Using Senkos

[USMCEOD]

I've read everywhere about Senkos and how good they are. From what Ive seen there basically there a worm looking thing in all kinds of whacked out colors but no one really shows how to fish them. You are talking to a crankbait whore so fishing rubber is a tad out of my league, but I've been practicing jigging with some success so I am on the right track. Any help would be appreaciated.

[swmfdotcom]

You wanna use a Texas rig for Senko's
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/icast-senko.jpg

[Final Cast]

I've read everywhere about Senkos and how good they are. From what Ive seen there basically there a worm looking thing in all kinds of whacked out colors but no one really shows how to fish them. You are talking to a crankbait whore so fishing rubber is a tad out of my league, but I've been practicing jigging with some success so I am on the right track. Any help would be appreaciated.


All you do is cast them out and let them flutter down to the bottom keeping a little slack in your line. Wait a few minutes them twich them back to the boat/shore and repeat. Wacky rig them with the hook in the middle of the bait. This alows for the most action. In weedy areas where you can get hung up, simply t-rig them. You can skip them under docks, drag them over lilly pads etc. Now is not the best time to use them though. I would stick to your cranks and spinnerbaits right now. It takes patients to fish these baits and you need to throw them where there is fish. There are baits out there that cover more water but when the bite is tough, they can be deadly.:SHOCKED:

[waterfoul]

You wanna use a Texas rig for Senko's
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/icast-senko.jpg

Unless you are throwing it into relatively heavy weed cover... whacky will out fish texas most days of the week.

[USMCEOD]

Thanks Ya I read Spring and summer are the senko months. I've been doing descent with the Ol Beetle spin and jigging a white grub. Is there a certain way to hook the senko on a wacky rig ? It seems maybe only one time thru it might not be enough.

[waterfoul]

right thru the middle. Or get yourself a O-whacky tool and put the o-ring around the worm and the hook thru that. Saves you a ton of senkos... especialy when the bite is on.

[USMCEOD]

How would you setup the rig if you are using it wacky style? Because I imagine you wouldn't use like a TRig Hook and a bullet weight just sitting there above the worm. Thanks for the info

[waterfoul]

How would you setup the rig if you are using it wacky style? Because I imagine you wouldn't use like a TRig Hook and a bullet weight just sitting there above the worm. Thanks for the info


Simply poke the hook thru the middle of the worm so it dangles off each side. I like a 1/0 Gamagatzu extra wide gap. I have a pretty high hook up ratio with this hook. Some like a circle hook, but I find I "gut hook" a lot more fish with that hook than with the EWG. NO WEIGHT!!!

Here's a couple pics from way back when I first started fishing senkos... I no longer use these hooks, but you get the idea. First one shows the o-ring method. The second one shows the hook simply poked thru the middle of the hook.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/senko_vs_Strike_king_001_Large_.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/senko_vs_Strike_king_003_Large_.jpg

[icefishermanmark]

I'm not a fan of the wacky rig, butI'll ocasionally do it. I believe that using a heavy hook is the key to fishing effectively and fast. The lure falls quite a bit faster, but my no means does it sink like a rock. This allows you to fish a little more efficiently. It works for me. I catch tons of fish with them. A prefer a 4/0 Gamakatsu, but I make sure they're the real thick ones.

[waterfoul]

Man that's a big hook... but for t-rigging it that's about right. Whenever I feel the need to t-rig a senko I pick up a my t-rig rod and put a swimsenko on it.

[FishermanJohn]

My method is to t-rig a 4" or 5" senko on a 2/0 gamakatsu with no additional weight. Cast it out. Let it slowly sink and then sit for a while before lifting your rod tip, reeling in some line, and letting it sink again. You should take your time with each cast.

I sometimes wacky rig; it sinks slower and the action is a more lively. I use a circle hook, and I have never gut hooked a fish yet. I don't use this method that often because it just doesn't produce for me for whatever reason. I recommend picking up the wacky rigging tool. It's easier, and it saves your senkos from getting torn up as quickly.

