Gary Yamamoto Senko Replacement?? 2024

(='_'=) reply : 

this weekend i tried the gary yamamoto senkos for the first time... i am new to worm fishing, but i really noticed a difference... while i had never caught more than a couple of fish using plastics, this weekend i caught 10 out of 16 using plastic worms, and out of those 10, 8 were using senkos.... when i ran out of them, i had to use other worms, which i feel didnt produce as much....

so, i really liked how the senkos work... however, as you may have noticed, you spend almost one worm per fish!!! i was using them texas rigged, and several times i would reel in a fish, and the worm was nowhere to be seen, maybe it was swallowed by the fish (hopefully not), or it fell during the fight or i dont know... one time i actually saw the fish spit it out, and several times, the worm was so thorn down i had to replace it.... so i ran out of a bag of senkos really quick, while on the other worms i use, mostly YUM, they would last a lot before ripping...

so is there a senko replacement that will produce as much fish but last longer?? or should i just stock up and buy several packs on my favorite colors??

thanx!!

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BrianinMD reply : 

Nothing like a real senko, using parasite clips helps save a lot of baits. Also, mend-it glue allows you to repair baits.

http://www.basspro.com/Parasite-Worm-Weight-Clips/product/93400/80930

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bassr95 reply : 

fishing on a budget, i refuse to pay for gary yamamoto anything. the best replacment i have personaly found for senkos are yum dingers. they work well and are not too pricy. i wacky rig them with a weedless hook and put about 3 turns of 1/2in electrical tape around the center of the bait to put the hook through and catch more fish per bait. love senko style baits!

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BassAssassin726 reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 6:33 AM, bassr95 said:

fishing on a budget, i refuse to pay for gary yamamoto anything. the best replacment i have personaly found for senkos are yum dingers. they work well and are not too pricy. i wacky rig them with a weedless hook and put about 3 turns of 1/2in electrical tape around the center of the bait to put the hook through and catch more fish per bait. love senko style baits!

X2 on the Yum Dinger. Screw Senkos. Too expensive and they dont last. In my opinion Yum Dingers have the exact same action, last longer, and catch just as many fish. Plus they have a spiffy little indentation to texpose your hook. And you get more in a bag. The only stick worm ill use is a Dinger.

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via reply : 

you should try using some owner twistlock hooks. ive been using them lately and it seems to hold the bait longer than the wide gap hooks.

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Marty reply : 

I think keeper hooks can get you more fish per single bait. With regular offset hooks, if the nose of the bait gets torn I would cut off 1/4" and re-rig. Start with a 5" lure and do this four times and you're still left with a 4".

There's a lot of difference of opinion on how other brands compare to the Senko. I've never seen results of any studies that attempted to determine if one is better than another. For me personally, I have as much confidence in Yum Dingers, Zoom Z-Nails and other plastics as I do in the Senko.

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Sam reply : 

Go to your local hardware store (the big stores may not have this product) and purchase the 3/8-inch Polyoefin Heat Shrink Tubing. It comes in a package with three tubes. It is not costly and you may want to pick up two packages.

Cut the tube in about 1/4 inch or a little longer section and run your Senko through the tube until the tube section surrounds the egg sack or you place the tubing in the center of the worm. I like to place it in the center of the worm so it will “fly” like a bird but you can do it anyway you want.

Then, using a match or an "igniter" heat up the tubing. The tubing will shrink and get tight against the worm. Turn the worm so that the entire tubing is heated.

Be sure not to overheat it, as it will get too tight.

Slip your hook under the wrap (sideways) and out of the other end, between the wrap and Senko's skin. Your hook is now being held onto the Senko by the heat shrink tubing and the hook point is now exposed and ready to go.

And you can do this to a finesse worm, too. Try fishing a finesse worm Wacky style and you may be surprised at the results.

Cut a bunch of strips and carry them with you along with the igniter so you can rig your wacky worm while fishing.

The easiest way to shrink the tubing is to lay half of the Senko on a dock or the ground and then heat up the tubing. It only takes a few seconds to do this. By laying the Senko on something the odds of your burning your fingers is greatly reduced.

