Senkos on the Willi - 3" vs 4-6"

[KStock]

I've been fishing 3" Senkos over the larger 4-6" Senkos more and more on the Willy lately and have learned I'm able to hook up a bit easier (not missing as many fish on the hook set). With the larger Senkos the smaller fish (10-13") seem to nibble more at it... making it a little more challenging to get a good hook-set and requires a bit more patience. With the 3" Senko, however, they tend to simply inhale it which increases my catch rate. (Please let me know if you don't find this to be true for you.)
My question is - do you think that by fishing the 3" Senko over a larger worm explains why I seem to be catching smaller fish lately? That is, will a 3" Senko entice larger fish as well as a larger worm will? Thanks for your advice.

-KStock

[Thecrease]

I have caught nice smallies on the 3" in the river. With that being said I do fish with a guy who will use the 4" and 5" senko type baits and he does get the biggest fish a lot of the times.

I like the 3" Yum dinger especially for shakey heading and dshotting. When I want to target bigger fish I will usually throw a 5 inch Hula grub.

I think a bigger bait will get you a bigger fish some of the time but a nice smallie will still grab a smaller bait especially if it does a good representation of what they are feeding on at the time.

[QH's Paw]

Originally Posted by KStock

I've been fishing 3" Senkos over the larger 4-6" Senkos more and more on the Willy lately and have learned I'm able to hook up a bit easier (not missing as many fish on the hook set). With the larger Senkos the smaller fish (10-13") seem to nibble more at it... making it a little more challenging to get a good hook-set and requires a bit more patience. With the 3" Senko, however, they tend to simply inhale it which increases my catch rate. (Please let me know if you don't find this to be true for you.)
My question is - do you think that by fishing the 3" Senko over a larger worm explains why I seem to be catching smaller fish lately? That is, will a 3" Senko entice larger fish as well as a larger worm will? Thanks for your advice.

-KStock

Yep, like you both stated the smaller bait may provide more hookups but, the bigger baits usually pull the bigger fish. I know it's an old cliche' but "big bait= big fish". I've also noticed the Bucketmouths like the 5" and 6" a little better. When I'm in the slough backwater areas with less current I tend to throw the 5"+ sizes to target the big boys.

[fishnfun]

The 3inch is by far the best choice. I have caught numerous 3-4lb smallies with the 3 inch. when fishing the four inch I have found that I have not caught nearly as many fish, although the average size may be about an inch larger in my mind it is not worth it.

Big fish do hit a 3inch senco. My biggest is a 21inch pre-spawn smallie that we estimate to be in the upper 4's to low 5's

[Hunt'nFish]

When it comes to fish there are no hard fast rules. Bass will attack anything they can fit in their mouth.
That being said I do find they are AT TIMES sensitive to to size. Soem times they'll be all over 3" when they ignore 4"...not sure why but I roll with the punches and give'em what they want.
Sometime I think it has more to do with what they are feeding on....small fry and such.
3" is my goto size for river smallies.

But when it comes to tubes and grubs.....I think bigger is better.
Typically, for me, a tube or grub is fished deeper where the big smallies are lounging and I what a big bait for a big fish.
Hunt'nFish