Senko replacement

[Davisb]

I'm much more of a finesse fisherman than a power fisherman for bass (mainly because 90% of the bass I have caught have been on UL spinning gear) and I got some fluorocarbon for a bigger spinning reel so I can try some techniques I haven't tried like dropshotting. Which means I will be going through lots of worms. Lately I have been trying different types of worms but all of the stick baits I have tried except the super $$$$$ senkos fall incredibly slow. Does anyone know any better worms? I'm about to try out the ZMan ZinkerZ and the Yum Dingers. Do these work as well as the senkos?

[2tall79]

I have gone to Mister Twister Comida worms for the reasons you just mentioned.  About 1/2 the price and catch just as many fish, IMHO.

 

I've been using these for wacky rigging.  I can catch multiple fish on the same bait.

[mllrtm79]

I have found that the Yum Dingers seem to fall slower than the Senkos.

Cabela's brand "go-to" (I think) had a decent fall rate, but I only tried one bag of them, since I haven't made the trek back up there since last July. 

[Poolshark]

The gambler ace and the bass pro stick o are excellent choices. 

I've also learned to throw wacky rigged senkos on an o ring. They last ALOT longer

[Darren.]

I use Bass Pro Stick-Os most of the time for wacky,

but not often for drop shot. And I never use o rings

for wacky...

 

For drop shot I like Yamamoto Shad Shape Worms

[mllrtm79]

1 minute ago, Darren. said:

 

I use Bass Pro Stick-Os most of the time for wacky

 

how does the fall rate compare to senkos? I was thinking about getting a 50ct pack when I go past bps in a couple weeks. 

[Darren.]

Just now, mllrtm79 said:

how does the fall rate compare to senkos? I was thinking about getting a 50ct pack when I go past bps in a couple weeks. 

 

Very similar. I started with Senkos, tried many others

and "stuck" with the Stick-O (still use Senkos, too) as

best/closest IMO.

[FryDog62]

I used the iconic Yamasenkos for years... got tired of $8/bag and so tried every other Senko brand known to mankind.  Found better prices but nothing that caught as many fish, or had a similar sink rate, etc.  Until I tried Kalin's Wac-O-Worm.  Similar sink rate as GYCB, more garlic scent and although very soft, last twice as long.  And almost half the price...

[Fishin' Fool]

1 hour ago, Davisb said:

I'm much more of a finesse fisherman than a power fisherman for bass (mainly because 90% of the bass I have caught have been on UL spinning gear) and I got some fluorocarbon for a bigger spinning reel so I can try some techniques I haven't tried like dropshotting. Which means I will be going through lots of worms. Lately I have been trying different types of worms but all of the stick baits I have tried except the super $$$$$ senkos fall incredibly slow. Does anyone know any better worms? I'm about to try out the ZMan ZinkerZ and the Yum Dingers. Do these work as well as the senkos?

 

I consider myself more of a finesse fisherman also.  You have to learn to drop-shot.  Yamamoto shad shaped worms as @Darren. mentioned, Roboworms, Jackal Cross-Tail shad.  Those 3 will give you a nice selection of baits to try for drop shotting.

[SFL BassHunter]

1 hour ago, Davisb said:

I'm much more of a finesse fisherman than a power fisherman for bass (mainly because 90% of the bass I have caught have been on UL spinning gear) and I got some fluorocarbon for a bigger spinning reel so I can try some techniques I haven't tried like dropshotting. Which means I will be going through lots of worms. Lately I have been trying different types of worms but all of the stick baits I have tried except the super $$$$$ senkos fall incredibly slow. Does anyone know any better worms? I'm about to try out the ZMan ZinkerZ and the Yum Dingers. Do these work as well as the senkos?

I've seen some videos where the BPS Sticko is about the closest to the Senko and a couple dollars cheaper. I use them and I love em. Just bought 9 packs cause BPS has em buy 2 get 1 free. That should last me a bit.

[Darren.]

