The Secret To Not Losing So Many Senkos - Here's The Solution 2024

tcbass reply :

So I've gone through about 11 packs of Senkos this year with the help of my brother and friends. At about $7.99 a bag that's $87.95 in Senkos and 110 indivual Senkos. I've found that Walmart has them cheapest standard price which is $6.99 and that sometimes Dick's Sporting Goods has them on sale for buy 1 get one 1/2 off.

Either way, it adds up. So, I tried some tips from here on how to save some Senkos. I've tried the O-Ring with O-Wacky tool, surgical tubing, Zip ties, heated shrink tubing, O-Rings crossed over each other, different types of hooks including Skip Jack Hooks, and Finesse Wide Gap Hooks, and others. Nothing really worked.

Sometimes you'd make your first cast with a Senko and see it launched off into space, or you'd land on a dock and recover your hook but the Senko was still on the dock. It was extremely frustrating and expensive, although I'm sure that Gary Yamamoto would couldn't be more pleased.

UPDATED:

Well, I finally found a solution and it is a cheap one. I didn't come up with the zip tie idea nor the vinyl tubing idea. "thebig1" is the one who showed me the tubing idea....and to give credit where it is due, I know someone else said something about it before in another thread. I've tried it on 5 trips now with other people also using it and it's worked extremely well. It's a combination of a 5" Senko, Gamakatsu 1/0 Offset Shank Worm EWG hook, and 1 small 3/4" inch piece of vinyl 3/8" inside diameter-1/2" outside diameter tubing (the kind you get at Menards or aquarium tubing).

**** I've found that anything less then a 3/4" inch piece of vinyl tubing doesn't seem to work nearly as well because it probably doesn't have enough amount of friction to hold the Senko but anything longer then 3/4" is too long and makes the worm heavy which causes it to sink funny and bend unnaturally. If your Senko isn't bending correctly when you lift it up to look at it you probably have too long of a piece of tubing. ****

After making this thread the "thebig1" posted that vinyl tubing works better and that he's had the same Senko for 8-9 years. Well, I tried his method for 2 trips on my own and then a guys fishing weekend. We all used 5" Senko's with the vinyl tubing and worked even better than the method I had tried before with the zip ties. We caught 94 fish over the weekend, bass, northern, sunnies, rock bass, and perch and did not lose 1 Senko. I still have the Senko from that trip.

All of the components: 1 Senko, 1 piece of vinyl tubing cut 1/2", and 1 hook of your choice.

And the other secret....buy Senkos in bulk! lol. From some helpful posters on bassresource.com I learned that you can buy Senkos in bulk 100 packs for $54.82 at Tackle Warehouse during one of their 15% sales and get them for $46.58 which makes them $46 cents apiece versus the normal $79 cents apiece. The only sad part is that I had to order them in green pumpkin, my favorite color is cinnamon brown. The 3/8" inch vinyl tubing cost $2.86 for 10 feet. Enough to last a lifetime.

Now that the "thebig1" showed me how well vinyl tubing works, I don't know what I'm going to do with 100 Senkos. I bagged them up into 7 original packages. I already gave away a pack to my friend. So that leaves me with 6 packages left. At the rate I lose Senko's with the vinyl tubing I guess I will be giving the other bags to friends and just keep 1 or 2 for myself. Thanks "thebig1"!!!!

I've come to the acceptance that Senkos are like livebait and gas, you buy them and to get used up. It's just life (Unlike a lifetime lure like a KVD Sexy Dawg, that as long as you don't lose, you can just keep sharpening the hooks or replace the hooks and have the lure for nearly forever.)

I hope this helps some of you save some cash. Good luck and good fishin'. Try it out, it's only a $2.86 gamble and I bet you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Catch and Grease reply :

Lol I'm glad I'm not addicted to senkos like a lot of people...

Now rage craws... Those things are why I'm always broke....

Fisher-O-men reply :

Why the EWG off-set hook? Why not a wide gap wacky hook?

tcbass reply :

On 8/5/2014 at 1:39 PM, Fisher-O-men said:
Why the EWG off-set hook? Why not a wide gap wacky hook?

The sharp 90' degree bend at the top of the hook prevents the zip ties from sliding off the top of the hook. They are also thin and penetrate well without needing you to set the hook. I'm a line watcher but sometimes your line doesn't move and you do have a fish on that hooked itself without you even knowing.

The wacky hooks don't have that 90' degree bend.

Rivers Edge reply :

I'll have to give that a try.

Sam reply :

Interesting post.

I usually throw Senkos wacky using shrink tubing and a 1/0 weedless hook.

