STOP Fishing SENKOS Like This (5 Soft STICKBAIT Mistakes)

The Gary Yamamoto Senkos is one of the best fishing lures on the planet. However, we all tend to fish one the exact same way.
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Bass fishing soft stickbaits is one of the best ways to catch bass across the country. The senko style bait, or soft stickbait catches fish in ponds, lakes, river, creeks or anywhere.
When it comes to fishing a Yamamoto Senko, one fo the biggest tips I can tell you, is don't fish too thin of a hook when you wacky rig it. This will cause you to lose a ton of stickbaits which makes fishing rough.
Another thing that people don't do with Senkos is fish them weightless in deeper water. This takes a lot of patience but can be one of the best ways to catch bass once you find them.
BassFishingHQ is dedicated to teaching people how to catch more and bigger bass. I will go over different bass fishing tips & techniques that will put more fish in the boat or on the shore. Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned tournament angler, my goal is to help you catch more bass.
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content each week!

[@Antznewz]

Senkos are probably in the top 2 baits that I fish most often. I have spent a ton of time wacky rigging and trying different retrieves. The topwater one is no joke, its a great frog/bluegill imitation and if you see a fish swirl it's a great way to target them. The shaky head senko should have never been revealed. That thing is DEADLY, stick to a 1/8 oz weight for it. Last thing - LET THE BAIT FALL. Especially on a wacky rig, just letting a fish get a good long look at it will often entice a bite. Even in depths of over 10 feet, be patient. Fish will track it down. My most effective retrieve is just very slowly reeling the wacky in, leaving a good bend in your line. The slow pendulum will show more fish a slow fall versus if you were twitching the bait a lot or just letting it fall where it landed.

[@andrewboyce7268]

This comment.. absolutely spot on.

[@savvymind4612]

Leaving a bend in your line?

[@austinheyman]

@@savvymind4612slack maybe?

[@godzilla7148]

You nailed this! I use the stick-o with a #2 tru-turn hook. Love the way the tru-turn hooks the fish in the top or bottom of the mouth most of the time. No O rings no tape! If I want it to sink faster in deeper water I add a split shot where the line meets the hook. It murders smallies on rock ledges!

[@DennisinMA]

Save your torn Senkos. The end is a perfect Ned rig for basically free.

[@saltbeetle374]

Also, jig and spinner bait trailers

[@rockyporterjr4215]

hell yes, i have a whole box full of ripped stick baits for ned rigging specifically as well as the ole 1/8oz ball jig head. ive broke them down to a nub and have used every last bit of that bait until the jig head is the only thing left.

[@joshb.642]

Haha, glad I'm not the only one who sees the advantage of saving soft plastic type baits for other purposes. I keep a sandwich baggy in my box and just toss them in there to save for trailers, ned rigs and hell even drop shots too. They can also be up cycled to hand pouring new ones if you have the equipment to do it.

[@ThatSB]

No it isnt. It isnt the same material. This is a myth. They are not the same material. Ned rig baits are made of elaztek for a reason

[@ThatSB]

@@rockyporterjr4215 but ned rigs are made of floating elaztek

[@_bilski]

Dude. These are the best informative videos. Live how you spill the beans and catch all the ways the pros fish it. Not everyone catches that

[@johngalt3568]

I have done the faster retrieve with the Senko only because of my impatience. Sometimes I lack the discipline to wait on that lure to sink. I found out by accident that if you let it sink just a few inches it can draw strikes. I have used this technique as a follow-up bait after missing Bass on other lures.

[@Oldbasshole]

I’ve caught some big smallies working a wacky rig fast across the surface . Rip it fast and they come up and crush them . A weighted wacky rig can be deadly at times as well . As always , great informative video . Loving this series

[@BassFishingHQ]

Working it fast like that is awesome!

[@ThatSB]

Why would you be fishing it like that in the first place to have found that out? Lol

[@Oldbasshole]

@@ThatSB excellent question , like most discoveries it happened by accident. I was flipping into cover and letting it drop then reeling in fast to do it again when I got CRUSHED by a nice smallie . So I kept doing it with similar results

[@robpatterson2441]

Great video! Been fishing original Senkos since Gary first brought them to market. Absolutely one of the best fish-catching baits out there.

[@twiggsherman3641]

Don't use o-rings. Get yourself some 5/16th silicone tubing from amazon. Make sure its silicone, because it'll be stretchy, and chop it up, and use your needle nose to stretch it and slide the senko down in. It provides more surface area then an oring, so it doesn't rip nearly as much, it's clear so it's pretty much invisible, and does the exact same thing as your o-rings, except wacky rigged you can fish with your hook all the way through the bait, which makes it slide up easier and makes for better hookups. VMC made a commericalized version of it with their crossover rings, but 25 feet of silicone tubing will make a hundred for the price of 10 crossover rings.

