The Gary Yamamoto Senko is the undisputed champion of soft plastic stickbait. It’s durable, comes in a wide selection of lengths and thicknesses, and works for just about any rigging. Time and time again, the Senko proves itself. With this lure, you can catch fish no matter the weather or water condition. It is simply a staple for any angler’s tacklebox.
The Senko is available in over 120 colors. Its versatility and track record come from the outstanding variety of options the brand offers. With the choice of that many color combinations, you can find the best Senko colors that work for you for any given day, in any given condition.
But that many choices can be overwhelming. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned angler. Staring at a wall or a website packed with color possibilities for your lures can be staggering. But you don’t need to panic, and you don’t need to worry if you’ve picked the “right” colors, because I’m here to help.
This guide will take you through the basic rules of thumb you should keep in mind when selecting the right Senko color. It will show you what to consider when choosing colors for clear water, muddy water, and the perfect colors for attracting bass in particular. These specific, proven color combinations are a great place to start the next time you’re purchasing Senkos.
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Best Senko Colors
If you asked all your buddies what the best Senko color is, you’d probably get as many different answers as you have friends. Everyone has their personal preferences, styles, and pet peeves. What might work for one person may not work for another. When choosing the best Senko color, however, there is a basic rule you can follow to get you more fish right away.
For bass or other fish, you’ll want to select a color that simultaneously stands out from and blends into the surroundings. How is that possible? The color or the shine of light reflecting off the bait should be noticeable enough to catch the fish’s eye, but you don’t want it to be so bright and artificial that it alerts the fish, scaring them off.
PRO TIP: The Green Pumpkin with Black Flakes Senko worm is a real star performing lure
The best all-around Senko colors for versatility are the green pumpkin with black flakes and the watermelon with green flakes. You can use either effectively in clear or muddy water.
Best Senko Color for Clear Water
When selecting the right Senko color for clear water, try to match the hatch and stick with the natural colors of the water. While visibility does depend on water clarity, it also depends on light conditions.
In low light, you’ll want to choose darker tones, such as green pumpkin magic and black blue flake. For high sun, pick Senkos with brightly colored flakes, such as watermelon red magic green flake, watermelon candy, and blue pearl black holo flake.
I have found the best overall color for clear water is the watermelon black flake. It blends into the water, but the dark spots stand out enough to catch the interest of the fish, which is what you want in a Senko color for clear water.
PRO TIP: My favorite color when fishing Senkos in clear water is watermelon with black flakes
Some other great Senko colors for clear water include:
- Watermelon black gold flake
- Watermelon black red flake
- Watermelon blue flake
- Mad melon
- Crushed peach
- Green pumpkin large red flake
- Green pumpkin black flake
Best Senko Color for Muddy Water
The best Senko colors for muddy water are the bright colors,such as black and blue flake and Junebug. The Senko colors you choose for muddy water, stained water, and low light conditions should be particularly colorful to remain visible. Bass in particular are visual feeders and won’t bite what they can’t see.
Colors like blue pearl silver flake, Morning Dawn, and chartreuse black flake will contrast with the color of the muddy water, giving the fish something they can go after. You can easily catch their interest with a bright white or pink color, or with a chartreuse-tipped Senko.
PRO TIP: Bass are visual feeders so use a Senko worm that will stand out in muddy water such as Blue Pearl Silver Flake
Some other great Senko colors for muddy water include:
- Bubblegum
- Black blue laminate
- Bama bug
- Peanut butter & jelly laminate
- Green pumpkin magic
- Smoke black blue chart flake
- Watermelon red green flake
Best Senko Color for Bass
If you’re looking to catch Bass specifically, what are the top Senko colors to use for Bass? For the most part, all Senko colors will work for bass. Because of its versatility, durability, and proven bass-catching ability, Senko is a respected and revered stick bait in the bass fishing world.
Just like other bait, Senkos aim to imitate food. While all Senkos do this by mimicking the general appearance of worms, leeches, and fish, there is a selection of Senko colors meant to imitate specific types of baitfish and other prey, which bass particularly enjoy.
For curious bass, try the attention-grabbing chartreuse tipped Senko colors. For largemouth bass that often feed on younger members of their species, choose the baby bass Senko lure. For smallmouth bass, pick a Senko color that mimics the look of crayfish, such as cinnamon black purple flake or a general watermelon.
PRO TIP: Try throwing a chartreuse colored Senko to catch the attention of Bass
If you want to draw out prespawn or postspawn bass guarding nests or fry, choose a bubblegum pink color. This will catch the attention of smaller fish that may be hiding among reeds or muck to protect themselves and their offspring.
The Last Cast
With over five types and 120 colors of Gary Yamamoto stickbait to choose from, there is a lure out there for every angler, every light, and every water condition. Senkos work in clear water, muddy water, ponds, off docks, boats, and shores, and with every rigging method you can imagine.
With the right Senko colors, you will consistently catch more fish than ever before. While 120 colors offer an overwhelming number of choices, as long as you match the hatch and keep bait visibility in mind, you can’t go wrong. Get out there, experiment, and find out what works best for you.
Take a look at all of the colors available, and grab a few Senkos of different colors to cover every condition you might find yourself bass fishing in. Discover your favorite Senko color combination and find out why anglers have been raving about these lures for years.
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