Sturgeon General Warning:"Senkonlylimitativism"

[carySE406]

The senko is such an easy bait to fish and catch fish with, it isn't allowing anglers to become educated on what the fish want in a specific situation. This, in turn hurts fisherman when they dont know what to do when the senko is not working in a particular place.  It's all about versatality and the senko is restricting anglers to just using one bait because it usually catches fish.  As much as I dont want to say it, I'm thinkin about leavin the Tiki Stiks at home next time. :-/

[FlyRod]

Well, to each his own...

I'll wager I know so much or (likely) more than most Americans re WW2. I sure as H--- know that Gary isn't same man as the Yamamoto who planned the Pearl Harbor attack. He'd have turned 122 years of age last month, fer cryin' out loud.

Further, he was an honorable man, within the framework of the Bushido Code, despite the fact that he was the enemy. In further fact, it was he, post-the Pearl Harbor attack, that obliquely foretold Japan's defeat when he said "I fear we have wakened the sleeping giant."

That fate did not allow him to "go down with the ship" seems almost cruel. It was a flight of US Army Air Forces P-38 Lightnings http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Hangar/8217/fgun/p38-b.jpg that got him as he sat helplessly as a passenger in a Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bomber. http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/g4m1.jpg.

Since we had broken the Japanese Naval Code early in the war, we were able to determine when the admiral would pass a certain point on a flying inspection tour and...bingo! That same "reading the enemy's mail" was what allowed us to win at Midway.

Looky, if I'm willing to risk a joke here fairly often, (and most are well-received,) then I accept that I can't please everyone. I'll bet a few folks got a snicker out of that one, however.

And if I'm willing to put up with the frequent assaults on English grammar and spelling on this forum, I'm willing to take the barbs directed my way as well.

So, let us march on. Shall we?

Rod. F.

Veteran and avid wanna-be military/naval historian.

[Captain Cali]

The senko is such an easy bait to fish and catch fish with, it isn't allowing anglers to become educated on what the fish want in a specific situation. This, in turn hurts fisherman when they dont know what to do when the senko is not working in a particular place.  It's all about versatality and the senko is restricting anglers to just using one bait because it usually catches fish.  As much as I dont want to say it, I'm thinkin about leavin the Tiki Stiks at home next time. :-/

I understand that...but why blame the senko. Blame the anglers for being closed minded and not throwing anything else. Afterall...no one forced anyone to buy senkos/stick baits. I'm the first to admit that I've been throwing senkos more than anything else recently. But I still change it up if the senko bite doesn't feel right. If it wasn't for the senko...I would have a lot less confidence in other soft plastics at this point. The senko is what tought me how to slow down. Until I started using senkos and fat ikas I didn't know how to slow down. It still took me a while to realize that slow is best but I learned. If that has retarded my learning curve then so be it. I can't help the fact that they just flat out catch fish.

I see where you guys are coming from...but the bait didn't tie itself onto the line and it sure didn't cast itself out on every outing. That's all in the anglers hands.

[Troutfisher]

HEY! I use senkoes all the time and always come up with fish on them!

[George Welcome]

The senko is a great lure but it is singlehandidly responsible for retarding the learning curve of a generation of bass anglers.

Amazing statement Craig.

[FlyRod]

I admit that I have, over the bazillion years I've been fishing, I've often become fixated on one lure, brand or model of rod or reel, line, etc. That applies to both fresh and saltwater fishing.  It's so bad at times that if I reach the lake, beach, cabin-at-the-coast, then realize I have forgotten to bring along a supply of 4.81 inch Super Whizzle fo' Shizzle lures in THE color (Pepperoni/DogVomit) I  assume a fetal posture in the boat, on the sand, whatever, and moan that there is no point in even making a cast...that's how bad it gets.

Thankfully, I can report some progress in the battle. For the last 10 years or so I have been forcing myself to engage in "Research and Development" in the area of tactics, methods, and (perhaps more importantly) lure selection.  I'm so into it now that one of my partners (not Rebbasser. He is of like mind.) says he can't wait to see what I'll try next.

