What's the preferred equipment for using senkos or other brands? Do you need one special setup for this to fish it right? Also what hooks are the best to use? Thanks.
I like to use spinning gear. Stradic 2500 with a 7' medium-fast rod. I usually use 8 to 10 lb flourocarbon line with a 3/0 EWG hook. I use this set up for light jigs, tubes, shaky heads and even a drop shot. It's a pretty versatile setup.
I'm probably in the minority, but I use a 6'8" medium heavy rod, 12lb XT, 5/0 hook with an Abu Garcia 5500. It really resists backlash!! Wierd huh?
I like a 6' 6" MH spinning rod. I can skip under stuff better with the 6' 6". I have a 2500 Daiwa reel with 20lb Power Pro on it. Then I use a 10 to 14 lb Fluorocarbon leader. The Fluoro helps the bait sink faster and has lower-vis then the braid. The braid casts smoothly, helps you fell those lite bites and doesn't jump of the spinning reel like Fluoro can. I have been very happy with this rig so far this year.
Cy
I like to use a Skip-Gap hook from gamakatsu , a 2 or 3 , seems to keep the bait from sliping down a little better , and works well with all types of plastics . I like spinning gear also , but like to use Power-pro braid with a flouro leader ,ten lb braid with a ten lb leader in the open , twenty lb braid with fifteen lb leader for pitching docks and pontoons.
If I'm fishing open water I use Stradic 2500 with 7' medium and 8lb fluoro. If I'm fishing in weedy areas I use Johnny Morris baitcast with 6'6" MH and 14lb fluoro.
I agree with jcheetam that the Stradic 2500 with 7' medium is a very versatile rig. I call it my smally buster.
I use a baitcaster most of the time with a 7' MH rod. But if I'm gonna be skipping under a lot of docks, I'll sometimes go to a 6'6" spinning setup. I prefer the Mustad Ultra Point EWG hook. It seems to stay hooked up much more reliably than the Gammi G-Lock IMO. I think it's the deeper bend. I prefer a 4/0 hook for the extra weight to help the bait sink. I'll go to a 2/0 or 3/0 for smaller stick baits such as 3" or 4" Senkos.
I love my Powell 702cb, with #12 seagur and a gammy 2/0 ewg wacky rigged, or 3/0 texposed.
Rob
skipping docks, MH/F 6'6" spinning rod w/ 20lb power pro if there are a lot of metal docks. Otherwise a 6'6" M spinning outfit w/ 8lb pline or 7'0" M/F baitcaster with 8 or 12lb pline.
Last year I was using a 7' M rod with 8lb flouro and had issues with accuracy and breaking off. This year I bought a 6' M IMX rod paired with a stradic 2500(the action on the shorter IMX rod feels more like a MH) for skipping docks and started using 20lb power pro. My accuracy was better with the shorter rod but the power pro slowed the fall rate on my senkos because it floats so there was less wiggle on the bait, the visibility of braid might play a part as well. I was getting outfished big time with guys who were using flouro so I switched to 10lb seaguar invisx and got alot more bites. I tighten my drag considerably with this setup and have yet to break off a bass this year, and I skip docks a ton.
T
they only reason i use the braid is for lakes with zebra musells.. theres 2 or 3 i fish where docks are usually good for some better fish and many of the them have steel pilings and mussells on them... typically i would just use 8lb pline.. its what i always used in indiana and skipping docks is about all i ever did. If its especially clear water i will use a short 1'-2' floro leader.
I like casting gear for the senko, I can be more accurate. Especialy when I'm fishing cover, which is mostly where I use the senko. I've got the original Kistler senko special; I wore it out pretty good so it's been rewrapped spiral, extra cork cut off, & extended it to 7 feet. On top a Shimano scorpion, loaded with 14# fluoro.
I've tried braid with fluoro leaders, and went back to the straight fluoro. Since the line sinks it helps the senko with a straight fall when you pitch it into cover. Also, when I let the bait fall I keep it semi-slack. The fluoro helps me detect those bites. Darn tough stuff in cover too.
