Sturgeon General Warning:"Senkonlylimitativism"

[Raul]

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?

That 's exactly the point of the discussion, if it 's working use it but do not limit yourself to fish only with it. The problem is what EW mentioned, that when it 's not working many anglers don 't know to fish with anything else, they can 't even discern the moment the bait is no longer working, they stick to it and let the world roll. I 've got senkos, lots of them, I catch fish with them but for that matter I also catch fish with a lot other baits so senkos are not my everyday bait, I seldomly fish with them.

I was born into bass fishing in the presenko era, I belong to that generation of anglers of the slugo era, I learned to fish all the baits the hard way, by tying them until caught fish consistently with them, that 's why I 'm as a good fishing cranks as I am fishing spinnerbaits, I hate fishing with soft plastics, it just doesn 't fit my nature, but I can also be lethal with soft plastics when the time comes.

[Troutfisher]

Sounds good!

[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?

That 's exactly the point of the discussion, if it 's working use it but do not limit yourself to fish only with it. The problem is what EW mentioned, that when it 's not working many anglers don 't know to fish with anything else, they can 't even discern the moment the bait is no longer working, they stick to it and let the world roll. I 've got senkos, lots of them, I catch fish with them but for that matter I also catch fish with a lot other baits so senkos are not my everyday bait, I seldomly fish with them.

I was born into bass fishing in the presenko era, I belong to that generation of anglers of the slugo era, I learned to fish all the baits the hard way, by tying them until caught fish consistently with them, that 's why I 'm as a good fishing cranks as I am fishing spinnerbaits, I hate fishing with soft plastics, it just doesn 't fit my nature, but I can also be lethal with soft plastics when the time comes.

All my thoughts are in that post!

[onebigfish]

During the spawn, after finding some bedding bass for the first time in my life, I was called to purchase some "senkos" (Chartreuse/White Kinami Flash in the 4-inch version and Green Pumpkin Yum Dingers in the 3-inch version to be precise). I proceeded to sight-fish and catch them on a Wacky-rigged Yum Dinger and a T-rigged Flash. Truly exciting...and, yes, I JUST HAD TO PURCHASE MORE! However, don't get me wrong...I don't use them exclusively...only when I believe I have found a honey hole.

The use of senkos, as was sight-fishing, for me, was another case of knowledge expansion in this sport I love.

FYI: There is no 12-step program for this affliction...just a 12 pound test.

[DDbasser]

I tried the senko's last year for the first time after hearing so much about them.

I used them several times and never did catch a fish on them.

About a month ago I gave them another try at a tournmament because one of the boats that was fishing the same area was catching bass on them, again I caught nothing on the senko.

About 2 weeks ago at another tournament we were flippin docks with jigs and couldn't get bit, so I tied on a senko and immedietly began catching fish, I caught 2 keepers and several short fish on them.

We went to another spot and I tried the senko, no bites so I switched to a jig and craw and caught a 3 1/2 lber our biggest of the day.

Yesterday we went to a new for me lake, Hudson in NE Oklahoma.

We picked out some points on the map and c-rigged them, I was throwing a black/blue brushhog on a 3/4oz brass weight. I caught a 2 1/2 lber on about the 5th cast, I caught a couple more short fish on the c-rig.

We came across some docks so I pulled out the jig and nothing, I pulled out the senko and went back across those docks and pulled a 13" bass off one of the docks.

We decided to run upriver and check out some bluffs, again out came the jig and nothing. Soooo, out comes the senko and I caught 3 real good spots and 2 more short fish, my partner who was throwing everything in his tackle bag came up with zero for the day. My wife throwing a fluke caught 2 small bass.

You will not find me on the water without a senko tied on, No I do not solely rely on it but will use it if it's working.

I have figured out a little trick for fishing the senko a little faster, when fishing docks let it sink about 4 feet then if you haven't been bit, reel it in and pitch it to another spot and repeat.

I did try spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, plastic worms, and creatures. But the senko bite was really on.

[Hot n Tot]

for a long time I overfished the floating Rapala. I always had one tied on a spinning rig and it was my main technique, and now I rarely use them...funny how things change. This morning, the only ones I had in my boat were a jointed J-9 and a husky jerk! I was thinking about that when I started scoring with a finesse worm, and a 4" senko.

[DR_Bass]

Addiction is such a harsh term, let's call it "presentationally challenged"

;D

Very funny, that's a good one.

I have a friend who only uses three lures....   jig, 1/8oz T-Rigged senko, and a zoom horny toad.  He would only fish with a senko right now if I didn't show him how to use a jig and a horny toad, but his limitations is fine with me......      as long as there is a good spinnerbait bite going on.

He might catch on one of these days.    

[rebel909]

the senko is one of my favorite baits and i often succumb to overusing it, but i actively try to use different lures, jigs, cranks, spinnerbaits, c-rig.  it just seems like i always have trouble catching fish using the other ways, and as soon as i switch back to the senko, i get several bites. maybe this is just a confidence issue, but i try hard to use the other baits.

[abelfisher]

Use the Senko as a 'Search" bait.  Then after finding the fish with the Senko, switch to a different bait; one which you are trying to master and fish the same hole.  This would start moving you away form the Senko and allow you to start expanding your fishing bait usage with confidence.

[Hot n Tot]

Using senkos as a search bait, hmmmm.  Typically I  think of using fast moving baits to search, and when fish are found start working slower presentatioins. Hey, whatever works for you.

