Going Cheap 2025
The Young Gun reply :
I know the saying "you get what you pay for" applies for lots of baits. But what are some plastics that aren't the price of senkos but still are quality and durable at a reasonable price? I've never been a plastic fisherman because of the price if everything I've seen..
Teal reply :
If you use the search feature on the forums and you will find dozens of threads on the same topic.
dumfish reply :
Big Bite , Yum Dingers.
MCS reply :
Bitters bait and tackle is the best 2 packs for 5 buck and quality stuff, Big Bite Baits, Creme, Gambler,Culprit and Producto.
Ratherbfishing reply :
Northland tackle has a stick-bait called the Slurpies Dip-stick that I like well. I have found it on sale at both Gander Mountain and Scheels.
Jaiden reply :
Yum dingers
WilIieB reply :
I use alot of zoom. Good pricing and awesome baits. Cant beat a trick worm or finesse worm when the bites slow. I also used to buy high priced crankbaits, mainly because i got a discount, but have decided this year to keep it cheap with H20 lures, Normans and Bandits. So far my catch rate is about the same, and it sure doesnt hurt as much when you lose one.
ww2farmer reply :
I have always liked Zoom, Netbait, and Berkley stuff. Check out some of the baits from the Berkley Havoc line. I used a couple things from them last year and liked them a lot, so much so I bought a ton of there stuff this winter to try.
Marty reply :
I think Zoom offers an extremely wide selection of baits at prices considerably below those of the higher priced companies and their baits are very effective, as are most brands of plastics. Power Baits is another with a good selection.
You made specific mention of Senkos. Zoom's Z-nails are excellent and I've used them for quite some time, but I don't know if they're still in production. Just my humble opinion that just about any soft stickbait will catch fish for you and most of them are more affordable than Senkos.
Felix77 reply :
For affordable senkos it's the Strike King Shim-e-sticks. Get them for a few bucks at WalMart.
Brayberry reply :
I ONLY use a bait from ***, google it, way cheaper, way more durable, and way more productive, and the colors are amazing
Darren. reply :
While I'm a big fan of GYCB Senkos, I have had a lot of success with Bass Pro Stick-O knock offs. I've also used YUM Dingers. Like them all, but like Senkos best, the rest are OK and worthy of trying. No harm in saving a few bucks.On 3/29/2013 at 3:40 AM, The Young Gun said:I know the saying "you get what you pay for" applies for lots of baits. But what are some plastics that aren't the price of senkos but still are quality and durable at a reasonable price? I've never been a plastic fisherman because of the price if everything I've seen..
And if you want real value, IMHO, Zoom Finesse worms are hard to beat. I put these up with GYCB Senkos for my go-to soft plastics.
Arv reply :
Of all that I've tried I like Stick-O's the most so far. I have one pack of Dingers but I haven't really given them a chance yet. I don't think anything will really beat the original GYCB Senkos though. As far as other types of plastics, you can't go wrong with Zoom and Havoc if you ask me.
SENKOSAM reply :
On 3/29/2013 at 3:40 AM, The Young Gun said:I know the saying "you get what you pay for" applies for lots of baits. But what are some plastics that aren't the price of senkos but still are quality and durable at a reasonable price? I've never been a plastic fisherman because of the price if everything I've seen..
Berkeley and Zoom aren't that cheap even though cheaper than GY. There are many small time, custom producers of plastics that have excellent products at 1/2-1/3 the price of the big mass producers and consistent quality applies to every bait. Bass Pro's Stikos are fine except I've found color not to be consistent in every bag for every stick. I've weighed them and found inconsistent weight, off by 1 oz. at times which makes a big difference in fall rate. Most BP plastics suffer the same inconsistent quality and I've had to call them to send another bag (free s/h).
Wait until the sales start and load up. If you like a bait - even if it's a bit pricey - buy it. For a few cents more, it may have qualities that you'll swear by like those who use the original Senko.
And of course, there's always E Bay and forums (like on this site) where anglers unload surplus tackle. I just sold all of my Arkie Crawlers for 20 bucks and now have 20 bucks to blow on more stuff I'll probably sell at a discount in a year or so. LOL Google soft plastic baits and check out Creme's site for cheap plastics in different designs. Only $1.99 a bag.