It always makes me grin, the number of bonus bass I've gotten in a tournament letting that senko drift while I retie/fix something/take a leak... ;)
everyone has a reel that feels comfortable in your hand.I don't think the reel is a big issue, but the rod and the line could make the difference in the amount of fish you put in the boat.I like to use a 6.6ft or 7ft med with 8lb momo. Tie on a small swivel then an eight inch leader of 8lb momo, and then a 3 or 4 ott offset hook. The swivel keeps the line from twisting, and the 8lb momo lets the sinko fall naturaly
I use a 6'0 Cabelas Fish Eagle II. Power Pro 14# line that has about a 3' 8 lb. fluorocarbon leader attached with a uni to uni knot.
The reel is a Shimano Symetre.
For hooks I usually use a Gamagatsu 3/0 EWG superline hook.
I keep two senko rods in the boat... one for open water and one for docks/boats.
Open water is a 6'8" St. Croix Legend Medium Extra fast rod with a Quantum Catylist strung with 15 lb YELLOW power pro line and a 10 lb P-line floro leader. Love the yellow line for detecting those infelt bites. I like the 1/0 Gamagatzu EWG hooks for this set up.
Dock rod is a 6' Fenwick Eagle... medium fast strung with 10 lb Gamma copolymer. I just started using this rod and am NOT done experimenting with it yet. May be changing the line soon... etc... been using the 3/0 Gamagatzu skip gap hook so far to t-rig the senko to avoid snagging docks/boats.
I also have 2 rods for senkos. For docks I use a 6' medium casting B&R outlaw rod with pistol grip great for roll casting and skipping. For open water I use a GLoomis senko rod. It's longer which I like because I side arm underhand cast it or pitch to precise targets in the grass/stumps. Both rods I use a Chronarch 50mg (thanks alot McCarter for getting me addicted to them) with 8 lb seaguar invisx. My hook of choice is an Owner Mosquito hook #1 wacky rigged. On lakes where I know I'll be catching numbers of smaller fish I'll use a plastic O-ring because those pesky dinks love to shake off a senko.
I've never met an inland lake I couldnt catch atleast a couple fish on a senko.
B
The make of fishing rod is not the issue It is what the rod is made of that can be the difference between fish or nofish. At least a 60 millian graphit shaft or more is going to let you feel every pebble, stone, weed and bite through your rod. Remember this is feness fishing
I'm having trouble connecting this:
Quote from: Erie660 on June 27, 2008, 10:55:47 AM
What's the preferred equipment for using senkos or other brands? Do you need one special setup for this to fish it right? Also what hooks are the best to use? Thanks.
To this:
Quote from: Got Fish?? on August 03, 2008, 12:24:28 PM
The make of fishing rod is not the issue It is what the rod is made of that can be the difference between fish or nofish. At least a 60 millian graphit shaft or more is going to let you feel every pebble, stone, weed and bite through your rod. Remember this is feness fishing
I have to disagree. The make of the rod makes a huge difference, specifically quality, dependability and if nothing else - angler confidence. My brand may not be your preferred brand, but it's the one I am most confident with.
I may be in the minority here but when I am senko fishing I am primarily on slack line and line watching, not feeling for bites.
B
Joshimoto once told me, "Ricker, you'll catch a lot more fish on a slack line, than you will on a tight line." He was/is right.
I have trouble seeing the line. I don't know why, but I do. I use a braided line, and maybe that's why, I don't know. But I end up catching more fish when I feel them, than when I see the line move.
I use a mainly two rods for senko's: Kister 6' 9" Graphite Plus spinning in open water or wacky or 6' 9" MH Kistler All Purpous Helium, they actually make a Senko special 6' 10" MH
http://www.kistlerrods.com/p/KR/c-gp-worm-fishing-jig-rods/KSS610.html
JC
Quote from: fiker on August 03, 2008, 08:26:38 PM
Joshimoto once told me, "Ricker, you'll catch a lot more fish on a slack line, than you will on a tight line." He was/is right.
I have trouble seeing the line. I don't know why, but I do. I use a braided line, and maybe that's why, I don't know. But I end up catching more fish when I feel them, than when I see the line move.
Try Fireline crystal...I don't like the handling characteristics of Fireline as much as other brands, but I am like you If it is raining or overcast I can't see Stren or power pro..So I have a rig ready with fireline at all times just in case..I bought some stren Microfuse to try yesterday..I haven't tried it yet so I won't comment on that line.
I also use two set-ups for Senko's as of now.
