Guaranteed To Catch Bass

[MichaelCopeland]

4 hours ago, MTPanda said:

 

 

Texas rigged weightless is probably the better way to go with a Gamakatsu EWG 3/0 hook.  Senkos weightless falling action is really unique and the bullet weight will make it fall down too fast without the unique fluttering/wiggling action.  I always use a fluorocarbon leader of around 6 ft, Seaguar Invizx, anywhere from 8lbs to 14lbs, depending on the type of cover I'm fishing.  Yum Dingers should work but I personally prefer Senkos.  The unique falling action the senko possesses is quite amazing, especially wacky rigged.

 

I've caught my personal best of 5.97lbs off a wacky rigged senko but I was drop shotting it around 25ft, slowly tugging it along the bottom.  I would get hung up in the treelines and gently shake it off and get hit hard right after breaking free of the structure.  I told my friend to do the same and he landed his pb of 3.97lbs the same day.

 

Just a few days ago I tossed a weightless texas rigged senko parallel to some tulles and instantly got nailed by this 3.84lber

 

 

If you look beyond the fish, I tossed my senko directly in front of those tulles and slightly jerked and paused the senko only twice and then I got a huge bite.

 

I don't have any flourocarbon line, however I do have Trilene XT green low vis mono in 14lb and 20lb. Will either of those work well for a leader?

[new2BC4bass]

8 hours ago, MichaelCopeland said:

Is this being Texas rigged weightless or with a bullet type weight? Or is it rigged a different way? Also I use 50lb Power Pro Spectra braid, should I use a leader? If so how long should it be? The water I fish is pretty murky. I have a 6'6" MF spinning rod with 6.2:1 gear ratio. I don't have real senkos but I have Yum Dingers, will those work?

 

No leader required.  A brother-in-law...and my fishing partner when I visit Florida...uses nothing but 40# PowerPro on all his rods (all spinning).  Loves it because he seldom loses a lure.  Catches plenty of fish and not just dinks either.

[roadwarrior]

Lighter line is what I recommend. #4 or #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Seaguar InvizX on spinning tackle.

The rigging is weightless and weedless using a #4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hook. I fish Troker, Gamakatsu

and Daiichi  X-Point. Pick your favorite color, but I ONLY fish the GYCB Senko. Another alternative

 is the Magic Lure.

 

 

 

[MTPanda]

5 hours ago, MichaelCopeland said:

I don't have any flourocarbon line, however I do have Trilene XT green low vis mono in 14lb and 20lb. Will either of those work well for a leader?

 

I personally use fluorocarbon line as just my preference.  I live in Southern California where a lot of our lakes are highly pressured with clear water so I tend to use more finesse techniques like dropshot so I always have a fluro leader tied to my braid.  I only tend to use mono as a leader when I'm tossing some topwater but you can go ahead and try to fish without a leader or with the mono leader, either way you'll still catch fish if you fish the senko in the right areas and fish it slow and subtle.  Good luck!

[jr231]

I like a 3/0 for the 5" senko. It lets the tail wiggle much more. 4/0 is a must for the fat ika, 3/0 is simply too small.. 

 

Straight braid will work just fine.. you should try a floro leader for weightless plastics , not only is it less visible but it sinks helping the bait get down slightly faster which seems to be the ticket for me in the summer. I do just fine using straight braid and have for years. Plenty of 20+ fish days , but since I've started using a floro leader my confidence has heightened ever more, even if it is a placebo (; 

[fishwizzard]

I have started fishing the Ika a bit and am having a lot of luck with it.  In addition to several nice bass I have caught a few sunfish, a eastern water snake, and a large bullfrog.  All caught casting to pads and then slowly popping it into the water.  

 

I am still up in the air about what hook to use.  So far I am using a 5/0 Owner Rig-n-Hook and a 4/0 Owner Beast.  The Rig-n sits close to the plastic, is very weedless, and gives decent hooksets, but the plastic's lifespan is poor.  The Beast sticks out a bunch and snags a lot.  But it gives almost perfect hooksets and I have gotten 6-8 fish on a single plastic with them.  

[MichaelCopeland]

5 hours ago, new2BC4bass said:

 

No leader required.  A brother-in-law...and my fishing partner when I visit Florida...uses nothing but 40# PowerPro on all his rods (all spinning).  Loves it because he seldom loses a lure.  Catches plenty of fish and not just dinks either.

Cool deal, thank you.

