Adding Performance to Yum Dingers

[ChrisD46]

I read where a good number of bass fishermen are not particularly fond of the performance of a Yum Dinger (soft plastic stick worm) citing they are either too light or don't have the action of a Senko . Conversely , the Yum Dingers are less expensive , have a wide color and size selection , very consistent quality and are readily found at stores . *Two ways I have found to improve the action are as follows : 1) T-Rig with VMC  Drop Dead EWG Hooks which come in a variety of weights and sizes . For the standard 5" Yum Dinger I like the #3/0 or #4/0 hook size in all the hook weights offered (1/16th oz. , 3/32nd oz & 1/8th oz.) depending on wind and depth I am fishing the Yum Dinger .  The VMC Drop Dead EWG hook has the hook weight placed further to the rear to assist in a Yum Dinger to have a more level horizontal fall as well as assist in getting the Yum Dinger ends to become a bit more lively ... Next is the second hack to add performance to a Yum Dinger :  2) VMC Weedless Wacky Jig Head - which comes in either Green Pumpkin or Black / Silver flake and weights in 1/16th oz. , 1/8th  and 1/4 oz. I typically use the 1/16th oz. in both GP and Black colors and if the wind picks up for fishing deeper I will reach for the 1/8th oz. weight versions . For further reading I have listed the above two "Yum Dinger Improvers" below.  Conversely , there are other weighted weedless wacky jig heads to choose from - but less options when it comes to the equal of a VMC Drop Dead EWG hook due to the superior hook weight placement , so therefore the only alternate I like is the Moaner Hooks Rage Rig EWG hooks in the same hook sizes / weights ... Here's hoping at least some of the above helps for those who are interested to get a bit more lively performance out of Yum Dingers (or other soft plastic stick worm brands that could use a bump in performance with the end tips.

 

VMC Weedless Wacky Jig Head : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Ike_Approved_Wacky_Weedless_Jig_Head_4pk/descpage-VMCWWJ.html .

VMC Drop Dead EWG Hook : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Drop_Dead_Weighted_Hook_4pk/descpage-VDDWH.html .

 

*Please Note* : I have no association with VMC or Yum - my only purpose in this post is to help those who were less than fond of the Yum Dingers how to bump up the performance with new T-Rig and wacky rig options . 

 

[Choporoz]

Or.....use a Senko?

 

Sorry...I really have a hard time keeping the smartassery gene repressed.  But...you know, there is sooo much written and filmed about senko alternatives....it all might have more relevance for me if and when I can no longer get Senkos

[Skunkmaster-k]

I use a small split shot about a foot up the line from my hook on a wacky worm.  Of course I do it with a senko too, but the end result is more action on both. I really don’t see anything bad about Dingers. They have put a lot of fish in the boat. 

[Deleted account]

I don't fish Senkos or it's clones much, but when I do I use the Yum Dinger, BPS Stick-O, or the Mopolo infused one. They all catch fish, I never "add performance" to any of them.

[Finessegenics]

If I’m adding weight to the stick bait (a Texas rig or a flickshake jig) then I’ll use the senko alternatives. I noticed the senko alternatives usually have better action when they are falling faster through the water column.
 

Weightless and it has to be a Senko for me. Nothing compares. I whine about durability and price too but they just work. 

[Bird]

I throw quite a bit of Yum Dingers weightless TR and Wacky but if push comes to shove I'd choose ZinkerZ over any stick bait. 

Thanks for the tips ?

[TOXIC]

It is a total mystery to me why in all the years the Senko has been produced, that someone hasn’t reverse engineered this simple stick bait.  Everyone knows my association with the company and as part of my duties as a staffer, I was always tasked to try other brands and report back on anything that performed as good or better.  I’ve been doing that for over 15 years and although I’ve found some close, I’ve not found any that matched the original.  That includes not only fishing them where there are thousands of variables that make a direct comparison almost impossible, but tank/pool comparisons and rigging options.  Kudos for making a more affordable bait more effective but is it really after you add in the cost of specialized hooks and weights? As has been mentioned, once you add weight to any Senko style bait, brand no longer really matters.  The Senko shines brightest weightless or wacky rigged.  And you’ll never settle the debate on whether or not the Senko is worth the price. My advice has always been to throw whatever you have the most confidence in.  

[ChrisD46]

8 hours ago, Choporoz said:

Or.....use a Senko?

