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Dan
Joined: 07 Jul 2012
Posts: 41
Location: Hamden
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 Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 9:47 pm Post subject: Senko |
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So, I'm new with this whole fishing thing and I'm a bit confused about Senko. I want to make sure that I'm using it appropriately and not wasting it.
I'm currently shore fishing for LMB using it in conjunction with a size 2/0 offset shank hooks; I haven't even had so much as a nibble. Tried rigging Texas and Wacky styles.
Am I using too big of a hook? Using bait too big for shore fishing? Not patient enough? Just wait it out and it'll eventually happen? |
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SAP284
Joined: 07 Jun 2011
Posts: 655
Location: Central, CT
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| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 6:32 am Post subject: |
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For wacky I use 3/0 octopus circle hooks. You do have to be patient. Also, what type/size worm you using? I usually go with 4" or 5" with 5" being th more popular.
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Steve |
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PECo
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 5203
Location: Avon, CT
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| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 8:48 am Post subject: Re: Senko |
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| Dan wrote: | | I'm currently shore fishing for LMB using it in conjunction with a size 2/0 offset shank hooks; I haven't even had so much as a nibble. |
| SAP284 wrote: | | For wacky I use 3/0 octopus circle hooks. |
Wow! Those are some BIG hooks. Try a Gamakatsu Number 4 Octopus Circle Hook and an O-ring. Here's a short I caught with that rig in the evening on Saturday:
Like most of the fish that I catch with a wacky rigged Senko, it was hooked in the corner of the mouth. Yes, I get the occasional gut hooked fish, but only when I'm not paying enough attention to gently set the hook immediately after the fish picks up the Senko. That's why I always bring hemostats with me. If you can't find O-rings, I've read that small zip ties work well, too.
As far as HOW to fish a Senko, cast it to clear water on the edges of cover or structure and let it fall to the bottom as vertically as possible. That requires slack line. I prefer to use braided line because it floats and sits flat on the surface of the water. If you watch your line, you'll know that the Senko has hit the bottom when it stops moving away from you. You'll know when a fish has picked up the Senko when the line "shivers" on the surface of the water. Reel in any slack, gently set the hook and land the fish. If you don't get a bite within a few seconds after the Senko hits the bottom, gently twitch it up and let it fall back to the bottom. It really works, even on finicky fish.
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Dan
Joined: 07 Jul 2012
Posts: 41
Location: Hamden
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| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 9:57 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks guys and nice fish.
I've been using 5" Yamamoto Senkos with braided line (see signature for my bass setup; yeah, I'm probably using too high of a test too). Do the bass ever hit the Senko hard or is it always the shiver?
Anyway, I'll give these techniques a try and report back. |
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NorthEastFisherman
Joined: 27 May 2012
Posts: 582
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| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:24 pm Post subject: |
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I do what peco says, watch the slack line and if its faster than it usually is sinking then youve most likely got a fish. I also would use polarized glasses if youre fishing shallower like 2-6 feet deep. Its just another way to find the fish!
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Zach0208
Joined: 10 Jun 2012
Posts: 75
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| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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| I bought polarized glass last week and accidentally let it fall into the lake the first time I use it....I even had no chance to see its effect.....should get another soon... |
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NorthEastFisherman
Joined: 27 May 2012
Posts: 582
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| Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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Buy a leash too. I think thats what they are called. They slide onto the sides of your glasses and go behind your head so when the sunglasses fall off your face they will be secured by the leash. They are basically a necklace that holds onto your sunglasses. They do look kinda funny but you wouldnt believe how many times ive jumped in to save expensive sunglasses.
