UNDERWATER SENKO: Wacky Rig vs. Texas Rig vs. Weighted Wacky Stick Bait

[@limegreenfishingmachine3332]

Love how you think one thing and then see underwater it's different

[@wesstewart9264]

Finally someone is talking about the weighted wacky rig instead of just the neko. Thank you

[@lim_jaheylol778]

Weighted wacky rig is actually super underrated. Back in like, 2012/13 I started fishing the Wacky Rig and I saw a weighted O ring, gave it a try and I love it

[@muherd79]

Drop shot wacky is probably better than weighted but I always do better with it weightless 🤷‍♂️

[@cgravey]

I completely SHRED bass on a neko. So I say it’s better. But Thats my opinion

[@PandemicPete]

I thought the neko rig is same as a wacky rig?

[@cgravey]

@@PandemicPete no its different

[@FishingForTitans]

Thanks for the tip on keeping tension. I never thought too much slack line could affect the way it falls. 👍🏽

[@poodymeiner3125]

I like to just listen to these videos in the background while doing things, and if something in particular pops up I’ll rewind and actually pay full attention. Love these videos, they’re worth millions

[@slliks67]

I will watch 5 or 6 times exactly like that so when i hit the hole all the info is stored.

[@dellsdiy]

Awesome job! The underwater footage helped me see how to fish these baits better. I didn’t realize that I wasn’t letting them fall enough. I’d start working the rod tip after a couple seconds but the real magic happens in the calm fall

[@JBfishing619]

99percent of my bites are on the fall. I just cast it out let it fall to the bottom. No bites reel back in and repeat. The senko has it's own action so we really don't need to do anything but let the bait fall to the bottom! Great video!!

[@tacticalbassin]

Good stuff!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Man I always loved your underwater footage videos, they give so much information that you wouldn't know otherwise

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

Their underwater work is outstanding; it really sets their channel apart.

[@pacman_17]

Thanks for taking the time to film the underwater video

[@bretthumphries7911]

As a fly fisherman and fly tyer the "wacky rig" is the most difficult to reproduce. Rabbit makes a pretty good "soft plastic" and looks killer in the water. Tight lines and thanks for the tips.

[@jonnygranville281]

The Underwater footage is really cool and helpful to know what is going on when the bait is falling

[@CBALLZ666]

I prefer the weighted wacky rigs, it's a little easier to cast, and it sinks a little quicker, or at least I thought it did prior to seeing this footage. Plus after seeing it under water here, the action is amazing. So far I've only been throwing 1/16oz wacky rig, may drop down to that 3/32 next time I make a TW order. I love these underwater footage videos, it gives us so much information about what's going on with our baits. Thank you TB for taking the time to make these videos, it is greatly appreciated. You peeps have been helping so many anglers become better at this sport over the years, you guys are the best on YT. 👍🏻💯🇺🇸🐟🎣👌🏻👊🏻

[@ptcscagu2878]

You guys rock this. The best in depth detail on stick baits iv'e ever seen.

[@zachbartlett2829]

The bass pro stik o is probably my favorite stick bait, cheap and plenty of action

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

I like that one, too.

[@ScruffyCityFishing]

I’ve got a bag full of dingers.. was the first senko I threw and still use them now. The action Texas rig surprised me. I feel like I’m not necessarily missing out when it heavy cover now.

[@dennisederer3594]

Thank you for another excellent presentation on the tried and true Senko/stick baits. I’m certain that I will fish the baits better going forward.

[@MrAngler21]

Very cool video Tim. It really does help to see what the bait actually looks like. In my mind the whacky rig would of had more action but the Texas rigged I was shocked at how great it looks. I’m not a big worm guy but there is always a place for them out on the water. Have a great weekend and thank you!

[@tacticalbassin]

Thanks for watching!

[@ixlr819751]

It's funny this video backs up Matt's video the other day when they do the underwater shots you can hear the transducer pinging in the background. Thanks Tim great video as always.

[@CBALLZ666]

Yes Sir! I had no idea that the transducer made noise underwater. I'm not new to the sport, but I'm not a pro either. I could totally hear it in this video. I'm sure some fish are use to it, but I'm sure it can make some of them shy to bite or come out of the cover to hit your lure. 👍🏻

[@danham3344]

Wow, I learned a ton on this one. I’m a “details” guy and each bait absolutely had it’s differences. My biggest takeaway wasn’t mentioned but I was amazed by the Texas Rigged baits. If you go back and watch, The hook gave most of them a slight “head down” posture so the primary action(tail wag) actually created a secondary action. The Texas rig actually has a side to side roll created by the tail wag and it looks like it’s swimming. Especially on the 6” baits. Very similar to what the correct trailer does to a swim jig. Really great footage Tim. It will completely change how I fish these stick baits. Thanks for this one and for ALL your great content.

