Best Senko Rod...????

[Big Hands]

I have been grinding through several threads regarding the search for the ultimate Senko rod and it occurs to me that the ultimate Senko rod (for everyone) doesn't exist. That's because they can be fished so many different ways, by so many variously skilled anglers, in so many different situations that I believe the one true answer is "it depends".

 

I think that in order to get the best, most thoughtful responses to 'the question', you'll get the best responses FOR YOU if you include more detail and context. If people can't take the extra time to consider that, perhaps they should think twice about responding.

 

It's like asking "what's the best car?" It may exist for us individually, but I doubt it exists universally. So long as it's built well and performs in the way that the owner wants and needs for their particular situation, then it could be the best for them. One angler's sweet dream is another angler's nightmare, or not. It depends.

 

And, for the record, Bait Monkey is such a good listener. Thanks buddy.

[roadwarrior]

7' MHF spinning rod/ #6 Tatsu

How simple is that?

[Choporoz]

49 minutes ago, Big Hands said:

I have been grinding through several threads regarding the search for the ultimate Senko rod and it occurs to me that the ultimate Senko rod (for everyone) doesn't exist. That's because they can be fished so many different ways, by so many variously skilled anglers, in so many different situations that I believe the one true answer is "it depends".

Agree.  In fact, I can't answer even just for me.  I use a custom MF spinning rod most of the time, but mainly because it is my preferred Senko skipping rod and I can't pass a dock without skipping a Senko.  It is good for light grass and open water.  But I also fish a senko in laydowns and pads, so I also use stouter rods and lines.  The best rod at any one time could be any of five or six with me.

[BrianMDTX]

I use a MLXF, MF and MHF rods with Senkos, depending on presentation and cover. If I had to pare it down to one only, I would likely choose the MF with 20 lb. Seguar Smackdown and 8 lb. leader. 

[suzuki2903]

The one you can afford and best fits you overal is the best senko rod.  To many variables to narrow it down to a single rod or even a couple. 

[Big Hands]

56 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

7' MHF spinning rod/ #6 Tatsu

How simple is that?

Very simple. Super simple even. But I have tried it and it wasn't nearly as good for me as a 7'6" ML/XF hair jig rod, or my Expride EX270LA, and as much as I like them, even those have some tradeoffs. Casting distance (actually a lack thereof) is a deal killer for me and 7' MH/F spinning rods didn't give me enough for the conditions I fish. It was actually my least favorite rod for this use. Even straight medium power rods weren't what I was hoping for for this particular use.

 

I have the following spinning rods, and have tried them all for fishing weightless wacky rig Senkos:

• 7' MH/F 
• 7'2" M/XF
• 7' M/F
• 6'10" M/F
• 7' ML/F
• 7' L/F
• 7'6" ML/XF

Three of those rods I bought with tossing weightless wacky rig Senkos as it's primary function.

 

I have also tried a half dozen various casting rods. It could be something I'm not doing as well as I could too, but casting them weightless wacky for distance and accuracy with a 7' MH/F spinning rod wasn't happening for me.

 

But I have seen enough folks (whose opinion I absolutely respect) state their preference for the setup you describe to know that this is probably wonderful for them and the conditions they fish in. That's actually what really drove the point home for me.

[Boomstick]

This is a complicated question. A lot of this depends on the size of senko, weight and cover.

 

My usual Senko rod is a Daiwa Tatula Elite M-MH/XF which casts them weightless and can handle up to a 3/8oz maybe even 1/2oz weight but still has enough backbone for light cover so I rarely use a M/F casting rod for weightless or lightly weighted senkos since this does both scenarios so well. So if I only had one this takes the cake easily as It works for most situations I face. In heavier cover I may use my Tatula MH/F rod or even my Steez AGS MH-H/F rod and with at least a 1/4oz weight. Above that I will go to my flipping stick for a punching setup.

 

Sometimes I will use my M/F spinning rod for weightless senkos as well but I usually favor 6” roboworms or the Xzone deception worms on spinning gear.