Yamamoto Senko's and imitations

[David P]

So on ebay and all that, they have the imitation Senko's that look identical and 50 in a pack for practically the same price as a pack with what 8 or 10?

I'm new to using plastic worms, and especially these, but I used some Gary Yamamoto Senkos today and they worked quite nicely.

My main question is..

Is it worth paying the extra bucks for the real ones, or are the imitations just as good.

Anyone know special sites that sell good ones for good prices?

Thanks!

[George Welcome]

You are going to need to answer this one for yourself.

Experimentation with product will give you your answer.

[David P]

Being flat broke doesn't make it easy to experiment.  :-/

[oijgesrsvser]

As George stated... EXPERIEMENT with different brands.  Just remember one thing.  NOT all KNOCK OFF baits are the same.  You have to make sure they do what you want and are and the quality you desire. Some are 1 BAIT - 1 FISH baits, which means they rip or tear after just one fish.  Some sink faster than others, some are softer than others... some have more action and then some just SUCK!   Some use rubber molds...some use aluminum which definately produces a different end product.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Yes, they work just as well but not ALL knockoffs.

PM sinko (above) and I'm sure he'd send you a couple to make you a believer.

The ones on ebay that are 50 for $10 are ***, the ones I personally use.

CLICK THIS TO SEE IF THEY WORK!

[jomatty]

this is a hotly debated issue and there is no right answer.  personally i think that yamamoto senkos are far and away the best producing commercially available stick baits but others strongly disagree.  dig around for the great test conducted between lbh and rw and you can see how even great anglers disagree about this issue.

there is no doubt that the baits from *** are great baits and will catch fish.  are they as good as senkos...very personal issue.

if you are on a truly tight budget they very well may be the best option for you as they are a little bit tougher and will last longer, even aside from their lower starting price.

matt

[5bass]

The ones on ebay that are 50 for $10 are ***, the ones I personally use.  

Me too. *** has the best deal going. High quality, low price.

[Triton21]

The ones on ebay that are 50 for $10 are ***, the ones I personally use.

Me too. *** has the best deal going. High quality, low price.

I agree with the above statements.  The Sticko from BPS is also a GREAT bait and on sale right now.  The Bass at Fork like them.  My PB broke me off on one and on the very next cast took another of the same size an color.  

Kelley

[Guest the_muddy_man]

*** ARE MY FAVORITES they work great!!!!!!!!

[David P]

Hey guys, thank you very much. I'm going to order some from *** and try them out! 50 for $8 sounds pretty good!!!

I appreciate all the help.

I'm going to get a few of the same color as the Senkos I have, and see which truly work better. I'll post back with my findings  

[bighed]

I love the Senkos.  They have been a big producer for me as they have been for many others.  They are the stick bait that I have preferred for some time now even though I hate paying $6 a bag for them.  I've tried several brands like Creme's, Big Bag's, Zoom's, Yum's, Stiko's, Wave's, etc.  My favorite non GYCB lure is the Wave Tiki with the chart. tails and the Zoom Z nails.   After a lot of fishing I think that there is room for more than just the original in my boat.  The Senko has a faster fall and more action than the others I've used.  This is great if that's what the fish want.  But what about after a cold front and other conditions that slow the fish down.  The Tiki's have less action and have to be fished slower but do catch a bunch and may be better in a situation like this.  BTW, I read in other threads like this that the senko's can be "welded" back together using a soldering iron and reused.  I save a few used ones for wacky rigging to get a little extra milage out of them too.  big

[Redlinerobert]

I'll have to try those *** as well.  At that price how can you lose.  

[justfishin]

I have one thing to say. Cabela's Aqua Glow Sticks in 5". Two colors. Watermelon Seed/ Gold Flake, Grape/ Gold Flake. 2.99 per ten pk. Try them is these two colors, you will be happy.

[Rob G.]

To all of you using the *** brand.  Do they sink as fast as a Yamamoto?  Are they consistent with eachother?  I have had decent luck with some knock offs, but as an example.  The Bass Pro Sinkos, not even close to consistent with themselves.  In a single package some will float, some will sink very very slowely, and some will sink a bit quicker.  Anyone tried the NetBait brand?

[Troutfisher]

I don't like the tiki-stiks.  Only available in 5 inch versions, I believe, and I don't personally think they work as well.  

[roadwarrior]

I quit fishing 5' Senkos a long time ago. They simply catch too many bass.

