Weightless Senko Rod

[(='_'=)]

hey. what power and action is best for casting weightles senkos and flukes with a baitcaster?? also how should the reel be setup to avoid birds nests??

thanx!

[Darren.]

For weightless senkos w/baitcaster I use a MF rod.

If I were to buy a new one today I'd buy a M XF similar to my two Shimano Compre spinning rods which I use for weightless soft plastics all the time. I prefer the XF tip with a M backbone.

Best way to avoid [actually not avoid, it is inevitable :-)] bird nesting is something I learned watching Bill Dance on TV. Cast a plug as far as you can, then place a piece of electrical tape across the spool.

Now if you nest, it'll only spoil to the tape, not the entire spool...

Edited November 2, 2012 by DarrenM

[sarcazmo]

Just got myself a *** 6'8" *** black M/XF for flukes and weightless plastics. Love it.

[ww2farmer]

I toss senkos, both weighted and weightless on 3 different rigs, depending on cover,water clarity, depth etc... a 6'8 M/XF St Croix Mojo spinning rod, a 7' M/F St Croix LTB casting rod , and a 7 MH/F St Croix LTB casting rod.

[BigMoneyGrip]

Falcon Cara micro finness jig and a CU50E. Bam!

[Arv]

I've been using a M/F Shimano Compre spinning set up for weightless senkos and other similar applications. I just got the Dobyns 702c thats on sale at Cabela's and paired it with a Curado 51e. I'll get out within the week and let you know how this set up does. It seems like it will do a good job.

[NitroZ9]

I used a Denali Rosewood MH, Fast, Worm/Jig rod exclusively this spring for skipping wacky rigged senkos under docks. I had it paired with a Revo Premier and 15# Trilene flouro. This combo did an outstanding job for this application. I was able to skip the senko under very low openings to get way under the docks. I haven't used it with a fluke but I suspect it would do just as well.

[OnthePotomac]

A 7' MH BPS Carbonlite with a Curado 50E and 12 lb BPS flouro. Works great for weightless Senkos.

[Quitlimpin]

For me, the power is all relative to the cover I'm fishing. M, MH, or even H. The one thing that matters most to me is action. I prefer a fast or even slightly moderate action. Extra fast for senkos just doesn't turn my screws. I feel like I take up more slack than I would like, thus I end up fishing too fast.

[(='_'=)]

thanx!!

im trying to decide which rod of the ones i already have would be best suited for this application.... after discarding my crankbait rod, i was between a M/M, or MH/F... i see some of you prefer M power while others prefer MH... however, most of you prefer at least F tip, if not XF.... so i guess the MH/F veritas i bought for spinnerbaits will double as a weightless senko rod....

now, can i also throw a spinnerbait on the M/M rod?? because i like having a spinnerbait always tied on.... so if the main spinnerbait rod is being used for another thing, i would like to tie the spinnerbait to the other rod, just in case....

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

A 4" Senko and Gammie Finnese Wide Gap hook I have laying here weighs 1/5 oz. A 5" is probably closer to a 1/4 or a little over. That's near the lower end of lure weight ratings on a Med power rod and little below what most MH are rated. Of course these are subjective and personal experience will dictate which way to go at the end of the day.

[roadwarrior]

I prefer spinning tackle, but I also fish a G.Loomis BCR 893C/ Curado 50E.

[Clint C.]

I really like a medium fast rod 6'8" - 7'. It's the best I've found for "all around conditions". I use a Curado 201e7 for the reel and set it so the fall rate is a little faster than normal. Unless it's windy, then tighten it up a bit.

[skeletor6]

You could get the job done with the mh/f veritas but I think that's a little overpowered. Veritas rods fish heavier, you'd be better off with a M/F veritas rod.

If you can afford a loomis 893c matched with a curado 50e like RW said it absolutely launches senkos. Personally I would go spinning gear in a M/XF or m/f if I was on a budget. You could skip them under docks, flip them, and keep casting without worrying about professional overruns. Plus it would double for drop shot, shakey heads, etc.

As for rod selection take your pick Avid, elite tech smallmouth. BPS carbonlight, many rods to choose from. Pick Whatever rod suits you, is in your price range and is in the appropriate action and power.

[Bankbeater]

Spinning reel most of the time for the weightless flukes, but for a weightless Senko I like a heavy action rod.

[Mike__D]

2 rods that come to mind are the Fenwick smallmoth casting rod 6'10" MF and if more power is needed due to cover the 7' MHF veritas would work well to.

Mike D

[rangerjockey]

I throw them on my jerk bait rod which is a Denali Michael Murphy signature w/ a Zillon and 10lb flouro. The falcon cara weightless worm is another good one , but I like the Denali a bit more..