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GoTakeANap reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 6:43 AM, via said:

you should try using some owner twistlock hooks. ive been using them lately and it seems to hold the bait longer than the wide gap hooks.

X2 thats the brand of hook i use with all plastic baits now. seems to make your plastics last alot longer. http://www.basspro.com/Owner-TwistLOCK-Light-Hooks-with-CenteringPin-Spring/product/10211648/83884

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MCS reply : 

Try bitter baits stick bait and big bite bait has one as well I am trying both very good for price and more durable.

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Sam reply : 

By the way, Gary's son's Kinami brand of stick baits are very good.

Use what ever you feel confident.

The bass will hit 'em all!

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RobertBG reply : 

I have tried but have yet to find a TRUE senko replacement.................duribility be damned I have yet to find a senko replacement,when I want fish in the boat senko it is.That is till I run out of them then and only then shall i fish a replacement.

I would recomend learning how to pour somthing close before trying others but that is just me

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Gotfishyfingers? reply : 

check ebay. You can buy 100 packs of a knockoff brand for like 20 bucks. I cant tell the difference, except more durable.

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tugsandpulls reply : 

x2 on kinami baits

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new2BC4bass reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 7:12 AM, Sam said:

Go to your local hardware store (the big stores may not have this product) and purchase the 3/8-inch Polyoefin Heat Shrink Tubing. It comes in a package with three tubes. It is not costly and you may want to pick up two packages.

Cut the tube in about 1/4 inch or a little longer section and run your Senko through the tube until the tube section surrounds the egg sack or you place the tubing in the center of the worm. I like to place it in the center of the worm so it will “fly” like a bird but you can do it anyway you want.

Then, using a match or an "igniter" heat up the tubing. The tubing will shrink and get tight against the worm. Turn the worm so that the entire tubing is heated.

Be sure not to overheat it, as it will get too tight.

Slip your hook under the wrap (sideways) and out of the other end, between the wrap and Senko's skin. Your hook is now being held onto the Senko by the heat shrink tubing and the hook point is now exposed and ready to go.

And you can do this to a finesse worm, too. Try fishing a finesse worm Wacky style and you may be surprised at the results.

Cut a bunch of strips and carry them with you along with the igniter so you can rig your wacky worm while fishing.

The easiest way to shrink the tubing is to lay half of the Senko on a dock or the ground and then heat up the tubing. It only takes a few seconds to do this. By laying the Senko on something the odds of your burning your fingers is greatly reduced.

Excellent advice, Sam, but why did you make me squint to read the post?

I tried the trick of using a piece of straw, but you need the right size straw. Not all work. I like your idea better.

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moguy1973 reply : 

Yum dingers and BPS stick-o's here. I can get 3 times as many of those as GY senkos and still catch plenty of fish. The fish don't know the difference.

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Bassn Blvd reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 7:33 AM, GoTakeANap said:

X2 thats the brand of hook i use with all plastic baits now. seems to make your plastics last alot longer. http://www.basspro.c.../10211648/83884

X3.

2/0 for the 5" and 4/0 for the 6"

P.S. There are no replacements for the Senko. And Kinami is the same bait.

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Sam reply : 

New, this is not my idea. It is Ike's idea.

I use it all the time and have caught 10 bass on one Senko.

There are other products in the marketplace that may or may not be as productive as a Senko. When I go fishing I want to have confidence in my baits and a wacky rigged senko or trick worm if you get the smaller shrink tube size catches fish.

So the extra cost of the Senkos is worth it to me.

Give what Ike says a try and I think you will like the setup. Just remember that after a few days the tubing can get loose so you will have to reheat it.

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Busy reply : 

I haven't beat the action on a 5" senko T-Rigged with a 3/0 EWG hook, with or without weight. I fish them SLOW so the only thing that tears them up is bass. After a fish or two the senko will tear in the middle so I'll take the hook out and hook it from the other side. When that gets beat up I'll hook it backwards. Even torn up senkos seem to catch fish. I fish on a budget also but I've made it a rule to always pick up some senkos when I'm at Cabelas so I'm slowly accumulating a decent stockpile. Of course I'm always running out of the chartreuse w/ black flake still. Really need to just buy a crate of those sometime!