Now I fish 6"  Senkos exclusively. I don't catch as many bass, but they seem to be better fish. 8-)

I have always felt GYCB products were a tremendous value. When I'm fishing I expect to catch big bass on every trip. That doesn't always happen, but I feel like the deck is stacked in my favor when I am fishing what I consider to be the best soft plastic baits on the planet. If everything were "just as good" we would compare baits to another standard. But the standard bearer is the Senko, the one and only GYCB Senko.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

But the standard bearer is the Senko, the one and only GYCB Senko.

I'll give you that, they invented it.  

Everyone else just made it affordable.

[Cigarlover 1]

I fished *** worms for the first time last week. I feel you get the same action and sink rate as the Yamamoto and for a fraction of the price. I've tried quite a few of the knockoffs looking to save money and really feel that the *** are the best out there. And hey even if you try a few packs a don't like em your still not out that much.  

[Syfer420]

I don't like the tiki-stiks. Only available in 5 inch versions, I believe, and I don't personally think they work as well.

I strongly disagree. IMO ive been fishing with tiki sticks for about 2-3 years now they are my best cosistent producers ( the swimbaits ive been using latly are killer also though) I think you cant beat a scented worm expecially verses a salt inpregnated one. Sorry Mr yamamoto your red and black senko did catch me my PB but for 2.99 verses 6 bucks you cant beat a wave worm. BTW troutfisher they used to have a 7 inch version called the snake and a 10 inch called the anconda, if you look at the sight they changed it to a curly tail type bait. thats the only thing i agree with troutfisher about too bad maybe theyll bring it back.

[roadwarrior]

[sorry Mr yamamoto your red and black senko did catch me my PB but for 2.99 verses 6 bucks you cant beat a wave worm.]

Hmm...

For $1.00 a piece you catch 5 lb+ bass consistantly, but for 20 cents you can catch a boat load of 1-2  pounders. Which is the better deal? I guess it's all about expectations.

[Supermat]

I too use the *** brand. I've been VERY pleased, they are consistant in their pour and all seem to sink at the same speed. I have seen no change in fish catching ability since I made the switch from Yamamoto, just the price difference! If you decide to try *** because of this, mention that Matt from California sent you and they'll sweeten the deal even further with some extra baits! Also, check out the Beaver Craw, I've been using them for 2 years and have been very successful.

[Syfer420]

Road you must have mistunderstood, ive cought countless numbers of big bass on my tiki sticks but happened to have none left at the time when fishing and cought the 5 lber. Countless 2-4 lbers for 20 cents or countless 1 lbers and one 5lber for 1.00 a peice?? I just catch more qualitly fish, heck i just catch more fish overall with them. Lower price better and fishing now thats a good deal Now let me get the 10 lber im going after in FL and Mr yamamotos baits will be a no show in my tackle box.

[SimonSays]

I've recently bought a couple of the ***, they don't seem to weigh as much as the Senko's do making it a tad bit harder to cast with my baitcasting set up (I think they're on the lower end of the weigh rating of my MH rod) while Senkos cast a lot easier.  I usually start with *** and end up using my senko's I think it's a confidence thing for me.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I guess it's all about expectations.

Sure is, I expect to catch the largest size class in my lake again for the 3rd year in a row.  You are one of the very few (only actually) person who only catches small fish when using anything other than Yamamoto that I have heard about.

Anyone else only catch dinks when using a non-yamamoto bait?

Simon, the knockoffss that were analyzed actually had a slightly higher amount of salt than the GYCB.  Not saying if this is better or worse, personally, I'd like the slowest fall possible, just stating the facts.  The texture difference is in the amount of hardener used.

[jomatty]

as soon as i saw this post i knew it was gonna get folks fired up.  dosent matter how many times it occurs this topic always gets people going.

anyways for me the senkos just have more wiggle and shimmy.  i too found them too expensive and combat that by pouring my own.  of course they are not senkos but i find that the only bait that is soft enough, other than senkos, is a hand pour.

thats not to say i havent caught many fish on the knockoffs.  in fact ive never fished any knockoff that didnt catch fish.

rw if you read this could you answer one question?  when fishing the 6 inch senkos do you find you catch more big bass or just less small bass?  i suppose that if you cant keep the small bass off the hook it will be hard for the big ones to get a chance at it but im wondering if it is that the 5 inch does not apeal as much to the big bass or that the 6 inch dosent appeal to the smaller bass?

matt