Strike King Zero "senkos"

[DRH2O]

I can see here that the Senko/StickBait topic has been discussed ad nauseam..

 

http://http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/12401-senko-faq-%C2%A0look-here-first/
 

After looking through a bit I found that I may have just a little bit more to offer regarding the Strike King Zeros that some out there may find helpful. There is a small thread on the Zeros but it's archived and locked so my only option is to start a new thread.

Apologies if I'm breaking some unspoken "no more new senko threads" rule or if I'm re-opening a big ole' can of... senkos.

Now with my disclaimer out of the way I can just get on with it.

First off the Strike King Zeros is the same as the ZMan Zinkerz only rebranded. They are made out of the Elaz-Tech material which is unlike most any other plastic lure material out there being used.

Whether or not you find that it is superior to other plastics for it's action (I do), it can be stated as a certainty that they are more durable and capable of catching far more fish before being rendered unusable. And not by a few fish but by dozens or even scores of fish.

There are a couple of things that anyone new to using them should know however.

1. The material reacts chemically with other plastics and rubber.

DO NOT throw them in the same compartment with other plastics or in a day or two when you open them up you'll find that they have "melted" together ruining them all. This goes for the little rubber o-rings as well. If you use them to fish with it doesn't seem to be an issue, but if you leave that o-ring on when you're done in a couple of days a deep crease will be burned into the worm which will significantly change it's action.

2. They sink. Until the salt in them all dissolves. Then they float.

 

When I first discovered that my awesome new worms turned into floaters I was seriously disappointed. Then I got creative and suddenly they just became more versatile.

Once they start floating they can still be used as normal by burying a small finish nail in both ends. I also find that if they're dry, before using them it helps to stick them in the water and squeeze them a bit, like a sponge. This helps get the trapped air out.

With the nails in them I found that I actually think the action when they're falling is even better. Very subtle but very kinetic.

There is one caveat to this however.

Sometimes in certain situations I like to let the sticks fall then rip them up. I'm of the opinion that when they're ripped up quickly they pulse and vibrate mimicking a panicked/wounded baitfish. So there's a quick burst of activity to grab a nearby bass' attention, then the dying senko with it's trademark fall when they come to investigate.

Once the Zero's start floating and have to be modified with the finish nails then they aren't as rigid and they don't pulse and flutter as well as new ones or other brands when they're ripped up through the water column. If I feel I have the need to use the rip and sink retrieve then I have another brand I use. For all other senko presentations the Zeros are my go to stick.

It can take a little tweaking to get the fall just right when you have to start using weights/nails in the end but once you've got it right they ungulate and quiver as they fall in a way that is nothing short of spectacular. IMHO.

The weightless aspect opens up more rigging options that I'll leave to your own imagination and creativity.

 

I thought the points above might be helpful for folks to know in advance though, in case they were inclined to pick up a pack of the Zeros and give them a shot.

 

~DR


 

 

[Bluebasser86]

The Z man Zeros are great on a split shot or C rig because of their floating qualities. 

[JayKumar]

Don't forget that all Senko-types sink at different rates!

[KyakR]

Don't forget that all Senko-types sink at different rates!

Jay, can you elaborate a bit on this? Also, anybody have any tips on putting a twist-lock in the end of of one of the elastec worms? 

[DelcoSol]

Jay, can you elaborate a bit on this? Also, anybody have any tips on putting a twist-lock in the end of of one of the elastec worms? 

It's a PITA. I have done it for a shakey head setup. You just have to keep twisting it until it stretches enough and it will eventually penetrate the worm.

[hookset on 3]

Like BlueBasser said, on a split shot or c-rig they are the best. Great to use over submerged weed beds.

One thing on rigging these, is that a jig or shaky head with the thin pin type bait holders are hassle free for rigging Elaz-tech.I like a Jewel J-lock or A Mart's new Alien Head from Gamakatsu.

[KyakR]

Thanks! I like the way the elastec worms float really high for shakey head ....will try the pin type. Didn't know about GK alien head though!

[J Francho]

It's a PITA. I have done it for a shakey head setup. You just have to keep twisting it until it stretches enough and it will eventually penetrate the worm.

 

Heat the bait keeper with a lighter, and it's no issue getting Elaztech baits riged.

[CWB]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What he said.

Heat the spring up and it works like a charm.