One bait that has made possibly the biggest splash in the bass fishing world is the Senko worm by the Yamamoto Bait Company. It all started in the mid nineties when Gary Yamamoto wanted to design a simple-looking bait that resembled the shape of a pen. And in 1996 the first prototype was born.
Since then, Senkos have become so popular that just about every worm manufacture today has their own version of it. But since the Senko was the original soft plastic stickbait, people still refer to all the different brands as “Senkos.”
One of the biggest contributors to their popularity is how heavily they are used by both novice and advanced fishermen. These baits are so effective and easy to fish that they can make a complete novice look like a pro. And these baits produce so many bites that they serve pro fishermen as well.
Rubber worms are one of the most versatile categories of bass lures out there, but Senkos push the versatility even further. This is because they can be fished effectively with any rubber worm rig and in just about any bass fishing scenario.
Fishing Senkos
From finesse fishing to punching these baits can do it all, and with tremendous results. The baits range from three to seven inches for both extremes, but it’s the five inch bait that is most popular. They come in a multitude of colors and the five inch one comes in the most.
In most cases you’ll either see Senkos rigged Texas style or Wacky Style. Both rigging styles are very effective but each has a different sinking action. And it’s when the bait is sinking that the most of the bites will come.
The best way to fish a Senko is by casting it out and letting it sink to the bottom. A weightless Senko will have a slow sinking action that is very attractive to bass. However, if you want to get down faster or create a fast-moving presentation then you can rig it with weights.
Once the bait hits the bottom you want to lightly jig the rod to make it pop up and then let it flutter back down. Continue this action until the worm is retrieved back to you.
These worms are very consistent when it comes to their action. Their bodies have a slight arch to them and it’s important to know how to identify it. When you rig a Senko you want the arch facing down. This helps maintain that consistent “fluttering” action as it sinks.
Senkos not only get a lot of bites, but they also have the potential to get big bites. It’s the perfect lure for a beginner because you can catch high numbers of bass while still targeting trophy bass.
Slim Senkos
If you want to get even more finesse with these baits there are also Slim Senkos. If you hadn’t figured it out by the name already, these are Senkos with a slimmer body. They sort of resemble the profile of a trick worm but with that classic Senko action. These are a better choice for finesse fishing and a popular choice for drop shotting.
