occasional drops and sharp jumps. There are situations when I want to use a senko deep (did this on Nickajack), and I will fish ledges with it. I fish it just like I would a jig. At times I believe its better because of the slender profile, and its something deep fish don't see a lot. I typically use the 5 inch version for these situations.</p>
Senkos can also be effective in small streams (upper PR River, Flint River, etc...)... but I will turn to a 3-4" version of the bait, for a smaller profile that fits well with the clearer waters. I like natural colors.</p>
Also, I don't use Yamamoto's baits anymore... they simply can't hold up as well as others, and are very expensive. I am sold on Mann's Hardnose Freefall in Watermelon Black Metal Fleck color. However I only find it in the 5" version. Yama makes the smaller versions.</p>
Senkos can also be effective in small streams (upper PR River, Flint River, etc...)... but I will turn to a 3-4" version of the bait, for a smaller profile that fits well with the clearer waters. I like natural colors.</p>
Also, I don't use Yamamoto's baits anymore... they simply can't hold up as well as others, and are very expensive. I am sold on Mann's Hardnose Freefall in Watermelon Black Metal Fleck color. However I only find it in the 5" version. Yama makes the smaller versions.</p>
finbully
Well-known member
try 'em wacky rigged too...
Pointer 78
Well-known member
I agree with Brandon on everything but the brand. Yep, Senkos are expensive and they tear easily, but they're worth every penny. Try the watermelon/blue/copper (perfect bluegill imitator) around grasslines and laydowns.
m17glock
Well-known member
and yet another opinion/style emoBigsmile i prefer the tiki wave worm. it has a great action and a very unique licorice
kind of smell. i normally rig them "reverse" texas rig with a nail weight in the tail. this way it can get in and out of lots of nasty brush and trees with out getting hung up .
kind of smell. i normally rig them "reverse" texas rig with a nail weight in the tail. this way it can get in and out of lots of nasty brush and trees with out getting hung up .
keithcatfish
Active member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2006
- Messages
- 35
Wacky Senko + skipping cast + docks on sunny, post-spawn days = lots of bass.
team-d
Well-known member
Try the Wack-O, much cheaper, hold up much better, and in my opinion catches fish just as well http://www.wackyworm.com/wwwacko.html
Dropshot
Well-known member
Bprice posted a good review...I will actually add a small "bull shot 1/64 or 1/32 oz weight to make it fall a tad faster) if needed. I normally use a 3" for drosphot, a 4" for general fishing trying to catch numbers and a 5" when looking for bigger fish. You really cannot fish it wrong. I like to cast it and slowly drag it back to the boat. Watch your line as many times the fish will pick it up and run. I also will fish it wacky style at times and texas rig occasionally.
I have tried many knock-offs including Yum Dingers, Kinami Baits, Bass Pro's Stik-O's, Netbaits Salt Stick, Mann's Hardnose, and Zooms Z-Nail. They all look and act a little different in the water. I am so used to the original that I have a hard time fishing the others, but will fish the Yum Dinger at times (Colors) or the Mann's (does not come off the hook as easy).
It used to be my number one bait. In recent years I have worked to become more versatile and start fishing a jig and spinnerbait a little more.
I have tried many knock-offs including Yum Dingers, Kinami Baits, Bass Pro's Stik-O's, Netbaits Salt Stick, Mann's Hardnose, and Zooms Z-Nail. They all look and act a little different in the water. I am so used to the original that I have a hard time fishing the others, but will fish the Yum Dinger at times (Colors) or the Mann's (does not come off the hook as easy).
It used to be my number one bait. In recent years I have worked to become more versatile and start fishing a jig and spinnerbait a little more.
Bprice
Well-known member
Agreed Dropshot and Pointer... I feel the Yama Senko has the best action, but I am a broke engaged sap who needs to save his money 
One day when coffers are more full, I'm going to the Original.
One day when coffers are more full, I'm going to the Original.We have fished them for years and have found that few brands produce fish as good as the yamamoto and kinami.
We bought an off brand in bulk off the internet, and caught fish with them, but not nearly as many as the brands stated above.
The salt impregnation has alot to do with it.
They are not very durable, but I dont think thats the point. Some senkos are good for multiple fish, and some are demolished after 1 fish.
I think the $5.00 you spend per pack is well worth the volume of fish you can catch on them.
I mostly use them weightless with a wide gap hook.
We bought an off brand in bulk off the internet, and caught fish with them, but not nearly as many as the brands stated above.
The salt impregnation has alot to do with it.
They are not very durable, but I dont think thats the point. Some senkos are good for multiple fish, and some are demolished after 1 fish.
I think the $5.00 you spend per pack is well worth the volume of fish you can catch on them.
I mostly use them weightless with a wide gap hook.
Triton4Bass
Well-known member
Senkos are good, the Yum Dingers work just as well. Its according to where and how your fishing, right now weightless should be doing well since the fish are coming up. Flats, humps, main river/lake pockets, and points are ideal for a weighless senko. Start deeper and work your way up to shallow water as the temp rises. Weightless ones have a more natural action which makes them more affective in my opinion. Good luck!
josh.schreiber
Well-known member
'preciate all the input guys
josh.schreiber
Well-known member
The fall has definitely been the best probucer for me. See Bprice's advie above. I started out twitching the bait back to the top between falls, but quickly found that sharper jerks illicited more strikes. Simple swimming the bait back draws strikes too (thanks Brandon) as the bait sort of sashays back and forth. best of luck
Fuzzy
Well-known member
I use them all the way up to 7in Yum Dingers. I also don't like the expense and wear rate of the yamamotos. I fish them wacky, texas, carolina and weight/weightless. One of the most versatile.
Fuzz
Fuzz
G
Guest
Guest
Have to say that the original see to work the best, they are softer and not as durable but when they get picky they still eat the senko, when the yum and tiki go right by. Also, in the heavy grass of guntersville the larger fish seem to prefer that 7in size. But you better be hold n on.emoDoh
Pointer 78
Well-known member
Gary Yamamoto made the first and still the best.
i catch lots of fish on them (gyama.) i don't get near the bites on the other brands and i hate to pay $5.99 for a 10 pack because they do tear up bad, but due to them having so much salt in them they cast a mile unweighted and due to the softness i think the fish think they are something alive over the others. i usually just rig it texas style weightless on 10 lb line on a spinning rod. they skip way back under docks like this and in real hot july and aug. weather when no one is catching much, i can still have a lot of fun even though the fish are small i can still catch big numbers just to keep from being bored.
i never have done very well rigging them wacky style but you can put a small o-ring in the center of them and hook your hook to it and this is supposed to make each bait last through a few more fish. i do buy other brands to be cheap! but in tournamnets i use gyc's. i subscribe to a free newsletter from gyc and it has good info on how to use all of his baits along with some others too lots of good info especially the articles written by basdozer i will try and list the link if i get a chance, if i don't google it and subscibe it comes every week i think with lot of good reading.
i never have done very well rigging them wacky style but you can put a small o-ring in the center of them and hook your hook to it and this is supposed to make each bait last through a few more fish. i do buy other brands to be cheap! but in tournamnets i use gyc's. i subscribe to a free newsletter from gyc and it has good info on how to use all of his baits along with some others too lots of good info especially the articles written by basdozer i will try and list the link if i get a chance, if i don't google it and subscibe it comes every week i think with lot of good reading.
