On a quintessential
windy day at the California Delta, two determined bass anglers, Chris Ricci and
Reverend Tony Byrd, were pitching Senkos as they navigated the challenging
conditions on Whiskey Slough.
A typical
California Delta bank.
Ricci, an
accomplished angler, quickly realized that Reverend Byrd was catching
significantly more bass than he was. The situation prompted Ricci to
investigate further. He discovered that the Reverend, adapting to the windy
conditions, had modified his Senko setup to sink faster through the water
column.
While searching
through his tackle box for a solution to the wind, the Reverend discovered a
Clamshot weight. This clamshell-shaped fishing weight, similar to a split shot,
is commonly used in fly fishing. He had attached the small weight to his line
just before the Senko.
This adjustment
effectively achieved the Reverend's goal and contributed to the bass favoring
his presentation. The Rev Rig provided a quicker fall and exhibited other
beneficial characteristics. Ricci quickly recognized these attributes and
refined and developed the technique.
Introduction
Before I delve into
the Rev Rig, I want to introduce you to Chris Ricci and his remarkable journey
in the competitive bass fishing world. I first met Ricci as a Co-Angler at FLW
events (now the MLF). This former New Yorker, now a bass angler in Bend, Oregon,
is an OG 'Pro-Co' and my Co-Angler Road Dog idol. Ricci's journey is inspiring,
as he consistently made the final-day top ten cut in almost every event he
fished.
Ricci has an
impressive list of achievements in tournament bass fishing, including being a
1997 and 2007 WON Bass Pro/Am Champion. He was also a qualified participant in
the Perennial FLW National Championships and has won the title of FLW Co-Angler
Champion. Additionally, he has qualified for the Forrest Wood Cup and was the
2010 AAA Champion at the Lake Mead U.S. Open.
Ricci, a reliable
travel companion and tournament 'Wingman', has spent significant time alongside
the legendary professional bass angler Mike Folkestad. Folkestad, known for his
Hall of Fame career, has built his reputation as an expert in worm and finesse
fishing techniques. The tradition of finesse techniques playing a crucial role
in back-deck angling success is well established, and there's no better mentor
than Mike Folkestad to learn from.
Take a bow,
Chris!
Returning to the
topic, Chris and I found ourselves together at the place where it all began,
the California Delta. Named after Reverend Tony Byrd, DSF presents Chris
Ricci's Rev Rig.
Rigging
The setup consists
of your favorite Yamamoto Senko pattern in a 5" or 6" size, paired
with a 4/0 Gamakatsu round-bend offset shank worm hook, tied to 50 lb. braided
fishing line, and rigged 'Tex-posed' through the soft plastic Senko with a #5 -
1/20 oz. A clamshot weight is placed on the fishing line before the hook.
Action
Ricci has tested
several hook types with this system. The round-bend offset worm hook best suits
the Senko's profile, providing a superior keel and action. The Rev Rig, with
its unparalleled ability to glide through the grass, is a technique that you
can rely on in challenging conditions. That characteristic alone makes this
technique great, but it gets better.
An angler can also
twitch the Rev Rig Senko by making small rips on slack line, causing it to move
back and forth. Additionally, the placement of the Clamshot weight relative to
the Senko can produce different falling actions, ranging from a horizontal glide
to a spiral drop. To achieve a spiral descent, place the Clamshot weight about
1 inch away from the Senko.
Chris
Ricci with a Delta Double Digit Hog!
Size
The 5-inch Senko
tends to catch smaller class keeper Delta bass. These are good fish, but as
Ricci explains, the larger 6-inch bait often attracts bites from the larger
bass. He is quick to point out that there are always exceptions to this rule,
but typically, when you have a limit and a kicker fish is needed, the larger
6-inch Senko is Ricci's Go-To bait size, a testament to its
effectiveness.
Stealth
One of the key
advantages of the Rev Rig is its ability to make a super stealthy, silent entry
into the water. This feature allows you to cast the rig over vegetation mats or
the bank and slide the bait into the water without alerting the fish. This feature
is particularly beneficial in situations involving heavily pressured bass or
cunning big bass.
Weedless
When you have a
fishing knot exposed on your line ahead of the bait, the tag end of the line
can become a snagging point for weeds. The Clamshot, when placed on the line in
front of the knot, provides a perfect weed deflection, protecting the knot and
allowing weeds to slide right over. The Clamshot, when combined with Tex-Posed
rigging, transforms the Senko into a superior weedless presentation. A Clamshot
and a Senko form an excellent combination, but the excitement truly begins when
you consider the versatility of this pair. Senkos and the Delta make an
outstanding combination, while Senkos, weedless, and the Delta create a
great combination.
Wind
Anglers who use
braided lines know how the wind can quickly place a sizeable arcing bow in your
line when presenting lighter finesse techniques. When presenting the Rev Rig,
anglers can use the wind to their advantage when it blows laterally across
cover elements. Cast atop the cover or onto the bank. Then slide your Rev Rig
Senko into the water from off the bank or from atop a weed cluster. The wind
will push your braid, pulling the setup parallel across the face of the
structure and cover elements.
This aspect keeps
your presentation in the Strike Zone longer. Astute anglers know that having
your lure remain in an ambush zone longer is a prescription for producing more
and bigger bites. This dynamic allows anglers to employ retrieve angles that
bass rarely see. However, you must be vigilant and prepared to take up the
slack quickly when a strike occurs. A high-speed reel will facilitate fast line
pick-up.
Déjà vu
Ricci and I are
fishing down a stretch of the Delta, and the bite is starting to slow down.
Ricci's response was to begin presenting the Rev Rig. Almost immediately, he is
catching fish again, and I have zero bites. That's right, I'm set up and
casting the Rev Rig, too. Taking things up a notch, I've rigged a 7-inch Senko,
using a crosswind glide, and BAM!
Ricci is
now the Master, and I’m the student. The Rev Rig scores big from the back deck!
Results
The Rev Rig is not
just a method; it's a powerful tool that can turn the tide of your fishing
experience. It's a virtually snag-free technique and is also an excellent back
deck response for targeting the Reverse Angle (see the note at the end of the
article). With the Rev Rig, you can fish confidently, knowing it's an effective
and reliable technique.
The Yamamoto Senko,
all by itself, is a superior fishing tool. Now, with the Rev Rig setup, you can
set yourself apart by presenting Senkos with incredible weedless action. This
setup is straightforward to cast, even on a windy day. The Rev Rig provides:
A stealthy entry.
Allowing you to glide cleanly
across vegetation and then drop into pockets and channels.
Quickly climbing over the
following weed line.
One of the unique
features of the Rev Rig is its adaptability to wind conditions. In fact, the
wind can significantly enhance this system's performance. This adaptability is
just one of the many reasons to love the Rev Rig technique.
Experimenting when
things aren't working, thinking beyond the norms, and seizing opportunities
when they present themselves are long-standing tenets of exceptional angling.
These traits are also why Chris Ricci and Reverend Tony Byrd are unquestionably
stout anglers. Chris, my friend, your outstanding technique has made a
significant impact on the DSF community. Thank you for sharing.
