If you want to win an argument on what the best soft plastic worm is just start talking about the Senko.
Originally named the 'Senko' by Gary Yamamoto baits, this stick worm design has become a leader in soft plastic fishing.
Other brands have their version; Yum has the Dinger, Strike King has the Ocho, and so on. However, thanks to Gary Yamamoto baits, it's common to call them all the same... a Senko.
For decades this worm has stood the test of time and continues to be the lure of choice for many bass fishing anglers.
The Senko's straight, aerodynamic design allows for long casts and provides subtle, killer action thanks to the tapered ends of the worm.
In the soft plastic world, Senkos are also one of the most versatile worms since being able to be used in multiple applications.
Regardless of the time of year, whether you're fishing clear water or dirty water, shallow or deep, the Senko is a good lure to have tied on.
Below we'll cover 5 ways to rig this fish catchin' machine to get you ready to rip some lips the next time you're on the water.
1. Texas Rigged Senko
One of the most common ways to fish a Senko is by Texas rigging it.
The commonly known Texas rig includes the use of lead or tungsten bullet weight, but if you want a lighter, slower sinking presentation you can also ditch the weight and go with a weightless Texas rig.
When fishing a Senko with a weight, do your best to go as light as possible. The lighter weight still allows you to fish deeper water but will also give your worm a more subtle, natural presentation.
A lighter weight as opposed to something too heavy helps keep the movement of the Senko natural instead of forcing the worm to do a nosedive every time it's lifted off the bottom or drug over any type of cover.
When fishing weightless, patience is your friend. A weightless presentation allows the natural, flat flutter of a Senko to have the most effect. This setup doesn't require a whole lot of effort. Cast it and let the lure do the work for you.
Another great advantage to a weightless Texas rigged Senko is for skipping.
If you're fishing around docks or overhanging trees a weightless Texas rigged Senko can be dynamite. This setup is easy to skip, especially on lighter spinning tackle, into those hard-to-reach places, which may be the edge you need to get a bite.
TIP: The most attractive part of a Texas rigged Senko to a bass is the subtle flutter of the tail end of the worm. The next time you're in stained water or fishing gets tough, consider a chartreuse tail Senko to really highlight the movement produced by the tail end of the worm.
2. Wacky Rigged Senko
This is a deadly, deadly, deadly way to rip some lips. It's no exception when fishing a Senko either.
Most wacky rigged lures are fished on spinning tackle but thanks to a Senko being a slightly bulkier worm than most it can easily be fished on baitcasting gear as well.
Regardless of whether you are using spinning or baitcasting gear, the presentation and way you work the lure should be the same.
If you are fishing it weightless, try and be as patient as possible and allow the natural action of the worm do the work for you. When wacky rigged, Senkos have an unmatched natural flutter that other worms do not have so use this to your advantage.
If fishing a weighted wacky rig around deeper water or when trying to create a reaction bite do your best to control your lure depth with the target area you are fishing. A wacky rig is extremely susceptible to getting hung up. To alleviate this consider using a hook with a weed guard.
TIP: Do you have trouble with a lot of your wacky rigged Senkos tearing? It could be how thin your hook is. Consider using a wacky rig O ring or a thicker hook to help avoid having to change out so many torn worms.
3. Carolina Rigged Senko
Like mentioned before, the natural flutter that a Senko produces makes it a great option when using a Carolina rig and trying to catch fish staging in deeper water.
Since the movement of the lure appears as if it is being fished weightless during the retrieve, a Carolina rigged Senko presents the fish with a vulnerable, natural looking bait without losing the perks of fishing deep.
Very few rigs give anglers the advantage of being able to fish deep while also presenting a lure that performs as if it's being fished weightless. This is what makes a Carolina rigged Senko so effective.
The next time you find yourself fishing ledges or deeper running points consider Carolina rigging a Senko!
To gain more insight on the rigs discussed so far check out "Rip Lips With These 4 Bass Fishing Rigs"
4. Ned Rigged Senko
This is one that a lot of anglers forget about but has its place among the rest.
A Ned rig is great for colder weather and finicky bass. Pair it with a 3", or even 4" Senko and you have another dynamite Senko setup.
Want to get a little extra out of your Ned rigged Senko? Take a pair of scissors or snips and cut a small split-tail or four-pronged tail into the end of the soft plastic.
Just like you would with other Ned rig plastics, fish a Ned rigged Senko on as light of a jig head as possible.
TIP: Before throwing away those 5" or 7" Senkos with torn ends consider using them for your Ned rig. Just bite off the torn end until you have a nice 3 or so inch soft plastic and just like that, you have another Ned rig worm.
5. Shaky Head Slim Senko
You've probably been told that a shaky head Senko just doesn't allow for good enough hooksets and... that's pretty accurate.
However, Gary Yamamoto baits fixed this problem and designed a Slim Senko making it a great choice for shaky head anglers.
Fish this worm and setup just like you would other finesse worms.
The tapered design of the Slim Senko gives the bass an enticing, wavy worm when being worked on the bottom. To get the most action out of this setup try and work the Slim Senko on just a hint of slack line.
Once you feel your rod load up or that sudden TICK, set the hook!
Happy Fishing Y'all!
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