[@tacticalbassin]

It also gave the baits more erratic action on the hop.

[@hatfieldmccoy0311]

Man I grew up really just hunting if there was a season we were hunting it, dad and I would do some fishing but nothing serious. I decided last year to get into fishing after turkey season was done and spring and had that down time before next season. I thought no big deal fishing cant be complicated, then I went to Bass Pro Shop and my God. The amount of lures, rods, reels, I have never been so confused so I got on youtube and been watching these channels and out of all them yours has been the most informative. Thank you

[@gregblake8810]

Senko, simply the very best. I've been using senkos since i believe 1998-1999. Tried others, but there was no replacing a senko. My fishing experience was dramatically improved by a senko. The best lure for bass and spots. I use 5 rigs. Weightless texas, weightless wacky, weighted wacky and weighted texas. I even use a flipping hook and a 6" or 7" senko, no weight, the hook needs to bend the senko when the hook point is inserted into the senko. When you twitch it the senko will twist and is erratic in motion. Works very well during spawn and post spawn.

[@johnbeil-c6q]

Senkos are great baits but are one fish wonders . My bank account isn't big enough to use them very often.

[@brandonsmith606]

I was really impressed with how the weighted dinger really came alive with the weight

[@tacticalbassin]

Yes! The little weight really helped with the action. There is a time and a place for the super slow fall too!

[@SpectraMenace]

Went to my spot on Tuesday night and caught 9 on a Texas rigged black and blue senko🔥🔥

[@chris_2413]

You should try out the giant TRD. Actually was really impressed with it.

[@bidkid2020]

Really good information I appreciate it thanks

[@jimsmith4643]

Have used a whacky Dinger with one sixteenth bullet weight not pegged and had some success, but not as well as expected. Now I will always PEG the weight. Can't thank you enough for this video. Central Florida is still hot.

[@paoslee]

Weightless texas rig is what I liked. Awesome video.

[@WhereWeWild]

Got my PB last year on the weightless Texas rig. 😊 Hahaha I grew up only throwing the Texas rig, and then when the bait was all beat up I’d switch it to whacky so I could keep fishing it 😎😂🤙🏽

[@bengreeninsuranceagency]

Senko looked the best for me. Trying to get back to throwing it with the FF sonar. Still haven’t gotten a fish where I’ve seen it with the FF sonar

[@johnperalta9170]

Would appreciate more videos like this on how to rig your line for beginners

[@tmyers4822]

Love the underwater footage, also the weighted Senko is awesome idea

[@tacticalbassin]

Awesome thank you!

[@rowanlandscapes6983]

I would love to see you guys put the bass pro stick baits on an underwater video. I’ve found them to act the closest to original senkos and they sell them in a large pack.

[@teamflanneloutdoors5631]

Excellent video as usual, Thanks👍🏻 I use heat shrink tubing and a heat gun on my Senkos-very economical. I prefer 1/8 weighted on rivers for Smalljaws and 1/16 for lake largies. If the bite is tough I’m rigging a Senko.

[@pogues2300]

Nice to see a Daiwa casting reel. I think you guys would love the zillion sv G. Thanks for the videos!

[@WhoGuyThat]

Most bass I ever caught in one day was on a weightless texas rig. Looking forward to watching this and learning how to fish a weighted wacky. Love them weightless but never tried a weighted one. Love the vids guys, keep up the good work!

[@tacticalbassin]

Right on!

[@anangrycustomer2913]

I love these underwater videos that allows us to see exactly how a bait moves when you can't see it. My pick is always the senko. Ya just can't beat it. Watching the weighted wacky is definitely interesting 🤔

[@danieltaylor9459]

It IS the best-but I just wish they weren’t so goddamn expensive. Bass pro has a good stick bait, and I love the dingers (can’t beat them for the price)

[@anangrycustomer2913]

@@danieltaylor9459 Cuz you're paying for something that works. I don't care for the Dingers or anything by yum. Bass pro brand items are eh.

