How To Fish A Senko: Everything You Need To Know!

The Senko is arguably the best bass fishing lure of all time! It comes in more than 100 colors, all sorts of sizes, and can be fished so many different ways it will make your head spin. The bait is so effective that an entire category of lures called "stick baits" have been designed to imitate it. Do you really need all those options to catch fish? Of course not! Here's what you need to know...
If we could only have one Senko to get us through every day on every lake it would be a 5" Yamamoto Senko in Green Pumpkin Black Flake. That bait can be Texas Rigged or Wacky Rigged and will catch fish in virtually every lake in the country. From there, the Neko Rig has earned a special place in our arsenal, as have a few different colors for specific water color situations.
Below you'll find links to the Senko, some of the better Senko alternatives, as well as the gear we use to rig and fish these stick baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
SENKO...
-Yamamoto Senko: bit.ly/2axAmNS
Favorite Sizes: 5" and 6"
Best Colors...
-Green Pumpkin Black Flake
-Watermelon Copper Orange Red Flake
-Electric Shad
Clear Water Colors...
-Baby Bass
-Natural Shad
-Green Pump Purple Copper
Muddy Water Colors...
-Black Blue Flake with Blue Tip
-Junebug
-Black Blue
SENKO ALTERNATIVES...
-Yum Dinger: bit.ly/2J8nMrF
Colors: Green Pumpkin, Bama Magic
-Big Bite Baits Trick Stick: bit.ly/3shcgNK
Colors: Green Pumpkin, Tilapia
Gambler Fat Ace: bit.ly/2aJq2AO
Colors: Green Pumpkin, Magic Craw
-Magnum Baits: bit.ly/2KBhPWU
Colors: Green Pumpkin, Kush
WEIGHTLESS RIGGING...
Bait- Yamamoto Senko 5": bit.ly/2axAmNS
Hook- Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap 1/0: bit.ly/2aKGmHM
VMC CrossOver Pliers: bit.ly/3ipm9HN
VMC CrossOver Bands (7mm and 8mm): bit.ly/3w0NYdz
NEKO RIGGING...
Bait- Yamamoto Senko 5": bit.ly/2axAmNS
Hook- Owner Weedless Finesse Neko 1/0: bit.ly/2zXirRH
Weight- Swagger Tungsten Pagoda: bit.ly/2iGNSFW
VMC CrossOver Pliers: bit.ly/3ipm9HN
VMC CrossOver Bands (7mm and 8mm): bit.ly/3w0NYdz
TEXAS RIGGING...
Bait- Yamamoto Senko 6": bit.ly/2axAmNS
Hook- Gamakatsu Superline EWG: bit.ly/2ac92XG
Hook Size: 3/0 for 5", 4/0 for 6"
TIM'S 5" WACKY RIG SPINNING COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR: bit.ly/2dX9zjv
Reel- Shimano Exsence A 3000: bit.ly/2iMtscV
Line- Sunline SX1 12 lb Braid: bit.ly/2tn8EzQ
Leader- Sunline Super FC 8 lb: bit.ly/2p7fxju
TIM'S 6" SENKO TEXAS-RIG COMBO...
Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: bit.ly/2OSVNwH
Reel- Daiwa Tatula Elite: bit.ly/2ONCBS1
Line- Sunline Super FC 20 lb: bit.ly/2p7fxju
BUDGET ALL-AROUND SENKO COMBO...
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7'1" Medium Heavy: bit.ly/2QADLTq
Reel- Shimano SLX 150 (HG): bit.ly/2NfdOnk
Line- Suline Super FC 12 lb: bit.ly/2p7fxju
WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY...
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex 112: bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics- Humminbird Solix 15: bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors- Minn Kota Talons: bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Net- Frabill Conservation PLD 2612: bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
Camera- GoPro Hero 9: bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/3kngvEG
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/2MpUBEr
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
________________________________________________________________
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#senko #bassfishing #fishing

[@robertdtimmerman6507]

To say I had a smile on my face as I watched your son reel in that Bass would be an understatement. He will remember that catch because he got to do it with his dad. What a priceless moment! And the fishing info was as usual… spot on.

