CTFishTalk.com: First Wacky Senko Attempt - Connecticut Bass Fishing Reports ( CT Bass Fishing Reports ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

sbehuniak09 · Joined: 10 Jul 2012 Posts: 229 Location: Seymour, CT

After hearing all the raving about the Wacky Rigged Senko setup that everyone seems to be using, I finally threw inhibitions to the wind and tried it Monday. I bought a 10 pack at Wal-Mart and my newbie fishing buddy and I went to our usual spot. Based on all the wonderful reviews we were both shocked that after about 20 casts each neither of us could catch as much as a cold. Just when I was thinking that this must have just been a sick joke that all entrenched members of the forums were involved in, I hooked my first fish. I got it to shore and it was just a small 12" guy which is about the standard.

I was relieved and surprised. I went another 20 or so minutes with just a few hits, same for my buddy. Literally as I was saying to my friend that at least with a 5" it didn't seem like sunnies would be interested, I caught a tiny sunny. Shortly after that I caught a tiny black crappie, or at least that's what I think it was. I wasn't quick enough getting my phone out before it squirted away. Over the next 90 minutes or so I caught another 6 10-15" largemouths for 9 total fish. (A good day for me). My buddy, however is still in search of his first bass as he got skunked mainly on his own inexperience. He had what would have easily been the biggest fish of the day on the line. When the fish made a big run for open water, he yanked against the fish easily snapping the line. I looked on in disbelief but could do nothing but laugh.
Tuesday I went back with my Girlfriend and her brother and let him use the same set-up I had. In a short time he caught 2 largemouths, including this 16" approx. 3lb fish

.
I caught 5 total fish including 2 black crappie. So long story short, I am now a believer in what I once thought to be ridiculous.
A few notes from the trips: First, I lost either half, or the entire senko on at least every other catch. I'm not sure if this can be prevented or it is just the cost of doing business. Second, I used half a 5" that had been ripped in half and had an equal amount of success which surprised me. Third, I caught this fish on the first day I was using the Senko's,

It had a large gash on its side and had a snapped off line sticking out of its mouth from its stomach. I am curious as to what injured this fish and why it was still so eager to be caught again.
All in all, I gained a lot of experience with the wacky rig, I tried many different retrieval methods with the most effective being, a slow but steady flick. I also bought 100 more online that should be arriving within a few days as to avoid burning through an entire pack every time I fish! I was also surprised about how often I did not feel the fish hit at all and was just surprised when i felt a tug on the end of the line. And last but not least, I don't think I can count how many fish, upon a quick jump out of the water were able to spit the hook. I just think I'll have to get better at setting that hook. Thanks for reading and any comments or tips would be appreciated!

Wanna Fish · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 662 Location: Earth I Think

Alot of us use #10 o-rings at the center of the Senko and place the hook under the ring. They'll last 10 times longer.

Try Black/Red Flake or Cinnamon colored Senko's.

tracker · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 17

Nice report

As was stated buy some O rings and the wacky rig tool to put them on or use a
ball point pen taken apart .

Slip the O rings over it and then insert the worm half way in the pen body.
Then push the O ring on the center of your worm.

As for setting the hook when wacky rig fishing.
I always use the sweep method with a wacky rig.
You don't need a hard hook set.

Sweep you pole and reel in your line.

rxpxtx · Joined: 06 May 2012 Posts: 259

Doing anything with a GY worm is absolutely the "cost of doing business." They have the best fall rate available. I'm just not convinced the tear factor makes this an advantage for joe shit the rag man out fishing on a friday evening. I know I havent noticed a difference since switching to Bass Pro Shop Tourny series knock off's at $4 for a 16 pack. GY is a fishing scientist, and I bow down to him. I just cant afford to replace senko and kinami worms at the rate I was going through them. I use the smallest zip ties you can get at the auto store and cut off the tail instead of an "O" ring. Way easier to rig. I'm still not a wacky fan. An exposed hook goes against everything I know....but I have to admit, it is a killer rig that the whole lake wants in their mouth. You'll rarely feel a hit fishing wacky. It's biggest advantage is the fall action, and that usually comes on slack line.....and unless you're fishing the perfect line with a premier rod, the average guy will find the fish on the end to be a surprise. I know I do. Problem is, this accounts for a ton of gut hooked fish cause they slurp them down instead of "hitting" them. You saw a fine example of this with the one you got with line coming out of it. You might as well take your gut hooks home and eat them. Nine out of ten have belly trauma that will float them up before too long, and if you're not transporting them to Yale for a trauma team to fix....I recommend white wine, garlic, lemon and butter in foil on the grill.
_________________
Dave..... I can be a pain in the bass.