[@danieltaylor9459]

@An Angry Customer Can’t deny that. 🤷‍♂️ They work amazing-and the action is phenomenal. Even if they were slightly more durable…that’d be fantastic-but the most fish I catch on a senko is one or two before the bait gets absolutely torn apart or if it’s ripped off the o-ring. I think the dingers with a light weighted wacky hook work very similarly-at least that’s the best comparison I’ve found.

[@anangrycustomer2913]

@@danieltaylor9459 it probably is the high salt content making them not so durable. But I personally still only use the Yamamoto senko. And I don't know what everyone is doing wrong, because I've never had a senko get destroyed that fast

[@danieltaylor9459]

@An Angry Customer Well-hey…any tips on how you make them last longer I’m all ears That would definitely save some money lol

[@TheMichiganFisherman]

Texas Rig. The End. Finally a video where I don't have to run to the store to spend money 😂👍💸

[@tacticalbassin]

😂

[@jackalexander.]

I have had much more luck on the wacky rig.

[@timweakley6565]

Weighted or unweighted?

[@mattfleming86]

A weightless texas senko in a baitfish adjacent color is an AMAZING followup to a topwater miss or swimbait follow.

[@goldsher]

Tim and Matt, great content as always. Been a subscriber for years. What would be awesome to see underwater is both wacky and Texas rig…but “Free Rig” style. Thinking 3/32 oz or heavier swagger tackle tungsten ringer pencil weight sliding freely on 8 lb flouro.

[@johndynneson662]

I’m seeing the benefits of. That weighted hook. The yum dinger. Especially. Now I know that. Thanks.

[@603outdoors7]

I almost always throw a light weighted wacky rig opposed to weightless. It falls just about as slow and like the underwater footage shows, seems to have a better action. Another plus is I find that it will fall more vertical than a weightless in windy conditions. Great content!

[@WhatsthePOINT_EDC]

The new school kings of bass fishing give us another grate video!!! Thanks guys. We learn so much from from y’all.

[@jr7003]

Awesome video! Filled with good information!

[@mstatedogs]

Great tutorial! Great footage, thanks!

[@ColoradoFishing]

Awesome video. We've had great lucky all of June fishing with the Wacky Rig, less luck with Texas but Wacky was nuts. Posted quite a few videos showing how successful this rig is...it's crazy. I prefer the finesse style, smaller worm and hook, and light line, but I lose a lot more due to the hook type.

[@LowBrowFishing]

I throw weighted wacky rigs all the time, not neko rigs, and there are several methods I use depending on how deep the water is. Ever fished a wacky in 15-20 feet of water? I do it all the time. You just have to know how to rig it. From my experience, Yum dingers and Creme stickbaits perform the best.

[@tacticalbassin]

They can be deadly in deeper water!

[@kc72186]

I Texas rig mine, no bullet weight and use a nail weight in the tail. Cast out and it sinks away from you. Works great for boat docks and cat tails, goes into the cover 👍

[@Nasymvei]

Love the Yum Dingers. I haven't tried Gary Yamamoto yet. Not that I was disappointed with the action of Yums, but those Senkos have such a great shimmy to them. Thank you!

[@jeremypatrick5213]

Walking out the door to try that weighted rig now I really like how it looks and can't wait to hit the water thanks brother

[@nathanblake3608]

The senko and the yum dinger are two stick baits that are hard for any other company to try to compare to. Only other stick bait I have is a floating one cus at times I like a floating worm for a shakey head.

[@Buford_T_Justice]

My favorite 5" stick bait is the Berkley Maxscent General. Similar fall rate (if not faster) to the Senko on a weightless wacky hook. I like the matte finish and that powerbait scent can't hurt. Unfortunately, they are even more expensive than Senkos and harder to find.

[@Suhdude13]

Awesome video man. Back to the basics. Something every fisherman should keep in mind and always stay fresh on. Appreciate the video and the work you put into them.

[@tacticalbassin]

You bet! Thank you Eric

[@Toomuchbank]

I just bought my first individual combo cause of your combo videos I went with the dobyns fury and the Lews lfs couldn’t be happier

[@bradleygray2511]

Great footage and information brother. Thank you

[@codystokes4106]

Hey Matt and Tim, why no love for Berkeley Maxscent Hit Worm?

[@gameopsdk]

My favorite has to be the lake fork hyper worm and stick. They make great chatter bait trailers too.

[@geoffreylack1562]

Great video. I was wondering is there an advantage to using bands over O rings?

