Senkos, Why Spend The Extra $ When Cheaper Out There

[Cgolf]

I looked at the senko thread and this wasn't there. What I am curious is why do you buy senkos when alternatives are available that run a lot cheaper including the yum baits I just got for under 3 not on sale.

I will say I am guilty on the swim senko as I have a deep 3700 box filled with my go to colors. Since the new yum swimming dinger has a different tail design and doesn't come in smoke purple, I may be stuck with the swim senko fo a while. I just need to compare the side by side and see how they work.

Are these baits that much better, brand loyalty, the mystique of the bait? I just have a hard time plunking down that much cash for a one fish bait. 15 on a crank you catch 20-100 fish worth it, 80 cents to a buck a bait for hopefully one fish seems crazy to me.

Not trolling on this one, just curious, because people do buy them, they always have a big display in most shops.

[FinCulture]

There I a difference between a lot of worm. Yamamotos are very thick compared to a lot of other worms for example. I think it's most important on a wacky rig, as the surface shape can change how the bait falls, which is important.

[ww2farmer]

Some people need that name on the bag for confidence, and think the GYCB senko is some kind of magic and have ZERO understanding of why it does what it does. I have fished many brands....I don't drink the kool aid. Yes a stick bait is viable option many times, and I use one at least at some point almost every time I am on the water. I have not found one that won't catch fish, even when the bite is tuff. The one thing the GYCB has on the others is weight...the salt and silica powder they add to them makes them cast like bullets, and sink like rocks......rocks with a seductive shimmy on the fall. The same thing can be accomplished with other brands ( I prefer Yum Dingers) with less salt/silica by fishing them on weighted wacky jig heads. I have done a lot of farting around with weights/sticks to get what I want out of a cheaper brand. For example:

 

5" Yum dinger with a 1/16th oz. wacky jig = the same fall rate as a weightless GYCB senko. And the dinger has the same "wiggle" on the fall as the senko once the weight has been added. Since I prefer to fish my stick baits on wacky jigs 99% of the time, this is a win- win for me, I get cheaper, more durable, baits, that catch just as many fish, plus I can adjust the rate of fall more precisely with the lighter dinger, I am not married to the starting weight of the heavy salt/silica laden  flimsy senko.

[jonnyblazex]

  I have tried many many different stick worms, weightless, tx rigged, and wacky.  For some reason the Senko has outperformed others when used the same way. I have had days where the other brands didn't get bit, and put on a Senko and started hammering them.  Senko got destroyed, tried a knockoff again, figuring it dosent matter, and no bites.  Took it off, and senko on, and game on!  I don't know what it is, but you could buy one bag in the color you like, and try it out for yourself.  I agree that the price is high, and durability is not real good, but if I can catch that big fish that make me happy, or wins a tournament, its all worth it!  The Senko is the originator stick worm, all the others are rip off copy cats! 

[EvanT123]

I buy them for $3 a pack In January.

[bflp3]

It may have the same fall rate with a weighted wacky head, but the weight concentrated in the center will put a larger bow in the worm as it falls.

I have tried stikos, dingers, and my own home made ones. Senkos just seem to produce better. I now just switch between senkos and my own.

[bigbill]

I use different brands because they last longer and for certain colors.

The BPS STIK O WORM lasts longer but BPS doesn't offer all there colors. They offer you what they don't sell. The popular ones are sold out and not being restocked. I use the gambler ACE for the electric blue. Cost isn't a factor I want the color that works.

[FishTank]

I fished too many knock offs of the senko and there is no equal.  With that said, I will not pay $7+ for a bag.   I wait until DSG has them on sale, use a coupon and stock up.  I usually end up paying about $3.50 to $4.00 a bag.  At that price, they are worth it.  

[jtharris3]

Why buy filet mignon when you can just go buy a piece of round steak?

[MIbassyaker]

I have not tried all available stickbaits. But, of the ones I have tried, the difference in action between Senkos and others on a wacky rig is noticeable, with the Senko having the advantage. Do the fish care about this difference? They seem to, but its not as though I've done a controlled experiment. And I haven't tried Yum dingers yet, but I've heard multiple people recommend them.

 

More importantly, I don't always wacky rig my stickbaits. This year, for instance, I have been t-rigging them and working them over emergent vegetation, or as a soft jerkbait, more than anything else. And for that, I don't see any reason to prefer the senko over other more durable brands. The Big Bite Baits trick stick is MUCH cheaper and, for these purposes does the job just fine.

[BobP]

I think ww2farmer has a good point.  Senkos are different because they weigh more than the alternatives.  The weight plus the diameter plus the extra salt makes them different and gives them the best action on the fall.

