Choosing Between 4" and 5" Senkos for Bass

Bass fishing is as much about strategy as it is about skill and choosing the right bait can make all the difference between a successful day on the water and a frustrating one. One popular soft plastic bait that has proven its worth among anglers is the Senko soft stickbait. 

Despite its overall effectiveness under a variety of conditions, the size of the Senko-type soft stickbait can significantly impact your success anytime you're on the water. 

In the following post, we'll identify some of the conditions when a 4" Senko may trigger more strikes than its larger counterpart, the standard 5" Senko.

Matching the Hatch: Bass are sometimes selective eaters and their preferences can vary based on the available forage in a particular water body. The 4" Senko closely mimics smaller prey such as young baitfish, flying insects like dragon flies and smaller worms. If the bass in your area are feeding on smaller forage, presenting a 4" Senko can often be more appealing and trigger more strikes.

Subtle Presentation in Clear Water: In clear water conditions, bass can be more discerning when it comes to inspecting lures. A 4" Senko provides a more subtle and finesse-like presentation compared to a 5" Senko. The smaller size closely mimics natural prey, making it an enticing option for bass that may be hesitant to strike a larger, more conspicuous lure.

Coldwater Conditions: During colder months, bass metabolism slows down, and they are less likely to expend energy on chasing down a meal. Downsizing to a 4" Senko caters to the bass's diminished appetite, offering a more manageable and enticing target. The slower fall rate of the smaller lure can be particularly effective in enticing sluggish bass in colder water.

Post-Spawn Period: After the bass have completed their spawning activities, they can be in a recovery phase and may be more interested in smaller, easier meals. The 4" Senko, resembling juvenile prey, can be particularly effective during the post-spawn period when bass are looking for an easy and satisfying meal.

Pressured Waters: In heavily fished waters, bass can become conditioned to larger lures commonly used by anglers. Downsizing to a 4" Senko presents a different profile and may catch the attention of bass that have become wary of larger offerings. This strategy plays on the element of surprise, increasing the chances of triggering strikes from cautious bass.

While the 5" Senko remains a popular and effective choice for bass anglers, there are specific scenarios where downsizing to a 4" Senko can make a significant difference in triggering strikes. 

Understanding the factors that influence bass behavior and adapting your lure selection accordingly is key to becoming a more versatile and successful angler. Experimenting with different sizes and paying attention to the conditions will allow you to fine-tune your approach and increase your chances of landing that trophy bass.

Flash or Finesse? Decoding Vibrating Jig Blade Colors

The choice of blade color on a vibrating jig comes down to several factors, all aimed at attracting and triggering bites from fish. Here's a breakdown of the main reasons:

1. Mimic or Contrast:

• Matching prey: Different blade colors mimic natural prey fish found in different waters. Silver mimics shad, while gold can resemble baitfish like golden shiners. Black blades can offer a silhouette contrast against muddy waters.
• Attracting attention: Flashy metallic blades like silver and gold create more light reflection and vibration, attracting fish from afar in murky water or low light conditions.
• Subtle approach: Black or other non-bright painted blades offer a less flashy presentation, which can be effective in clear water or with pressured fish that might be wary of bright lures.

2. Water Clarity and Conditions:

• Clear water: In clear water, natural colors like white, green pumpkin, or black work well as they appear more realistic.
• Stained water: Brighter colors like gold, red, chartreuse, or orange provide increased visibility in murky conditions.
• Sunshine vs. overcast: On sunny days, duller blades or those with less flash can be better to avoid spooking fish. In overcast conditions, brighter blades can add needed attraction.

3. Personal Preference and Experimentation:

• What works for one angler might not work for another, so experimenting with different blade colors based on local conditions and personal experience is key.
• Some anglers prefer certain color combinations based on the skirt color of their vibrating jig to create a cohesive presentation.

Take a few minutes and watch as bass pro Mark Davis discusses his thoughts on vibrating jig blade color and how it helps him catch more bass...

Ultimately, the best blade color is the one that gets you the most bites! 

Don't be afraid to experiment with different options based on the factors mentioned above, and you'll find what works best for you and the fish you're targeting.

KVD's Tips for Frog Fishing As Weather Changes

The hollow body frog, a topwater meal for hungry bass and other aggressive predators, is a summertime staple for many anglers. 

But what happens when the weather throws you a curveball? Don't shelve your frog just yet! 

With a few tweaks to your approach, you can keep the strikes coming even as the skies shift.

Tip 1: Mind the Bass' Mood

A bass's metabolism slows down in calmer and cooler water, so they'll be less inclined to chase down a speedy frog. Adapt your retrieve to a slower, more deliberate pace with longer pauses. Let the frog sit enticingly on the surface, mimicking a vulnerable froggy snack. This gives the fish time to zero in and commit to eating the frog.

Tip 2: Match Color to Light Conditions

Ditch the bright colors of summer for more subdued tones in low-light conditions. Think black, brown, or olive green with subtle hints of chartreuse or white. These hues offer better visibility for fish in overcast or murky water.

