A Senko is a popular lure that fishermen like to use for bass fishing. It comes in a variety of colors and sizes. It can be fished and rigged in many ways. The textures, jiggle, and saltiness of this bait is what made it famous as a ‘must-have’ for bass fishing. It is bait that is capable of tricking bass in several ways. When fishing with a Senko, fish it slow. It is mostly used to fish in grass. When you cast, keep your line loose and watch your lure as it sinks while waiting for a bite.

What is a Senko?

It is a plastic worm that is designed to belly-flop into the water horizontally. This way is more effective than doing what most other soft-plastic lures do, which is to nosedive into the water. When this lure reaches the water its wiggle mimics a baitfish. Bass loves the liveliness of the Senko worm. Although this worm is made with a simple construction and design it is a lure that bass attack voraciously and aggressively. It comes in lengths of three to seven inches. General consensus states that the five-inch Senko will cover every fish that is within the target range. There are over 100 colors of Senko worms to choose from. Darker colors work better for dirty, muddy water and everything else uses the lighter shades.

How to Fish a Senko

The rig that you should use with a Senko comes down to how you want to fish. Generally, the rig choice is based on the geography of the area where you are fishing and the behavior of the fish. You also need to figure in:

• The visibility or color of the water
• The water depth
• What season it is
• Where you want to fish in the water column
• Where you think the fish is 
• The weather, including the wind
• Your experience and skill
• Water current

Rigs to Use With a Senko

Wacky Rig

This is the most effective and simplest rig to use with the Senko. With this rig, you can use any hook from a 1/0 to 3/0. If you are fishing for big largemouth bass, use a larger hook. The Senko lure has a smooth part in the middle of it that you put your hook through. When you tie it to your leader, you will have a wacky rig and it is ready to cast. This type of lure will slowly sink so watch your line carefully. The reason is that when your line is slack, the bass will most likely bite at this time. As you watch the lure sink, keep the tip of your rod pointed towards the water so you are ready to lift it when you feel the bass bite.

With this type of rig, there are two options you can use:

• To help increase the rate that the lure is sinking slightly, add a small split shot. When the fish are hanging deeper in the column of water it can save you some time waiting for it to sink if you add some weight. This small weight will not deter the fish or spoil the action.
• You can also tie the Senko lure on using an O-ring or little elastic band instead of using the hook to penetrate it. Some O-rings are made to use with the Senko lure specifically. Using this option you can make your lure last longer than it would if you keep putting a hook through it.

If the current is strong or it is windy, then you may have to use another type of rig. After you have cast your line, leave it on the bottom a minute before you reel it back in and then do it again. This is an excellent rig to use if you are a beginner.

Texas Rig

With this rig you can use a weight or not; it all depends on the conditions. If you decide to use a weight, the one that you will use will depend on how well you can access your target area to fish and the wind and current. Most use a Texas rig when they need a little weight when they are casting and retrieving. When using a weight, most will try to use the smallest weight they can. One weight that is generally used on the Texas rig is the small bullet sinkers, which go down to the hook. There is also the ball sinker that you can use. The hooks to use with this Texas rig are EWG 3/0. If you are using weights on this rig with the Senko lure make sure that you are using the smallest ones you can because it is an action killer if you use too heavy of a weight. 

With this rig and a Senko lure, it is easy to cast under jetties and into structures. After you cast, let your lure rest on the bottom a minute or two before you start to retrieve it. It gives the bass time to bite on the lure. Even when the lure is at rest you will not need to put any action on it. It works when it is resting and when you are letting it sink to the bottom.

Sizes and Conditions

• 4 inches — crystal clear water. This is a good size for beginners and is light and easy to cast.
• 6 inches — water that is slightly cloudy. This size will give bass the best visibility when it is hard to see through the water. This also works great if they are staying in shallow cover.
• 7 inches — water that is very cloudy and off-colored. This larger Senko lure will also work when the water is choppy and it is windy.

Conclusion

• When you use a Senko lure, it is simple to use and generally rewarding and successful in catching bass.
• It is as simple as putting the worm on the hook and casting it. What could be any simpler to use?