The Stick Bait Dilemma

[craww]

Not something I normally do but its bailed me out on several times when Ive been on the water and dangerously low on a specific bait. 

Slice the senko down the middle the length of a hook with an exacto knife. Run a thin layer of mend it or super glue inside and pinch it neatly shut. It will make one last a long long time. If you did this with a few senkos before going out a bag lasts forever.

[Airman4754]

16 hours ago, Forager said:

Not the answer i really wanted :I 

Welp ill take it still.

You have two types; salt core and non-salt core. Salt cores sink faster, are generally softer, but tear up quicker. Non-salt cores are the opposite.

It doesn't matter what type you buy. If it doesn't flutter as hard as a real Senko then boil it until you get the same softness. Weight is going to determine the rate of fall. The easiest way to adjust that is hook size.

For example, I mostly use the super cheap Big Bite Baits 25 pack for $5 with a 5/0 EWG. They have a dimple cast in them to keep the hook weedless that fits perfectly with a (drum roll).....5/0 EWG. So, even the manufacturer knows you're trying to knock off a Senko in every way. I boil them to the point where they have the same bend angle as a real Senko.

You can do this with any of them. So, like I said, any and all of them will work.

[Choporoz]

13 hours ago, j bab said:

I think the main argument here is that most of the time you will catch just as many with cheaper alternatives

Not an argument that I'll ever side with, I'm afraid

I think that part of the reason that this discussion rarely produces much agreement is because different sticks might excellent in specific rigging/water/situations, etc.  Whereas a Senko will excel on a trig, wacky, rage rig, etc...not all sticks have the right shimmy for a wacky, but might work great on a trig.....no tests done, just a thought.  For me, I stick with Senkos....I do have some Salty Cores and Sassy Sticks, that come close sometimes.....the Gander, BPS, Dingers....never did anything for me at all.

[junyer357]

I have tried many others but the origional yamamoto is still the best. What i do though is keep the ones i tear up fishing in a pile.  At end of day i use mend-it and repair them. I then use the repaired ones first. Its the best way ive found to save on them. 

[bassguytom]

My kids and guest use Senko's a lot. Last year we saved all the torn up ones and I made a mold  plaster of paris. I got a microwave off of Craig's list for $20.00 and used a Pyrex cup to melt them in my garage. I  poured into the mold and made Stick baits. They are flat on one side but the fish don't know that. I just keep all the dark colors together and all the light colors together. They work like a charm and gave me somthing fishing related to do in the winter. bought a bottle of  plastisol  and mixed in a little and on some batches I ground up some salt really fine and added that. Always keep the door open and use a mask and wear long sleeves and gloves if you decide to do this. 

[J Francho]

Just get a wacky tool and O-rings.

[Turtle135]

I am wondering, is real dilemma with the Senko the "over reliance" on that particular technique to catch bass? Is it that for many anglers that the unweighted Senko is the only real "confidence" presentation they have? This question about less expensive versions of stick baits seems to pop up almost as frequently as threads dedicated to "line type".

[Gillroid 9000]

17 hours ago, j bab said:

17 hours ago, j bab said:

I heard that 3/0 gets you the best action for 5" senkos. Is that what you were using with the dinger

Ignore this post. Writing on Bassresource on mobile is really clunky and hard to use.

[Gillroid 9000]

14 minutes ago, Turtle135 said:

I am wondering, is real dilemma with the Senko the "over reliance" on that particular technique to catch bass? Is it that for many anglers that the unweighted Senko is the only real "confidence" presee? This question about less expensive versions of stick baits seems to pop up almost as frequently as threads dedicated to "line type".

The dilemma is What should i go for. I dont have that much great fishing stores nearby me and needs to constantly dig through the bargain bin due to limited cash with me. I have also noticed forums about "Stick bait" topics float frequently around. The reason i started the thread is to solve my "Dillemma". 99% of the time i use Stick baits T rigged and doesnt do wacky rigging. I HIGHLY understand that the "Original" is the best but im too lazy to mend it, mold it, boil it ETC. I just want a stickbait which matches my requirement.

- Cheaper the senkos

-At least has the similar or somewhat "do nothing" action.

