Senko Rod

[Lunker88]

I'm looking for a finesse rod for throwing weightless Senkos, do you think I should go with a 7' or a 6'6 ???

[Derekbass02]

I think a 7' rod would be better. Just my opinion

[jtipton91]

I use a st croix rage casting rod. Absolutely perfect for senko fishing imo. It's a 6'8" medium/extra fast. I like it.

[MIbassyaker]

I'm using a 6'8" MXF St. Croix avid x for senkos, flukes and other weightless plastics, which has the same blank as the Rage mentioned above (as do the new models in the Mojo Bass line). It really is perfect.

[WIGuide]

I've got 2. The first is a St. Croix LTB 6'8" M/XF spinning rod which I use mostly for the Dingers I rig wacky style, and I've got a 6'6" M/F Legend Xtreme casting rod for texas rigged baits. I they both work great for senko style fishing. I would say go with the shorter rod as you'll get better accuracy. Fishing a worm of any kind isn't a technique you're trying to cover water with, but rather work high percentage areas and to me that's when accuracy becomes essential. 

[the reel ess]

Not that I think this is exactly what you need, but I use a 7' M/Fast. I mostly use Senkos wacky rigged. This is not a method that pays off for me every trip, so I don't have a dedicated setup for it.

[JPascavage52]

I use a M/F 6'6" Berkley Lightning Shock spinning rod for senko fishing. I know I know it's not the most high end rod, but I purchased it when I had just gotten out of college six years ago, and had very little disposable income. Now, fast forward six years, and eventhough I'm still frugal, I've bought a boat and have been purchasing a little higher end rods over the past few years, in the 100-300 dollar range. I can still say that the Shock is very light lightweight and sensitive, casts a mile, has been durable, and has performed well, even though I now use rods from brands such as Duckett, 13, St. Croix, and Abu Garcia. Until it breaks, or malfunctions, I'm unlikely to switch. 

 

[Lunker88]

Thanks for help guys, I think I'm gonna go in the middle and get a 6'8 xtra fast rod!

[Yudo1]

I prefer 7' or longer rods for senkos.  

[Poolshark]

For the 5" + senkos, I like to use a 7 mhf rod. For the 4" senkos I like to use a 61/2 to 7 ft medium fast  spinning rod.  It might be an error or poor mechanics on my part, but I find my hookup ratio is a lot better with the longer rods, especially on a longer cast. 

[Jar11591]

My weightless senko dedicated setup is a 7' M-F spinning outfit. 

[curtis9]

I like the 68mxf as well.  Use both a ltb and a legend elite.

[Fishes in trees]

To me, where you're throwing these weightless senko's makes a difference.  If you're throwing relatively shallow where vegetation is the primary cover and there might be an occasional bush or lowdown, I'd go spinning.  If you're out in water where there are serious trees and you're drifting the senko's down the trunk of the tree, I think a MH bait casting rod with 15 or 17 lb abrazx is in order.  Senkos weigh enough that they are pretty adaptable  about what you can throw them on.

This past year, the places where I'm most likely to throw a senko are steep to very steep bank to bottom drop offs and there is quite a bit of overhanging vegetation.  Best presentation involves sitting the boat in 20' or so of water and throwing the bait to the 8 to 12 foot drop off (which is maybe 4 to 7 feet from the bank)  A skip cast works best for this and that calls for spinning gear - at least for me.  I have lost a few decent fish that hit and immediately too me into deeper bottom hardwood lay downs, but step A is getting bit and then step B is dealing with it.  I'm just having a real hard time with a bait casting presentation in that situation.   Somehting about the skip, the commotion on the surface that gets their attention.   I can almost predict the bite now, depending on how good a skip I get and where it starts to drop.   Waiting for the bait to get 8 to ten feet down can seem to take forever.

[GORDO]

What line would you use if you're not fishing trees but pretty heavy grass like dollar lillies and milfoil? 

[iceintheveins]

A 7' medium, with a fast action. My choice would be the Abu Garcia Ike Finesse Series spinning rod, the 7' medium. Handles lures from 1/16 ounce to 1/2 ounce.

[Fish4bigfish]

12 hours ago, Gordy Mcglynn said:

What line would you use if you're not fishing trees but pretty heavy grass like dollar lillies and milfoil? 

I use 30 lb braid and a 733 dobyns 

[OnthePotomac]

A BPS 7' Carbonlite MH fast tip.  You can throw it all day in comfort.  Very, very light and inexpensive. I have five of them.  I use 14lb fluorocarbon on the Tidal Potomac grass beds and no problem.

[Honkytonk]

12 hours ago, Fish4bigfish said:

I use 30 lb braid and a 733 dobyns 

x2! the 733 can launch senkos with braid