 

Sorry...I really have a hard time keeping the smartassery gene repressed.  But...you know, there is sooo much written and filmed about senko alternatives....it all might have more relevance for me if and when I can no longer get Senkos

*Senkos are great - I especially like their Green Pumpkin and Watermelon laminate colors . But at over $7.00 per pack for Senkos  I was simply trying to find some more cost-effective alternatives . To each their own but with the right weighted hooks and a decent hook sharpener - I am in business for quite a while . The Yum Dinger also does surprisingly well still holding up to multiple fish long after a Senko would have been shredded .

6 hours ago, TOXIC said:

It is a total mystery to me why in all the years the Senko has been produced, that someone hasn’t reverse engineered this simple stick bait.  Everyone knows my association with the company and as part of my duties as a staffer, I was always tasked to try other brands and report back on anything that performed as good or better.  I’ve been doing that for over 15 years and although I’ve found some close, I’ve not found any that matched the original.  That includes not only fishing them where there are thousands of variables that make a direct comparison almost impossible, but tank/pool comparisons and rigging options.  Kudos for making a more affordable bait more effective but is it really after you add in the cost of specialized hooks and weights? As has been mentioned, once you add weight to any Senko style bait, brand no longer really matters.  The Senko shines brightest weightless or wacky rigged.  And you’ll never settle the debate on whether or not the Senko is worth the price. My advice has always been to throw whatever you have the most confidence in.  

*Valid points - I look at the added cost with weighted hooks and such as the "up front costs" then with a hook sharpener I am good to go for a while with the Yum Dingers . I still use Senkos , as well as the BPS Stik-O and I like the Strike King Ocho as well (only the 5" and 6" versions in the Ocho) . 

[scaleface]

I have been using Dingers extensively the past two seasons ,Texas rigged in heavy brush . The action is not important to me in that situation . I just like the simplicity or the worm without appendages or anything else  that draw the curiosity of bluegill and  crappie 

[Hook2Jaw]

I started my bass fishing success with the Yamamoto Senko, but quickly became annoyed with the price.  The YUM Dinger began to replace it as my knowledge grew and my catch rates didn't suffer much, if at all.  On tougher days I'd still opt for my Senko stash.

 

Years later I don't have a single Senko in my bags, and years later I've come to understand the strength of the Dinger.  Lesser weight, slower fall, and still an enticing wiggle.  YUM's Dinger is my shallow water weightless stick bait.  5' and under gets the Dinger.  5' and over gets the Z-Man Zinkerz, they sink like rocks and wiggle frantically and if you wanna save money...  I've caught over 15 fish on a single Zinkerz.

 

YUM can't contend with Z-Man products on long term cost effectiveness for some baits and some applications.

[EWREX]

i've tried so many weightless stick baits and for the life of me cannot find one that produces like an original senko. granted i do use yum dingers once in a while when neko rigging or just flipping in grass or brush

[gim]

6 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

YUM can't contend with Z-Man products on long term cost effectiveness for some baits and some applications.

I think its safe that no other brand can contend with the Z-man elaztech in terms of durability.

 

@Team9nine proved that himself.

[Hook2Jaw]

4 minutes ago, gimruis said:

I think its safe that no other brand can contend with the Z-man elaztech in terms of durability.

 

@Team9nine proved that himself.

For sure.  I just wish they were just as effective as a lot of plastisol alternatives for quite a few applications.

[Darth-Baiter]

My friend is absolutely dominating us this winter with a yum dimger.  4 to 1 easily.  Black and blue.   My same color senko isn’t even coming close.  
 

I have some. I cut them short like a TRD finesse to use as jig trailers.  

[rtwvumtneer6]

22 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

VMC Drop Dead EWG Hook

I don't hear a whole lot about this hook, yet I find it to be very versatile.  I will share that I change the screw lock to an Owner CPS.

 

Though I don't throw the YUM brand stick bait, I will use it on the Zman Zinkers.  It's also enough weight to help a plastic run true when buzzing it, and for sub-surface swimbaits (i.e. Keitech).  IMO it really shines paired with a fluke.  You can still keep the bait high in the water column then let it shimmy though holes in vegetation.  The weight is placed in such a way that the bait will fall horizontally.  

 

If I'm using a GYCB Senko, it's going to be weightless.