3 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

 

I consider myself more of a finesse fisherman also.  You have to learn to drop-shot.  Yamamoto shad shaped worms as @Darren. mentioned, Roboworms, Jackal Cross-Tail shad.  Those 3 will give you a nice selection of baits to try for drop shotting.

 

Haven't had much success with Roboworms, some, but

not nearly on par with the Shad Shape Worms. And not

yet tried the Cross-Tail shad. Plan on trying some new

minnow baits this year, though hard to when the SSWs

work so darn well for me.

[Fishin' Fool]

1 minute ago, Darren. said:

 

Haven't had much success with Roboworms, some, but

not nearly on par with the Shad Shape Worms. And not

yet tried the Cross-Tail shad. Plan on trying some new

minnow baits this year, though hard to when the SSWs

work so darn well for me.

 

Get some Poor Boy's Erie Darters, go with the 4".  I bet those fish haven't seen alot of those where you're at.  They are big in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

I don't know what the heck they are supposed to represent, they work though.

[cottny27]

I guess I call all of those stick baits a "senko".  I like the BPS brand.  They seem to be just a bit heavier than the other brands and a lot cheaper.  The soft Yamas rip up way too easy imo.  

[Darren.]

4 minutes ago, Fishin' Fool said:

 

Get some Poor Boy's Erie Darters, go with the 4".  I bet those fish haven't seen alot of those where you're at.  They are big in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.

 

They look good. Plenty of colors.

 

I might just be ordering some soon...

 

Thanks for the tip!

[J Francho]

Nothing works like the original.  Some house brands are downright terrible.  I won't mention names since someone will be offended by which ones I think stink.  A couple brands I've use that work well are SK Ocho, and the Yum version.

 

[Airman4754]

I have posted this a couple time before, but Big Bite Baits, boil them, 5/0 EWG. It is identical to the real thing and way more durable and about twenty five cents a piece.

[cottny27]

1 hour ago, SFL BassHunter said:

I've seen some videos where the BPS Sticko is about the closest to the Senko and a couple dollars cheaper. I use them and I love em. Just bought 9 packs cause BPS has em buy 2 get 1 free. That should last me a bit.

I'm with you on the stick-o's.  I've got a few friends that were hooked on the Yamamotos switch to the Stick-o's.  Half the cost and are more durable.  

[cottny27]

Have you all tried the Pocket Rockets from Reaction Inno.?  Found em on clearance at Academy and caught quite a few bass on just one on Sunday.  They are heavy almost a 1/2oz.  

[offsidewing]

I keep coming back to senkos when I try a diffrrent brand.  As for drop shotting, I've found myself drop shotting less and Ned Rigging more in all water depths.  But the Yamamoto Shad shape worm is what I caught my PB on.

[K_Mac]

I've used a dump truck load of both Senkos and Stick-os. I agree that Senkos are the best. When the bite is good, a stick-o will do fine. If money or pride is on the line I will go with the original. 

[CTBassin860]

Catch them on Yum Dingers all the time.Good worm

[Poolshark]

7 hours ago, Darren. said:

 And I never use o rings

for wacky...

 

Try it out sometime.  I've been using them now with 2/0 and 3/0 mesquito hooks and I've eliminated the occasional fling off/backlash and my senkos last many more fish. It's saved me money and it makes for an effortless hookset 

[RoLo]

 

The 'Gambler Ace' is virtually indistinguishable from a Yamamoto Senko (in all respects). 

That may sound like a brash overstatement, but I've put both stickworms through the paces.

 

Roger

[Darren.]

14 minutes ago, Poolshark said:

 

Try it out sometime.  I've been using them now with 2/0 and 3/0 mesquito hooks and I've eliminated the occasional fling off/backlash and my senkos last many more fish. It's saved me money and it makes for an effortless hookset 

 

I've tried, and I've also tried other methods, but I simply

prefer the simplicity of hooking perpendicular through the

bait itself with no additional gadgetry.

 

Now that doesn't mean I wont try again!!  

[JDNKC]

Yamamotos are just better.  I will spring a few extra bucks for the good stuff.  Fishing time is limited.  Make the most of it.