Now, as to being a "sheep" and following the herd, so far as it applies to recently developed, revived, and/or rediscovered stuff, specifically lures for this scribbling, OK, I'm guilty. While I didn't pay $3,745.98 each on EBay for them, I DID order some Chatterbaits and SwingBlades as an add-on to a rod purchase.

I was so impressed with the way they looked and felt (vibrate your arm off!) that I made certain I started the day with one a few weeks ago. Result? Zilch.

Undeterred, I bought some more at Academy, convinced that THOSE colors will do the trick TODAY at Choke Canyon.

Rebbasser and I will meet at 0445, make the trek to CC, and entertain the alligators. I'll FORCE myself to toss the new WonderBladedChatterSwinger until I either catch the new lake record OR drop dead from exhaustion. Be aware, however, that, every five casts or so, I'm picking up some other rig and throwing a "confidence" bait...perhaps a Tiki Stik?

BTW, I made an impulse purchase a couple of days ago. It's a lure called a "Johnny Rattler", made by Luhr Jensen, and it's reminiscent of the old Dalton Special topwater lure. It comes in two sizes and ain't pricey. I bought more than one, of course, on both sizes and two different finishes...Chrome/Black back and ALL Black for night bassin'. It's a "crossover" lure...useful in fresh or saltwater environments.

http://search.netscape.com/ns/boomframe.jsp?query=luhr+Jensen+Johnny+Rattler&page=1&offset=0&result_url=redir%3Fsrc%3Dwebsearch%26requestId%3Da09610b00afab3e7%26clickedItemRank%3D4%26userQuery%3Dluhr%2BJensen%2BJohnny%2BRattler%26clickedItemURN%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bubbajackstackle.com%252Fluhr%252520jensen%252520Johnny%252520Rattler.htm%26invocationType%3D-%26fromPage%3DNSBoom%26amp%3BampTest%3D1&remove_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bubbajackstackle.com%2Fluhr%252520jensen%252520Johnny%252520Rattler.htm

I'll be tossing one today, when the Chattering SOB fails to produce, that is...

FlyRod

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Capt Cali- No blame being put anywhere persay. Just a general comment that with 1 bait that is so successful (and let's not forget to give kudos to GY for making it America's #1 bait bar none) many folks never "learn" to overcome diverse situations by being "versatile". Like being in a rut.

This topic/thread is not an insult to anyone who strictly fishes senkos. Not at all. If anything, it should just bring awareness. Heck, for the next 2-3 weeks, I'll probably throw 1 85% of the time. They fill a need formany different "types" of anglers. The senko-holic is just 1 of them.

There is also the person who may get very limited time to fish. If it were me, I would bring senkos and shiners if I only got to fish once a month, or even worse, only a couple times a year!  Absolutely.

Not knocking senko's, just their grip on folks whom I'm sure would like to reap the rewards that being a diverse angler provides.

[Captain Cali]

Russ, I know where you're coming from. I never thought you, or anyone else, were knocking senko users. Your assessment is right on. My point is the senko did not retard the learning curve for a generation of anglers. Anglers who rely soley on the senko, or any one bait for that matter, have retarded their own learning curve. Sure, the argument can be made that if it wasn't for the senko we wouldn't be having this discussion. But again...it's all in the anglers hands.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

or the fishs' mouth to be more precise!!

[langs15]

Since I have the problem, i am trying to just use poppers and creatures...sofar it's all good!

[Captain Cali]

or the fishs' mouth to be more precise!!

Well said!

[langs15]

Since I have a big problem....with fishiing just senkos since they work the BEST for me...I think you all should do this with me...

I am going to JUST FISH poppers and Creatures......work with me people!

[Flatfish]

Let's not try to hard to cure this dreaded disease, I have heard from a very reliable source there is going to be a Senko Masters Classic this fall. Ike has already committed to this and said"If one of my fish dies, I am going to stand on my head on my trolling motor and yell while eating a bag of #222". I don't want to miss this.

[Redtail]

As a wise man named Road Warrior once said, "I go fishing to CATCH fish."

If you were out fishing and getting NADA on crankbaits, spinnerbaits etc. and your partner was killing em on senkos, you wouldn't tie one on because you think it's too easy?  WOW

When I go fishing, I also wanna CATCH fish, even if it means using a helicopter lure if it is working!

I wish I was a better angler and more versatile, but I ain't gonna look a gift fish in the face.