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PECo
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 5203
Location: Avon, CT
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| Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 6:43 am Post subject: |
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| Dan wrote: | | I've been using 5" Yamamoto Senkos with braided line (see signature for my bass setup; yeah, I'm probably using too high of a test too). |
No, your 10 pound test braided line is fine. I actually prefer to use 50 pound test Power Pro braided line because it's a great all purpose line. I can tie on a soft plastic frog and set the hook all day long without any failures of the line. DirtyDawg10 (aka Derek) thinks that the 15 pound test P-Line Fluoroclear line I was using when we fished together at Winchester Lake was more effective than the braided line he was using (we were both throwing wacky Senkos), but I'm not convinced of that. I've never seen a difference in the hookup rate with either line. I just happened to have a spinnerbait tied on my braided line setup, so I used my fluoro setup for the wacky rig. When I finally hooked a keeper with it, I really wished that I had used the braided line setup, instead.
I also used to use small Pflueger President spinning reels, but had too many bail failures. I've switched to Shimano reels and have had fewer problems. I think that the Sahara reels are a good value and really like the Stradic reels, too.
Fish will often hit a wacky rigged Senko as soon as it hits the water or on the fall. You'll see a change in the rate that your line is moving across the surface of the water. Just give the line a gentle pull if you think that a fish has hit the Senko. If it doesn't pull back, let the Senko continue to fall to the bottom.
The most important thing is to fish a wacky Senko s - l - o - w - l - y. Most fishermen I see don't have the patience for it, right Kira  , but it works when done right. Heck, it also works when done wrong, although not as well. 
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Dan
Joined: 07 Jul 2012
Posts: 41
Location: Hamden
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| Posted: Sat Jul 28, 2012 2:12 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info, PECo. Interesting to know about using high test line.
Anyway, I bought the Pflueger since it felt like butter on display at Cabela's; I got such a great deal on the President on my bass rod that I couldn't turn it down. No issues with it yet.
I'll probably look into some Shimano's when I get a salt water rod. My buddy swears (MattyK182) on the Shimano Sienna which is a nice reel for the price. |
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mikey5string
Joined: 09 May 2012
Posts: 179
Location: West Haven
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| Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 10:18 am Post subject: |
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if youre not catching fish with the senko try something else. No sense forcing a bait on them. I havent used a senko in months and I havent been skunked once in all my trips.
The senko is a great bait and does produce but if youre not getting bit with it try something else. It could be WHERE youre fishing. If youre not throwing it in the right places, you wont get bit.
You mention that youre new to fishing. I would read up on the LMB. Learn about its habitat, diet, spawning, watch youtube videos, read about different techniques, talk to people.....
Youre set up is fine. I would work on technique and not more gear. |
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Dan
Joined: 07 Jul 2012
Posts: 41
Location: Hamden
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| Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2012 5:40 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks Mikey.
I've been typically throwing into and around cover and lilies with deep baits and crankbaits. I've tried Branford Supply Ponds, Baldwins Pond in Meriden and Batterson Park.
I'm definitely going to be watching more videos and doing some more reading up. I was also considering doing the guided tour of Lake Saltonstall to learn in a more first hand way of going after LMB. |
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mikey5string
Joined: 09 May 2012
Posts: 179
Location: West Haven
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 4:13 pm Post subject: |
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I would take you out on lake saltonstall one day this summer and show you what I know. I have been doing pretty well there this year.
One rule: no senkos! ; ) |
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Dan
Joined: 07 Jul 2012
Posts: 41
Location: Hamden
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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Sure; I've got to get the RWA pass. I've got some time off coming up soon from work.
Also, caught my first LMB today without Senko (hit a nightcrawler while pan fishing). |
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Aroz
Joined: 12 Jul 2012
Posts: 70
Location: Wethersfield
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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| what size o-ring fits over the GY senko's? I generally use 4", but also use 5" (not sure if the length of them varies). |
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PECo
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 5203
Location: Avon, CT
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| Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2012 11:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Aroz wrote: | | what size o-ring fits over the GY senko's? I generally use 4", but also use 5" (not sure if the length of them varies). |
I'm not sure of the size, but both Cabela's and Dick's sell a Wacky Tool that comes with the right size O-rings and both also sell replacement O-rings.
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