bass pros and senkos 2025
c17Lat reply :
I've noticed that for so many anglers, senkos are impossible to beat and are their primary fish-catcher, but why don't the pros use them as much? I'll rarely here of a tour-level bass pro winning on a senko. All I can remember is todd faircloth on amistad using it as a secondary bait when he won.
soccplayer07 reply :
I agree with you 100%. I rarely use them any more. When I take my brother fishing (does not fish very often) I always give him a senko and he catches more fish than I at least 90% of the time. At the end of the day I always ask why I do not use them more...I feel like there is almost a stigma attached to them...ex: a pro doesn't use them...who knows.
5bass reply :
Pro's use 'em.....thing is, those guys are so dialed into a specific pattern that they've gone far deeper than just throwing a senko around. They're a couple baits past the senko into a pattern although the senko bite could still be on for some. They've actually got 1 or 2 baits dialed in during the tournament that are drawing more strikes and bigger fish.
Blue Streak reply :
QuotePro's use 'em.....thing is, those guys are so dialed into a specific pattern that they've gone far deeper than just throwing a senko around. They're a couple baits past the senko into a pattern although the senko bite could still be on for some. They've actually got 1 or 2 baits dialed in during the tournament that are drawing more strikes and bigger fish.
How do you know all of that?
rubba bubba reply :
I believe Alton Jones rode the senko to 2nd place at Amistad this year, if memory serves.
5bass reply :
QuoteQuotePro's use 'em.....thing is, those guys are so dialed into a specific pattern that they've gone far deeper than just throwing a senko around. They're a couple baits past the senko into a pattern although the senko bite could still be on for some. They've actually got 1 or 2 baits dialed in during the tournament that are drawing more strikes and bigger fish.How do you know all of that?
Being at certain Elite tournaments I always like to see what baits are laying on the decks of the boats. There are a lot of guys that have senko's laying on deck but at the end of the day, they are always reporting catches on other baits.
I'm not saying that there has not been/or will be tournaments won with a senko but the senko is known as being a numbers bait. Numbers baits rarely set you apart from the pack with bigger fish.
iceintheveins reply :
Senkos are my go to plastic and during the day they are often my go to bait period. I do believe they are a numbers bait but they will catch pigs too. I think many pros catch them on senkos but say they caught them on other things so fish won't get conditioned to them.
EdKras reply :
In the spring, there are always top five finishes with stickworms. Go back through the archives of the tournament coverage and check it out
tritz18 reply :
For me if I catch fish on other things besides senkos it makes me feel better. I know I can catch a bunch of fish on senkos but it just feels better to use other things. Also the pros know so much about fishing that they can come up with an alternative to senkos that works better.
TheHammer84 reply :
Another thing to consider, almost all pro's are sponsored by at least one company that makes soft plastics, so while they may not technically be using a Senko, they may be using their companies "senko."
Captain Obvious reply :
Edward Evers used a yum dinger to place 5th in the Classic
Todd Faircloth won a tournament last year using a senko and a sebile magic swimmer.
The pros use senkos but the pros also use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and other soft plastics.
This may come as a shock to some but senkos are not the only thing that catches fish.
The one thing that the senko has going for it is a confidence factor everybody can catch fish on a senko but if you think that you can make your way to the top with just a senko your wrong.
That's not to say that a senko can't be one of the reasons you make it to the top but you better have more in your skills bag than that to succeed.
Capt.O
bass wrangler569 reply :
I think part of the reason is that, with senkos, you often have to wade through a pile of small fish to get decent ones. Obviously senkos catch big fish (look at BASSMASTERs big bass club, half of those are senko fish) but I think pros find it easier to target larger size classes with other lures/techniques.
roadwarrior reply :
A lot of the "old farts" look down on Senkos in club tournaments
because they even the playing field. Sometimes new guys win
that aren't even "real bass fishermen."
At the pro level, many tournaments have been won over the years
by guys fishing the Senko. Otherwise, it is often a "contributing"
factor. The bait usually puts fish in the boat, period.
8-)
KYntucky Warmouth reply :
QuoteI believe Alton Jones rode the senko to 2nd place at Amistad this year, if memory serves.
That he did, throwing a yum dinger. Evers uses dingers, KVD uses the ocho, and the list goes on, it's mostly a sponsorship thing and alot of companies make a variation. Didn't the stick bait play a big part at falcon? I thought there were guys gluing the 7" baits together, I know Paul Elias was using jelly worms but the stick bait got alot of play.
Crestliner2008 reply :
QuoteA lot of the "old farts" look down on Senkos in club tournamentsbecause they even the playing field. Sometimes new guys win
that aren't even "real bass fishermen."
At the pro level, many tournaments have been won over the years
by guys fishing the Senko. Otherwise, it is often a "contributing"
factor. The bait usually puts fish in the boat, period.