[@pauleyplay]

5/16 od or id ? Great idea !!! Many Thanks

[@boogiekush9391]

Wow that's genius 🙌🏾

[@twiggsherman3641]

@@pauleyplay ID.

[@michaelrodriguez2973]

My son caught his first bass on a floating worm working it at the surface like you showed here. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with everyone here

[@hildamcclellan6175]

I enjoyed your video. Very easy to understand and follow along. I love fishing my son is teaching me to bass fish this year😊

[@134rwa]

I am definitely going to give the floating worm a try, I have some but have not even opened them yet, and I fish mostly grass and pads where most of the bites are on the surface or just below it. The swimming toad has been very successful for me this year, that could be an interesting video topic.

[@hdvictoryford5329]

Just a brief comment. I do like the videos from this guy. You will always learn something helpful. When it comes to buying baits, I love my soft plastics. And they work well. The Gary Y bates to me are junk. I have tried them many times with little to no success. The only endorsed bait that seems to work for me are the KVD series. Why? KVD no doubt has a big role in the design and features of the bait. And they work well up here in PA. For whatever reason other endorsers seem to just put a name on the bait, you pay more and maybe like me you usually end up throwing them as far as you can, lol.

[@evannatland5151]

Literally been t-rigging yum 5inch dingers in cranberry, blue and black and watermelon candy (green pumpkin with red and green specs) and have never hooked so many bass so consistently in my life. Retrieve it slow as possible and bounce it off the bottom, crazy

[@medsimvallejo]

And yet another excellent video. Lots to gain here!!! Thanks

[@castncatchem3808]

Thanks for the informative video! Glad I subscribed to your channel. My wife and I just got into bass fishing and we haven’t been having much luck. We’ve been catching a lot of catfish with real worms and I haven’t had luck with power worms. Again we’re new so we’re still learning.

[@Fuckyougoogle4life]

Awesome information thanks, as of late I’ve had good luck using a zoom magnum trick worm watermelon red Texas rig weightless.

[@keepburning6283]

I've been use the wacky rig on a weed less hook right on top of moss mats and recently caught a mid 3 pounder in about 6-8 inches of water. But I usually almost always get hits doing that, especially in shallow areas.

[@BassFishingHQ]

Love that!

[@brettoetting]

I’ll do the same but T-rigged over mats and pond scum. Pulls over/through better than a craw or beaver and seems just as effective. I’ll sometimes let it fall at holes in the cover.

[@terryclayson6592]

Awesome video Tyler! Wacky rig is my go to bait when the bit is tuff.

[@karsonsylvester8507]

Starting watching you a week ago, and i am hooked, Keep up the great info!

[@BassFishingHQ]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

Great instructional video!! Lot of good info!!! Thaks for sharing!! Stay Safe & God Bless!!!

[@travanw85]

Your videos are a goldmine of knowledge. Thank you!

[@af4od02]

Excellent advice. Thanks for sharing.

[@vernervanschalkwyk2280]

One of your best videos ever! I will use this advice for sure here in South Africa.

[@erichoffman2014]

I really enjoy your channel! Really well done

[@rogerglasco5941]

Great video. Great tips. I will use them.

[@craig9108]

really good and interesting video. you'll exactly right. I'll try those methods tomorrow, also if you can let me know how to get a cap. Thank for the update on the stick worms I'm sure it will help.

[@ColoradoFishing]

Thanks Tyler. My son and I used your Wacky just below the surface recommendation for almost the entire month of June, got a ton of videos/footage, it worked like a charm. Thanks for all of the tips! I've noticed July here in Colorado has slowed quite a bit, we are in search of some new techniques, might try the shaky head or drop shot in deeper water. Love your vids!

[@applingsheart6156]

Another great video buddy keep up the good work very helpful God bless be safe and keep fishing

[@raymaylone8563]

Great video I realized that I’m actually fishing the Senko wrong a lot of the time great advice. My question is when you start the video and show the box of your Bates what is the name of the Bait that looks like the collar bone in the very beginning? Never seen that color would like to get some don’t know where to find them or what they’re called and who makes them.Keep up the great work never stopped teaching

[@robertbrost7777]

Always wondered why I caught so many more using the Yum Dinger rigged Texas style than used wacky style.

[@bobbyhogan9207]

Gonna try something new now 👍 Thank you sir!

[@3dfevr1]

Tyler I saw the Flukemaster using 3/8” heat shrink on the worm and I started using it in clear. Might give it a try.