1 hour ago, MTPanda said:

 

I personally use fluorocarbon line as just my preference.  I live in Southern California where a lot of our lakes are highly pressured with clear water so I tend to use more finesse techniques like dropshot so I always have a fluro leader tied to my braid.  I only tend to use mono as a leader when I'm tossing some topwater but you can go ahead and try to fish without a leader or with the mono leader, either way you'll still catch fish if you fish the senko in the right areas and fish it slow and subtle.  Good luck!

I'm on vacation next week, unfortunately it'll be spent in my area of Louisiana. Gonna have to try it out with my Yum Dingers. Can't really afford real senkos. Thank you for the advice.

3 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

Lighter line is what I recommend. #4 or #6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid or Seaguar InvizX on spinning tackle.

The rigging is weightless and weedless using a #4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hook. I fish Troker, Gamakatsu

and Daiichi  X-Point. Pick your favorite color, but I ONLY fish the GYCB Senko. Another alternative

 is the Magic Lure.

 

 

 

What exactly is the magic lure?

[MichaelCopeland]

@road warrior yesterday I bought some 2/O and 3/O Gammy EWG offset hooks(red) and some Strike King Watermelon Red Black Shim E Sticks. This morning I went to Indian Creek Reservoir in Woodworth, Louisiana. First time I've ever been there. I used my 3/O Gammy EWG and one of the SK Shim E Sticks along with my 6'6" Lew's Carbon MF Speed Stick spinning rod with straight 50lb Power Pro Spectra braid. First cast, reeled up my slack waited 30 secs, drug it about a foot and a half or so. Let it sit for 15 secs and went to drag it again and felt weight(never felt a bite) and started reeling in. I want to thank you for the advice. I now have a new PB! My scale wasn't working right, so I have to guess, but it's at least 2lbs or so. It's twice the size or so of my first two bass that were roughly a lb or so. That technique definitely works. Only caught one today, still a lot more bank areas to fish from out there. Didn't have enough time, with all the people that were there to do much more fishing before it started to rain a little. Thanks again, you're the man!

[MTPanda]

3 hours ago, MichaelCopeland said:

@road warrior yesterday I bought some 2/O and 3/O Gammy EWG offset hooks(red) and some Strike King Watermelon Red Black Shim E Sticks. This morning I went to Indian Creek Reservoir in Woodworth, Louisiana. First time I've ever been there. I used my 3/O Gammy EWG and one of the SK Shim E Sticks along with my 6'6" Lew's Carbon MF Speed Stick spinning rod with straight 50lb Power Pro Spectra braid. First cast, reeled up my slack waited 30 secs, drug it about a foot and a half or so. Let it sit for 15 secs and went to drag it again and felt weight(never felt a bite) and started reeling in. I want to thank you for the advice. I now have a new PB! My scale wasn't working right, so I have to guess, but it's at least 2lbs or so. It's twice the size or so of my first two bass that were roughly a lb or so. That technique definitely works. Only caught one today, still a lot more bank areas to fish from out there. Didn't have enough time, with all the people that were there to do much more fishing before it started to rain a little. Thanks again, you're the man!

 

Congrats man!  Nice fish there man. Keep casting and experimenting

[MichaelCopeland]

3 hours ago, MTPanda said:

 

Congrats man!  Nice fish there man. Keep casting and experimenting

Thank you very much! I appreciate that. I'm on vacation next week and I plan on doing as much experimenting as possible. Hopefully catching a new PB, but at least catching. That technique is definitely a new confidence one for me. Bass Resource has really helped me get this far and I'm confident it will get me even further. 

[NYWayfarer]

When fishing shallow ponds from shore I never get skunked if I wacky rig Yum Dingers using an "O" ring. If I don't get anything with the 5" version I downsize to 4" and then 3" if need be. 

 

Match the colors to the local forage. In my pond Green Pumpkin is deadly. 

[MichaelCopeland]

10 hours ago, Finesse Wayfarer said:

When fishing shallow ponds from shore I never get skunked if I wacky rig Yum Dingers using an "O" ring. If I don't get anything with the 5" version I downsize to 4" and then 3" if need be. 

 

Match the colors to the local forage. In my pond Green Pumpkin is deadly. 

The one small pond I have access to, I haven't caught anything in yet. Not even sure if there's any bass in it. Just will have to fish them a little more often to see. I'm gonna have to try the wacky wig again, only tried it once and not really sure I was doing it right. Couldn't find any wacky rig hooks, the day I was thinking about them, but I did see some weedless bait holder hooks and bought some to try the wacky rig. Don't know if those hooks will really work for that or not, haven't given it a proper go just yet. Gotta look into the local forage colors also, but the color worms I've had success with are tequila sunrise and junebug red for u tail worms and watermelon red black for senko style worms. I've gotten bit on green pumpkin with chartreuse tipped tail but no catch yet.

