Senko when fishing for suspended fish in the wind, is that it’s usually easier to figure out the right colors than other techniques. Generally, the fish will tick the Senko but not take it, if the color is off. I will then change the color to a tone that is slightly different, darker or lighter, until I am able to “fine-tune” the color that works best.
When pre fishing for suspended bass I always start with a 4” Senko. The purpose is to increase the number of bites in a shorter period of time. During this timeframe I’m trying to “fine-tune” the color. Once the color is dialed in I’ll work on the size.
When targeting the suspended bass, watch the graph frequently to see what depth the fish are sitting. It’s important to fish this rig with 100% slack line; let the wind and the chop take over. Any tautness will keep your Senko from moving naturally, and it will affect the rate of fall. The fall rate of your rig can vary depending on the combination of the hook you use, the size of the Senko, and the size line. So before I make my first cast, I’ll drop the bait directly next to the boat and count as the Senko falls a couple feet. Then I’ll make my first cast and count as the Senko falls. Since you can’t feel a thing with the 100% slack line, it’s important to know how deep your Senko is, especially when you get your first bass. I use a Daiwa rod and even with 100% slack line, I can usually feel the bite; however, if you can’t feel it then watching your line where your line meets the water is even more important than ever. In this case you would want to pay attention to how quickly the line enters the water, and when it starts sinking a lot faster, odds are you’ve got a bass on.
Many times when fishing this setup, the bite is very different than most other techniques. It’s really important to test out the timing of the hook set. Frequently, the bass will take hold but setting the hook immediately will produce a smaller percentage of hook-ups. Pay attention to the timing, so you will be able to increase your hook-up ratio. It is not uncommon to have to wait 10-20 seconds or more for the fish to start cruising with your bait, prior to setting the hook. Good luck!
Note: I’d like to thank my sponsors: Daiwa, Tackle It, and Jigs Snakebite Blades. If you have any suggestions on topics to write about you can contact me at: tcsportsreport@hotmail.com Also visit my website at www.TamiCurtis.net and check out www.TCsportsReport.com
ISSUE 2 June 2011
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