I was out yesterday, doing my thing.  Lake Berryessa.  my secret kayak launch is not so much a secret anymore.  kayak after kayak slipped in after me.   I thought to myself to try to stay away from my fishing crutch, this spring.  the senko   it has been killing it.  tiny Neko sinker to nudge it nose down as it shimmy falls...

 

well, I forgot to restock my senkos from last time, so I only had the tattered one in my vest pocket and one in a bag.  

 

I went to the Deps Bullflats.  experiment time.   mine are the 3.8 (?).  3/0 Haymaker hook and I sent it.  I watched it sink next to my kayak and it was almost suspending.   I got a fish that way, but I got so bored and tried with a 1/8 bullet, it was kinda cool.  it spiraled down, still fairly slow..   it is a hefty bait, so I thru it on a heavy rod.  the FMJ.   it skips like a flat rock.  they share the same body type.    very weedless.   the haymaker is NOT the right hook.  the point aiming out invites snags.  I'm going to try a straight shank, or a hook with less outward angle.   maybe a Ryugi.  

 

it isn't a Senko, but you get the same vibe fished the way I did it.  I would fling it at the tree trunks, and let it drift down.    fun fun bite.  the FMJ lets you do those rock star hook sets.  

Bellows Hook on those style baits is great

great looking hook @webertime!!  I googled it.

 

looks similar to the Ryugi I use.  I like the bulk(er) pack available thru TW.   thanks for the suggestion..sometimes the Ryugi is sold out.  

 

I think Ryugi makes it for Zappu

On 6/8/2025 at 10:36 AM, Darth-Baiter said:

I was out yesterday, doing my thing.  Lake Berryessa.  my secret kayak launch is not so much a secret anymore.  kayak after kayak slipped in after me.   I thought to myself to try to stay away from my fishing crutch, this spring.  the senko   it has been killing it.  tiny Neko sinker to nudge it nose down as it shimmy falls...

 

well, I forgot to restock my senkos from last time, so I only had the tattered one in my vest pocket and one in a bag.  

 

I went to the Deps Bullflats.  experiment time.   mine are the 3.8 (?).  3/0 Haymaker hook and I sent it.  I watched it sink next to my kayak and it was almost suspending.   I got a fish that way, but I got so bored and tried with a 1/8 bullet, it was kinda cool.  it spiraled down, still fairly slow..   it is a hefty bait, so I thru it on a heavy rod.  the FMJ.   it skips like a flat rock.  they share the same body type.    very weedless.   the haymaker is NOT the right hook.  the point aiming out invites snags.  I'm going to try a straight shank, or a hook with less outward angle.   maybe a Ryugi.  

 

it isn't a Senko, but you get the same vibe fished the way I did it.  I would fling it at the tree trunks, and let it drift down.    fun fun bite.  the FMJ lets you do those rock star hook sets.  

This is a fantastic Free Rig bait...definitely one of the better bluegill profile ones! 

9 hours ago, RRocket said:

This is a fantastic Free Rig bait...definitely one of the better bluegill profile ones! 

I have the small ones and they did well on the drop shot.   I havent drilled deep with this bait.  just scratching the surface

I like it on the Ryugi Weighted Pierce

On 6/9/2025 at 11:33 PM, RRocket said:

This is a fantastic Free Rig bait...definitely one of the better bluegill profile ones! 

+1