senko casting help?

[ghost_207]

How do you cast a senko? I am casting overhead but the senko keeps tearing apart in the middle.

[Dan:]

Sounds like you are casting too hard. How are you hooking it?

[ghost_207]

weightless and texas rigging.

[Nine Miler]

Try flicking it sidearm.  It sounds like you are "snapping" the rod tip too much, like cracking a whip.  If you load the tip of the rod too much you can "******" the hook through the bait, as it is very soft.  By throwing sidearm, you can actually see the tip load and control it better.  When throwing overhead, the tip is loading behind you and you can't see it.  Try a longer slower motion to build momentum and send the bait.  It is heavy enough to travel pretty far.  Hope that helps. 

[roadwarrior]

Cast smoothly with full motion, not a flick.

That means letting your rod load on the back-

swing and tossing forward with a fluid cast.

8-)

[Nine Miler]

Cast smoothly with full motion

8-)

That is the concept I was trying to get at.  He said it better, though.

[ghost_207]

I guess I will try tommorrow. The thing with the side arm throw is that i dont get distance like the overhan cast. Does the line matter or its just me? Using 30pp.

[zero]

dude dont use braid for senko

use yo zuri hybrid ultra soft or mono for senko

[ghost_207]

I forgot to add that i fishing heavy cover.

[D4u2s0t]

I guess I will try tommorrow. The thing with the side arm throw is that i dont get distance like the overhan cast. Does the line matter or its just me? Using 30pp.

well,  the thicker the line, the less distance you will get.  What kind of conditions are you fishing to use 30?  I usually use 8 in my lakes on spinning gear with lighter baits, and 12 with casting gear and heavier baits.  If you don't have a tremendous amount of cover, sharp rocks, snagups, etc, you can probably cut down on your line size quite a bit.

[ghost_207]

there are heavy weeds growing on the bottom. I fish in the california delta and fish from the shore.

[Glenn]

Try a nice, easy lob.  With the right rod and reel, you'd be surprised at how far it will go!

[Dan:]

30lb power pro has the diameter of 8lb mono. That's a smaller diameter than I would use, but it shouldn't be causing the worm to rip. Braid is fine for senkos, lots of guys fish them with braid. The only other thing I can think of is that your reel isn't properly calibrated so you are having to cast extra hard to get any distance.

[ghost_207]

I have a 200e7 curado with two pins on and four off. The spool is falling down fast but i dont get birdnest that much. Using a 6'8 mh cumara.

[Fishes in trees]

Senkos tear very easily.  I avoid this by putting an o-ring on the senko and ust hooking the o-ring.  It works for me.  There are o-ring tools made for this or just buy o-rings and with a little bit of slobber thread them on.  3/8" outside diameter x 1/4" inside diameter is the correct size for a senko.

Rather than casting overhead, I'd try to use an underhand pitch type cast.  Just a thought.

[ww2farmer]

dude dont use braid for senko

use yo zuri hybrid ultra soft or mono for senko

Your fine using braid, especially if your fishing in grass. the line is not the reason your bait is ripping. What power and action rod are you using, and what size Senko?

[Crestliner2008]

I agree, braid is not the problem. Have you considered using a spinning rig vs. baitcasting? A good Med-Hvy, 6 1/2' - 7' rod will solve your problem. Don't let anyone tell you that a spinning rod cannot be used in heavy cover either. I use 30# PP with a 3' section of 17# test fluorocarbon as a leader; on a series 4000 Shimano with no problems.

[George Welcome]

Its already been said: fluidity of casting motion will not only get you more distance with a baitcaster, but it will also save those plastics from coming apart.

[FL Knifemaker]

I agree, braid is not the problem. Have you considered using a spinning rig vs. baitcasting? A good Med-Hvy, 6 1/2' - 7' rod will solve your problem. Don't let anyone tell you that a spinning rod cannot be used in heavy cover either. I use 30# PP with a 3' section of 17# test fluorocarbon as a leader; on a series 4000 Shimano with no problems.

+1,  My son and I both use spinning gear for Senkos.  It allows much easier casts under and around docks and pinpoint casts into cover.  My all time favorite rod for this is a Loomis 7'1" Mossyback, Extra fast action combined with a Shimano Saros 3000s and braid.  It will cast a trick worm or a Senko style bait with no weight, gently and as far as you could possibly image wanting to cast one   The combination also has plenty of power to get them out of heavy cover. 

[Sherlock 60]

dude dont use braid for senkouse yo zuri hybrid ultra soft or mono for senko

Dude, DO use braid for a Senko. I use 20# PowerPro with medium heavy spinning gear.

[IwillChooseFreeWill]

I use a 7' rod, spinning reel and PowerPro 10 lb braid line and have never had a problem casting or pulling in anything.

I also have a 6'6" rod with a spincast reel using 14lb mono for topwater or super shallow diving (0-2') baits. I plan to get another spinning reel with 7' rod for the mono so I can switch the 6'6" setup back to 6lb test for larger bream fishing.

[jarhead1970]

I like the Gamakatsu Skip Gap hook for Tex Rig....they help keep the bait on the hook, and are excellent for skipping under docks, etc.

I always use an "O" ring for wacky rigging Senkos.