Maybe I don't take it seriously enough, but I do like Catchin!

[Irrelevant]

I have the same problem with a buddy of mine - except in his case, it's a specific topwater lure.

[AmBASSador]

For years I used plastic less that 50% of the time. That was before the senko and the new type frogs/toads. Now it's more like 75%of the time. If you are not using these newer type baits.....YOU ARE BEING OUT FISHED!!

[jb_adams]

I have already asked this question a while back.  Since I have now tried this "mystifying bait", I like how it is similar to a fluke.  Have I caught a fish with one yet??  Nope.  It is definitely a slow way to fish.  If the bait was producing, I might be tempted to use it more but seeing how I am still a beginner to the sport, I don't have enough patience.  My problem is the opposite of the brain-washed "senko-holics", I keep the bait monkey happy and do the typical beginner mistake, tie on baits faster than I can loose them.

I typically try a bait up to 10-20 casts in one area where I know fish are.  If there are no bites, I try something different.  I am trying to learn which baits to use based on conditions of that day, water clarity, etc. but I still tend to try new things.  Do I try the same bait twice in two different areas?  Not really.  Should I try it in another area where it failed in one?  Yes, I would think so.

Currently, I am fishing out of a motorless Jon boat so I don't get around quickly or extremely quietly.  I try to keep from banging the boat but sometimes, things happen.  I'm still having fun and still going fishing to try it again so at least I am not banging the boat loudly and using nothing but senkos!!  It could be worse huh!!

[Raul]

If you are not using these newer type baits.....YOU ARE BEING OUT FISHED!!

I don 't think so :. It 's not the wand......it 's the magician.

[earthworm77]

Cali, there are just so many guys I've met in the past 7 years or so who have relied on this bait so much that they have handicapped themselves by losing any versatility they had in their bass fishing approach.

I'll be the first to admit the Senko is a fantastic bait but as Raul said, it is totally the magician, not the wand that brings success. Too many guys have lost their ability to know when to switch patterns or tactics due to changing conditions on the water. I fished 3 years in a club where it seemed to me that 95% of the membership fished this bait exclusively from Spring through Winter. I'm not bragging but I cleaned their clocks by being versatile and using different approaches. There is no magic bait....there are popular and hot baits but they change with the times.

[Troutfisher]

As a wise man named Road Warrior once said, "I go fishing to CATCH fish."

If you were out fishing and getting NADA on crankbaits, spinnerbaits etc. and your partner was killing em on senkos, you wouldn't tie one on because you think it's too easy? WOW

When I go fishing, I also wanna CATCH fish, even if it means using a helicopter lure if it is working!

I wish I was a better angler and more versatile, but I ain't gonna look a gift fish in the face.

Maybe I don't take it seriously enough, but I do like Catchin!

Amen. You have my %100 agreement.  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Redtail- When you have those days of 20+ fish, after 5 or so youknow there is a good bite on. sSwitch up.  Use this time to learn and gain confidence in another bait.  ANY other bait.  There will be times when the senkoisn't working.  What do you do?  I'm sure you've gone out on days and not caught.  Had you been able to read the conditions and switch up,this may not have been the case.  (Refer to Earthworms last reply)

"If you are not using these newer type baits.....YOU ARE BEING OUT FISHED!!"

-but....I'm not being outfished.

JB-Try wacky rigging that and let it drop and sit.  Lift it once and drop it again.  Reel it in and Repeat.  Most hits are on the fall or immediately after the first lift.  You really don't want a constant retrieve with this bait too often.  The action the bait provides all on it's own during the freefall is where the magic lies.  Hope you have better luck with them.

[Troutfisher]

Ah, I love a good debate.

After reading the last post, I think that if the senko is working use it, and be able to use other lures efficiently if it isn't.  Why throw out all the senkoes?

[langs15]

Ah, I love a good debate.

After reading the last post, I think that if the senko is working use it, and be able to use other lures efficiently if it isn't. Why throw out all the senkoes?

I want to learn more about fishing, not just learning about ONE bait, but MANY!

[Troutfisher]

Well, this is kinda a topic for senkoism, and not really much else.

[langs15]

Exactly, it's for getting off the senkos!