The major qualities of the Senko, salt and softness, make them a favorite bait but also has them tear easily.

I have used plastic's glue to put them back together; throw them Texas rigged; rigged them backwards; and placed a 1/16 or 1/8 bullet weight pegged with a bobber stopper on top of the hook to get a faster fall. In all occasions the bass' head shaking has thrown the Senko off the line.

It comes with the territory.

Solution??? - I am trying YUM Dingers. They work on the Potomac so they should work elsewhere.

Time will tell.

5 Dollar Fishing Game reply :

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!

gulfcaptain reply :

Can also use clear Bait Tape, but like one of the other posts above, I'm not addicted to Senkos, and the few I do use, Mend-it back together as long as I can recover it. I do think I'm addicted to Mend-it though. That bottle has paid for itself quite a few times.

tcbass reply :

On 8/5/2014 at 7:34 PM, gulfcaptain said:
Can also use clear Bait Tape, but like one of the other posts above, I'm not addicted to Senkos, and the few I do use, Mend-it back together as long as I can recover it. I do think I'm addicted to Mend-it though. That bottle has paid for itself quite a few times.

Good idea.

Usually when they get that tore up they are basically tore in half. I just usually make one last cast and catch a fish on them. I'll look into getting some mend it though. The zip ties can hold each end on pretty well.

Fisher-O-men reply :

On 8/5/2014 at 6:58 PM, Sam said:
Solution??? - I am trying YUM Dingers. They work on the Potomac so they should work elsewhere.

Time will tell.

That is what I use. Nail weight, o-ring and weedless wacky hook. Last much longer than senkos. I like the old LPT firmula better than the Ferocity. I like the older "licorice" ones even better.

Choporoz reply :

Thanks for the tips.

Please update when you also find the cure for making trig Senkos last forever. Wacky just hasn't gotten it done for me.

tcbass reply :

On 8/5/2014 at 11:36 PM, Choporoz said:

Thanks for the tips.

Please update when you also find the cure for making trig Senkos last forever. Wacky just hasn't gotten it done for me.

lol.

I almost never T-Rig Senkos. My friend almost always does. I don't feel I catch nearly as many fish with them T-Rigged. I do like how T-Rigged skips way better though, especially under docks.

Fishing Cop reply :

I was at Dick's and they have their Big Bait Bites for 1 dollar a pack this week.

Fish Murderer 71 reply :

I've had a same senko on my skipping rod since the start of summer, I've hauled in about 20 fish with it. I use heat shrink with VMC wacky jig. and I'm helpless addicted to senkos. I aint gonna lie, this senko is way outside normal but I'm just wondering how much longer its going to last.

Comfortably Numb reply :

On 8/5/2014 at 11:36 PM, Choporoz said:

Thanks for the tips.

Please update when you also find the cure for making trig Senkos last forever. Wacky just hasn't gotten it done for me.

Twist lock hooks helps.

iceintheveins reply :

Great idea. I can get 5 bass out of a senko usually using mend it and parasite clips.

Choporoz reply :

Thanks, CN. I've become a big fan of Twist Locks in recent weeks. Even moreso since I learned I can buy the springs separate and make my own. But, actually, when trigging a Senko, I generally use Parasite Clips. They've done me pretty well this year.

bigbill reply :

Losing senior? The rate of senkos per fish is 1 senko per fish.

I'm very afraid of a fish dying if I use any thing that holds the senko to the hook.

I use more of the other styles of senkos because they last longer. My loss or expensive of senkos isn't that much anyway.

My buddy puts two smelled hooks in a senko one at each end.

TheBig1 reply :

1. Go to pet store and buy 1' of clear plastic air line in 3/8" (I think, take a Senko with you)

2. Take it home and cut that 1' line in 1/8-1/4" increments

3. Squeeze end of Senko through ring and pull to center

4. Place hook between ring and Senko

I've used the same Senko and ring for the past 10 years. If you'd like, I'll send you a couple of the 11 3/4" tubing that I still have left over. It truly is that easy. It just seems as though all of those zip ties is too much work plus you aren't able to remove them if you want to do so. Good luck though.

jignfule reply :

The best way I've found to save on Senkos is to fish with a Jig.

FishTank reply :

Very cool idea. I will have to try this.

tcbass reply :

On 8/6/2014 at 7:45 AM, TheBig1 said:

1. Go to pet store and buy 1' of clear plastic air line in 3/8" (I think, take a Senko with you)

2. Take it home and cut that 1' line in 1/8-1/4" increments

3. Squeeze end of Senko through ring and pull to center

4. Place hook between ring and Senko

I've used the same Senko and ring for the past 10 years. If you'd like, I'll send you a couple of the 11 3/4" tubing that I still have left over. It truly is that easy. It just seems as though all of those zip ties is too much work plus you aren't able to remove them if you want to do so. Good luck though.