Tip 3: Embrace the Edges

As water temperatures drop and light levels decline, fish tend to gravitate towards warmer shallows and structure. Focus your casts on areas like weed edges, fallen logs, and docks where bass might be basking or hiding in ambush. These sheltered spots offer both comfort and potential prey, making them prime targets for your froggy friend.

Take a little time and watch as bass guru Kevin VanDam describes how he approaches changing his frog and presentation according to current weather patterns...

Remember, the key to success with hollow body frogs in changing weather is adaptability. By adjusting your retrieve, color selection and target areas, you can keep those explosive frog bites coming all season long.

Bonus Tip: Don't be afraid to experiment! Different retrieves, like walking the frog or using a popping motion, can be effective depending on the conditions and the fish's mood. The more you practice, the better you'll understand how to make the frog dance to your way, no matter what the weather throws your way.

Underwater Tests of Five Different Soft Stickbaits

I love fishing soft stickbaits like the Yamamoto Senko from the time ice leaves our lakes until it returns each year. 

Why? 

Simply put, they catch bass under almost any condition!

I'm also like most bass anglers that are always interested in new baits even it's just another company's version of a popular bait like the Senko. Though I always try and do my own on the water comparisons between similar baits even weighing the baits before I hit the water and conducting rudimentary sink rate tests when on it, it's great to find videos where other anglers have done more intense underwater testing.

A few days ago I came across this video where bass pro Mark Fisher conducted underwater tests of 5 different 5" soft stickbait brands evaluating them for relative sink rate, wobble while sinking, durability, cost/bait and notes on scents. The brands include the Senko, Yum Dinger, Berkley Maxscent General, Strike King Ocho and BPS Stik-O.

Though there were a few hiccups relative to scent content and relative costs which he addressed in a later video, his efforts produced some great insight regarding sink rate, wobble and durability for sure. Take a few minutes and watch the following video to see what I mean...

I thought it was pretty cool that after my own testing I found the BPS Stik-O has the closest fall characteristics yet more durable to the Senko as well. Both are the most prevalent soft stickbaits you'll find in my soft stickbait bag :)

Check out more of Mark's videos by clicking on the link below:

Mark Fisher YouTube Channel

You'll be glad you did!

Micro Crankbaits: When Less is More for Bass

Micro crankbaits are compact fishing lures that range from 1 to 1 3/4 inches in length and weigh around 1/16 to 3/16 ounce. 

They're designed to mimic the size and action of small baitfish, making them ideal for tempting bass, especially when they're pressured or feeding on forage fish. Even bass pros like Rick Clunn and Matt Stefan have noted many instances where micro cranks helped fill the livewells and cash checks in tournaments over the years.

Setting Up to Fish Micro Crankbaits

Ultralight or light spinning tackle: Choose a rod with a moderate fast action and light line (4- to 8-pound test) to cast the lightweight baits and feel subtle bites. Newer light power BFS casting combos can also work great when fishing these lightweight baits.

Preferred line types: Though each major line type may be used, each one has certain properties that may make it more suitable depending on conditions. Fluorocarbon line offers lower stretch and  almost complete invisibility in the water; monofilament and copolymer lines tend to be easier to work with and offer more stretch if needed while braid provides better sensitivity for feeling the most subtle strike.

Here are several tips on how to fish micro crankbaits for bass:

Cast to shallow water. Micro crankbaits are most effective in shallow water, up to 5+ feet deep. Bass often ambush prey in shallow areas, so casting your crankbait near cover, like weeds, rocks, or logs, is a good strategy.

Retrieve slowly. Since many micro crankbaits have a tight wobble action, so you don't need to retrieve them quickly. A slow, steady retrieve is usually the most effective way to fish them.

Vary your retrieve. Try pausing the retrieve occasionally, or twitching the rod tip to make the crankbait erratically. This can trigger strikes from bass that are following the lure.

Experiment with different colors. Bass can be picky about the color of lures, so experiment with different colors to see what works best in the water you're fishing.

Here are some popular micro crankbaits for bass:

Strike King Bitsy Minnow: This is a classic micro crankbait that has been around for years. It's available in a variety of colors and has a tight wobble action that bass love.

Rapala Ultra Light Crank: This is another good option for bass. It's a little bit bigger than the Bitsy Minnow, but it still has a tight wobble action and dives up to 8 feet deep.

Bill Lewis Gnat (New in 2023/24): This compact powerhouse (1.5”, 1/8 oz) delivers precision throws and dives into the strike zone at 3 feet. With stunning finishes, mesmerizing action, and a rainbow of 8 fish-tempting colors, the GNAT makes catching a breeze.

Micro crankbaits can be a great way to catch bass, especially from the post spawn through early fall when bass are often feeding on fry and small baitfish. In addition to being great options for bass, micro crankbaits will also catch just about anything that swims including perch, crappie, sunfish and even trout!

With the right tackle and technique, you can have a lot of fun fishing with these tiny baits.