Edit: I also keep my torn up soft plastics, cut them, and use them as trailers on finesse or small swim jigs. I guess you get a little money back that way, too.

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(='_'=) reply : 

thanx!! i have some bags of Yum and Zoom plastics, but no senko type, just ribbontail worms, and lizzards... this is the first time i fished with a senko, and i really liked it, i caught a lot more fish on them than with any other plastic i had tried... im just beginning learning how to fish plastics, so that could also be a factor, but anyways, after i ran out of senkos i pulled out a ribbontail yum worm on the same color, and i could only catch 2, while i had caught about 10 with the senkos....

so, i will try the ones you mention, hopefully they will last longer and catch the same number of fish, because those senkos are expensive for only catching a couple of fish at most before getting thorn...

another thing i just thought about, maybe im not hooking them correctly?? because somone mentioned the plastic to rip at the first 1/4", but mine ripped at the bend of the hook... i was rigging them Texas, with the hook exposed....

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JSPOONE reply : 

was using senkos as well till price went to $7 bucks a pack thats to much for a bait that last at most 3 fish and thats not counting bites.. went to yum dingers and have been catching more fish with them than the senko's. cant beat the price $3 for a pack of dingers up here in northern va

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SissySticks reply : 

I really like the consistency of the BPS stik-o's. I use the 3" a lot and find them to be a good compramise between softness and durability. The dingers are good too, but YUM discontinued making the 3" so I had to look elsewhere and found the StikO.

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shootermcbob reply : 

Give Gander mountain house brand "senkos" a try as well. I have found them to be very effective...the fish like them as well

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Aluma-Bass reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 9:18 AM, Gotfishyfingers? said:

check ebay. You can buy 100 packs of a knockoff brand for like 20 bucks. I cant tell the difference, except more durable.

This what I did! I now have 100's!

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Sherlock 60 reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 6:43 AM, via said:

you should try using some owner twistlock hooks. ive been using them lately and it seems to hold the bait longer than the wide gap hooks.

I started using the Owner Twistlock Light hooks last year and agree that the Senkos seem to last longer. BUT, be sure you go up one size from what you would use with a EWG hook; I use a 4/0 Twistlock for 5" Senkos where I used a 3/0 Gammy EWG before.

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Sherlock 60 reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 11:09 PM, (= said:

another thing i just thought about, maybe im not hooking them correctly?? because somone mentioned the plastic to rip at the first 1/4", but mine ripped at the bend of the hook... i was rigging them Texas, with the hook exposed....

Use 20# braid and you will hardly ever miss a fish. I also recommend spinning gear becaue if a Senko (or any plastic) flys off when you cast with a baitcaster you get an unbelievable birds nest.

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MarkH024 reply : 

I like Yum Dingers and BPS. If I want a lighter sink, I use the Strik King Ocho. They're all great products.

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BassinMD reply : 

I have tried several different ones and IMHO nothing has the same action as the Yamamoto since I always wacky rig them I bought the tool and the o-rings, I can get as many as 6-10 fish per senko before they start to tear. Best 7$ I ever spent.

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einsteins reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 11:30 PM, shootermcbob said:

Give Gander mountain house brand "senkos" a try as well. I have found them to be very effective...the fish like them as well

I just tried these Gander Mtn brand this last weekend and we slayed bass on them....whacky style!

I use the little "O" rings on them to rig whacky...that works vey well, I even have that little blue "O" ring tool to put em on.

We used the 6 inch ones and consistently caught much larger bass

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BassCats reply : 

DESCRIPTION

FEATURES

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BigMoneyGrip reply : 

Has anybody tried the Wacky Saddle kit? I use that along with the Gamakatsu 2/0 wireguard work hook. This seems like the gig where I fish.

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Bigbarge50 reply : 

Well this debate pops up a lot but I throw mainly the gary and the BPS and I like em both A LOT

The key for me when it comes to gary products is sales...... 2 or 3 times a year dicks does a buy one get one free or a 2 for packs for a real good price..... I literally start grabbing all the sizes and colors I like, whether I need them or not. I will ask the sports section guy if he can bring out what they have in the back or can I go back there and look..... because I know this is my shot. I think gary products are not like zoom (I love both companies) where if I am in a store, it is a foregone conclusion some zoom product will grab my eye and I say what the heck and buy a bag to try out. With gary products, I make a note of the style and color and wait for a sale. I ussualy am not "trying: on senkos, I am buying the ones I have confidence in.

