stickbait durability

[gim]

I know this has come up here before.  I've been using a lot of stick baits this season in various brands and colors because they've been working.  I use them weightless (wacky) and Neko (nail weighted) with o-rings.  I generally use 2 o-rings, overlap them, and then slide the hook under where they cross.

 

The problem is that the stickbait develops a weak spot where the o rings are, and it eventually rips.  I can usually see this coming so I switch to a new one and avoid losing a nail weight and a couple of o-rings.  The brand of stickbait doesn't really seem to matter much though.

 

There must be a better way.  Is anyone using those VMC crossover rings?  They seem like a piece of shrink tube with a specific spot for the hook above.  And I'm sure I'd also need the VMC crossover ring tool as well.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

VMC crossover rings work the best in terms of the problem you're describing but the problem is their sizing isn't perfect for a standard 5" Senko.

 

#5 is really the only size that works, but it's tight and fish still somehow seem to pull a Senko or two free from the crossover ring.

 

With #6s they'll pull the plastic even more, and with #4s you'll get your problem even faster.   Again I found the #5s are the only size that work with the standard 5" Senkos.

 

I went through over 100 baits in about a month back in the Spring, the crossed over double O-Rings and the #5 VMC crossovers were the best solution, but even still I'd burn through a bag or two on a good day.     

 

Senkos drive me crazy, so incredibly effective, yet so incredibly fragile.   

[RRocket]

Try this.

 

If you know how fragile Keitechs are, this would certainly work for your application.

 

 

[Bird]

I buy VMC crossover rings by the bushel, slight exaggeration but they save a ton of plastic.

Several weeks ago in a lake full of Alabama bass, I caught 13 on a single flickShake worm.

.006 for Senko 

.004 for finesse worms.

Oh you'll need the tool to spread the rings. 

 

[gim]

10 minutes ago, RRocket said:

this would certainly work for your application.

 

Worth a shot.  My understanding is that it's a flexible piece of plastic he's threaded on there with his tool and then runs the hook right through it, is that accurate?  With a stick bait, I would run the hook right through the plastic in the middle?

[MN Fisher]

31 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

Worth a shot.  My understanding is that it's a flexible piece of plastic he's threaded on there with his tool and then runs the hook right through it, is that accurate?  With a stick bait, I would run the hook right through the plastic in the middle?

Yep - and you can get the same stuff for lots cheaper.

 

What he's selling is a 'Nasal Speculum' at 3x the price - just cause he labels it as a 'fishing tool'. Then he's taking thin-wall Silicon tubing and cutting lengths - 50 pieces for $7 when you can get 10' (120x1" lengths) for $7 off Amazon.

[RRocket]

41 minutes ago, gimruis said:

 

Worth a shot.  My understanding is that it's a flexible piece of plastic he's threaded on there with his tool and then runs the hook right through it, is that accurate?  With a stick bait, I would run the hook right through the plastic in the middle?

Correct.

[Functional]

Not sure you want to go this route but the Z-man stick baits have been a LOT more durable for me where normal brands get tore up pretty quick. 

[Catt]

You can have lures in your tackle box or fish in the livewell...you can't have both.

 

If one Senko catches one bass it's do it's job.

[MN Fisher]

15 minutes ago, Catt said:

You can have lures in your tackle box or fish in the livewell...you can't have both.

 

If one Senko catches one bass it's do it's job.

Only downside, Tommy, is when the bait is so 'delicate' that it ends up taking 3-4 Senkos per fish cause of short-strikes, panfish nibbling or other factors.

 

That's why I'm moving from Yama Senkos to Yum Dingers or Zoom Zlinkys - they last longer on the hook...my budget can't take using a whole bag of Yama for 2-3 fish.

[Catt]

@MN Fisher never had that problem or even heard of that problem. 

 

 I do however throw Dingers, Tiki Stiks, Fat Jobs & others because of various rates of fall.

[gim]

1 hour ago, Functional said:

Not sure you want to go this route but the Z-man stick baits have been a LOT more durable for me where normal brands get tore up pretty quick. 

 

I agree, elaztech is far more durable.  The issue is that its buoyant and attempting to stick a nail weight in the end of it is extremely difficult.

[MN Fisher]

2 minutes ago, Catt said:

@MN Fisher never had that problem or even heard of that problem. 

One time out I was tossing Wackys - kept missing hooksets and the Yamas started getting torn up anyway, one even split and flew off the hook during a cast.

[gim]

33 minutes ago, Catt said:

If one Senko catches one bass it's do it's job.

 

So by that logic, if you catch one bass on a spinnerbait, jerk bait, or crank bait and then the presentation no longer works properly, its done its job too?

[Texas Flood]

Ive tried the VMC Crossover but wasnt a big fan. Switched to these Sink-O-Ring ones and the baits have lasted alot longer.

 

[NorthernBasser]

I like these Mustad o-rings. (edit-Texas Flood beat me to it. Different brand but I'm sure they're the same).

 

[gim]

@Texas Flood flood where did you purchase them?

[NorthernBasser]

2 minutes ago, gimruis said:

@Texas Flood flood where did you purchase them?

TW carries both brands.

 

(my bad, TW doesn't carry the Slink-O. I was thinking of Frenzy Baits)

[Texas Flood]

6 minutes ago, gimruis said:

@Texas Flood flood where did you purchase them?

Pretty sure I got them on Amazon.

[MN Fisher]

10 minutes ago, Texas Flood said:

Pretty sure I got them on Amazon.

Sink-O-Rings are on Amazon

[gim]

I'm going to try the slink o rings.  I'll bet I can even use my wacky o ring tool to put them on.

 

Will report back after I get some use with them.

[Catt]

@gimruis That is correct 😉

 

Example: one bass on a DD22, next cast hung up so bad a plug knocker wouldn't help, broke that off, tied on another, keep chunking. Hung that dude up to, did that 6 more times. 

 

I understand budgets but I also understand I'm gonna lose lures. I try to minimize those losses but accept em.

[Jig Man]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

I agree, elaztech is far more durable.  The issue is that its buoyant and attempting to stick a nail weight in the end of it is extremely difficult.

If you prep at home you can heat a wire or drill bit and burn a hole in Elaztech.  That is what I do for screw locks.

[Smirak]

To OP. If you’ll DM me your address, I’ll stick my VMC pliers and rings in the mail for you to use. If you like it, keep it, if not, send it back. 
 

I was not a fan, but that was just my experience. As stated above, they are really weird on sizing. I can’t remember what size rings I have, but I’ll throw them all in. 
 

Kevin

[gim]

11 minutes ago, Smirak said:

To OP. If you’ll DM me your address, I’ll stick my VMC pliers and rings in the mail for you to use. If you like it, keep it, if not, send it back. 
 

I was not a fan, but that was just my experience. As stated above, they are really weird on sizing. I can’t remember what size rings I have, but I’ll throw them all in. 
 

Kevin

 

That's very generous Kevin.  I'm going to try the slink o ring suggestion above first.