This last weekend I tried throwing a 7" Senko at my usual spot. I have been throwing a 5" and 6" for a couple weeks with a 2/0 off-set hook rigged texas and have been catching 4-5 lb largemouths so I just wanted to see if I could hook a monster. I threw on a 4/0 hook and a 7" watermelon senko from GYCB and was bank fishing and flipping along the bank with about 10-15 yards out up shore. It doesn't take much to flip the monster lure I've figured out. I was bouncing across the bottom and all of a sudden I had a huge hit. It took about 10-20 yards of line as I was trying to set the action and keeping the line tight so I didn't miss it and then, "SLACK LINE". I realed the Senko in and the hook hadn't budged through the senko. Now I thought to myself I guess I didn't set the hook hard enough but I really yanked back I thought. The marks on the senko from the bite were right in the middle of the senko between the top and bottom of the hook, so I thought it would of slipped. Do I need to use a bigger hook than the 4/0 for a senko of this size? Earlier I had caught 7-8    3-4lbr's on the smaller 5" & 6" on a 2/0 hook. Or could I just have had a little rotten luck?

I would try a circle hook wacky rigged start with a 3/0 hook and move up or down from there. Circle hooks set themselves and so no need to set the hook with everything you have.

No comment on how to get a better hookset...but if you go with a hook with a straight shank over an offset worm hook with a senko they'll last 3x longer. Since I made the switch I quit going thru a few bags a day.

I fish Gamakatsu or X-Point 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hooks for the 6" Senko. I still fish 7" occasionally, but not often. For that size I fish a 5/0 Offset Shank Worm, Round Bend:

http://www.gamakatsu.com/catalog/worm.htm

What kind of line/rod are you using?  That's a lot of plastic for the hook to penetrate.  The larger hooks also require more power to penetrate the fish.  Maybe your rod is lacking backbone or your line has too much stetch.  Also, you could try texposing the hook.  BTW, I, too, recommend a 5/0 EWG.

5/0 or bigger hook is best but i caught a few on a 7" senko the other day using a 4/0 sugoi hook from gamakatsu.  i fish the 7" inch senko more than any other size.

-perry-

It's probably the line and/or rod power as much as the hook.

the 7" senko needs a big hook.  I would use an owner 5/0 riggin hook.

on a Heavy rod with braided line.  You won't miss many with this setup.

5/0 octopus hook.

5/0 Round bend for 7" is my choice. I don't think the hook was the issue. That hook will slide through the senko pretty easily. We dont catch'em all.

I use Owner 7/0 with the 7" senkos.  And if you aren't using heavy gear, texpose them.  

Thanks for the help! BTW i'm using a 7' medium action quantum with 10lb SpiderwinerA braided line, Lo-Vis green.

Decoy 7/0 Big Worm Hook

Set up a reel with braid, so you can set the hook through that much plastic.

5/0 octopus hook.

You fish for Octopus?

Definately try wacky rigging it with a 2/0 gamakatsu dropshot/splitshot hook. I have recently switched almost all my senkos to wacky rig.

Wacky works when small bass are VERY aggressive. Generally, (Capt Cali excepted), wacky rarely catches big bass, it's a numbers technique. For big bass, T-rigged and weightless is the ticket.

Definately try wacky rigging it with a 2/0 gamakatsu dropshot/splitshot hook. I have recently switched almost all my senkos to wacky rig.

I don't think the 2/0 is gonna Git-R-Done with a 7".

Generally, (Capt Cali excepted), wacky rarely catches big bass, it's a numbers technique.

I t-rig/weightless as well. Rarely wacky rig. Only when sight fishing really.

You must be thinking about the sissy finesse worms on the dropshot.  

A 2/0 will barely handle the 7", you have about a 1/4 to 1/8 inch hook penetration after. I don't fish the wacky unless I'm spot fishing, you can hang up on too much stuff. Thank's for all your support and I think I'll just upgrade to 5/0 EWG.

I personally think it was the medium action rod, and braid will help.

Captain Cali,

Oops! I was confusing the "sissy finesse worms on the dropshot."

You da MAN!