Have had three outtings on Lk. WA and most of a week over at Palmer. Did a lot of Senko fishing, and have reached the conclusion that when there is a decent ripple on the water, it's time to Whacky rig. If the wind calms, and the water smooths, nose hook the Senko.

I had much better results with the Whacky rig than nose hooked, but don't take this to mean that it was the Whacky rig. The fish get more aggressive with the rippled water and reduced light penetration. One good thing about the Whacky rig is that it stays put in the water better, giving you a better feel. I got very little action on a 5" Senko, always nose hooked, and on heavier line.

Today, on Lk. WA, I found I could throw the 3" Senko just fine on my 8 lb test, 6' 6" spinning rig, and think it helped as the fish were not biting well. I still used the #4 Yamamoto Split Shot (circle) hook. I like the circle hook concept, but will test others, with more pronounced curve. I'm still sticking some in the throat. The circle hook is surprisingly snag resistant, and works great in rocky areas, because the hook point doesn't get hammered over. 

C&R, Steve

As some of you that have fished with me, ie Bill B, I have alot of confidence in the wacky rigged senko.  Potholes tourney last year, I caught 90 % of my fish with a special Mustad weedless hook with a wacky rigged senko.  I have shown some this hook.  It very weedless, I was pitchin it into thick brush in the dunes for two limits of Largemouth on day 1 of the tourney.  It is OK for skipping, but does have a tendancy to just plunge into the water if not skipped from a good skipping cast.  What I liked about the special hook, is the weedless characteristics and the little extra weight in the bend of the hook to help get the senko to the bottom.  I then just SLOWLY crank it along the bottom.  Not hopping or twitching it.  Just slowly turn the reel handle over to move it.  VERY deadly on smallmouth.  Hope that helps.
Mark

I've caught my last two 4 lbers skipping wacky rigged senkos. One under a dock and one just to the bank. Skipping is a good technique in all water, not just to get under cover. The skipping bait looks like scattering bait and can attract fish. I would imagine skipping baits would work in areas were topwater fish are hitting.

  There is a picture of the Gamakatsu Whacky hook that Larry G. mentioned. As this is not a "circle hook", a regular "cross their eyes" hookset should work, maybe at the expense of being a bit more snag-prone. I'll have to try it, if I can find some.

C&R, Steve

http://www.ifish.net/sfwackhook1.jpg

Edit: I found some of these hooks at the GI Joe's on Benson Rd., E. Kent. Auburn S&M has more sizes, tho. Note that if you check at SPORTCO in Fife, if they don't have what you want on the shelf, you can talk to the clerk, get them paid for, and walk 'round back to the Gamakatsu Warehouse customer pickup door, and get your goods.

Faz, that's the same link I posted in Post #7!   I must say, tho, that the "Green Pumpkin" links don't show up very well to my eyes. Maybe Glenn could be induced to change it to something like "Morning Dawn" 8)?

C&R, Steve

Or maybe I'll do this:

The Wacky-Tool is available at www.northernbass.com for 9.95

available from where?? How much?? Is this your invention? Looks cool!

I though so too, but imagine my surprise when a "wacky-rigged" Senko skipped much better than I thought and in some cases better than a straight, Texas-rigged version.

As Doug points out, the biggest hitch is the "snagability" of the exposed hook point, but as for the skipping action and accuracy, I prefer it to the straight one. The retrieve action is great too, especially with the longer Senkos, the "legs" really flex and bend a lot when twitched back to the boat.

I would recommend trying it, you will be surprised!!

Wacky rigging is great for open water or along the edge of some weedless docks, but for skipping under those docks - it's easier texas rigged.  Anyone out there tired skipping a wacky rig? I can't imagine it works too well.

I'll be there with bells on!

Matt, all the hooks mentioned already work well, but like a lot of things, personal preference and confidence also plays a big part.

Over the last year I have tried several brands and types of hook...and liked only two, the Gamakatsu G-lock in size 1,2 and sometimes 4 (real small for Perch mostly) and The Owner "Down-shot hook" which is a little wierd looking as it is an unusual shape.

Both caught fish and I lost less hook-ups with those than with any other type I tried.

Experiment until you find what works for you.

Good luck and hope to see you at the next Fish-in Sat, March 6th.

Faz

Thanks for all the great tips guys! Now I just need to remember them when I'm on the water.

Ok, I'll spill my beens. I use electrical tape! 
I will put about 2 wraps around the head of the sinko( it will only stick to its self) and than just rig it. Put the hook in the top, out the side of the tape, do the 180 turn and skin hook it. During all the casting, snagging , stumping. weeding, all the pressure is taken out on the tape of the offset bend in hook and not the sinko...NO there is no change in the action and 1 sinko will last me all day. (thata because I don't catch fish)
   Do the same in the middle...3 wraps of tape will do the trick.

For those who don't know or may have just forgot, the Evergreen Sportsmens show is now running at the Monroe Fair grounds.
While working the Gamakatsu Booth, I had several northend dealers come over and let me know  Gamakatsu's new wide gap finnesse hook, designed for wacky rigging is selling extrmely well. This hook was designed for use on wide body baits like the Senkos, and come in sizes 4 - 2/0.
Larry Gonczy