[@logicuser8382]

Couple of years ago “they” made an actual wacky worm. I can’t find them anymore. So I make my own wacky worm by using a wacky rig like the vid and also cut the end off another worm and use that as “head” to make it weed less. Looks like a T with the top of the T is the full size worm. Works great.

[@jackwilliams8272]

Great video thanks especially the Shakey head thanks

[@MrCharleswr]

Got some blue seniors. Caught a five pounder first time out. Thanks for changing my fishing life.

[@ryanpellegrini1023]

Yum dinger with a Heavy duty hook has an amazing shimmy. the Heavy wire how adds just enough weight to give it a nice fall, and adds the power of a heavy duty hook that can wrestle in the biggest bass.

[@brettoetting]

That last technique, I do a variation with a nose hooked Zoom Fluke in albino and a small light wire octopus hook. This rig will float at times on the water surface tension, or break through with a slow fall. Twitch retrieve with an occasional dead stick on cast or mid-retrieve, working it just sub-surface. Looks like an injured or escaping shad. 6# mono. Caught the fish on my bio pic on this exact rig and technique.

[@thesaintsarmy]

great content as usual. much appreciated.

[@robertchadwick1552]

Thanks for the tip to use thicker hooks. I've been putting electric heat shrink tubing on my stick baits so they last longer. I probably needed to just use heavier hooks. Good pointers about the retrieves.

[@chriscasterbassmaster]

No that's great with the heat shrink bud 👍

[@peterfitzwell2538]

I have lived on a weightless Culprit Grape Shad worm (weedless/Texas rigged) and caught 5-7lbs bass (in Missouri) any time of the year. 7.5" on 4/0 EWG and 10-12" on 5/0 EWG. Always a spinning reel. Throw it, let it sink slowly. Now wait. Watch the line. No taps or line movement? Raise the tip a couple times to jump it up and let it free fall (they usually hit on the fall). Watch the line closely. If it starts moving laterally, wind in the slack and smooth set the hook at your mid section. This is a super slow method, but I've SMASHED bass when no one else could get bit.

[@rossbabcock3790]

The Senko wacky rig is my 'goto' on tough bites. Carolina is the second. I've never tried a Senko on a Carolina. I don't get much action on Texas rigs. Good tips, thanks!

[@matthewhays7613]

Thank you for all your information

[@brucesmithoutdoors]

I fish wacky rig 80-90% in spring and summer. Excellent pre-spawn lure. Big girls can’t stand anything bubble gum color. Senko or trick worm is my go to. Enjoy your videos!!

[@FishingwithMiguel]

some of my biggest fish came from a plastic worm! good stuff man!

[@davidjsouth231]

They’re hard to find sometimes. The Gary Yamamoto stick baits. We use a 2/O weedless hook. With crossed O-ring on the stick bait

[@rileymcgill9893]

I love using the strike king shimmi stick. Idk what it is but the plastic holds up much better and I barely ever loose them. They're are also very cheap and where I fish they catch more bass for me most of the time. But there's no way to beat that Gary neko fat. They do throw off very easily but I use a ring with them. But I only use em for neko rigging with a nail weight

[@marklopez8378]

Nice tips on the senco, that's the only brand I buy to, bps👌

[@RJP2094]

I love the yum dingers don’t get me wrong I buy a variety of plastics I think it’s the most fun of fish next to swimbaits and crankbaits but yeah June bug early in the year then pumpkin to Carolina green mid to late year man they just hit through out the year

[@madcap7521]

Newbie here! What size Gamakatsu G finesse hook should I use for wacky rig 1/0 or 2/0?

[@bobjohnston5527]

I used different worms from Yum baits, berkley power, Xzone and Gary Yamamoto . Now I only use berkley power and Xzone baits on EWG 3/0 and 4/0 hooks Texas rig with 3/16 and 1/4oz for river current. I haven't tried heavier weights in the current yet. I don't want to get any hang up with the heavier weights

[@FullTimeFishing]

Senkos have been killing it for me lately. I used to not enjoy fishing it but late summer early fall it’s deadly when the bite is tough!

[@BassFishingHQ]

Definitely one of the best baits when it is tough

[@FishOn1]

I’m a big fan of light flick shake heads and silicon tubing for wacky rigs.

[@christopherworks400]

That Yum and Zman are lighter plastics. That have there uses, I like the Zoom on a weighted hook, about 3/8.

[@jasonlopez4855]

Do they float or have salt. Like the one that floats. I don't use the O'ring I started to use zip ties with the nail holder on them like electric work kind in clear zips. The hook doesn't touch the worms.

