By Mark Fong
June 1, 2011
Even though the Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge on the California Delta is over a week away, anglers preoccupied with dreams of big bass flocked to Fisherman's Warehouse in Sacramento California to attend an informative and hands on seminar conducted by Western Legend and Yamamoto Pro Staffer, Gary Dobyns. Dobyns was on hand to answer angler’s questions and to provide valuable tips aimed at helping them catch the Delta's big bass using the Senko and other Yamamoto and Kinami baits.
The Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge is a two day event scheduled for the California Delta on June the
4th and 5th. Over the course of each six hour tournament day, anglers will compete for five big fish prizes each hour for a total of over $16,000 in cash and prizes. The twelve lucky anglers weighing in the biggest bass during each hour of the event will be eligible to participate in the grand prize drawing for a chance to win $10,000. Additionally, $2,000 will be awarded for the overall big fish of the event. Only Yamamoto and Kinami baits may be used.
So much has been said and written about the Yamamoto Senko and for good reason — it is an amazingly versatile and effective bait. Dobyns concurs, “The Senko is a go to bait. Without a doubt the Senko is sure to play a major role in the outcome of the Big Bass Challenge.” While the Senko is available in a full range of sizes, Dobyns selects the larger 6” (9L) and 7” (9X) versions when fishing the Delta. For the most part, Dobyns fishes the Senko weightless and rigged wacky style with either a Gamakatsu Wide Gap Finesse or Wicked Wacky hook.
While the Texas rig is a popular rigging option, Dobyns likes the wacky rig because as the Senko falls it creates, as he likes to say, “two wiggles” as each end of the bait moves enticingly. The wiggling and shimmying action of the bait is an irresistible trigger to bass. Fishing the Senko is simple and easy to master. Dobyns will make a pitch or cast to a target, making sure to allow the bait to fall on a slack line. He will then either dead stick or shake the bait before reeling it in and making another presentation.
A popular rigging modification that Dobyns employs is to insert a small nail weight into the head of a wacky rigged Senko. Dobyns expresses a preference for the new Neko style slip in sinkers as they are shorter in length than traditional nail weights and consequently do not add as much rigidity to the head of the bait. While some anglers may think that a nail weighted Senko is purely a deep water technique, Dobyns is quick to point out that he routinely catches fish in less than five feet with this rigging option. When Dobyns wants to give the fish a different look, he will replace his Senko with a Neko rigged Yamamoto Kut Tail worm. The Kut Tail features a tapered body that accentuates the subtle action and vibration of the uniquely cut tail.
A real sleeper bait that Dobyns uses to target and to catch big fish is the Yamamoto Fat Ika. The Fat Ika has the look of a tube, the bulk of a grub, and when rigged weightless falls with a side to side wiggle. But wait; there is something truly unique and different about this bait. Dobyns advises anglers to rig the Fat Ika backwards with the skirt facing forward using a 5/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook rigged Texas style. When allowed to fall weightless on a slack line the bait will swim away from the angler. Dobyns likes to make presentations to the edges of docks and other low hanging structure, letting the Fat Ika glide into the strike zone.
The Delta features shallow stained water, a cover rich environment, and lots of oversized bass. With these factors present, Dobyns has a preference for heavy line and longer fishing rods. Dobyns regularly employs heavy 20lb monofilament and fluorocarbon line to put bites in the boat. When using braid, he relies on 65lb line. As the brain child and driving force behind the rod company that bears his name, Dobyns is a proponent for utilizing longer length rods. A longer rod has many benefits including longer casting distance and the ability to move more line on the hookset. For fishing Senkos, Dobyns recommends a 3 power medium action such as a Dobyns 703C or 743C casting rod. Dobyns also recommends the number one selling 735C as his choice for best all-around Delta rod.
Of course no article or seminar would be complete without a discussion on color. Color selection is one of the most discussed and debated topics in bass fishing. Dobyns says that color choice is largely a matter of confidence and personal choice with his preference being browns and greens. When asked if he could only have one color Senko, Dobyns selected #912 Green Pumpkin /Watermelon Laminate as his choice. He went on to add that #297 Green Pumpkin, #305 Baby Bass, and #306 Natural Shad are also at the top of his list. Dobyns concluded, “I have netted a partner's fish on every color made. Whatever color your favorite is they all work.”
As the evening came to a conclusion, anglers preoccupied with dreams of big bass eagerly anticipate the Yamamoto Big Bass Challenge much more the wiser.
For details and information on the Yamamoto Delta Big Bass Challenge, please visit Anglers Press at www.anglerspress.com or call 916-768-0938.
