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FRESHWATER LURES
Stick Bait (Senko-style)
A heavy, salt-loaded soft stick that shimmies as it sinks with no added action, one of the easiest ways to get a bass to bite.
DepthMid-depth to bottom
ActionShimmy on the fall
WhereBanks, docks, weed edges, laydowns
LevelBeginner
How to fish it
- 1
Rig it wacky (hook through the middle), neko (small nail weight in the head) or Texas-style weightless.
- 2
Cast to shade, a dock post or a weed edge and let it fall on slack line; this is when most strikes happen.
- 3
Once it settles, give it one or two light twitches, let it fall again, then reel in and cast to the next spot.
- 4
If the line jumps or swims off, reel down and sweep-set; use a light set with a wacky hook.
BigJoe Tips
- Add an O-ring for wacky rigging; the stick lasts much longer before tearing.
- Do less, not more. Dead-sticking for a few seconds gets bit often.
- Carry a lot of them; the soft salty plastic gets torn up by bass and sunfish.
Mistakes to avoid
- Working it like a jig instead of letting the fall do the work.
- Fishing it in wind with no feel; switch to a neko or Texas rig when it blows.
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