[Jason Ammerman]

LEAVE THE SENKO'S AT HOME! Keep using the jig if you want to catch the big ones senkos are great for a 11 to 12 lb sack. A big jig on heavy line will put more pounds in the boat 99% of the time if you learn how to use it right.

Just my 2cents.

[waterfoul]

You'll all have to excuse Jason. He knows nothing of fishing for fun... he's addicted to tournament fishing...

[USMCEOD]

LOL Well to be completely honest I've bagged more fish by jigging then any other way. I'ma ctually getting good at it. But the key to any good fisherman is to know all the ways to fish and to fish them well.

[sfw1960]

You'll all have to excuse Jason. He knows nothing of fishing for fun... he's addicted to tournament fishing...

(Sounds like someone I know)

TALK ABOUT CALLIN TH' KETTLE BLACK!!!!!

schWEET!! jEEzUz!!!

Mr. "I gotta compete for EVERYTHING" himself.......
:rolleyes:

You don't "set the hook" with circle hooks Mike , just lift and they hook themselves.
I know it's a tough pill for "Bill Dance Junior" to swallow too.
:cwm27:
:lol:

[waterfoul]

And not setting the hook is exactly why I tend to throat hook more fish with circle hooks.. and why I don't use them.

[sfw1960]

You aren't suposed to let 'em SWALLOW it!

[msunolimit]

LEAVE THE SENKO'S AT HOME! Keep using the jig if you want to catch the big ones senkos are great for a 11 to 12 lb sack. A big jig on heavy line will put more pounds in the boat 99% of the time if you learn how to use it right.

Just my 2cents.

lol, guess u didn't read the ryerson thread (22.10 lbs caught on senkos/worms)... look in my profile at bass caught on senkos...

Also, while prefishing a lake you suggested (Crockery), Mikey and I (mostly mike) caught a 14.5lb limit in 1.5 hours, with 4 coming on soft plastics (including a 4.5lber).

If you have patience and know how to locate fish, toss a senko. Just my take on it.

Whacky rigged yamamoto on a 1/0 or 2/0 gamakatsu hook. use hi vis (yellow) line as you can 'see' bites you may not feel.

[Final Cast]

Senkos have a time and place as do big jig and pigs, spinnerbaits etc. I would agree that other lures will put larger bass in the boat. Just got to give the fish what they want. I see alot of people talking constantly about senkos and drop shot for bass. There are a lot of other techniqes out there that work also.

[sfw1960]

Senkos have a time and place as do big jig and pigs, spinnerbaits etc. I would agree that other lures will put larger bass in the boat. Just got to give the fish what they want. I see alot of people talking constantly about senkos and drop shot for bass. There are a lot of other techniqes out there that work also.


:yeahthat::yeahthat::yeahthat:
Don't get caught in one mode....
:tsk:

[waterfoul]

Fishing only one (or even two) methods will kill you. This is why I keep up to 8 differently rigged rods on deck when I'm fishing. There are days when I will throw every one of them... then there are days when I don't put down the drop senko/dropshot/shakeyhead/texas rigged worm rods.

[sfw1960]

Fishing only one (or even two) methods will kill you. This is why I keep up to 8 differently rigged rods on deck when I'm fishing. There are days when I will throw every one of them... then there are days when I don't put down the drop senko/dropshot/shakeyhead/texas rigged worm rods.
Usually the days that end in "y" !

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Justin told me about you...LOL!

[Jason Ammerman]

lol, guess u didn't read the ryerson thread (22.10 lbs caught on senkos/worms)... look in my profile at bass caught on senkos...

Also, while prefishing a lake you suggested (Crockery), Mikey and I (mostly mike) caught a 14.5lb limit in 1.5 hours, with 4 coming on soft plastics (including a 4.5lber).

If you have patience and know how to locate fish, toss a senko. Just my take on it.

Whacky rigged yamamoto on a 1/0 or 2/0 gamakatsu hook. use hi vis (yellow) line as you can 'see' bites you may not feel.