You've had only 1 Senko for 10 years?

TheBig1 reply :

On 8/6/2014 at 11:30 AM, tcbass said:
You've had only 1 Senko for 10 years?

Well in actually counting it's more like 8 or 9 years, but yes, the same Senko and the same piece of aquarium air hose bought at a pet store. If I'd have had time this morning I'd have taken a pic of the Senko with the ring on it and the pack of Senkos that I bought all those years ago. I got tired of paying the $7 a pack of 10. The price hasn't changed in all these years which is funny. I guess when you think about it, since the price hasn't gone up, it's actually gone down because of the competition of all the other Senko look-a-likes. I must have a dozen packs of Senko look-a-likes sitting in my boxes but don't use them because I have been using the same one for all of these years. As a matter of fact, I offer goodie bags of this type of stuff to people I know who are just getting into fishing and I'll give them Ziplock bags with several of them in to sample because I'll never use them.

tcbass reply :

On 8/6/2014 at 8:19 PM, TheBig1 said:
Well in actually counting it's more like 8 or 9 years, but yes, the same Senko and the same piece of aquarium air hose bought at a pet store. If I'd have had time this morning I'd have taken a pic of the Senko with the ring on it and the pack of Senkos that I bought all those years ago. I got tired of paying the $7 a pack of 10. The price hasn't changed in all these years which is funny. I guess when you think about it, since the price hasn't gone up, it's actually gone down because of the competition of all the other Senko look-a-likes. I must have a dozen packs of Senko look-a-likes sitting in my boxes but don't use them because I have been using the same one for all of these years. As a matter of fact, I offer goodie bags of this type of stuff to people I know who are just getting into fishing and I'll give them Ziplock bags with several of them in to sample because I'll never use them.

You were right man! I tried your method and it is far superior!

3 guys fished a total of 5 days and caught over 94 fish and not one lost or chewed up Senko! Thanks! I updated the OP.

TheBig1 reply :

On 8/13/2014 at 6:38 AM, tcbass said:

You were right man! I tried your method and it is far superior!

3 guys fished a total of 5 days and caught over 94 fish and not one lost or chewed up Senko! Thanks! I updated the OP.

Absolutely, I'm just grateful that I actually have a tidbit of knowledge to add. I'm glad someone finally tried it. If anything, your Senko will lose its luster before it's ever destroyed or lost. I'll be honest, after posting that the Senko I used was that old I threw it away and pulled out a fresh one. Now I have 8 left. Just place it back in the pack when you're done to keep it refreshed. I'm still dumbfounded that people are buying and that others are making money off of Senko tools. I'm glad I could help, good luck to you.

georgeyew reply :

I love reading about new ideas like this. Quick question though....looks like the tubing might get in the way of the hook during a hookset. How well are the bass hooked with the tubing?

tcbass reply :

On 8/13/2014 at 10:16 AM, georgeyew said:
I love reading about new ideas like this. Quick question though....looks like the tubing might get in the way of the hook during a hookset. How well are the bass hooked with the tubing?

No problem at all. If it was a problem I would look for another method.

I gave my friend who's never been a huge bass some Senkos and he said he always thought they were a gimmick because wacky rigged is so simple and weird looking. Afterwards he couldn't believe how simple and effective they are. He was really excited when he watched one take off with his line and he set the hook landing about a 3lbs fish.

TheBig1 reply :

On 8/13/2014 at 10:16 AM, georgeyew said:
I love reading about new ideas like this. Quick question though....looks like the tubing might get in the way of the hook during a hookset. How well are the bass hooked with the tubing?

What happens is the tubing slides up the hook and out of the way allowing a full hookset. Try it, even if it doesn't work for you, you're out what, $1.50 in tubing or however much it costs. But I can almost guarantee that you'll like it and that $1.50 will last you a lifetime. Again, I've been using the same ring and Senko for 8-10 years now. I actually just threw the Senko away and am continuing to use the same ring.

tcbass reply :

On 8/13/2014 at 10:16 AM, georgeyew said:
I love reading about new ideas like this. Quick question though....looks like the tubing might get in the way of the hook during a hookset. How well are the bass hooked with the tubing?

Tubing doesn't get in the way at all. If it did, I would try to find another way.