[jb_adams]

the senko is one of my favorite baits and i often succumb to overusing it, but i actively try to use different lures, jigs, cranks, spinnerbaits, c-rig. it just seems like i always have trouble catching fish using the other ways, and as soon as i switch back to the senko, i get several bites. maybe this is just a confidence issue, but i try hard to use the other baits.

I think the reason you're catching more fish is because you have a slow presentation which will produce a strike when other baits won't (so I'm told).

Just curious, how do you rig your senko, wacky, weightless, T-rig??

[abelfisher]

Using senkos as a search bait, hmmmm.  Typically I  think of using fast moving baits to search, and when fish are found start working slower presentatioins. Hey, whatever works for you.

I understand.  My thinking is with all this talk about the success with Senkos when nothing else works, then why not start with a Senko, then when fish are found switch off.

[directlink]

I was also a senko addict. :-[  Not any more though, but my friend is a senlo only and nothing else user.  It drives me crazy!

[George Welcome]

Yep, some real sound advice given in this thread - some real logical thinking and statements being made. Change a bait if it is working for something else: makes a lot of sense.

If you get on fish, and the bait you are using is producing the fish you want, to change to another bait just for the sake of doing it is insane. Anyone that suggests such a switch in the name of versatility has no clue what they are talking about. You change a bait when you aren't getting the results that you want, not when everything is going well.

One of the given facts about fishing: everyone knows more that the next and you know more than them all. If someone is fishing with you and you are catching but they aren't, simply keep showing them your fish. If they don't switch to your bait than they are not too bright. However, bass being the ornery critters that they are, just as the switch is made, the bite stops.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Sorry GW but I strongly disagree.

Some folks aren't happy with just catching fish today.  We want to expand our horizons to make us better anglers for tomorrow.  Learning confidence in a bait is a key to that bait being successful.  

To gain confidence, it helps to know that they are least catchable.  Senkos can show youthat they are

A. there

B. willing to eat

so this is a good time to change up baits and try somthing you have been wanting to learn, making you that much more capable of figuring out the bite when it's not right there in front of your face.

In your case, I can see your point.  You have people with you who are paying to catch fish.  Of course I would never expect you to tell them to change a bait that is working but we aren't talking about a guiding situation.  This is more about making yourself a better angler, yes, in the name of or by way of,...diversity and versatility.

For example so when the next time you are out with a client and senkos aren't working, what do you do?  Go get shiners?  Not me.  

I don't neccessarily need it to be as "easy" as possible.  With no challenge, there's no drive to learn.  Learning is what keeps me here.  If I went to the lake and caught 200 bass every day,I would lose interest.

[Fish4FunInFl]

I will admit that I am a SENKO-HOLIC.  ;D (  *** )

I always have one rigged on a pole ( But I can leave it alone if need be. )

Case in point, Our last club tournament, I KNEW what the bass was hitting on from my boater partner who had pre-fished the lake a few times ( East Lake Toho ) But did that stop me from haveing a Senko type bait on ? NOOOOOO. But I only threw it maybe 15 minutes the whole day. Landed 1 on it also. And that came from a different area then we had been fishing .

Maybe im not as much of a SENKO - HOLIC as I first thought I was, if im able to put it down.   ....... Naaaa, I got to be a SENKO - HOLIC  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Another *** user, gotta love that value!!

[Fish4FunInFl]

LBH... 50 for $ 10 , and they work !!! Cant beat that deal anywhere ( That I know of )  

[George Welcome]

ok

[roadwarrior]

What George said...

[roadwarrior]

Hmm...

Versatility? So I'll try to catch bass on something else when I already know what works.

I fish lots of lures and use different "techniques" for fun. Yep, I'm not a tournament fisherman so I have that option. I fish a lot of the same water so "versatility" isn't really all that important to catch fish, but I want to be like them! I enjoy using various equipment and fishing a variety of lures, but if comes down to actually catching bass, I know EXACTLY what works for me and it works ALL of the time.

Live bait, OOPS!

All right, soft plastics...Yep, Senko #1...Fat Ika #1...El Gordo #1...it just depends on the day and the profile/ action the bass like that particular day. Here in the Mid South, that's year around. I guess I'm more like George Welcome, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

[galv]

my opinion, some of the senko craze was caused by people's eyes just being opened to plastic worms.  yeah it's neat to have 400 different lures with all types of spinners, rattlers, 19 treble hooks, but you really don't need all that.   the senko is a great bait, but not a miracle bait

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Hmm...

Versatility? So I'll try to catch bass on something else when I already know what works.

Yup,...have confidence in yourself as well as your bait.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

But don't you think it's good to learn how to fix it now so when it breaks, you're not up sh*ts creek w/o a paddle? Or should I say,..."without any shiners?"

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but personally if I followed your advice, I would still be twitching a 3" perch rapala around the weed edges. Why? Because that "worked". This produced tons of fish for me thru the years but I want bigger and better fish so I learn,adapt and try new things. With this thought process, my catches have increased dramatically in size. (numbers are down now but quality is up.) I would have never made this step to the next level if I didn't fix what wasn't broken.

Just my .02

All opinions are appreciated here, as you can see, a few of us disagree but I will always have lots of respect for the folks that disagree with me. It's an American thing

[roadwarrior]

Russ,

Just wanted to keep things stirred up.

galv,

What's a miracle bait? Maybe something that works everywhere, all the time and can be fished by anybody with any level of skill and still catch fish?

Oh! That's a Fat Ika.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

RW- sure, sure,lol.

Keep stirring,....more opinions only makes this more of a resource.