$20,000.00 won last year and over $10,000.00 this year by me and my partner gary all in tournaments in michigan on the west side of the state all flippin a Jig or Sweat Beaver. last year we had 10 sacks over 16lbs this year 8 sacks over 16lbs I had 5 fish for 21.11 at fremont in the fall, and last year 2 18+ lb sacks, You guys may get more bites than I do but I will put my flippin stick up against your fairy wand any day, lake, and for any amount of money.

Jigs get bigger bites. Look at the pro tournaments the last 20 years no lure has won more money than the jig. Up till this year the record weight was caught flippin, One of the all time money winners is the 2nd best flipper in the world.

There is no argument, The Jig is a better big fish bait than a senko, shakey head, or drop shot.

Like I said the fairy wand will get more bites but day in and day out it will not beat the flippin stick or a deep jig.

[waterfoul]

Getting kinda personal there Jason with the fairy wand comments. Not a good idea. You have to remember that MOST of the guys on this site are NOT tournament fisherman... and not looking for that big sack of fish in 3-6 hours of fishing like you are.

By the way, fished against you 3 times this year... finished ahead of you every time, including first on Fremont with Hawghunters with over 16 lbs... two of which were on senkos... one on shakey head... one on a crank bait... and one on a beaver. 22 lb sack out of Ryerson... 3 fish on drop shot, 2 on senkos. On certain days they do have their use. Not all days, but some anyway. First place with 16.65 lbs out of Hardy at a charity tournament earlier this summer... 4 fish on senkos. Second place at Wabasis for the Gander Mountain Classic with about 9.5 lbs (which as I'm sure most people know is a pretty good sack out of that lake). 3 fish on senkos, 2 on drop shot including our big fish at 3.2 lbs (which again, is a pretty decent fish for Wabasis). We were .1 lbs out of first place on that day.

Heck, even on the lake you suggested and then backed out of this past Saturday, the biggest fish of the day came on a senko. 3 lbs 13 oz.

So, all I'm saying is don't throw stones.. you may find boulders being tossed back.

[Jason Ammerman]

Getting kinda personal there Jason with the fairy wand comments. Not a good idea. You have to remember that MOST of the guys on this site are NOT tournament fisherman... and not looking for that big sack of fish in 3-6 hours of fishing like you are.

By the way, fished against you 3 times this year... finished ahead of you every time, including first on Fremont with Hawghunters with over 16 lbs... two of which were on senkos. 22 lb sack out of Ryerson... 3 fish on drop shot, 2 on senkos. On certain days they do have their use. Not all days, but some anyway. First place with 16.65 lbs out of Hardy at a charity tournament earlier this summer... 4 fish on senkos. Second place at Wabasis for the Gander Mountain Classic with about 9.5 lbs (which as I'm sure most people know is a pretty good sack out of that lake). 3 fish on senkos, 2 on drop shot including our big fish at 3.2 lbs (which again, is a pretty decent fish for Wabasis).

So, all I'm saying is don't throw stones.. you may find boulders being tossed back.

You know you should not have won at fremont you had a dead fish and as i recall I had .25lbs less than you with 3 fish and I had big bass (5.98) I did not fish ryerson, and I did not fish the hardy tournament. I did not weigh my fish at Reeds because I knew bob and cris had more weight than i did oh and they got there fish on jigs, I think my student mark beat you guys at big or little whitefish on a jig.

I did not make it personal I gave the fairy wand it due, you took it personal.

As far as going out for 3 to 6 hours why would you not want to catch the biggest fish you can? every time I go fishing I am trying to learn how to catch bigger fish, it is not hard to go out and catch 14" fish my 7 year old daughter can do that with out my help. That is like saying you go golfing to swig the club not put the ball in the hole, If you are fishing for table fare i can understand that.

You can come up with what ever argument you want on this issue but do not bring tournaments in to the disscusion I will give you 100 reasons to your 1 why the (jig flippin bite) will beat the fairy wand.