-Easy to find and not limited to one place or site

-Is available in bulk packs

-Has an acceptable durability(4-5 is my acceptable standard)

I am doing hard research to find the closest to my requirements. I would gladly like your support. 

Thank you for your contribution. 

[J Francho]

Use a wacky tool with the original, and you will have pretty much met all your requirements...

You get more life out of each senko.

You can order bulk senkos from GY directly.

 

[Gillroid 9000]

3 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Use a wacky tool with the original, and you will have pretty much met all your requirements...

You get more life out of each senko.

You can order bulk senkos from GY directly.

 

JF thanks for the advice but.. i dont Wacky rig stick baits. And 60$ for 50 6inch senkos. I checked on the Stik o worns and 50 Stik o worms for just 15$. 

^^^

That is very questionable. :/

[J Francho]

Stik-Os work for many.  Not for me.  Not quite a fast enough sink rate.  The only time I ever rig a Senko weedless is when I Texas rig them with a pegged 1/16 weight, for skipping.  Do it right, and the do loopty-loops in the water after entry.  A cool trick I learned from Pete Gluzik at a seminar (one that I had to FOLLOW him speaking....talk about pressure, lol).  I think in that case, you'd probably be fine with any brand.

I didn't go through all the posts, but did you try Ochos?  Not exactly super cheap, but better durability and tons of shimmy.

[Gillroid 9000]

I heard about Ochos and your opinion about ochos sounds really conflicting to what i head JF.

[fishwizzard]

How long are you guys boiling these baits for?  I have used hot water to straighten out fluke tails, but that only takes a a second or so.  

I will admit that I can count the fish I have caught on 5" senkos on two hands.  I have never figured out how to make a wacky rig work and when I try to t-rig them, I end up fishing them like a fluke, so I just end up threading a fluke on after a few casts.   I had one good day with them over the summer working shallow weed lines from the bank, but I after loosing 4 senkos on three fish I gave up and went to a fluke and kept catching them.  

I fish a weightless soft plastic maybe half the time, but somehow senko success has eluded me.  

[j bab]

2 hours ago, Bunnielab said:

How long are you guys boiling these baits for?  I have used hot water to straighten out fluke tails, but that only takes a a second or so.  

I will admit that I can count the fish I have caught on 5" senkos on two hands.  I have never figured out how to make a wacky rig work and when I try to t-rig them, I end up fishing them like a fluke, so I just end up threading a fluke on after a few casts.   I had one good day with them over the summer working shallow weed lines from the bank, but I after loosing 4 senkos on three fish I gave up and went to a fluke and kept catching them.  

I fish a weightless soft plastic maybe half the time, but somehow senko success has eluded me.  

I never fish senkos like a fluke - that's what flukes are for. You let them sink to the bottom on semi-slack line, sit for a couple seconds (or longer if it's a slow day), lift it up off the bottom a ways, and repeat.

[primetime]

Netbait makes a bait called the Salt Lick which is really good, not sure if they still make it but I had purchased a few bags years ago and they worked really well, they have more salt than a senko, and also pork cooked in so really dense, soft, and work well. 

Mr. Twister Comida is another good worm, but I seem to do well on all stick baits, never really used one I hated, I use the big Bite, Yum, SK, GYB, any brand depending on color. I like Stick-O's if I can buy them in the store to make sure the consistency is good, the Strike King model sold in walmart for $3 has worked for me in that camo color swirl...SHimmy Stick?

I think the line, Hook, and how you fish it matters more than the brand. Just my take. Also where you cast it, and how fast it falls or sits. It is not like companies can't copy the exact recipe of the Senko, the Technology is out there.

Also Kinami is GYB's Son't line which I believe they stopped making but they are the same as a Senko only in different colors....They work great if you can find them for $2 on overstock still...

[Mike L]

4 minutes ago, primetime said:

I think the line, Hook, and how you fish it matters more than the brand. Just my take. Also where you cast it, and how fast it falls or sits. It is not like companies can't copy the exact recipe of the Senko, the Technology is out there.