Wanna Fish · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 662 Location: Earth I Think

Zip Ties! Now thats ingenuity at it's best.

rvolkers · Joined: 23 Oct 2011 Posts: 359

i have used NOTHING but zip ties for almost 3 years now - worms last FOR EVER and you can get a package of the very small electrical ones for around $2.00 for 50! and sometimes a change in the color contrast of the zip and worm is a killer! ESPECIALLY a RED ZIP on a BACK AND BLUE FLAKE!

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

countryboyfisher94 · Joined: 15 Jul 2012 Posts: 12

Since I fish at the same spot as you I would suggest going to Walmart and getting the strike kings. They are $2.96 a pack compared to $6.50 for yamamoto. You can't go wrong with strike kings at this place, I prefer them over all yamamotos (except for pumpkin) Unfortunetly walmart is normally out of them so you got to catch it at the right time and stock up when if you see them. Best colors in my experience are the half green half white and this green camo with 2 colors varying between dark green and light green.
rvolkers- Im going to have to try that zip tie technique it seems like a really good idea

SmOoTh OpErAtOr !!! · Joined: 03 May 2012 Posts: 108

I like using a small # 4 hook with o rings with 4 " senkos ! Natural colors work best ! I use 10lb braid line in bright yellow so I can see the fish take the line ! With a fluorocarbon line leader of course 6-8lb test about 2-3 ft long ! When I cast I skip the worm every time it attracts attention instead of scaring the fish away with a big plop!!! Plus u can get it under brush and docks that way! I cast then let It drop slowly atleast 10 seconds, then make a decent twitch so that I get coiled up slack line line a snake s shape that way when a fish grabs it the line goes straight as soon as they grab it I count to 3 then slowly take the slack out of the line then set the hook !!! If no bite twitch again and again till your back to the boat just remember slow and steady wins the race ! Hope tht helps !!
_________________
my autopilot aims for ..............SANDBARS!!!!!!!

sbehuniak09 · Joined: 10 Jul 2012 Posts: 229 Location: Seymour, CT

All these tips are very helpful. I will definitely be investing in some O-rings or zip ties. I've been fairly successful with the wacky rig the last few days and I have not been fishing nearly as slowly as has been suggested. I'm hearing everything you're saying but it just seems to go against everything I've ever known about fishing. A slack line, to just letting a non-live bait sit there, to having a completely exposed hook, it seems crazy. I'm going to keep using it and continue wondering how the hell it works.

rvolkers · Joined: 23 Oct 2011 Posts: 359

one more tip and this is a preference tip of mine - NOT SAYING ANYONE NEEDS TO DO THIS - i have found for me (LOL) having the old eyes going bad! THAT - VANISH TRANSITION LINE works for me! i use 8 or 10 lb test and when fishing a wacky ANYTHING that helps me SEE the line move or for that matter stop moving is a plus!!

DirtyDawg10 · Joined: 27 May 2009 Posts: 2238 Location: Granby, CT

Wanna Fish · Joined: 30 Jan 2012 Posts: 662 Location: Earth I Think

We've been doing very well with the whacky rig. Especially on the CTR this past weekend. One issue were seeing is the bass are hitting it so hard and fast their inhaling the lure and hook requiring us to take our time removing the hook safely. This occurs mostly with #4 circle hooks.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Carl

NorthEastFisherman · Joined: 27 May 2012 Posts: 582

Bigger hooks? I use 3/0 offset shanks on a 4-5'' worm and ive never had one fish get the hook stuck too deep.
_________________
YouTube Channel: NorthEastFisherman

hila2006 · Joined: 22 Jul 2011 Posts: 582 Location: Ellington

I agree with looking at less expensive alternative to GY. Dingers are in my opinion the best substitute. Blk and red is a good all around color. I don't use them but the wife does well with them. She uses a Eagle Claw 1/0 weedless hook for hers with an o-ring.