All I tried to do was help this guy out on his Bass fishing, I have been Bass fishing for over 20 years I have fished all over the country I have a lot of experiance to share if you guy's don't want to hear it that is fine.

To any of you guys that want advice on bass fishing just IM me and I will get back to you, I have no problem sharing what I know. But I won't have anyone call me out on beating me when they did not.

[waterfoul]

We'd love to hear your experiences Jason... but the word "Fairy" is derogitory in ANYONE'S book, and I think you know that.

Besides, the original title to this thread was Senko Fishing. Not jig fishing.

Got the September/October edition of Bass Master? Near the back are all the months tournament results. Santee Cooper, 3rd place Ken Ellis using a Senko. High Rock Lake, 2nd place Brian Snowden using a Senko. Smith Mountain Lake, Takahiro Omori, 3rd place using a Senko. I realize I didn't put a 1st place name in there... but these guys made a TON of money where they finished.

So, I guess even big money pros keep some senkos in their boats.

Oh, and the fish was alive when we weighed it in... ask Chris, or Chris, or Roger (who did check it).

See you next year Jason... until then please go ahead and share your experiences with us!

[Jason Ammerman]

We'd love to hear your experiences Jason... but the word "Fairy" is derogitory in ANYONE'S book, and I think you know that.

Besides, the original title to this thread was Senko Fishing. Not jig fishing.

Got the September/October edition of Bass Master? Near the back are all the months tournament results. Santee Cooper, 3rd place Ken Ellis using a Senko. High Rock Lake, 2nd place Brian Snowden using a Senko. Smith Mountain Lake, Takahiro Omori, 3rd place using a Senko. I realize I didn't put a 1st place name in there... but these guys made a TON of money where they finished.

So, I guess even big money pros keep some senkos in their boats.

Oh, and the fish was alive when we weighed it in... ask Chris, or Chris, or Roger (who did check it).

See you next year Jason... until then please go ahead and share your experiences with us!


WOW THAT FISHED DIED FROM THE 5 STEPS IT TOOK YOU TO GET FROM THE SCALE TO THE RAMP! Oh and I did ask roger about that and he told me that one got by him, and cris balk said somthing to roger after the weigh in and roger also told him that it got by him.

YOU SHOULD COME TO THE MEETING THIS WINTER FOR THE HAWG HUNTERS. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU AT ALL THE TOURNAMENTS NEXT YEAR.

[sfw1960]

I think "fairy wand" is "cute" Jason...LOL!
What baits did those first place bassmassaH guys use??
:evilsmile
Something I'd like to add is:
We ain't 'down south' so the bassmaster article(s) doesn't really apply here in Mi. fall conditions, AND Senk0s are a dead stick thing ( not that they don't work OR produce fish ) and fEEsHiN' a JIG takes sKiLLz and I respect Jason for that.
:evilsmile

Jiggers are baaad , baaad men ......
Especially if you can get them to bite with their MOUTH.
:lol:
I'm grateful to learn ANYTHING from ANYBODY - this includes Jason and MikeY.
ESPECIALLY fish related.
Do share guys !!!

;)

Jigs are like cranks ; "The puppet is no better than the puppeteer"

COPY?????

[waterfoul]

I go to all the tournaments I can that work out with my schedule, or fall within what I consider "decent" driving range. Skipped McLaren this year.. didn't feel like driving that far (I'm on the south side of grand rapids) and skipped Townline because I had something else going on that weekend. Other than that I like the Hawg Hunters tournies.

As for the fish... like I said... alive when we put it in the tub for weigh as far as I know. Ed took care of the fish that day (his boat, his livewell, his fish) so as far as I know it was alive when weighed in... sorry if you feel otherwise.

See you next season.

[Sixshooter]

Mike

What is it about you that everybody feels the need to argue with you?

I especially love the line. I've been bass fishing for over 20 years...blah blah blah....