[skeletor6]

hey. what power and action is best for casting weightles senkos and flukes with a baitcaster?? also how should the reel be setup to avoid birds nests??

thanx!

thanx!!

im trying to decide which rod of the ones i already have would be best suited for this application.... after discarding my crankbait rod, i was between a M/M, or MH/F... i see some of you prefer M power while others prefer MH... however, most of you prefer at least F tip, if not XF.... so i guess the MH/F veritas i bought for spinnerbaits will double as a weightless senko rod....

now, can i also throw a spinnerbait on the M/M rod?? because i like having a spinnerbait always tied on.... so if the main spinnerbait rod is being used for another thing, i would like to tie the spinnerbait to the other rod, just in case....

Q1: How should the reel be set up to avoid birdsnests?

The advice given about putting a piece of tape at the most amount of line you are going to throw out is a nice little trick so when you do birdsnest it wont get so deep. Also, I'm not sure what reel you are using, but having more brakes engaged and tightening the spool lowers the possibility of getting a 'birdsnest'. It does come at a cost for distance. Maybe engage more brakes and slowly back off on them as you gain more confidence. Having the right rod and reel really helps. For instance, RoadWarrior's setup the Loomis 893c and the Curado 50e, that is a senko machine. The rod and reel throw senkos so far and with ease. It is extremely difficult to get a birdsnest with that setup.

The point I am making is the right rod a reel will make a huge difference. Many members are telling you to use spinning gear because this eliminates the possibility of a birdsnest. If you do get spinning gear, I like a 6'8'' MXF rod. St. Croix Avid and Shimano Cumara are some great spinning rods in that category.

Q2: Can I throw a spinnerbait on a m/m rod?

You can, but I do not think it is the ideal rod for spinnerbaits. MH/F is usually what is recommended for average sized spinnerbaits. Note, most spinnerbaits listed weights are not their actual weights. You throw a trailer on it as well and you are looking at an under-powered rod. Also, I would like a faster action rod than moderate.

If you want one rod dedicated for spinnerbaits and one rod dedicated for senkos. I think your best bet would be to Keep the MH/F veritas, use it for spinnerbaits. Then get a 6'8'' MXF Spinning outfit and use it to throw the weightless senkos. Those are two great rods to have that will be versatile for you. You will find out you can do many things with that spinning rod. Also, skipping those senkos under docks and such will be so much easier with a spinning outfit.

If you are set on using casting gear for your weightless senkos, then you absolutely can. People have made some good recommendations. Make sure you get a rod that is not too stout and does not have too stiff of a tip. You need something that is going to load the weight of that senko well. The Loomis 893 does it very well, I am sure there are others that are cheaper that do too, certainly not as good as that rod though. It is the best senko rod IMHO.

[Sherlock 60]

For weightless plastics I use a 7' MH Veritas spinning rod and 20# braid. With baitcasting gear when you lose a weigtless plastic in mid-cast you will have an unbelivable birds nest.

[(='_'=)]

thanx!! im not looking to get another rod, but using the ones i have for different things....

i already tried casting weightless senkos with my MH Veritas, paired with a Revo S, and it launches them really far.... i have not gotten a fish on them yet, bu as far as casting them, i cant complain... i havent had a single backlash with this reel either, even when casting into the wind....

right now i have a Falcon Cara T7 im using for texas rigged senkos, worms, and all soft plastics... i think i may use that one for weightless as well, and leave the veritas for spinnerbaits almost exclusively.... and the M/M will be used for lipless cranks.

by the way i dont think i will be using weightless senkos that much until i develop the patience needed to wait for them to sink. yesterday i went from 1/8 to 1/4 and ended up with 1/2 oz sinkers to be able to reach the fish at 20+ feet fast.... they didnt want anything but a worm hopping off the bottom....

[Jay Ell Gee]

Just throwing this out there...

There are about 50 more efficient techniques for catching bass in 20 feet of water than a weightless senko. I find a senko to be its deadliest in 6-8 feet of water, at least in most situations that i face in south Louisiana. You can flip it, dead stick it, pop it like a jerkbait, or even wacky rig it weightless and do very well there, ESPECIALLY in backwaters, shallow weed edges, and inside weed lines.

In 20 feet of water, you may want something that not only gets down there fast, but also makes some vibration or moves water. Big weighted curly tails, jig and pig, spoon, slow rolled spinnerbait, drop shot, even some swimbaits come to mind this time of year.

I only have four rod/reel setups, and one always has a weightless senko on when I fish rivers and backwaters... I like it that much. However, they certainly have their time and place, as does any other lure. It is also predominantly shallow (6-10 feet), calm offshoots of the main river.

I have a cheap M/M Abu Garcia Conolon Premier that came with my Citica D, it's 6 feet long and throws weightless senkos a laughable distance. From the back of the boat, I can drop it in front of my dad's frogs/trick worms if he starts showing me up. Desperate times, and all that, lol. That's a 15 dollar rod, but it does lack some hook setting potential at a distance.

I have since moved to a Powell Diesel or St. Croix Mojo Bass wacky rod to throw mine, though. Both do very well, just in slightly different ways. Good luck!