Dicks is my main source for gary products, but several places will do sales and I hit when the iron is hot.

I also think taking my BPS stick-o's and stretching them way out before I rig them helps soften them up some.

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brushhoggin reply : 

shimmy sticks and ochos

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rockchalk06 reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 7:12 AM, Sam said:

Go to your local hardware store (the big stores may not have this product) and purchase the 3/8-inch Polyoefin Heat Shrink Tubing. It comes in a package with three tubes. It is not costly and you may want to pick up two packages.

Cut the tube in about 1/4 inch or a little longer section and run your Senko through the tube until the tube section surrounds the egg sack or you place the tubing in the center of the worm. I like to place it in the center of the worm so it will “fly” like a bird but you can do it anyway you want.

Then, using a match or an "igniter" heat up the tubing. The tubing will shrink and get tight against the worm. Turn the worm so that the entire tubing is heated.

Be sure not to overheat it, as it will get too tight.

Slip your hook under the wrap (sideways) and out of the other end, between the wrap and Senko's skin. Your hook is now being held onto the Senko by the heat shrink tubing and the hook point is now exposed and ready to go.

And you can do this to a finesse worm, too. Try fishing a finesse worm Wacky style and you may be surprised at the results.

Cut a bunch of strips and carry them with you along with the igniter so you can rig your wacky worm while fishing.

The easiest way to shrink the tubing is to lay half of the Senko on a dock or the ground and then heat up the tubing. It only takes a few seconds to do this. By laying the Senko on something the odds of your burning your fingers is greatly reduced.

How does this differ from the o-rings

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rockchalk06 reply : 

I have never used the GY Senkos. To expensive for me. I have several Yum Dingers and the BPS Stick O's. I cant tell a difference in either of the two. I tend to stick with the BPS as they give me more reward points

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Sam reply : 

Rockchalk, although it is easier and simpler to slip an "O" ring onto a stick bait, the tubing hugs the worm tightly and keeps your hook snug against the skin.

The tubing does not tear into the worm. Only the hook, bass and structure tear up the bait.

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Sam reply : 

OK, let me clarify. The bass tears up the worm as you fight the fish. Usually the hook does very little, if any, damage to the plastic. The bass will do all possible to get off the hook and the stick bait suffers this aggression.

Getting snagged with your stick bait can damage it.

The tubing does not damage the worm.

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Primus reply : 

Can't believe that people are comparing Yum Dingers to Senko's. The Senko has a faster fall than the Yum product and in most situations that would be my preference. If a slower fall is needed then I might throw the Yum Dinger. That said I generally prefer more aggressive presentations such as swimbaits, cranks etc and I don't finesse as much as others do so I don't use as many stickbaits over the course of the season. Even though Senko's are a little pricey I have not seen it's equal so this is what I usually use.

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tennsopher reply : 

I fish senkos almost exclusively as my stickbait of choice.I also am a guy who rigs these on owner twistlocks.To save money,buy some mend-it glue off e-bay.It is cheaper than going to their site.Ten bucks for a bottle that will do hundreds of repairs.The glue will melt the plastic,but if you use the brush applicator to apply ,just hold both sections together for ten seconds and your bait is ready to fish again.A trick for all you senko lovers I learned from watching Jarrett Edwards Outdoors, is to take the senko by the ends and roll them between your fingers.What this does is release the salt from the ends causing them to wiggle more on the drop.Hope this helps you out.

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fishking247 reply : 

yum dingers are a good alternative. in my opinion no other stick bait will outfish a gary yamamoto.

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MCS reply : 

Got 4 small(biggest 10-12 inches) LMB in an hour this morning on a black/blue tip/blue flake Big Bite Bait Stick, ONE stick all 4 fish. You cannot beat the 5 pack for $.99 at Acedemy Sports!

