Wave Tiki Sticks. 2025

Fishing last night was awesome!  I was getting hits, losing fish, having a good old time, with my first actual chance to get my tiki sticks wet!  I recently bought a couple packs of them, one in baby bass, one in shad.  The baby bass color was hitting it hard!  Now if only I could remember to set that hook!    I ran it Texas rigged, straight on the line, and I am using a 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook.  I love it so d**n much!  I was getting more of my cheap tikis, than my senkos!  Really sad...  I know what I am buying from now on!  

Yeah, those tiki sticks work as well as a senko and last longer too!

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my first actual chance to get my tiki sticks wet!

This is indeed a special moment in a young man's life.

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Yeah, those tiki sticks work as well as a senko and last longer too!

Uh oh.  Take cover everyone!

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Yeah, those tiki sticks work as well as a senko and last longer too!

Uh oh. Take cover everyone!

I agree i used both the same color well close anyhow... but the TIKI lasted longer caught the same amount of fish  :)I know now im not paying 3 more dollars when the tikis right next to the senkos are almost 6 with my hands on experiance ..

"Senko" is to the stick worm, what "Thermos" was to the vacuum bottle.

Nevertheless, I've never been much of a Hero-Worshipper,

but welcome the chance to give every product an equal opportunity.

I mostly fish with my wife, and this gives me a golden opportunity to compare lures.

I always ask my wife what lure she's going to fish, then tie on something different, if only the brand.

The yum dinger stayed right alongside the senko so many times that I felt justified in retiring the senko.

After a fashion, I realized that my wife's success with tiki sticks was superior to my success with yum dingers.

Now that I also prefer tiki sticks to yum dingers, the senko is back in the comparison (i.e. tiki stick vs. senko).

Some days the senko does better, other days the tiki stick does better, but even under a microscope there's no clear winner.

Finding a tie-breaker is the easy part, Tiki Sticks are substantially less expensive, they last considerably longer, and they're

available in colors that I personally like MUCH better than senko colors (e.g. laminated baby-bass/pearl <> redbug / chartreuse tip).

Roger

Heh .. first time i saw the tiki sticks i was like RIP OFF OF THE SENKOS HERE WE COME.... then i said well why not buy a pack ... and as a joke i picked up a pack of sweet potato pie and gave them to my fishing partner.

His reply was "im not scared"  we went on to fish the tournament and caught 12.6 lbs of fish.  the winning stringer was just barely over 13.  I will continue to use tiki sticks as long as i live.  

SteveL

What do you guys think about the bamboo sticks?

I have tried Tiki Stiks, I like the weight of the Senko. Senko's do fall apart easier, but thats never a problem for me because when they get shredded, I take about 2" off the tip and just fish the bottom half of it. Today on the Delaware I boated three keepers on a half of a Senko. You can also Wacky rig it when it gets shredded. If you drop both in the water at the same time and watch them, the Senko has more action in the movement. I am a GYCB junky!!!!

Tikis and Senkos bolth work great for numbers. Senkos are more expensive and fall apart easier than Tikis. IMHO the Tiki catches just as many fish, so I use them usualy.

I like to Trig and toss it into anything. (Never was much of a wacky rig guy)

I ordered some Wave Bambo Sticks and they should come on monday. I'll let you guys know how they work.

I LOVE BP's STICKO.

Also another trick that works well...when your Senko gets ripped, take a lighter and lightly melt it and it will stick back together. Super glue can do the trick also, but it has a strong foul odor that may or may not let the fish hold on.

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Super glue can do the trick also, but it has a strong foul odor that may or may not let the fish hold on.

Melted plastic reeks, too.  I think they are both pretty scentless after they harden/dry.

I didn't expect this many replies from my experience posts, but this is great!  I see that I am not the only person who likes, or has tried them with success!  I love the laminated baby bass, but I am going to give the shad a chance this next trip!  I have caught over 30 fish, not landed, but had them on the hook long enough to get a fight out of them, and they seem to love this color right now, in the current spawn periods.  Assuming that other bass will attack the babies, it makes for a great day on the lake, and you don't even mess with a momma on her bed!  It's wonderful!  I will be buying another pack, even though I have only used 4, all of which have broke the line, and fish still has it, or got them caught in some brush, where the thing wrapped around it somehow...  Yes, I do run it Carolina, without a sinker right now, but I plan to go texas, and maybe reduce those strange wrap arounds.  