[@mitchgarcia4591]

Your son catching that fish , was the coolest part of the video 😊

[@tacticalbassin]

I think so too!

[@chafer8444]

Tim: Sitting down making a video and catches fish. Me: On the water for 10 hours not a single bit, lol! Great info Tim!

[@TCvolleyball630]

This man just caught a fish .. filming some Video no look style ...

[@matthewpetto8942]

You're not fishing in the right water..

[@Cornelius798]

Same here 😁

[@48Muscle]

@c hafer that me too

[@ShootersSpotlight]

Use a frog

[@LowBrowFishing]

I love love love a Texas rigged stick bait! It's my go to presentation for the shallow lakes and ponds in my area. A senko is great for a wacky rig, but I prefer the good ol' Yum dinger for Texas rigging. Dingers don't have salt and that causes them to float more than a senko. I have nothing but mucky, grassy bottoms and I need that tail to stick up and stay visible. I can give it just a few light twitches and that tail wiggles nicely. And it doesn't hurt that you can get a bag of dingers for less than $3 at Wally World.

[@matthewpetto8942]

I've had a lit of luck with the YUM ribbontails lately

[@jonathanpatkus7930]

Bro, perhaps one if the best video you've every made for a variety of reasons. Put this one in the vault, it will age well!

[@johnbobwilson740]

Thanks Tim for making this 50 yo misty eyed this morning..nothing touches my soul more than young kids feeling the thrill of the a fishing pulling on the other end of the line..You and Matt have made such an impact on the sport thank you for the transparency of your knowledge.

[@calegoethals4575]

Y’all the only ones keeping it simple and using what actually works.

[@DavidBronstein1961]

For you pond guys, 4” Senko with white laminate-comes in either Green Pumpkin or Watermelon with that white section-is killer. And I have used nearly every wacky hook on the market. None have a hookup ratio anywhere near as good as a VMC weedless Neko hook. Use 1/0 for 5” and 1 for 4”. And the VMC crossover rings are a must.

[@HYEonDEATHROW]

I’m getting my 10 and 7 year old into fishing. Your kid in this video helps a lot. They see it’s not just grown ups that this info helps.

[@johnrue4488]

Great stuff! love watching you and your boy interacting and catching bass!

[@lcg79]

Hands down the best video I have ever seen by you guys, and you both have made some amazing videos and shared some incredible knowledge. But to see you so excited to catch that fish and to see you include your son and both of your authentic excitement was so nice to see. Keep up the great work and thanks for doing what you guys do..

[@XBOXGAMERTAG757]

This has got to be one of the best videos out there, from tim showing a skipping example and catching a fish, to me accidentally getting two of the three colors he suggested. and the cherry on top of tim teaching his son and his son catching a fish. from somebody still new to bass fishing and mostly throws swim baits, this has me excited to get out there and start tossin a senko! TacticalBassin never disappoints, great video as always guys!

[@jjqapex]

Tim, This has to be one of your best videos ever. Great info, as always, but the joy of watching father and son enjoying the moment - Outstanding!!! And to top that off with catching a bass "live" for the demo. The best part of the video started at the 20 minute mark. Just awesome!!!!! Thanks for including that.

[@larrybrown4544]

After watching hundreds of y'alls video, this one is my favorite. Loved it man.

[@timgauwitz8173]

Tim my kids are older now but this video took me right back in time when I taught them how to fish and the utter joy it brang not only for them but me as well! What an incredible video! Thank you

[@smittyboi1755]

One of the best fisherman on KZbin. I love when you do your videos. So much info. Awesome way to break baits down. And I must say that young man, your little helper is one good looking fishermen. Best looking guy on the lake he is. And love when you skipped the senko out and caught a Bads right on que. Great video bud!!

[@loribrooks6736]

Wow! I am newer to this sport and of the hundreds of videos I’ve watched, this one is the most helpful and most enjoyable! Thank you for sharing your tips, tricks and preferences. I can’t wait to give these a try on of our our lakes in Arizona.