[@brandonbriscoe3818]

Awesome video, You guys gotta do a video talking about your opinions on that new haymaker hook by owner! It looks like a crossover between a straight shank and EWG!!!!

[@paulobraghetto]

Absolutely awesome!! Congrats!!

[@justincourtright2431]

I have never seen how well these stick work! I don't use them as often as I should, but seeing this video makes me want to use them a lot more! Awsome video, I like the weighted look alot. It added a ton of action to the bait. I'm fishing shasta lake next weekend and I'm going to through it and see how well it works! Thanks!

[@bpfish]

The Xzone true center stick is phenomenal

[@paulcowart3802]

very good underwater footage liked it a lot.

[@averyallen4798]

I never throw a Texas rig stick bait but seeing how all of them shimmy especially the senko I'm going to be adding it to my regular arsenal

[@johnnyweaver1300]

That really opened my eyes on the weighted wacky rig, I like it 👌

[@jayrumsey87]

Love your info...Try a small split shot about a foot up your line...gives it just enough to pull it down a little faster ...either wacky or texas

[@midwestfischerman]

I LOVE the YUM Dingers for their durability and ESPECIALLY their affordability! They are STIFF for sure, and DON'T SINK FAST. This, however, DOES NOT mean they are garbage. YUM Dingers are my favorite stickbaits for the Neko Rig and weighted Wacky Rig with a weedless Wacky jig, by far! They certainly benefit from the weight since they are salt-free plastic and sink extremely slow when weightless. Moreover, the STIFFNESS of the YUM Dinger is a REAL ASSET for the RECOIL BACK TO STRAIGHT you get after you tug the Neko Rig forward or when the Wacky jig comes to rest. IMO you do NOT want a soft stickbait for these two rigging options. However, I DO NOT EVER fish the YUM Dingers WEIGHTLESS, either as Texas rigged or Wacky rigged. The stiffness that comes with their durability creates almost NO ACTION on a weightless fall, NOT AT ALL WHAT YOU WANT. For weightless rigs I "stick" (see what I did there?) with the Bass Pro Shops Stik-O and the Z Man ZinkerZ.

[@Nasymvei]

On the last part is what I was thinking. They have almost no action. Weights going on for sure! Thanks for your input :D

[@Nasymvei]

P.S. almost always am I going weightless, super cool to see the underwater footage.

[@bradkiff6824]

Watch you guys all time appreciate the information. Curious as to what your rod and reel setup sir?

[@shanescott3168]

Great video! Very practical and helpful. It is a big help to see how they fall. Thank you. I've been using a very small unpegged worm bullet weight above the hook on my wacky rigs to help them fall a little faster with more action. I love the wacky rig and have caught quite a few fish in the short time I've been using it.

[@Essoterra]

Seriously thank you for this video.

[@LunkerQuest67]

I place a small rattle in one end of the senko and fish it weightless. This way works great in stained to muddy water. The rattle ads a subtle sound for the bass to hone in on.

[@jasonvigeant8893]

Rattle? Never heard of that or seen it!

[@LunkerQuest67]

@@jasonvigeant8893 poke a small hole in the fat end of a stick bait or senko and place a small rattle in the hole and seal it with super glue and rig it wacky style. Works great in stained to muddy water.

[@firstmateacademy]

Great info and insight! Thanks for taking us to school! I appreciate how thoroughly and educationally you present your content.

[@tedlincolnsfishinglife]

great stuff! I was telling Matt that I have been trying to get some underwater footage myself, but damn it's not easy. always love your underwater stuff but iI understand even more now how good your's really is!

[@tacticalbassin]

Its not easy by any means lol! Thank you Ted

[@bobcoleman3400]

Very helpful video. Thanks

[@jello7281]

I'll try those weighted wacky rigs this season! I use Yamamoto and Strike King Ocho.

[@oldeschoolbob1022]

I have found the Ocho to be useful when the normal-shaped stick does not get a bite. That different shape helps? Maybe? I do know it does sometimes trigger a bite from finicky fish.

[@mikeantes9597]

Thank you Tim agreed weightless wacky,Yamamoto only

[@bigdawgbassin9001]

Great video Tim, Where did you get the light on your Raptors?

[@jhard94]

You should have compared a Carolina rig as well! I use them quite often

[@davidewing6394]

Such a great channel. I learn every time.

[@jackwilliams8272]

The magnum with the little weight so right on thanks

[@whittamps]

Great lesson!