Frank
bandit14 reply :
I like zoom the packages come with alot of bait and there are tons of colors and sizes
Arv reply :
On 3/29/2013 at 7:56 PM, bandit14 said:I like zoom the packages come with alot of bait and there are tons of colors and sizes
x2
Oldplug reply :
I find nothing wrong with the bass pro trick worms and the big thick Feneki type (however it is spelled) thing. I use both like stick bait and also on drop shot. The giant Fineke worms were my best drop shot bait last year. I like the zoom product as well. I am not to happy with the durability of a lot of Berkeley plastic products. My favorite is the Net Bait Company.
Flukeman reply :
Not sure what kind of retailers you have in Wisconsin. But here we have a place called Ollie's, they deal in buy outs and surplus. Every year at this time they get fishing stuff in, of course it's random, but many times it's soft plastics. Many of them are brand names at half off. At Walmarts around here they are selling Yum products at a $1.50 a bag right now. I also know our Gander Mountains started a sale on products their changing out a couple months ago. I was buying Chiggar Craws for $2.50 a bag. They had dozens of other plastics marked down similiarly.
SissySticks reply :
They're not terribly popular on this board for some reason, but Zman soft baits will literally last through dozens, if not 100s, of fish per bait. A pack of 7" finesse worms, for example, has 10 baits in it and 1 pack will last me an entire season or more. They make a couple of senko-ey type baits, the ZinkerZ and the Hula StickZ. I've been very happy with them. Just my .02
tightlinesjax reply :
On 3/31/2013 at 12:05 PM, SissySticks said:They're not terribly popular on this board for some reason, but Zman soft baits will literally last through dozens, if not 100s, of fish per bait. A pack of 7" finesse worms, for example, has 10 baits in it and 1 pack will last me an entire season or more. They make a couple of senko-ey type baits, the ZinkerZ and the Hula StickZ. I've been very happy with them. Just my .02
Zman baits are definitely durable. I just feel that the baits are a tad stiffer than some other brands such as GY. When the bite is wide open Zman works great since you don't have to change baits so often. I am fan of Zoom for a less expensive brand with lots of variety.
Jake P reply :
If your wanting your moneys worth, check out Zman Elaztech baits. Incredibly durable. 1 worm can last 30 fish. I just recently bought some 6" saw tail Zman worms. I have been fishing a pond and the fish wont hit anything but a worm. Started with some rage tail Thumpers and while they are my favorite brand, they are not known for great durability. So after I ran through a pack of Thumpers I put on a saw tail and continued catching fish without any difference.
I am very interested in this brand and will be ordering some more saw tails in 6" & 10", Palmetto Bugz, Flappin craws and some 4 & 6" Swimmerz. Check em' out! You might like them.
Oldplug reply :
I have never heard of this ZMan worm. I am going to look it up. I spend a good deal on worms and worm gear every year. I have never in my life heard of a worm that would last 30 fish. I buy between 200-300 new large worms a year in only two types and all in just one or two colors and sizes. Other than trick and stick type worms. Those I buy separate. Color, size and make don't mean much in these although I do like to have some bright pink ones in the mix. Mostly I just look for cheaper ones. If I don't like them I trash them.
I am a worm and jig fisherman.always have been. Aulways will be. That is where I feel the most comfort and have the most expertise.
SENKOSAM reply :
Strike King came out with the same material and Doug Hannon used it in his snake years ago. For some reason it never caught on even though the baits are indestructible. It may be because they are super buoyant and must be weighted and unlike the Super Fluke don't sink with just the hook rigged. They look good in the water Neko rigged, on a shaky head, C-rig in grass and on a drop shot rig. The last few baits I bought on clearance were salt impregnated which gave their fluke a bit more weight.
Many retailers still carry them on-line.
Bankbeater reply :
Check out some mom and pop tackle shops. Every once in a while you can get some great deals.
CPBassFishing reply :
just make sure you don't store them with any other non-elaztech plastics! They melt all over!On 3/31/2013 at 6:36 PM, Oldplug said:I have never heard of this ZMan worm. I am going to look it up. I spend a good deal on worms and worm gear every year. I have never in my life heard of a worm that would last 30 fish. I buy between 200-300 new large worms a year in only two types and all in just one or two colors and sizes. Other than trick and stick type worms. Those I buy separate. Color, size and make don't mean much in these although I do like to have some bright pink ones in the mix. Mostly I just look for cheaper ones. If I don't like them I trash them.