[@shannonsullivan2638]

Love fishing the senko and love it when the kids get in on the action. Love it

[@brianneff7165]

Awesome video Tim..really cool catching that fish in the middle of it and then watching your son catch one as well ...it's what it is all about.

[@jamescrawford4440]

Wow man. That is so cool seeing your little guy catch a fish same way you did. At the end of the day family is what’s it’s all about. Thanks for putting out so many videos guys!! Learn something from everyone

[@adamspaulding8507]

Awesome tutorial, my son got his first bass yesterday he had a smile the rest of the day

[@paulgiannetto5317]

Awesome watching your son getting into bass fishing. He did really well.

[@David-ev2hw]

All of you guys videos are great, but showing your son catching a bass made this one special. Kudos to both of you!

[@hmongvaj98]

Love the video. Glad to see your son enjoying some fishing. I give my kids the same set up. All they use is keitechs and senkos and it gets the job done. Easy starting set ups but catches fish to keep kids engaged. Keep them vids coming.

[@robertjacobsfishing]

Loved the sudden unexpected fish catch during the skipping demo and then topped by your son catching at fish. Special moments with family!!

[@johnowens7435]

Great video. Senkos are my go to lure. I have probably caught over 70% of all my bass including my personal best on a senko. I prefer the 7” green pumpkin for big bass. What I never realized was the curve in the tail. Always learn something new with your videos! Thanks again for sharing.

[@patklinger9894]

wow... learn something every video... i caught many fish just like you said your favorite colors are in my tackle box.. also like a drop shot and the ned rig... thanks again 👍

[@scottyyoung6629]

Priceless!! As always great video!

[@smokeytheangler8387]

The amount of content these guys put out is nuts. its everyday some weeks.

[@danham3344]

Senko is my #1 confidence bait! I took my buddy with early ALS bass fishing on Lower Otay Lake in San Diego years ago and gave him a spinning rod with a black senko Texas rigged. He just kept casting into the tules and caught a 5lb’er! It was the last time he was able to fish so the senko has a pretty big place in my heart. I think the simplicity of it is why I like to fish it so much. Thanks for another great video Tim.

[@pimppawfishing]

Tim awesome video , nothing better than family and fishing . Enjoy the weekend .

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks, you too!

[@bradcollier6572]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing the extra footage!!

[@MaineStreamFishing]

My young boy!!!! Getting it done! Thats what its all about man 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👊🏾

[@clintholmes1982]

Dude the last part with your son showing how it’s done was awesome!!!

[@jr7003]

Excellent video! Thanks!

[@chriscomer261]

Awesome video Tim. Your co-angler was awesome too! Hes the next future Angler Champion. Thanks for making my day with this video.

[@JoseMartinez-dq4km]

Great video this and Ned rig will always save you when you need a bite. Awesome channel. Little man is in training so sweet

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Jose!

[@johnketuroskey6293]

at the end.....priceless.....magical moments become treasured memories!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@johnwegienka]

Him showing us his fish was AWESOME !!

[@JoeTayMetal]

Love how even though shallow and boat is off. You still have good daddy senses and make him have his life jacket on! Y'all need to get up with me if y'all ever come to Pickwick or south up canal and fish Bay Spring's with me.

[@thechestnutking736]

That was absolutely awesome Tim. I bought my first Senkos in the late 90,s. I started fishing them weightless Texas rig style and I couldn’t tell you how many tournaments we won but I’m not saying we were the first but I’m assuming we weren’t the only ones doing it, I started fishing them around 98 or 99 what is now called wacky and Neko style. I fished them wacky at first without an o-ring and man the fish was tearing them up but we were waisting alot of Senkos. So I got my dads Caterpillar O-ring kit and stole his o-rings that would fit the Senkos. We rigged up an ink pen to put the o-rings on. We’d get the o-rings on the ink pen and then slide the Senko inside the Pen then slide the O-rings on them. We then tried them by sliding the Senko almost to the end and that was money and worked better than the Texas rig. By doing those 2 things it almost doubled our bites. We were just in our early twenties then. Only if I knew now what I knew then we could have capitalized off of it.