What size hook is everyone using?  I am using a 3/0 Gammy EWG.  It almost seems too large, which is why I lose so many fish...  Maybe it's just the angler not setting the hook!  lol  I am beginning to set the hook more, just not experienced enough to keep the hook in the fish!  I am learning though.  A couple of months, and I should be a pro!    lol  we'll see!  Thanks for all the awesome replies, I love it!  Keep on fishing, and set that hook!  

wickyman,

I have a few suggestions for you:

#1  Whatever line you are using, throw it away. Trilene XT, P-Line CXX, Gamma Copolymer or Yo-Zuri Hybrid will not be broken by a fish if you are using the right pound test and have your drag set properly. If you predominately fish heavy cover or timber, you may want to consider braid and a heavier rod.

#2  Your hook is too small, not too large. Move up to a 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hook.

#3  Change your hook-setting technique to a snap-set: When you detect a bite, dip your rod and reel down QUICKLY. When you feel the fish, snap your wrists moving the rod tip without raising the position of your reel relative to your body. DO NOT "double -set" the hook.

Back on topic,

Lots of fisherman report good results on a number of different lures and brands within a given class.

I have had some luck with the GYCB Senko. I'm probably going to stick with it.

I feel that the fish are grabbing the worm itself, rather than the hook...  I will feel the fish on the line, but the lure comes shooting out of the water, as if sling shot right at me...  I know the hook isn't that small, as most of the fish grabbing the worm, are not more than 2lbs, at the most!  I think line broke because the fish was heavier than the 8lb test I am using.  I grabbed it instead of the 12, that I did want.  Oh well, what can I do?  Not a whole lot at the moment.  If I would have been using the bait casting rod, then I would have had the fish!  It has 17lb mono filament line, and med-heavy action rod.  My spinning rod is only in the medium category...  I know that the line isn't that weak, nor is it cheap, as I have caught a larger fish on 4lb test line by berkley!  I just can't see spending 20 dollars on fishing line, when I am just fishing for the halibut!    I just am not good enough to go pro!  

I fish both Senkos and Tiki's (more often the Bam Boo than the normal sized stiks). Both produce for me, there are days when the one out fishes the other. Like Road Warrior suggested, I'd move up to a 4/0 EWG hook. That's all I use when I t-rig them. When I do t-rig them, I prefer casting gear with either 14 or 17lb test. The only time I use spinning gear is when I rig them wacky style, but that's just my personal preference. The baby bass, shad, red shad and watermelon/red flake are my top colors.

Wickyman,

As Roadwarrior suggested, I think you'd do well to move up to a 4/0 Z-bend hook.

I also agree with the "snap-set" described by RW. However, unlike most fisherman, I don't believe that it's necessary

to crank out "ALL" the slack, unless you personally believe that power is more important than speed during the hook-set.

A tad of slack allows the rod-tip to reach higher speeds than a taut-line hook-set can reach (like cracking a whip).

One other thing, I use nothing but spinning tackle, but I also use nothing but braided line.

With braided line and spinning tackle, the problem is not hooking and holding the fish, the problem is unhooking the fish.

I kid you not, it takes me entirely too much time to remove a hook, maybe one day I'll get that down :-[

Roger

I am having that problem also...  I take too much time removing the hook, especially when its in the tough grisle of the jaw...  I end up having to remove the barb with pliers, and slowly pulling it out...  I spent 5 minutes the other day, dipping the fish a bit, then de-barbing, dipping, etc...  I tell you what!  I am not buying anymore barbed hooks!  Too much time entirely to catch and release them!  Chances are, those fish will die anyhow from the lack of oxygen in their bloodstream!    

As far as braided line goes, I take those suggestions into consideration, though I am a poor fisherman, and buy my tackle piece by piece, and the expensive line isn't always at the top of my list!  Our wal-mart carries very little in the way of brands suggested...  and the tackle stores want 25 bucks a spool for 300 yards!  JESUS!  Though, I was looking at gorilla line, and it looks tough, enough to get the job done, has anyone used it?

I love Wave's baits, they have a fluke out that Gander Mt just started carrying where I am that I can't wait to try.  I usually catch more fish on Tiki's than Senkos.  The Pearl/White Tiki is my favorite, it kills on the potomac and shenandoah.  

I haven't tried the bamboo sticks yet, but have two packs and will soon.

Best thing about the Tikis though?  THEY SMELL GREAT!