I think you have nailed it. A lot of folks think that using Senkos, or the knock-offs, are like cheating! I've fished with a lot of folks, from tournament guys to regular folks. I've never seen anything outfish a Senko. I think a lot of guys spend a lot of their money on expensive cranks and other lures; they just don't want to admit that a simple lure like a Senko can/does outfish all their high purchase items. Just an opinion.
8-)
Wayne P. reply :
Another take on the Senko. Lures that produce in tournament competition especially professional events are the ones usually copied by several other lure companies. The Senko has certainly been copied a lot.
CWB reply :
QuoteI believe Alton Jones rode the senko to 2nd place at Amistad this year, if memory serves.
I think he was using a 6" Yum Dinger.
tnbassfisher reply :
I like them, but just always seem to forget about them when I am going to make a bait change.
rubba bubba reply :
QuoteQuoteI believe Alton Jones rode the senko to 2nd place at Amistad this year, if memory serves.I think he was using a 6" Yum Dinger.
Yep; Yum's senko knockoff and the same as what *** sells.
Primus reply :
The Senko is definetely a great bait and I prefer the original Yamamoto, that said I think they are overused. I can make 4-5 times as many cast in an hour especially when fishing deeper water or if it's windy with weighted plastics, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs etc. when the bass are hitting these type of offerings. I will usually catch more fish than the "I usually only fish Senko" fisherman. Certainly the Senko has it's moments especially around the Spawn where it might be the most effecient bait for those conditions. Even around the spawn I often turn to Hula grub, tubes etc as I can fish these faster and often get as many or more bites. The Senko is a great tool and I'm sure it will almost always put fish in the boat if you stick with it. However I think an angler is shortchanging himself if he/she doesn't take the time to learn other baits/ techniques. That to me is the fun part of fishing is trying to fiqure out what's the best way to put fish in the boat, and each day is different and I'm glad that Senko's are one of many great options I can turn to.
detroit1 reply :
Don't believe everything you hear or read about what the pros are fishing with during tourneys...or anytime in public for that matter.
5bass reply :
QuoteDon't believe everything you hear or read about what the pros are fishing with during tourneys...or anytime in public for that matter.
We don't.
Bank1128 reply :
QuoteThe Senko is a great tool and I'm sure it will almost always put fish in the boat if you stick with it. However I think an angler is shortchanging himself if he/she doesn't take the time to learn other baits/ techniques. That to me is the fun part of fishing is trying to fiqure out what's the best way to put fish in the boat, and each day is different and I'm glad that Senko's are one of many great options I can turn to.
Agree completely.. unfortunately im a relatively new fisherman and have caught almost all my fish on senkos, meaning that's just about the only bait i really have any confidence in... i love trying out new baits and have tried many different types, but havent had any luck with anything but plastics as of now...
gonna keep on trying others tho cuz it makes it more fun for me even if im not catching 8-)
dmac14 reply :
The Senko style bait is generally a slow presentation, cast and let sit. Pros will often have spots that they have found numerous fish and can run a crankbait or spinnerbait through alot faster than fishing the whole area with a senko. They find the active fish and also can find structure within that area in which then they go for an exact presentation like a jig, drop shot, shaky head etc. These baits can be worked right on the structure. So can a senko but these baits can be worked a bit faster. Also what distinguishes some pros from regular fisherman (like me) is that they often find deeped structure whether it be 10ft or 20ft and so on, they dont have time to wait for a senko to fall that depth. So they can just use something else that will get down quicker and be just as effective.
A senko for me is alot of confidence, if I am not catching something its the first thing on. Just skip it under a dock and bam, but a few weekends ago I had a chigger craw sitting on my boat deck and decided to skip that under a dock...and well bam. So I'm not sure if its the senko shape that gets them to bite or the slow enticing fall of a weightless plastic.
iceintheveins reply :
I catch probably 40% of my bass on senkos but I am good with other presentations, like poppers, buzzbaits, frogs, spinnerbaits, flukes/sluggos, and other soft plastics. Senkos don't work well when fish are really deep, or the water is really off color.
Are they one of the best, if not THE best, bass lure around? I sure think so. But I have had lots of times where other lures outproduced them. But in reasonably clear water that's under under 15 feet deep and not totally choked with weeds, it's just about the best thing you can throw much of the time.
bandsr4me20 reply :
What makes the senko so good?
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteWhat makes the senko so good?
Let's stay on topic. In the context of this thread, "Senko"
means "stick bait" and any brand. For more on the suject,
these links will do:
http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1121527643
8-)
Glenn reply :
[split] [link=http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1248802354/0#0][splithere][/link][splithere_end]
tnbassfisher reply :
QuoteDon't believe everything you hear or read about what the pros are fishing with during tourneys...or anytime in public for that matter.
Never would. I always think there is something that we aren't seeing.
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