[@richardblake4777]

Say Tim, did your son grow two feet in a year? Really a good looking kid( takes after his mom). It's really good to see you guys out in the boat, it's what makes memories for him. Senko could be the subject once per month and I would watch them all. You have to know how much we value your time and knowledge. Thank you.

[@martinw28703]

I gotta get me one of those badass hats and shirts!!! Tight lines guys!!

[@roelanddejong8770]

Like father like son. Really cool to see👍🏻

[@wilmerpruitt6324]

Great job Tim. Thanks

[@Ringtail273]

Awesome video Tim.

[@kenmccarthyfishing]

❤️👏👏👏 awesome job Tim,Thank you ,and your son was very well behaved and the bonus ending was PRICELESS ❤️👊

[@eddiestephens868]

Great video as usual.

[@mbarnhill86]

@ 8:09mins I literally jumped out of chair and screamed. 🤯 it was awesome to see Tim speechless too lol

[@jamesc.murray5932]

Way to go, Josiah!!!!

[@VinceNiergarth]

Perfect! Thanks guys!

[@tacticalbassin]

Our pleasure!

[@_Lt__Dan_]

Nothing goes together better than kids & fishing!

[@juleswinnfield826]

Cool, just like a rod builder finding the spine of a blank. Good solid info as always thanks for the vid.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks for watching!

[@NamathCB]

The Tim vids are my favs. Mr finesse!

[@jerryvang4351]

Nice! I got my little 6yrs old son into some bass fishing last yr with them little kietech swimbaits. He'd nailed them bass at the california aqueduct last fall. Good to see ur kids having a blast, i tell em the same thing, this is daddy's rod, lmao.

[@dannyhudson5405]

Good job little man

[@mmssalazarmatus4802]

Super nice video

[@katiedolfman6496]

Love it! Great video. Thank you!

[@tacticalbassin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jcestanley]

Good video man 👌🏼

[@scot7323]

Great insight, thank you.

[@tacticalbassin]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MultiXMeGa]

I needed this video before I went out today. Yes I can and have caught fish using the senko but I'm not the greatest. I never really understood the tactics. Kinda loose my patience with the whole worm thing. I'm more of a jerkbait guy. But I also acknowledge how great senkos are and can be. Forcing myself to get better at it, thanks for simplifying it all in three different ways.

[@cg-keuka]

The one thing better than dad and son fishing, is dad, son and grandsons fishing.

[@Harleywindtherapy]

Trained fish, lol? I love it! A Senko is on my #1 rod about 10 months/year here in the south. Wacky #1, then either Texas/mojo or with the VMC drop dead hook.

[@jimwarden9617]

That was too cool. Love the kid vid.

[@scottsinclair9525]

that was awesome!

[@phiology1983]

Cant believe April is here! Yea senkos, lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits are my favorite bank killers lures at the ponds I fish at.

[@bucnbas]

Great video

[@ChrisDavis-dt6xx]

I can see your son been a future bass tournament champion

[@MTV0220]

That green pumpkin purple copper is my go to. Especially with the pro senko.

[@MrPanchito2233]

Like always, you guys provide us with great tips and how to fish the techniques! Thank you for sharing with us. I do have a question, are you guys going to do bank fishing videos?

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you! We just did a bank fishing video maybe two weeks ago 👍

[@bobbymason3420]

Awesome that your son was there and got to catch was not only cool but showed hey a senior catches fish don’t have to be an old pro

[@tonyparsley641]

So I know the worm will work good. Keep up the great work

[@jacobphelps03]

I would love if you guys did a "deep dive" into rod lines and explain the different models, their actions, and what techniques they would be good for. The hookup tackle has done this for a few rod lines and I'd be interested in your and Matt's opinions/perspectives on the various rods you fish. For instance I fish mostly St. Croix and I've heard from many different people in rod reviews that St. Croix's "fast" action is typically more moderate than many other rod companies' "fast" actions.

[@amazingfishing7187]

*very good video👏❤*

[@ChrisDavis-dt6xx]

Great video buddy

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Chris!

[@adammolotfishing]

Great content as always. You guys are way ahead of us in Ontario still waiting for chunks of ice to melt. Since it's around the corner for you guys, any chance of some more how to walking the dog videos for frogs and topwater baits?