[SirSnookalot]

I've used senkos as well as knockoffs, all pretty much he same to me.  I may use them only a few times a year, that brand of fishing doesn't excite me.  A senko type bait is used only in emergency situation to avoid being skunked.  If one is spending lot of money on their rod, reel and line why get cheap for a few bucks if you think the more expensive brand will work better for you.  The object of the exercise is to catch fish.

[Cgolf]

I've used senkos as well as knockoffs, all pretty much he same to me.  I may use them only a few times a year, that brand of fishing doesn't excite me.  A senko type bait is used only in emergency situation to avoid being skunked.  If one is spending lot of money on their rod, reel and line why get cheap for a few bucks if you think the more expensive brand will work better for you.  The object of the exercise is to catch fish.

I and many others probably fall into the bassin on a budget group. Over the years I have accumulated a bit of tackle, but each year I have a budget I need to fit everything into. So with the more expensive lures I always like to ask are they worth the extra coin to decide if I finally give them a toss.

[Lendiesel22]

What ever a GY senko does that the others dont makes the difference. I have fished all the look a likes. I have fished some local customs. Same wiggle, same fall rate, same colors. Something about GY senko though. Not my favorite way to fish but it has its places. If I am in one of those places I have to reach for GY. I have seen too many times where the look a likes get beat out by the orig

[Jon G]

Just take advantage of sales. I do it with all my major tackle-stocking purchases. 

[Chris at Tech]

Why do folks buy high-end rods and reels when they can get a $20 combo at Walmart?

[bigbill]

I was using new old rods with chrome eyelets. I still have some. They were $5 each discounted online. A have a B.A.S.S. rod med/hvy action rod. I retired most of them for new LEWS spinning rods. Half price for older model speed sticks of course.

Bill Dance says buy the best quality rod we can afford. He's not paying quantum for his. But maybe he's right. I'm up to the $99 baitcaster rods and spinning rods. But on sale and I'm not going any more $$ wise.

I miss my older shakespear and south bend rods.

I use FIN-NOR, OKUMA exiptor, viva and globe spinning reels for decades. I retired my D.A.M. QUICK spinning reels there antique now.

I bought them with my first income tax return in '73. I'm trying the U.S. REEL super casters right now. The jury is still out. Fishing from shore casting distance matters. The farther the scent trail gets out there the better.

The weakest link in your setup is your line we need good quality line. I use Excalibur Silver thread copolymer line.

[Primus]

In my opinion Senko's are better that's why I throw them. Yes , they cost more but they are still affordable for the average angler .  Less durable, that's a trait that most of the better soft plastics share, if the bait is catching a lot fish buy another bag when they are done it's not complicated . If you are on a tight budget seek out alternatives, it's fishing go with what you like best that you are comfortable spending . If people are freaked out about durability use Zman, problem solved . 

[Raul]

I think ww2farmer has a good point.  Senkos are different because they weigh more than the alternatives.  The weight plus the diameter plus the extra salt makes them different and gives them the best action on the fall.

 

Plus extra softness.

[Comfortably Numb]

A custom inject company should be able to make a bait in any weight, softness, and color you want

[ww2farmer]

I'll stand by what I said.................most people don't get it. I am 100% confident in saying if it's a stick bait throwing derby on any of the lakes I know and fish, YOU WILL NOT out fish me because of the name on the bag. Give me brand X,Y, or Z, and everyone else can have their $8/bag stuff and I will still take your money more times than not.

[bigbill]

I twitch each bait where I can see it there's no difference in action.

I'm a color freak I use what works.

[Cgolf]

Why do folks buy high-end rods and reels when they can get a $20 combo at Walmart?

Actually one of the rigs I keep in my truck and use 5 times a week for plastics is an ugly stick, and the second rod I got a 2 for 50 deal on the wright McGill Clunn rods I use for my cranking. Top end rods for me are my 2 100 buck st croix and 3 Cabela's prodigy rods bought on sale. As for reels, all are 80 buck reels with one daiwa viento bought on clearance for 80. Some of the rods I use regularly are15 years old and I don't feel this gear holds me back. But yeh I will never own a top end reel and rod, I make do quite well with what I got. unless I win the lottery then all bets are off lol

Yes I do shop sales, that is how I ended up with a big box of swim senkos:)

[blckshirt98]

With the GYCB senkos it's something about their salt/sand formula that makes them quiver on the fall that's hard to duplicate.  Sure with experience you can do well with any stickbait (or any bait for that matter), but I think for most people starting out, the GYCB senko just has that cast and let it fall simplicity to it that makes it easy to fish.  If you can pull a rod and hold it still, you can make the GYCB senko get bit.

[roadwarrior]

I suspect Senkos have accounted for more winning bags in local amature tournaments than all 

other liures combined. Why settle for "secong best"?