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I feel that the fish are grabbing the worm itself, rather than the hook... I will feel the fish on the line, but the lure comes shooting out of the water, as if sling shot right at me... I know the hook isn't that small, as most of the fish grabbing the worm, are not more than 2lbs, at the most! I think line broke because the fish was heavier than the 8lb test I am using. I grabbed it instead of the 12, that I did want. Oh well, what can I do? Not a whole lot at the moment. If I would have been using the bait casting rod, then I would have had the fish! It has 17lb mono filament line, and med-heavy action rod. My spinning rod is only in the medium category... I know that the line isn't that weak, nor is it cheap, as I have caught a larger fish on 4lb test line by berkley! I just can't see spending 20 dollars on fishing line, when I am just fishing for the halibut! I just am not good enough to go pro!

wickyman,

If you want to improve your hook-up and landing ratio, heed the advice of some of the members:

#1 Your hook IS too small.

#2 Most decent size bass don't "grab the worm," they eat it!

#3 New, high quality line is NOT expensive. Yo-Zuri Hybrid is on sale at BPS, 1000 yards for $6.88.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_30084_100010001_100000000_100010000_100-10-1

#4 The fish you have lost are NOT bigger than 8 lb test can handle.

(The smallmouth in my avatar were caught on #4 Yo-Zuri Hybrid).

I use Owner EWG Offset 3/0 hooks. They work good for the 5" Tiki Sticks.

Here is a rigging tip. Instead of Texas/Weedless rigging the hook right up by the front of the bait, rig it so the hook is in the middle of the bait. Like this:

This gives it a slower fall and a better wiggle action. Bolth are very inportant. Also, if you have a habbit of setting the hook to early, this can help. Smaller bass that only have the back half in their mouth will be hooked, unlike if you rigged it up by the front.

When using the standered "Pull it up, Let it sink, Repeat" retrieve, always give it a little twitch when it is resting on the bottom. If the nose of the bait is under gunk/ leaves/whatever, the bait's tail will jerk and twitch. If the bait is freely resting on the bottom, it will make a little hop. Bass will often take the bait right when you do this.

Tight lines

Matt

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I use Owner EWG Offset 3/0 hooks. They work good for the 5" Tiki Sticks.

Here is a rigging tip. Instead of Texas/Weedless rigging the hook right up by the front of the bait, rig it so the hook is in the middle of the bait. Like this:

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g9/catfishguy/tikirig.jpg

This gives it a slower fall and a better wiggle action. Bolth are very inportant. Also, if you have a habbit of setting the hook to early, this can help. Smaller bass that only have the back half in their mouth will be hooked, unlike if you rigged it up by the front.

When using the standered "Pull it up, Let it sink, Repeat" retrieve, always give it a little twitch when it is resting on the bottom. If the nose of the bait is under gunk/ leaves/whatever, the bait's tail will jerk and twitch. If the bait is freely resting on the bottom, it will make a little hop. Bass will often take the bait right when you do this.

Tight lines

Matt

You've got to hand it to Matt, this young fellow really thinks it through

I believe we have a young Larry Nixon in our midst.

Roger

I've used Tiki-stix in the past with some success,but I'm using Senkos now and honestly catching more bass.

Im in love with wave worms, they smell great and catch fish for me even in complete dark ( maybe its the scent verses the senkos salt). Also i had the same problem when i picked up fishing again. Rw has the hook set covered. As soon as i feel the tap i lower my rod reel down than snap back. Also thrown those garbage gammis out ( im sure ill get burnes for that one) and get some owners cutting points. IMO theres isnt a better hook for simple solid hook sets

Went out again last night.  I finally have the hook thing figured out!  It I rig it to come all the way out the other side, and pull it down so that it is straight, and push the barb into the flesh of the hook, it makes it a whole lot easier to hook a fish!  I will get pictures of what I mean.  But when the fish pulls on it, it will slide down enough to expose the hook, and the fish can take it in again, and bam!  No more missed strikes.  I caught a nice 3lber in the middle of a channel last night, and hooked it ever so slightly in the lip!  I am still having issues with the barbs though...  Is there some way to get them out, without smashing the barb?

Texposed and skin hooked:

http://www.centralpafishing.com/2006/02/13/skin-hook-your-bait-in-tough-cover/

Wow!  Great link!  That is what I was talking about.  Very cool.  I figured that out by accident last night.    I never thought to look it up, but now no one has to anymore!    Thanks again for that!

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