[Team9nine]

20 minutes ago, Hook2Jaw said:

For sure.  I just wish they were just as effective as a lot of plastisol alternatives for quite a few applications.

They’re not??? ? Lol. I must be doing it all wrong…

[Hook2Jaw]

28 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

They’re not??? ? Lol. I must be doing it all wrong…

There are quite a few Elaztech offerings I favor for some applications, but then there are plastisol baits that I haven't been able to replace with a Z-Man offering.

[FishTank]

I am always searching for a Senko replacement.  I hate paying the price for them. I have tried Dingers, Ochos, BPS's version,  Generals, a couple of private hand poured, etc. I have come to the conclusion that nothing yet performs as good as a Senko.  So I find them cheap or on clearance and stock up. I buy whatever dark color is available in either a blackish blue or purple and then in a green pumpkin.  In the stained water I fish, the bass don't seem to care.

 

On a side note , I am trying 99 Strikes version this year. Just as expensive as Senkos but something different. 

 

[roadwarrior]

1 hour ago, FishTank said:

 I have come to the conclusion that nothing yet performs as good as a Senko. 

 

 

[Basser2021]

On 2/6/2022 at 9:50 AM, ChrisD46 said:

I read where a good number of bass fishermen are not particularly fond of the performance of a Yum Dinger (soft plastic stick worm) citing they are either too light or don't have the action of a Senko . Conversely , the Yum Dingers are less expensive , have a wide color and size selection , very consistent quality and are readily found at stores . *Two ways I have found to improve the action are as follows : 1) T-Rig with VMC  Drop Dead EWG Hooks which come in a variety of weights and sizes . For the standard 5" Yum Dinger I like the #3/0 or #4/0 hook size in all the hook weights offered (1/16th oz. , 3/32nd oz & 1/8th oz.) depending on wind and depth I am fishing the Yum Dinger .  The VMC Drop Dead EWG hook has the hook weight placed further to the rear to assist in a Yum Dinger to have a more level horizontal fall as well as assist in getting the Yum Dinger ends to become a bit more lively ... Next is the second hack to add performance to a Yum Dinger :  2) VMC Weedless Wacky Jig Head - which comes in either Green Pumpkin or Black / Silver flake and weights in 1/16th oz. , 1/8th  and 1/4 oz. I typically use the 1/16th oz. in both GP and Black colors and if the wind picks up for fishing deeper I will reach for the 1/8th oz. weight versions . For further reading I have listed the above two "Yum Dinger Improvers" below.  Conversely , there are other weighted weedless wacky jig heads to choose from - but less options when it comes to the equal of a VMC Drop Dead EWG hook due to the superior hook weight placement , so therefore the only alternate I like is the Moaner Hooks Rage Rig EWG hooks in the same hook sizes / weights ... Here's hoping at least some of the above helps for those who are interested to get a bit more lively performance out of Yum Dingers (or other soft plastic stick worm brands that could use a bump in performance with the end tips.

 

VMC Weedless Wacky Jig Head : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Ike_Approved_Wacky_Weedless_Jig_Head_4pk/descpage-VMCWWJ.html .

VMC Drop Dead EWG Hook : https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/VMC_Drop_Dead_Weighted_Hook_4pk/descpage-VDDWH.html .

 

*Please Note* : I have no association with VMC or Yum - my only purpose in this post is to help those who were less than fond of the Yum Dingers how to bump up the performance with new T-Rig and wacky rig options . 

 

Thanks for the info!

I just started using yum dingers this past summer, and barely used anything else the rest of the year they really surprised me.

[Jaderose]

I use the Drop dead hook for quite a few things.  VERY versatile piece of gear.

[jbsoonerfan]

For even more added performance should one throw this on a BFS setup?

[Tennessee Boy]

On 2/6/2022 at 11:01 AM, Choporoz said:

Or.....use a Senko?

 

Sorry...I really have a hard time keeping the smartassery gene repressed.  But...you know, there is sooo much written and filmed about senko alternatives....it all might have more relevance for me if and when I can no longer get Senkos

I bet you're one of those guys that eats chicken instead of expensive alternatives that taste like chicken.  

[Choporoz]

Mmmmmm frog legs

[ChrisD46]

On 2/7/2022 at 3:00 PM, Jaderose said:

I use the Drop dead hook for quite a few things.  VERY versatile piece of gear.

*Morph right into the "Rage Rig" .