I am a worm and jig fisherman.always have been. Aulways will be. That is where I feel the most comfort and have the most expertise.
JeziHogg reply :
I don't know why people don't use Elastech stuff a lot more, they last forever and they are really buoyant. Only downside is that its hard to rig them on a jig collar or spring. If u use a lighter to heat the collar or spring u can get them on. They are awesome on a shakey head because the tail will always float up
cdaggett reply :
From MCS to me "Bitters Bait and tackle. they offer 10 or more per bag and are 2 for 5 bucks. Lots of colors and have some great baits, knockoffs with some improvements."
Oldplug reply :
I looked the Z man up and I will not be using any of them. I do not like the shape of the tail on those worms. The prices is also way out of line as far as I am concerned. I would like to see and smell one though. Some time ago there was a worm on the market had a decided petroleum smell to it and it was next to useless. The worms I use are 90% 10-12 inches long except the trick type. I still have my doubts they would stand up. Last spring this time I and my neighbor had a couple of evenings that were something special. In two 3 hr outings we caught 36 bass between 17-19 inches Except one that was 20 inches. I would like to see a worm stand up to that. We caught them on trick worms and used about 11/2 bags of 20.
airborne_angler reply :
A l l u r I n g b a I t s great price and good product
airborne_angler reply :
A l l u r I n g b a I t s great price and good product
Jake P reply :
5 bucks for an 8 pack that will last bare minimum 120 fish. Doesn't seem so out of line to me. Check them out on YouTube. Dropped in a tank with no hook, weight or line attached and they float straight up.On 3/31/2013 at 10:35 PM, Oldplug said:I looked the Z man up and I will not be using any of them. I do not like the shape of the tail on those worms. The prices is also way out of line as far as I am concerned. I would like to see and smell one though. Some time ago there was a worm on the market had a decided petroleum smell to it and it was next to useless. The worms I use are 90% 10-12 inches long except the trick type. I still have my doubts they would stand up. Last spring this time I and my neighbor had a couple of evenings that were something special. In two 3 hr outings we caught 36 bass between 17-19 inches Except one that was 20 inches. I would like to see a worm stand up to that. We caught them on trick worms and used about 11/2 bags of 20.
Good luck finding something that fits your needs!
Oldplug reply :
I got stuff that does. I have over 200 Net Bait 11-12 inch brownish color worm and 100 more 10 1/2 inch Berkeley motor oil power worms. They will last me through the year. But if I see some of them I might try them. But at this point I will be going down to PBS in Springfield in about a week. I will look. The thing about the tail is I like ribbon tail type is all. The reason I doubt they can last so long is because of repeated hook ups and re set. That is a lot of tearing up the plastic.
Jake P reply :
obviously you haven't done enough reading about elaztech. I van take an 8 inch worm, stretch it to say 24 inches, and it doesnt rip or tear at all. Goes right back to original shape. The first time you hold anything elaztech you will understand.On 4/1/2013 at 2:51 AM, Oldplug said:I got stuff that does. I have over 200 Net Bait 11-12 inch brownish color worm and 100 more 10 1/2 inch Berkeley motor oil power worms. They will last me through the year. But if I see some of them I might try them. But at this point I will be going down to PBS in Springfield in about a week. I will look. The thing about the tail is I like ribbon tail type is all. The reason I doubt they can last so long is because of repeated hook ups and re set. That is a lot of tearing up the plastic.
shootermcbob reply :
to the OP, I suggest the Gander Mountain brand of "senko" worm. I use them often, and they go on sale for 3 packs for ten bucks often. The key is that the packs have 15 worms rather than 10.
BassinB reply :
Fish the havoc plastics. They are cheap and have a great selection. I bought pit bosses from BPS for 1.29 a pack during the spring sail. Then berkley had a mail in rebate. All said aNd done i paid 88 cents a pack! If that aint cheap enough for you, your in the wrong sport.
JigMe reply :
Wait until Walmart has a sale on lures and tackles, I was able to pick up 3 bags of senko for 10 bucks. There were dinger for 1.50 a bag, and most zooms were 1.50-1.75 a bag. At least my local walmart will do this early spring, and late fall.
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