[Will Bass]

Thanks for the heads up on the Fat Ika!  I went out New Year’s Day and tried this for the first time.  It was windy in the lower 30s and I did really well.  You are correct you have to watch the line.  Half the time I received no obvious bites but my line would stop mid drop and sit there.  Other than that get ready and hold on!

[BubbaBassin’]

I tried this for a good two hours to no avail. Yet I see other fisherman pull up bass here often. ?

[RJ27]

Hey guys, new member here! I have to thank the OP and other members here. I used this formula to catch my first bass Tuesday!

 

It was small but still fulfilling to know that all the time spent reading and researching paid off.

 

Cant wait to hook the next one!

Thanks again guys!

[roadwarrior]

Congratulations!

 

[Bluechip68]

Wow.  Followed this advice today and caught 4 - several 4 lbs + .   Thank you sir!!!!

[roadwarrior]

Nice fish, great pic!

 

[txchaser]

This thread has helped me take other people fishing and get on quality fish pretty consistently, without a lot of complication, exposed hooks flying around or getting snagged, and in a lot of different conditions. Especially the Fat Ika reverse rigged.

 

Thank you @roadwarrior

 

[JWBII]

Thanks for such an informative post! I am new to fishing and am having a great time learning. 

 

What would you suggest using instead of the Fat Ika? I have looked everywhere here in Houston and can’t find anywhere that stocks them. BPS, Dick’s, Academy, Fishing Tackle Unlimited..... etc etc....

[Hammer 4]

On 7/5/2019 at 7:19 PM, JWBII said:

Thanks for such an informative post! I am new to fishing and am having a great time learning. 

 

What would you suggest using instead of the Fat Ika? I have looked everywhere here in Houston and can’t find anywhere that stocks them. BPS, Dick’s, Academy, Fishing Tackle Unlimited..... etc etc....

Order them from TW.    https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Yamamoto_Fat_Ika_10pk/descpage-YAFI.html

[Zanza7]

Started fishing the local ponds again and the OP definately works. I followed it to a T

[Wizzlebiz]

On 9/18/2006 at 4:03 AM, roadwarrior said:

There seems to be a lot of members that are not catching bass, some are just starting out and a few have never caught one. If that's where you are, then this short piece is for you. If you want to start catching some bass, follow these instructions EXACTLY, no modifications or adjustments.

Equipment:

Medium or Medium Heavy Power/ Fast Action spinning rod and reel.

#6 Yo-Zuri Hybrid, Ultra Soft, P-Line or XL.

Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks.

1 bag GYCB 5" Senkos, watermelon with black flakes (194)

1 bag GYCB Fat Ika (194)

Place:

A pond at least 5 acres in size, preferably with some bottom features or contour. Or, if you have access to big water, a well defined cove, not a bay. Whether you fish from a boat or the shore, you will fish exactly the same way.

Method:

Start with the Senko. Cast parallel to the bank, 10-15 yards off the shoreline. Let the bait sink to the bottom, count to 30 (as in 30 seconds) then move the Senko 6-12" with a slow horizontal sweep, allowing the bait to fall on slack line. Count to 10, then repeat. Continue all the way back, move ten steps forward and repeat.

Fish the ENTIRE shoreline regardless of whether you see cover or structure. Fish two Senkos and if you are still not catching bass, switch to the Fat Ika and fish it until you lose it. Don't switch back and forth. Fish the Fat Ika EXACTLY like you fished the Senko.

To make this testing fair, you need to spend at least one hour out fishing, two would be better. You can't hurry and you must stay focused. If you don't catch a bass after two trips or four hours of fishing, you need to find new water.

Is the spinning rod due to the light lure? I dont really use a spinning rod much unless Im in salt or brackish waters. 

[new2BC4bass]

49 minutes ago, Wizzlebiz said:

Is the spinning rod due to the light lure? I dont really use a spinning rod much unless Im in salt or brackish waters. 

No.  It is for a straight fall.  Baitcast reel will cast a 5" Senko with no problem, but it is harder to get the straight fall.  Pull line out, but watch out you don't give yourself an overrun if you want to use a baitcast reel.

[the reel ess]

On 7/14/2017 at 7:29 AM, MichaelCopeland said:

I don't have any flourocarbon line, however I do have Trilene XT green low vis mono in 14lb and 20lb. Will either of those work well for a leader?

Yes. I don't use any fluoro either. Lately, I don't use any leader with braid.