Best Senko Rod...????

[bearbassman]

I have long wanted to pull the trigger on a top tier Senko SPINNING rod, as Senko fishing is my go-to primary method of choice.  I currently own several Shimano Expride and NRX casting models.

 

I am conflicted between either the Shimano Poison Adrena 6'11" medium Heavy spinning or the NRX 6'8" medium Heavy 803s as likely being the best Senko SPINNING rod options on the market.  My primary criteria is that I REALLY want the rod with the stiffest tip and backbone for solid hooksets in deep water AND potentially heavy cover.

 

Any advice or recommendations from someone with experience with these specific models would be greatly appreciated.  I have handled both in the store, but it's not the same as actually using it and landing fish.  Thanks

[roadwarrior]

G. Loomis GLX PR844S

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/lake-guntersville-2012.html

 

[BrianMDTX]

Using a MH, are you primarily fishing Senkos on a Texas rig? I use my MXF for wacky rigs and a MHF for Texas rigs 

[roadwarrior]

No, not generally, but for the criteria the OP listed. This is my primary rod for live bait

fishing for smallmouth on the Tennessee River and I was fishing it at Guntersville. My

primary production rod was a St. Croix Legend Elite LES 70MF. I had Mike at DVT build

me a custom rod which is MF. That is my dedicated Senko rod.

 

 

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, roadwarrior said:

I had Mike at DVT build me a custom rod which is MF. That is my dedicated Senko rod.

Ya, my weightless/lightweight T-Rig spinning rod is also a M/F - which next year will be a Fury 703SF.

 

I also 'drank the Kool-Aid' - got 5 bags of Yama-Senkos coming from TW...paid for by the FIL's Yule gift.

[Michigander]

I use this:

https://cajunrods.com/collections/featured-products/products/atled™-872-7-ft-med-power-fast-action

 

No regrets.

[FishTank]

4 hours ago, bearbassman said:

I have long wanted to pull the trigger on a top tier Senko SPINNING rod, as Senko fishing is my go-to primary method of choice.  I currently own several Shimano Expride and NRX casting models.

 

I am conflicted between either the Shimano Poison Adrena 6'11" medium Heavy spinning or the NRX 6'8" medium Heavy 803s as likely being the best Senko SPINNING rod options on the market.  My primary criteria is that I REALLY want the rod with the stiffest tip and backbone for solid hooksets in deep water AND potentially heavy cover.

 

Any advice or recommendations from someone with experience with these specific models would be greatly appreciated.  I have handled both in the store, but it's not the same as actually using it and landing fish.  Thanks

 

 

I have the 803S and love it for Senkos and lighter jigs.  It has plenty of backbone, almost too much.  I have paired it with a Shimano Vanquish 3000 with some Sunline X-Plasma braid.  It is a super light combo with a lot of power.   

[Teal]

Sounds like you have a good budget.  When it comes to weightless senko rods, I would base my Rod power on what size line you are trying to use, or what size you want to get away with.  I know guys that use Medium light rods with light braid and 6-8 lb floro, and I know guys that are on the opposite side, that throw them on straight 14lb floro.  Cant go wrong with a M/F or a MH/f.   Good luck with it .  

 

 

[Westcoast]

I too use the nrx 803s for skipping 5” senkos into cover. In lighter cover with lighter line I’ll use a megabass brigand. 

[Boomstick]

14 hours ago, BrianMDTX said:

Using a MH, are you primarily fishing Senkos on a Texas rig? I use my MXF for wacky rigs and a MHF for Texas rigs 

A medium that runs on the heavy side can also be very good for a T-Rig with a 1/8oz weight or even weightless too if there's not too many weeds to worry about. I would say the ideal senko setup would be both a M/F and a MH/F - and for people with a lot more cover than I usually have, a H/F.

[TBAG]

I have a dedicated Senko rod which I only throw weightless 5" and 4" Senkos, primarily texas rigged on a Gammy 3/0 EWG.

 

The rod I have now is a 68 MXF Avid X which is an unbelievable Senko rod, but it hurts my hands so I have it on the market.

 

I plan on replacing it with either an Expride 68 MXF,  NRX 803s or the 822s DSR.

I've also looked hard at the Poison Adrena but it's just such a weird rated rod IMO. I wish they had a rod between the 67 ML and the 611 MH. I really would like to try one especially since the reel I'm pairing with my Senko rod is a Stradic Ci4+ 2500 and the red/black on both rod and reel will look great.

 

[waymont]

My weightless Senko rod for 5" and 6" baits is a 852c JWR. Is there a reason you only want a spinning setup? It has a great tip and plenty of backbone for deep water.

[WRB]

Not high priced by a great Senko spinning rod to control big bass in and around brush is Major Craft NAS-WJ701MH

Tom

[shimanoangler]

Not sure I have found a better rod for senko fishing that the Shimano Expride 7' medium power fast action.  $$ for $$ it could be the best rod going.   