Ditto

Pretty much says it all 

 

 

Mike

[fishwizzard]

3 hours ago, j bab said:

I never fish senkos like a fluke - that's what flukes are for. You let them sink to the bottom on semi-slack line, sit for a couple seconds (or longer if it's a slow day), lift it up off the bottom a ways, and repeat.

 While I know this in my head, my heart wants to make those worms dance.  

 I actually do like senkos a lot as flukes, they have a small profile while being very dense and fast sinking.  I am realiy liking the GYCB D-Shads, which seem to have that senko wiggle and dart around nicely as well.  The Keitech stickbaits are also great t-rigged and worked fast.  

But I know I need to learn to fish slow, it's my main focus this winter. 

 

[Gillroid 9000]

13 hours ago, Bunnielab said:

 While I know this in my head, my heart wants to make those worms dance.  

 I actually do like senkos a lot as flukes, they have a small profile while being very dense and fast sinking.  I am realiy liking the GYCB D-Shads, which seem to have that senko wiggle and dart around nicely as well.  The Keitech stickbaits are also great t-rigged and worked fast.  

But I know I need to learn to fish slow, it's my main focus this winter. 

 

Same here bro. Flukes are versatile as senkos. Weightless rig it, Texas rig it, Put it on a Jig head, Drop shot it Blah blah blah. I think ima focus more on Fluke type baits and just use any stick bait that works. I think its desiesive that you can ONLY tell what lure is good and bad. So i learned dont be afraid to try out new lures.

This is Forager sighning off. Thank yall for the advice.

[J Francho]

My favorite fluke rig is to nose hook it on a drop shot or wacky hook, if I can get away with the exposed hook.  Not unlike the old, infamous banjo minnow.

[jr231]

It's not always true that you get what you pay for.. ever been to a professional sporting event ? Or amusement park? 15 dollars for a hamburger isn't exactly getting what you paid for.. 

But, senkos are expensive because they are an original and they work. They will only cost as much as people are willing to pay for them.. if everyone stopped buying them they would drop in price, but nobody is going to do that because they catch fish day after day. Out of every worm I catch at least one fish (could be up to 5 t rigged)  . So we will say they cost around 70 cents a piece..  I'm willing to spend that while fishing the limited amount of time I actually get to fish..  knowing if I'm not catching fish that it's not the lure I'm using.. 

When using the senko (weightless t rigged) just clip off 1/4" and re rig! I've started with a 5" senko and caught fish with it all the way til it was down to under 4" before I grabbed a new one.. and caught 6-7 fish on one senko.. 

I've had success with the YUM dingers.. it's not that these other brands won't catch fish.. but will they catch them as well ? Even if you run tests it could be a fluke or coincidence.. the dinger was in the right spot/right time.. retrieved just slightly different etc. 

You want the shimmy of the senko but hate the durability. Well that softness is what gives it the action. That's like you want your pop to be cold but you want no ice in the cup so you have more pop. Let me know how that works out. 

[J Francho]

It's worth noting, many of the knock-offs are made elsewhere, like China.  GYCB are made in USA.  This is one of those cases where our skilled workers actually do a better job, and there is a small premium to be paid with that.  If that's not worth a buck a bag, then get another brand.

[NYWayfarer]

Zman Zinkerz  are extremely durable because of the ElaZtech construction and around $5 for a pack of 6 they are a great deal.

I also like the SK Ocho's with the coffee scent. SK Shim E Stick are decent as well.

Nothing beats the original GYBC Senko's though. I usually wait for them to go on sale and bring any coupons I have for Dick's/Field and Stream to lower the cost even lower. Example: Dick's had a sale $6 bucks a pack of senkos if you buy 3 or more. I bought enough to spend $25 since I had a coupon for $10 off a purchase of $25 or more. Got 5 packs of Senkos for $20 that day.

[fishwizzard]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

My favorite fluke rig is to nose hook it on a drop shot or wacky hook, if I can get away with the exposed hook.  Not unlike the old, infamous banjo minnow.

I do this with small flukes and 3" senkos, but never have had much luck catching on the larger ones rigged that way.  What size hook do you use for the larger flukes?  

[J Francho]

35 minutes ago, Bunnielab said:

What size hook do you use for the larger flukes?

2/0 Wide Gap Finesse.