Give it a try. I think you'll like it.

bostonsox2904 reply :

Careful work with a lighter will mend a senko back together temporarily.

tcbass reply :

On 8/6/2014 at 5:02 AM, Comfortably Numb said:
Twist lock hooks helps.

I think that would work a lot better also.

Alonerankin2 reply :

On 8/29/2014 at 5:48 AM, tcbass said:
I think that would work a lot better also.

They do!

Glenn reply :

Check out the tip in this video - it's cheap, yet highly effective!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/how-to-rig-senko.html

tcbass reply :

On 8/29/2014 at 9:42 AM, Glenn said:

Check out the tip in this video - it's cheap, yet highly effective!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/how-to-rig-senko.html

Thanks for the video. Try this out too. It might work for you.

ClackerBuzz reply :

On 8/6/2014 at 5:02 AM, Comfortably Numb said:
Twist lock hooks helps.

yup I've been buying 60 deg jig hooks that are supposed to be for jig molds. they are stout and much cheaper than 5 hooks in a store. but instead of jigs I snap a do-it hitching post to the hook eye for my T rigged senkos. a senko doesn't tear when screwed on. of course the portion around the hook bend eventually tears but you get a lot more life out of them. put a glass bead on ur line and the rig comes thru weeds smooth as butter.

http://www.***.com/Do-it_Hitching_Post_25pk/descpage-DOITHPS.html

i also like the hook up percentage much better w/ jig hooks vs EWG

did anyone experiment with the ID and OD tubing size for 6" senkos?

Edited September 15, 2014 by ClackerBuzz

georgeyew reply :

On 9/15/2014 at 11:48 AM, ClackerBuzz said:

did anyone experiment with the ID and OD tubing size for 6" senkos?

The 3/8" tubing is too small for the 6" senkos. I had trouble pulling them through without tearing it. You'll need to go up to 1/2". I have been using the tubing for my wacky presentation for the last half of the summer and I am very impressed. I have not had a torn senko while fishing yet. However, I have lost a couple of worms due to fish pulling on the end of the tail. But overall, I am still saving a lot of money on senkos due to the tubing!!

ClackerBuzz reply :

i had the opposite experience george. the 3/8" ID and 1/2"OD is perfect for 6" senkos. it's nice and snug.

6" are heavy so you can skip them a country mile. 3/8" is barely ok to use 5" senkos but it's too loose for 5" yum dingers b/c they have a smaller diameter. keep in mind i'm using a very small piece of tubing (1/4" long) b/c I'm using 2/0 Gamakatsu weedless finesse wide gap hooks for skipping lay downs. a 3/4" piece of tubing may hold the 5" senko better but I'm not using a hook that large. 1/2" ID is way to big to hold a 6" senko.

i'll head back to the hardware store to find the perfect/snug fit for 5" senkos (may be able to find 5/16" ID or a metric size).

georgeyew reply :

I'll have to measure it again. Maybe I was trying to put the tubing on the 7" senko worm instead of the 6" senko.

tcbass reply :

On 9/16/2014 at 2:06 AM, georgeyew said:
The 3/8" tubing is too small for the 6" senkos. I had trouble pulling them through without tearing it. You'll need to go up to 1/2". I have been using the tubing for my wacky presentation for the last half of the summer and I am very impressed. I have not had a torn senko while fishing yet. However, I have lost a couple of worms due to fish pulling on the end of the tail. But overall, I am still saving a lot of money on senkos due to the tubing!!

There is definitely a difference in diameter between 4", 5", and 6" inch Senkos which is weird.

Alonerankin2 reply :

Why wierd? Small, Medium, Large, what's wierd about that? I use Owner Twistlocks W/ CPS.. I usually also rig a bobber stop as well, open hook rigging (wacky? Is just the correct size heat shrink and it works, even if it's slightly oversized.. There is metric sizing as well... Some folks use a rubber band.. Whatever works, plenty of rigging options that's for sure. Rig them T-rigged with whatever hook you like then use 30, 40, 50 pd mono, co-poly, fc and run that thru the hook eye...

tcbass reply :

On 9/26/2014 at 5:03 AM, Alonerankin2 said:
Why wierd? Small, Medium, Large, what's wierd about that? I use Owner Twistlocks W/ CPS.. I usually also rig a bobber stop as well, open hook rigging (wacky? Is just the correct size heat shrink and it works, even if it's slightly oversized.. There is metric sizing as well... Some folks use a rubber band.. Whatever works, plenty of rigging options that's for sure. Rig them T-rigged with whatever hook you like then use 30, 40, 50 pd mono, co-poly, fc and run that thru the hook eye...

I figured only the length changed, not actual diameter also.

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