[@farrzmd3038]

Great video. I’ll def be trying the the weighted wacky after seeing this. I only throw the 6” senko weightless Texas rigged. I’ve caught fish the size of the bait.

[@fishntools]

Senkos work awesome Texas Rigged with Mr. Twister Keeper hooks both weighted and non. Tip: cut 1/3 of the nose probe off and open up the hook gap slightly!

[@thechestnutking736]

Been fishing what is now called a wacky rig since the late 90,s. Won a lot of tournaments for years with it. We started just by hooking it dead center of the bait but we were tearing up alot of Senkos. So I stole some oil rings out of my dads caterpillar oil ring kit and started hooking them that way. We also would slide the oil ring almost to the very end and hook them that way also instead of a Texas Rig. I’m glad it took so long to finally catch on.

Perfect video about baits!

[@JohnK-dv7pb]

I'm not a big wacky guy but I throw 5 inch zoom zlinky's when I do. Is there a reason you don't review them? Don't think they're good or just never tried them? I'm pretty sure they fall faster than a yum dinger for one. Thanks for the video. I'm going to try the texas rig for sure. The action on them really shocked me.

[@joshhollins8825]

What was your 5" Texas Rig setup? It looks like an Expride B in the video, but I'm mostly curious about line size for hook penetration. Do you ever go braid to leader for senkos or just straight fluorocarbon?

[@brandonbaird3917]

Tim, have you and Matt thought about doing reviews and your thoughts on the googan baits

[@Hawk-iy2iz]

The thing I noticed interesting in this video is that the weightless hook is on top where as the weighted hook flips to Cinco upside down. Meaning you need to put the hole on the bottom side with a weighted hook, but on the top side with a weightless hook.

[@jimmcculloch5825]

I liked the look of the Texas rigged Senko best of all.

[@danielhedrick9917]

Where does hook point go on baits with that hook slot (like the yum dinger)? I thought that was where the point went to keep it weedless. I think you just said that's where the belly of the hook goes, I guess to get a better hook gap for hookup? Is that right, or did I mishear or misunderstand...

[@Ashur-Uballit-lll]

What about those pointy weights that gets poked into the end of the bait? With a weightless hook?

[@mazzola930]

Love the dinger but noticed A LOT of inconsistencies with them. Some colors have a ton of salt some have none. Even then, some of the saltier colors are inconsistent and can weigh between 8-10.5 grams each. Hold them in your hand and its noticeable the flexibility of them. Its nuts.

[@Allsznhunter]

Awesome vid guys, keep them coming

[@Straight_Kash]

For the weighted wacky rig, wouldn’t you want the hook on the “bottom” part of the worm? Instead of the top, since the weight pulls it down and is underneath the worm, hopefully that makes sense.

[@spankymcbee0903]

I totally agree with this method. Side is fine for weightless, but you need to twist the crossover ring to be down with the weight. That's what I think anyways.

[@brandon87ize]

Tim, longtime subscriber here. I have a question regarding hooks in the Texas rig. Iv seen multiple “pros” use a straight shank flipping hook and skin hook the side of the bait for hook up percentage. In your opinion is the wide gap the best option?

[@msquared9605]

Not complaining but I would’ve liked to seen the unique type stick baits. Like the pocket rocket, grandebass has a stick bait with a little tickle tail, maybe even some straight tail style worms

[@DirkDiddler]

Tim how's yalls opinion of the zoom zlinky i got a pack seem pretty good

[@bryantgwb007]

Why not the zoom stick bait? In comparison my opinion zoom is the next best to the Yamamoto.

[@theangleraquarist]

Thanks guys! I just got a 6’9 medium rod so I can throw both of these!

[@tdeeb6359]

Thanks Tim❗️

[@allengainzmma]

Yesterday was the first day I used Yamamoto rubber worms on my kayak and I’m honestly in shock at how much better they are than any other fake worm I’ve used. I’m used to catching one or two bass after hours of fishing but yesterday was crazy. Back to back small mouth bass and I caught a monster 25 inch pickerel. I have no clue why they work so much better but I know I’m never using any rubber worms that aren’t from Yamamoto again.

[@seizedcarcass8440]

For whatever reason I don’t use the trick stick from big bite. I like the cane stick and the fat stick but I’ve never had the itch to fish the trick stick. I use Yum,zoom,zman,Yamamoto,and berkley for my normal stick baits. Say the 5-6 inch size. Although that big bite fat stick is something special.