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Rick99 reply : 

Hey Guys...has anyone tried the wacko worm? I found them on the Internet and have read all these senko replacement threads. Most seem to go with Yums and bps sticks. This wacko worm looks interesting but I have not seen anyone review it.....has anyone tried it? Thanks

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rockchalk06 reply : 

  On 8/9/2012 at 6:48 PM, Sam said:

Rockchalk, although it is easier and simpler to slip an "O" ring onto a stick bait, the tubing hugs the worm tightly and keeps your hook snug against the skin.

The tubing does not tear into the worm. Only the hook, bass and structure tear up the bait.

Gotcha. Thanks!

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TrippyJai reply : 

Do yourself a favour and buy a bottle of Mend-It. After rigging my senko every way possible, I'll toss it into a bag, take it home and mend them back together. I'll let the baits sit for a day or two to get rid of the Acetone type smell. Put some Megastrike to cover the unwanted scent and they are good to go again.

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RipNlips85 reply : 

The best replacement I've found to replace the Gary Yamamoto senkos are the STRIKE KING ZERO 3X stick worms.You can stretch these things out as far as your arms reach let go and will snap back right back to there original size and shape.They come in a yellow and red bag and come in 6 in a pack and way cheaper than the Gary Yamamoto's I've only found them at BPS.Definately try them out if you can find some they last for a long time.

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MCS reply : 

^^^ I have the 3x finesse works, virtually in destructible however they melt at a lower temp than most plastics.

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rockchalk06 reply : 

  On 8/11/2012 at 6:56 PM, TrippyJai said:

Do yourself a favour and buy a bottle of Mend-It. After rigging my senko every way possible, I'll toss it into a bag, take it home and mend them back together. I'll let the baits sit for a day or two to get rid of the Acetone type smell. Put some Megastrike to cover the unwanted scent and they are good to go again.

Humm. That sounds interesting. I have a bucket of busted plastics I have a hard time getting rid of. This may be a cool winter project.

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shadowchaser reply : 

not sure if anyone mentioned this but get the o ring tool and put o rings on or lake fork makes a weight ring that looks reasonable.

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shadowchaser reply : 

and if you want to save a few bucks check out Outlet Bait and Tackle online. Sometimes they have amazing prices on stuff. 4' senko's for 3.99, granted they don't have every color, but still its a big savings.

http://www.overstockbait.com/category_s/911.htm

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hooah212002 reply : 

I have some cheapies from Walmart and some Gander Mountain brand. Neither seem to do much on the downfall; they look kinda "dead" (when wacky rigged) if you will, but on the jig up they wobble like they're supposed to. I have not tried proper Yamamoto's yet. That said: they both have caught fish. Not many and not anything big enough for you guys to bat an eyelash at, but for me: good for now. I do think I will pick up a pack or two of "proper" Senko's and see the difference.

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Wayne_Rand reply : 

  On 8/7/2012 at 6:41 AM, BassAssassin726 said:

X2 on the Yum Dinger. Screw Senkos. Too expensive and they dont last. In my opinion Yum Dingers have the exact same action, last longer, and catch just as many fish. Plus they have a spiffy little indentation to texpose your hook. And you get more in a bag. The only stick worm ill use is a Dinger.

Any colors you prefer?

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PaBassMan13 reply : 

Berkley Havoc Flat Dawg! $2.99 for an 8 pack and they have just as much salt; if not more than a Senko. In my opinion.....these will out-fish a Senko side-by-side 7 days a week. And no; I am not sponsored or have any relationship with Berkley. 

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d-camarena reply : 

  On 7/7/2017 at 2:58 AM, PaBassMan13 said:

Berkley Havoc Flat Dawg! $2.99 for an 8 pack and they have just as much salt; if not more than a Senko. In my opinion.....these will out-fish a Senko side-by-side 7 days a week. And no; I am not sponsored or have any relationship with Berkley. 

Never seen these. Ill check them out. Im stickbait aficionado. I fish em all year along frogs

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TheMississippiOutdoorsman reply : 

Definitely BPS, they last a good while and they have a good wobble on a wacky rig, you can't beat the 30pk for 10$, my second choice is the strike king shim-e sticks, they come in packs of 7 or 8, and their only 4$ I think, they also have a good wobble on a wacky rig. The SK have a lot slower fall so I use them for shallower water as well

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roadwarrior reply : 

Good night Irene.

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