[scbassin]

I almost did not bother to answer this, in fact I saw it late yesterday. Bearbassman  I doubt you will figure out the best one. everyone that answers will choose the one they like best. Now I will tell you which one is the best!! It's a Dobyns Champion Extreme HP DX 743C F/H. Now if you believe this I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I need to sell, putting the kidding aside. I have no idea which is the best but above rod is my favorite.  The sensitivity on this rod is outstanding. It's rated as a M/H which many people say that Dobyns Rods are over rated.  I am not in that boat. When I compare the build against other rod brands I am not so sure. I have been bass fishing for 50+ years but have been a fisherman for 75+ years. I have only used 5 different brands While bass fishing. I have had the above rod a few months & the best L/M on it so far is a 8+ on a watermelon red senko. I absolutely had no problem hooking or landing that fish.  So that is my choice.

[MontclairDave]

On 12/24/2020 at 10:19 AM, TBAG said:

I have a dedicated Senko rod which I only throw weightless 5" and 4" Senkos, primarily texas rigged on a Gammy 3/0 EWG.

 

The rod I have now is a 68 MXF Avid X which is an unbelievable Senko rod, but it hurts my hands so I have it on the market.

 

I plan on replacing it with either an Expride 68 MXF,  NRX 803s or the 822s DSR.

I've also looked hard at the Poison Adrena but it's just such a weird rated rod IMO. I wish they had a rod between the 67 ML and the 611 MH. I really would like to try one especially since the reel I'm pairing with my Senko rod is a Stradic Ci4+ 2500 and the red/black on both rod and reel will look great.

 

x2 on the Avid 68MXF for Senkos, for me no issues with grip. Super sensitive rod, great tip for precise casting and enough backbone for light cover but if you get into thick lily pads or hydrilla and you don’t plane the fish out of there quickly, you may be underpowered.

[ChrisD46]

Great Senko spinning rods here - my vote for 4" to 5" Senkos with a Gammy 3/0 ~ 4/0 EWG is a Dobyns 703SF .

[bx.versatile]

I have the 6'11 MH Posion Adrena Spinning, but no input on the NRX 803s. Its named Power Finesse for a reason. I use it with heavier braid line then traditional spinning setups. I put 30lb braid and have more than enough line on a Tatula 3000 spool. 

 

I think the sweet spot is 1/4 - 1/2 ounce for this rod, as it's  pretty stiff with a lot of backbone.

 

For techniques I like to use it for. Pretty much all bass finesse style rigs, but heavier weights and regular gauge hooks.

 

Jig worms in Minnesota, we use expose jig heads and run bigger worms like 5inch Senkos. The jig worm is fished on weed edges to be ripped to trigger strikes.

 

I like running heavier drop shots, like 1/4 and 3/8 oz tungsten and tied to Texas rig worms and fish it like a Carolina rig. I feel like traditional drop shot rods are too light for this. Those rods are bending when I'm dragging the bait and it feels under power with all the resistance.

 

It exceeds as a Dark Sleeper rod, my prefer weight is 1/2 oz for Darksleepers. 

 

Great dock skipping rod, don't ever need to worry about backlashes, but can skip a 3/8 oz jig or 1/2 oz Dark Sleepers with power to hookset and pull fish away from cover.

 

The best way to describe the action, I'de say it's like a Medium+ fast casting rod bend, but they made it for spinning reels. If you want a softer tip, the Expride 7'2 MH has decent backbone and soft tip like an 872s NRX.

 

 

[bearbassman]

Thanks so much everyone for all of your input.  I'll try to get my hands on some of these rods in the stores and feel them out a little more.

[lunkerboss923]

I like baitcasters. So I'd recommend something in 6'10" MF. I would also recommend an SLX MGL in 7speed. 

[bowhunter63]

I have  a Lews 6 ft 10 MF with straight FC. I like the faster tip. Seemed to increase my hook up ratio with a faster rod. 

[mrpao]

I use the 6'11" PA last year and it performed well.

I have it paired with  stella C2500S and 15# braid.

I mainly throw 5" senkos under docks with it.

The tip is fairly stiff giving good hook sets on a 4/0 or 5/0 EWG hook. It has enough backbone where you can muscle the fish out from under a dock if needed.

All in all, I feel that it's a pretty decent Senko rod.

[Mike L]

Loomis 843C MBR 
 

 

 

 

Mike

 

[johnmyers]

On 12/24/2020 at 4:58 PM, waymont said:

My weightless Senko rod for 5" and 6" baits is a 852c JWR. Is there a reason you only want a spinning setup? It has a great tip and plenty of backbone for deep water.

I also have NRX 852c JWR and a NRX 852s JWR and a NRX 893c JWR. Don't see how you could go wrong with any of those for Senkos. You would not be dissapointed with the spinning 852 NRX

[Randy Price]

My primary spinning senko rod is a 610MLXF St. Croix Legend X paired with a 2500 Stradic Ci4+.