[@butterytoast4836]

Being in NJ with a lot of shallow water mucky ponds and lakes, the weedless Texas rig on a Dinger or Senko is what I mainly use

[@evannatland5151]

Down here in Florida with all the little murky ponds, same deal.

[@butterytoast4836]

@@evannatland5151 I would love to fish in Florida. There’s not many 5+ pounders up here in NJ. I’ve seen a 7 pounder and a 8 pounder with proof before but those are the only 2 big bass I’ve seen. All others were fish tales in my book.

[@Madmok128]

Senko on a weighted shaky head hook works great for me in certain conditions.

[@dannyhocutt8490]

I really thank you for your efforts to help us fishing nuts know more,!!!!!

[@bcp5296d]

yep, very good video. Though niko needs a mention. It is better for covering water on the bottom, or when flow is higher in rivers.

[@larryhansen5705]

Good video. Thanks 🤠👍

[@garryllouderback5945]

ive been fishing heavy river current for smallmouth in deep river holes and for some reason a ned rig hook about 1/8 ounce wacky rigged through a senko gets me way more fish than an unweighted with little to no snags.

[@pondparadisedesignsinc.rob5313]

You talk about a shaky head Senko what time of year would that be best spring, summer, fall or winter?

[@Eyesofthasouth]

What conditions and time of year would you use that senko worked right under the surface? Thanks. Great content

[@brettoetting]

Now would probably work if the bass are chasing shad

[@firemazer9202]

I've been killing it with the wacky rig over the past two months but I made some changes especially with using an O ring because I was having bass steal the senko leaving me just the o ring too many times. Then I ended up losing more than half the bass when trying to set the hook on a wacky hook so I decided to try using a 2/0 circle hook and wow what a game changer! Haven't lost a bass yet except once when I forgot to not set the hook and just reel it in. I started using the old school Creme Scoundrel instead of a senko and man the bass couldn't resist it, even little tiny baby bass were hitting it and because I'm using a circle hook and don't have to set the hook I'm able to catch even the tiniest bass that I would otherwise have lost if I had to try to set the hook in their tiny mouth. Try it out and I guarantee you won't be sorry!

[@brianlee677]

I have been using the shaky head with senkos for a long time way before YT they work great for smallies in Havasu.

[@rockyporterjr4215]

I appreciate this video, i have never caught a single fish off a wacky rigged senko, ive purchased baits specifically for wacky rigging but never had luck with my own hook and senko. with that being said all youtubers imply that an o-ring is a must, glad to see that isn't the case. I've learned a lot of things over the last few months watch your videos and this is just one more learning experience for me.

[@brettoetting]

Try throwing it along weed lines and right next to cover. Let it fall on a semi slack line, just a slight bend in the line so the bait falls straight down and not toward you. I’ve had the best luck on milfoil edges, next to logs and docks, points and drop-offs, etc. Not so much on open water

[@rockyporterjr4215]

@@brettoetting thats probably why I've never had luck with the wacky rig, i think fall has taken over finally for good so i won't be trying until spring now, thank you for the advice.

[@cuz129]

I love those Bass Pro versions, so much less expensive and seems to work almost exactly like a Senko.

[@krystlemansueto1199]

I love kieth, I love the off the grid series he does. He is very entertaining

[@briancarroll4333]

I've caught a number of fish using a Senko on a shakyhead. I started doing it a few years ago for two reasons. Lack of experience and didn't know any different.

[@abeabe9000]

Whats a good test to leader please?

[@dhjhawk]

Great tips!

[@travisbruno5964]

I like the aresenal clear ring its wide to were it doesnt cut the bait

[@dillanmckinley5666]

You need to try the vmc bands i was never a o ring person until i tried the vmc

[@redrebels6575]

Thank you for making this video not even 10 minutes as I was out here fishing I caught a 12-in bass so thank you for making this video

[@BassFishingHQ]

Heck yea! Thats awesome!

[@catfishkillers3709]

I love my senko wacky rig!

[@johnnymassengale6275]

Good stuff!

[@jonorech]

Great vid. Love the shaky head idea. Biggest mistake I see, and make myself: SLOW DOWN!

[@finns23653]

Weightless senkos do just as well up to twenty feet for me, the fall is good but that last technique shown is when I catch most of my bass

[@thunderrooster3643]

What thickness hook is recommended?

[@casey360360]

I use 1/0 Lazer Sharp Pro Series whacky worm hooks. They're GREAT for how cheap they are. I toss either Strike King Shim E sticks or a couple different local guys that make soft-bait's.

[@MyWayne13]

I’m the summer during big worm season try a zman Giant TRD on a shaky head. I can’t stop catching them. Last year probably 70% of my fish were on it.

