While soft plastics like Rage Tail Craws, Brush Hogs, and Flukes are popular, the Senko is legendary. When the bass aren’t biting and the pressure’s on, more anglers reach for a Senko than anything else.
The reason is simple: for finesse techniques, there’s probably no more effective soft plastic than a Senko. And while no one bait can do it all, the Senko comes as close as any.
While you can Texas or Carolina rig a Senko, there are much, much better options – and we’ll cover your best bets in all the detail you need to rig and fish them.
If you’re new to Senkos, or just want a refresher as spring approaches, we’re here to help.
Want to increase your Senko know-how?
Keep reading!
Table of Contents (clickable)
What is a Senko?
Weedless wacky rigging allows you to really work a Senko through the top of vegetation.
The brainchild of Gary Yamamoto, the Senko is deceptively simple.
The body is nothing more than a relatively thick, ridged stick bait that resembles an especially fat earthworm.
But those subtle ridges trap tiny air bubbles, and in combination with a salt-heavy body, they create everything from an erratic dating motion to gentle flutters, depending on how the Senko is rigged and fished.
And unlike many – if not most – stick baits, the Senko is just as effective when run weightlessly as it is on a Neko, Shaky, or Drop Shot rig, just to name a few examples.
It casts well, too, and it’s just the right weight to work well with the medium to medium light spinning tackle that’s preferred for finesse techniques.
Pretty much the only thing anglers don’t like about Sens are their fragility. They’re not tough, and they can’t take a beating. A few hard hits will tear one up, and they can be ripped off a hook in a mean fight.
Rigging and Fishing a Senko
While you can rig a Senko like any other soft bait, using anything from a Texas rig to a simple jig head, this stick bait really shines when applied to finesse techniques.
Let’s cover the most productive.
Drop Shot Rig
Finesse techniques share a common theme: they leave your Senko as free as possible to strut its stuff. And if you’re looking for a rig that allows you to keep your stick bait up and off the bottom, there’s nothing better than the Drop Shot.
It’s easy to assemble, but if you need a refresher, check out this video:
I’ll sometimes wacky rig my Senkos to create flutter on both ends, too.
All you want to do with this rig is gently bounce it along the bottom. You want to keep your weight grounded all the time, using a slack line and gentle motions of your rod tip to drag your rig.
Don’t worry about trying to get that Senko to dance. It’ll do fine all on its own!
Wacky Rig
Wacky rigging is nothing more than placing a hook mid-Senko. And whether you use an O-ring, hook the worm directly, use a jig head rather than a bare hook, add a nail weight, or any of the other options anglers have invented, that hook placement is the same.
And one thing’s for sure: the wacky rig works!
While you can throw a wacky-rigged Senko with a medium power casting rod, I prefer a longish spinning rod in medium to medium light power. For me, a fast action is perfect, and I just love St. Croix’s Avid series of spinning rods for my wacky rigging.
The 6’8” medium power rod with a fast tip is just right for it, and from the well-contoured cork handle to the Fuji Concept guides, this is a rod you’re going to love, too.
For wacky rigs, I prefer a circle (or octopus) hook or an EWG. Size is up to you, but I’ve seen everything from a 1/0 to a 3/0, and even with some folks stepping up to a 4/0.
Some folks like fluorocarbon for wacky rigging, but I prefer braid for its added sensitivity. You’ll find either Sufix 832 or PowerPro in 10- to 15-pound tests on my reels.
Many anglers choose a hi-vis braid color so that their line is easier to watch. That’s something to really consider if you start missing strikes.
And unless the water is as murky as my morning coffee, I always use a 10-pound fluorocarbon or mono leader.
Stren Original is my usual choice, as I like a bit of shock resistance right there where it matters.
I often use a Double Uni, but if you prefer an FG knot, that’s hard to argue with.
Working a wacky-rigged Senko is simple.
Cast and let the Senko sink on a slack line, watching for a strike on the fall. More often than not, that’s where it’ll happen.
When (if!) it hits the bottom, let it rest for a second, twitch it just a little, wait, and then pop your rod tip a few times to lift it. Let it fall again on a slack line and repeat as necessary.