[@troycote9447]

Lol, Nice job Tim!! I have to admit, I beat them up with senkos many times!

[@jensfishing943]

If your quiet during Daddy’s videos I’ll let you fish. Lol 😂 He did well, I like seeing your kids catch fish. One of my favorites is the video of you and JD catching crappie off your old dock.

[@tacticalbassin]

Lol! JD and I still talk about the crappie fishing video. Thank you for the support over the years!

[@lonniepittman4498]

Amazing video, love the tips on finesse fishing techniques. What rod are you using in the video for neeko rig?

[@KELLEYSrUS]

Excellent. Thanks.

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Jon

[@acortilesso427]

love the vids

[@tonyparsley641]

You are awesome with little man. I hope he dose what you do know

[@bmc5180]

@8:07 That. Was. Awesome!

[@alcav54]

Started using the VMC o rings last year. They are a game changer

[@tacticalbassin]

I think so too. Thanks for watching

[@Internutt2023]

Got to throw in a Junebug / black/blue flake color into the scheme also. I've been using a "generic" 4" that I wacky rig along with a 1/8 oz texas rig weight that works a lot for me with the smaller bass we have in Illinois, but big bass will also bite a smaller presentation at times too👍

[@brianlee9074]

How many times does that happen? You're right, you can't draw it up any better than that. Nice work Tim. ✌🏻🎣

[@ChRiStRiDa7]

Thank you for another very Informative video! Just curious if you have tried facing the hook point different ways on Neko rig, and what way you would recommend? I'm guessing hook point facing tail of bait!? Thank you!

[@Twangtown7]

Tim doing the shimmy move would make a great GIF.

[@TheSXTNYNR]

Loved it 👨‍👦🎣

[@jordanguitar77]

Senko rules. I just caught my PB last week on a Senko, Green Pumpkin w/purple fleck on Texas Rig. In the rain. 26 3/4 in. 10 pounds 6 oz Largemouth!. Anyone who fishes the stickbait regular will tell you, they just work. I hold nobodies opinion higher than Tim & Matt. Thanks TacticalBassin

[@brandon87ize]

Wow!!! Skips the senko to demonstrate and catches one. Tim I’d rather be lucky than good lol.

[@gregorylquickjr9569]

I love it

[@robfunke909]

I swore this was going to be an April fools video , great content as always guys!

[@bretrichionjr.1695]

How awesome was that u guys are good!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thank you Bret!

[@mattfields2033]

Holy crap catching a fish on a random cast like that is priceless. Cool to watch.

[@NamathCB]

Could not have shown that set up off better than that. Uht you just said the same thing. But yeah smack dead center of the roof of the mouth and the pricey bait crawled up the line completely unharmed! Very cool!

[@soldierofdirt81]

I absolutely love the 6th sense clout, caught many bass wacky rigged and neko rigged. I don't throw a Texas rigged stick bait much at all anymore, based on success of technique.

[@JG-iw8mh]

Clout caught my biggest of the year last year as well as many many more fish.

[@mattfields2033]

The clout is hands down my favorite and the one I have the most confidence in. I use others, obviously, but the clout is my #1.

[@440-fishermandrock8]

@@mattfields2033 Clout is pretty good. I like the og Yamamoto and probably the gambler fat ace a bit more tho. I love 6th sense but don't like supporting a company that miliken is a part of

[@mattfields2033]

@@440-fishermandrock8 I understand. There are some I don’t care for as well. I personally like Milliken quite a bit. But I know he’s pretty polarizing sometimes too.

[@THIRTYONEFILMS]

I love 6tH sense, and have gotten some nice bites on the clout, but it’s also the most brittle and fragile stick bait I use. I don’t know how many times I lost one on the cast, resulting in a little birdsnest on my baitcaster. Can rarely get more than 1-2 bites per worm, that’s for sure

[@anangrycustomer2913]

Senkos are the best!

[@jasondaniels209]

Tim that skip and catch was sexy AF bro! I like it 🤙🏼. That was awesome awesome

[@bassma5ter11]

That catch was awesome haha proof is in the pudding!