Whether a Beginner or a Pro, Bass Angler's Need to Learn the Senko Worm

Are you a fishing beginner?

Do you like fishing a worm?

Or are you simply a pro who needs fish in tough times?

The Senko worm is your go to bait. This slide show will show you how to rig a Senko to skip under docks, pontoon's, and to the bank. Texas rigged, it is ideal for tougher areas, include heavy brush, thick, tall blade grass, or even over Hydrilla.

You may like to fish regular worms Texas style with a weight or you may be a proven bass catcher with many years of experience. But when the fish want a slow fall, you should reconsider. This bait has produced me an Angler of the Year title in my club.

Give it a try on a bait caster or my preferred method, a spinning reel. Here are the rigging options and how to use it.

Texas Rig a Senko with 4/0 or 5/0 Offset Shank Hook

I prefer a hook of this style. Senko's have a wide body, so if you are going to Texas rig this Senko with or without weight it clearly has enough extra to not interfere with your hook set.

Hook selection is very important. The bigger the plastic the bigger the gap. Now, if you are fishing weightless you may see a cheaper blue tint hook in the stores. It's almost like it is a different form of aluminum vice metal that is used in most hooks.

I like it because it is a bit lighter than a normal hook, thus slowing the sink rate. I keep both in my tackle box to ensure I have the weight and presentation that the fish are looking for. If they take it fast, I use the heavier hook. You will also have them for fishing other soft plastic baits.

Rigging a Senko

You rig it just like a Texas style worm. Penetrate the head of the worm about 1/4 inch up the bait, driving the hook through the plastic as shown.

Twist the Hook and Pull the plastic up a Bit

You twist the hook so the barb of the hook is pointing dead center on your plastic Senko. With two fingers, hold the bottom of the hook tightly with the barb facing up. With your other hand use your thumb and forefinger to grab the meaty plastic. Push the plastic above the barb. Then insert the hook to create a streamline straight worm. (Shown in next slide.)

Your Senko Worm Is Ready to Fish

As you see, I have inserted the hook into the center of the worm and kept it pretty straight for this slide.

Every make of plastic is different. If you buy a Yamato Senko, then this rig is fine because it is a very soft plastic. Other type's of Senko worms are a little harder and you may wish to push your barb completely through and then reset the tip lightly in the plastic. A little trial and error is required to get what you feel comfortable with.

Wacky Rig a Senko Worm Using a Circle Hook

Depending on the thickness of the worm, I use a 1/0 or 2/0 circle hook. The one I find best, but is a bit pricey, is the Gamakatsu Octopus Circle. I have found this to be one of the best for me and I have a lot of confidence in it. I like the weight factor and it is truly an awesome hook.

Confidence is important because you will stick with your bait and use it more. I use a Palomar knot on this hook. Rigging it wacky style, you will catch on more things like docks, sticks, grass. The trade off is that you catch more fish and do not miss as many hook sets.

You do not jerk a fish over the boat with this hook. You use a sweep hook set. If the fish runs right, you swing your rod left and reel. The fish sticks itself. If the fish goes left, you simply swing right. Simply use enough force to pull the hook into the fish. It will not take many bites to realize what easy pressure it takes to set the hook with this rig. It is very successful.

Properly Rigged Wacky Style Worm

I have tied my Palomar knot. Because I tournament fish, I practice my Palomar knot and make sure my time is under 30 seconds to tie the hook. I simply pull the hook through the center of the bait. The weight of the worm is enough without any weight to cast on any spinning reel.

You can practice skipping this in swimming pools, creeks, and lakes. Practice skipping the worm until you can hit targets within a foot of your aim point, as this will allow you skip under the tightest places where other anglers miss.

It is such a simple bait with so many options. I have skipped it into feeding frenzy's and caught fish. Under docks and pontoon boat's is a big favorite. If you have any kind of cover in open water, simply cast or skip it out to the cover. Let it settle to the bottom, wait about 15 seconds after it hits the bottom, and then give one twitch of the rod tip. It will bounce off bottom and slow fall again. Usually this is your strike time. I repeat the twitches three times with the intervals changing.

Once I find out what the fish want. I give it to them. Obviously if they are taking it on the fall with the vibration, who needs to wait for bottom. See what work's for you and your conditions. This is a big fish catching bait!