Hell when I was 8 years old my friends and I would walk down to the local marina and catch bunches of bass on worms and bobbers....WHOOOHOOOO....

[waterfoul]

Not sure Six... 20 years isn't that long either!! Got that beat by 15 years myself.


So, are the whities in yet??? There's some EASY fishing!! LOL!!!

[Sixshooter]

Now Whitties....Talk about a fish that LOVE senkos....Can't beat them off with a stick....

Not sure but I doubt it. I'm sure the waters are still WAY to warm...

I'm in Rockford ILL right now for training. And there are frost advisories...So maybe fall has finally arrived?

PS.

I didn't realized you were old balls dude....
Of course the last time I seen you though you were way back watching my tailights fade in the distance....:evilsmile

[msunolimit]

I'm smelling a challenge in the works....It'd be interesting to see how things played out...Granted, with Jason's 20+ years of fishing experience (compared to my 23 years of AGE), I'm not sure I'd be worth anything in the backseat...

I guess my question is, Jason, if you're as good as you say, why back out of a tourney on a lake you know so well (Crockery)? I mean, all fishing aside...If you say you're going to do something (i.e. saying you were IN for the tourney), DO IT...I'm sure you're a great fisherman, so don't take it personally...

[waterfoul]

Yeah Six... older than I look (or act sometimes!).

Frost advisorys here too... lows in the 20's in some places. It's 39 right now and I finally had to turn the furnace on for the first time this year.

[Final Cast]

Wow, this thread went in a different direction since I last viewed it. I do have to agree with Jason about the jig n pig. They don't call it the "Million Dollar Bait" for nothing. Like any other lure, you have to be good enough to use it. All lures have their place but the jig n pig is a big bass lure.

DISCLAIMER. I am in no way shape or form challenging anyone to a tourney. I know when I am outclassed. Just writing some observations I have made from watching the pros on TV and my own experience. Please don't hurt me.:lol::hide:

[waterfoul]

Wow, this thread went in a different direction since I last viewed it. I do have to agree with Jason about the jig n pig. They don't call it the "Million Dollar Bait" for nothing. Like any other lure, you have to be good enough to use it. All lures have their place but the jig n pig is a big bass lure.

DISCLAIMER. I am in no way shape or form challenging anyone to a tourney. I know when I am outclassed. Just writing some observations I have made from watching the pros on TV and my own experience. Please don't hurt me.:lol::hide:


But, the title lf the thread is still "Using Senkos" LOL!!! :D

And I always have a jig and pig rod in the boat.

[Jason Ammerman]

I'm smelling a challenge in the works....It'd be interesting to see how things played out...Granted, with Jason's 20+ years of fishing experience (compared to my 23 years of AGE), I'm not sure I'd be worth anything in the backseat...

I guess my question is, Jason, if you're as good as you say, why back out of a tourney on a lake you know so well (Crockery)? I mean, all fishing aside...If you say you're going to do something (i.e. saying you were IN for the tourney), DO IT...I'm sure you're a great fisherman, so don't take it personally...


I thought the tournament was on sunday, I had a football game to go to on sat,

Any weekend works for me, I am going up north this weekend to fish long lake. but after that i am free. We can take my boat or yours.

[sfw1960]

Jason , is the jig-n-pig usually your "go to" bait on fremont??
I know there's some nice bass in there for sure............
Is that what you've been using to get those big pouches???


Robert

[Jason Ammerman]

The jig works on every lake from here to Texas. I use alot of differtant jigs from 5/16 oz to 1 oz, from 15lb line to 65lb line. Someone sad that a jig is a hard lure to use. I disagree if you have the right rod and line it is one of the easyest lures to use. They cast like a bullet, they are easy to feel on the bottom, and most of the time if you work the jig like a craw fish the fish will smack the tar out of it, and the hook to land ratio is better than any outher bait (with the right line and rod) You don't need alot of colors all I have in my box are 2 colors Black, and brown, I have 3 or 4 colors of trailers in differant sizes and that is it. You don't need every color under the sun and that goes for all baits. The only reason there are so many colors of baits is because fisherman buy them. If you guys want to read more about what I do and how I do it go to www.myspace.com/jasonammermanfishing (http://www.myspace.com/jasonammermanfishing) Now that winter is coming I am going to try to put something up every week, from what I feel is wrong with tournaments in Michigan to Bass fishing tips. Let me know what you think.