[@AfricanJeff14]

when I go to catch bass with my senkos but I catch northern sand stuff. Any tips

[@msquared9605]

If you guys haven’t tried them Try 1/16th oz Texas rigged stick bait, with a peg stopper about 3 inches up away from the bullet weight. Also, get yourself a pack of screw lock, 1/16th oz weighted shank hooks (small swim bait hook) These are my 2 favorite ways to rig a stick bait Also if you’re someone who likes using a stick bait on a weightless Texas rig, fish it exactly like you would a fluke!

[@Cornelius798]

Yep, I fish it like a Fluke. I use a light blue shad color and it flashes popping it.

[@tonyrubaszewski6811]

What color is the one thats like yellow with purple?

[@BostonFenian]

I don't like using o-rings either: in an effort to save myself some money by going through fewer senkos, I bought one of them cheap wacky-rigging kits, and doubled the o-rings in an "X" pattern over the center of the worm so I could hook between the o-ring and the worm, rather than through the worm itself, but keep the same presentation. It's a bit of a pain and makes the process of baiting the hook take 5 times as long as simply hooking through it. Even worse, I found that, far from extending the durability of a senko, using o-rings actually shreds them even quicker, as the o-rings cinch so tight around the body that you begin to wear through the body on your first retrieve, even if you don't have to pull the bait out of any snags. After maybe 10 casts, the chances that the o-rings will simply split your senko in half start to rise exponentially until it eventually happens. It takes about twice as long to lose a senko hooked through the body if you play it gentle when you get hung up and if you pay attention and re-hook it when it starts to get loose

[@Mustang_Dan]

I’ve only ever used Yamamoto or Bass Pro Senkos and I’ve had success. Haven’t tried other ones but I don’t necessarily want to cause these work.

[@dougbryant3214]

I rig like a texas rig with no weight on top bass love it

[@yfz450rider39]

You got to try the heat shrink Senko trick. It's what I use every time, 1000x better then hooking through the soft plastic.

[@kyleoden3015]

Put heat shrink tubing on it and hook it through the heat shrink?

[@yfz450rider39]

@@kyleoden3015 yes, find the proper diameter. Slide it down where it's balanced and hook through the heat shrink and worm. Adds a lot more durability. You could heat it up but I don't find it necessary.

[@kyleoden3015]

@@yfz450rider39 I'll definitely give that a go

[@waagle888]

The best senko is made by berkley..and the size 4 octopus gamakasku with a split shot about 9 inches up try it

[@rafabonati7757]

I’ll bet there are a lot of tournament anglers who are mad at you for giving away secrets like this. I say “too bad”! The majority of anglers are NOT tournament anglers. Thanks for these types of tips.

[@BassFishingHQ]

Thanks for watching Ralph

[@johnwhite993]

I met Gary several years ago and he was a super nice guy.

[@kellymoore4517]

Do you ski jump on that lake in the summer?

[@savagemadman7047]

Where is the link so I can grab a hat

[@sicampung]

Wow thanks tutorial

[@NickMachado]

I've never heard the term senko. In Massachusetts, we just call them rubber worms. I exclusively use "yum" brand worms weightless and they definitely do not float. Sure, its a fairly slow sink but it will not stay on the surface, unless you are jigging with you rod straight in the air.

[@bobbyjoeosborne9115]

Thanks for telling us use a snell knot on the hook, it definitely improved my hook set.

[@nomaderic]

From my experience the hook isn't really important on a wacky rig. Sure some hooks may be more optimal but you can pretty much use any hook for it. Hell the best 2 fish I ever caught on wacky rig were with an offset bass hook because those were the only hooks I had.

[@kyleoden3015]

Same here

[@garysmith7832]

I caught 4.7 oz bass last weeked with a Senko on a neko rig.

[@thomaslester8702]

Try inserting a coffee straw in the senko where you want your hook and add a little super glue to the straw when you insert the straw the cut it very close to the side and then run your hook the the straw. Makes them a lot harder to pull off the hook if you do it right and doesn't mess up your hook set either.

[@BostonFenian]

I have more success with wacky-rigged senkos targeting bass here in New England than with any other type of bait, and while senkos are more expensive than comparable stick worms, I've found the extra $2-3 per bag to be worth it. The only other brand that has performed anywhere near as well for me is 6th sense's 5.4-inch clout worm. It has a slightly different action but is nearly as effective, cheaper, and considerably more durable than a senko. I split my stick worm usage 50-50 between senkos and clout worms now.

[@pondparadisedesignsinc.rob5313]

What is your thoughts on a five inch Senko compared to a six inch Senko