[waterfoul]

Checked it out Jason. Now you know why I have never really been interested in fishing the NBAA tournaments. When Chris and Bob turn in over 22 lbs on Reeds and go home with $18 somebody sure is getting the shaft... and it isn't the NBAA. Granted there were only a couple boats... but with the $80+ entry fee you would think you'd at least get your entry fee back for taking first and having big bass.

[Final Cast]

Jason, I read your blog, "Big Bass go shallow in the fall! I have proof!". You said your tournoment was on, 07/07/07. Did you meen 10/07/07? July isn't exactly fall. Just letting you know so you can fix it. Peace out.

[JWF]

Just want to toss in my two cents about senkos. I kind of abandoned my interest in bass fishing for quite a while until about four years ago. Then i tried senkos (and Yum Dingers) and I am hooked on them. I fished them pretty much exclusively until this summer, when I bought new spinnerbaits, topwaters, frogs, etc. Even tried jigs. But, I keep going back to senkos. I usually fish them first, and if they are not working (or I get bored) I try something else. I have been using the Gamakatsu 2/0 offset worm work, and they work pretty well. The nice thing about them is they are a great bait for kids to use. My son is 5 now, and he began fishing senkos when he was three and caught bass just about every time out. He caught an 18" incher last year (I had to help him a bit) and he has caught pike on them too. This year, he lost interest in the senkos and has been trying other things. Still, a great bait to use when fishing with kids.

[sea nympho]

Mr. "I gotta compete for EVERYTHING" himself.......
:rolleyes:

You don't "set the hook" with circle hooks Mike , just lift and they hook themselves.

:lol::lol::lol:

Right on with circle's, let the fish do it!

The fish has to turn and swim away in order for the circle to find it's way to the corner of the mouth. This just takes some slack line or freespool. Practice with that and your hookup rate will be as good or better than stndrd hooks. Even if the fish swallows the senko, a true circle will prob still be hooked in corner of mouth. Just my experience. I rig my 2 & 4 yr olds' "senko rods" with circles then they don't need to worry about hooksets, and they catch LOTS of bass.

...And I got pics to prove it:coolgleam

Mike isn't even referrng to real 'circle' hooks. He is refering to hooks emulating Gamakatsu's Finese Wide Gap, which I prefer.

How ya doin' Mike? Long time no see!:D

[sea nympho]

...This is why I keep up to 8 differently rigged rods on deck when I'm fishing..., but... I don't EVER put down the drop senko/dropshot/shakeyhead/texas rigged worm rods.

:lol::lol::lol:

:evilsmile

[sea nympho]

... Look at the pro tournaments the last 20 years no lure has won more money than the jig...

In-Fish reported in the June/July(I think) 2007 issue the top bass tourney-winnning baits of all time and the SPINNERBAIT (a personal fav of mine) was king by a fair margin. I'll find that issue and post back here w/ the info.
\

...But I'm not arguing that senkos catch smaller fish...

Jig 'n pigs are a great 'big 'un baits', so are spinnerbaits and cranks.

[waterfoul]

HI Brandon. I'm at West Marine till 2:30... stop on in!!

[bborow2501]

where can you even get these in southeast michigan? Have never seen them in a store before (including bass pro).

[waterfoul]

Bass pro carries a ton of them. 3-4 aisles from the aquarium if memory serves. Their own brand is also pretty good. Gander Mountain carries them as well. KD Sports has them. The bait shop I visited by the Crocker ramp had a whole wall of them. Then there's the internet... you can get them at nearly any baitshop on the web.

[bborow2501]

thanks

[waterfoul]

thanks

No sweat!! :D