In tight cover, I like to use a G-Loomis GL3, 6'6' MH, Fast Action Spinning rod,(SJR783),/Pflueger Supreme 8035MG loaded with 10- or 12-lb. Trilene XL. XL is the way to go on spinning reels; XT is way too hard!
In open water or submerged weedbeds, I opt for a St.Croix Legend Tournament Bass "Finesse", 6'8'', M, X-Fast Action Spinning rod, (LTBS68MF),/Daiwa Tierra TDTR1500 loaded with 6- to 10-lb. Trilene XL.
-NBB :)
take a look on the shaft of your best rod you use for fishing senkos. Look at what the rod is made of! I think you will find the better rods have A higher amount of grafite 40,60,80. Those rod are more $ .The brand name has no effect on weather your going to catch more FISH! If it was all up too watching your slack line, Than a canepole and kite string would work just fine
Quote from: Got Fish?? on August 19, 2008, 01:51:29 PM
take a look on the shaft of your best rod you use for fishing senkos. Look at what the rod is made of! I think you will find the better rods have A higher amount of grafite 40,60,80. Those rod are more $ .The brand name has no effect on weather your going to catch more FISH! If it was all up too watching your slack line, Than a canepole and kite string would work just fine
Seriously?? ???
I just know I'm getting into a pointless arguement but... I dont think you are considering the entire picture. If just the satisfaction of hooking a fish is what you are after then I'll go ahead and concede your point. Yup, I can do that with an ugly stick (although I'd have to put alot more muscle into it).
It's everything that happens prior to and as a result of that hookset that the make/model of a rod can distinctly influence.
Just a tad bit extreme with the whole canepole and kite string thing? :-\'
B
Fiker,
If I'm insulting your intelligence and you already know this please disregard, but it goes to answer directly the original poster's question about line.
When wacky rigging and weightless plastic fishing particularly with small octopus and mosquito type hooks using braid and tight line is a recipe for disaster in my personal opinion.
Here's why I say that. Braid obviously has no stretch. With those type hooks you do not want to set the hook or you'll pull the hook right out of the fish's mouth 9 out of 10 times. The hooks are designed to let the fish load up the rod and hook himself, generally in the corner of the mouth. As such I want the fish to have the time to turn and run with the bait before I make contact so that it is positioned to the inside corner of his mouth. If you set the hook when you feel the bite you may just rip it away before he even has a chance to swallow it. You want a tip with a little give but strong backbone and you want something with a bit more forgiveness than braid.
Again, opinions vary, this is just mine.
B
All manufactures of fishing rods make a lowend and a highend quality rod, my input is on fishing rods. I'm not questioning your choice in brand name, but in quality of that fishing rod. And YES is'nt hooking more fish the whole point here?
I use a canepole and kite string for my senko fishing and I put all kinds of fish in the boat. :P
BD ;D
I have been using Berkley Lightning Rods for a long time, and I pair them with Pflueger President spinning reels. I have no problem feeling bites what so ever. It does come down to what gear you have confidence in, or in my case, what I can afford. The biggest issue I think isn't being able to feel the bites, but recognizing a bite. Different rods have different feel so you have to adjust to what ever you are using. Thats why most pro's have 20 of the same rod/reel's set up for each application. I use 8lb. test p-line floroclear for my Senko fishing and line watching is a definate must. All you'll see is a little jump when a fish sucks it in, but I always wait that extra second or 2 when the line starts to move a little then set the hook. Just my .02 cents worth of my opinion on this matter. (or .0163 cents due to inflation)
Well anyone who knows me knows that im a senko fishing fool! I catch a ton of fish on them and fish them all the time. my set up is a 6'6" MH shimano compre rod (spinning) with a 2500 stradic and 10lb xps. (or last weekend seaguar) i fish boat docks and pontoons with this set up and have caught a ton of fish. yeah ive lost some too but thats the breaks. im learning as we speak to get my skipping down with a baitcaster. im gonna have to invest in a new setup for it though. so by next year ill be fishing a 6'6" kistler baitcaster with a chronarch50mg. with 12lb xps flouro.oh yeah and ill be throwing my NEMESIS stik bait!!!!!!!!!!!!!-skeeterman-
i'm a rookie so take this for what it's worth!!! i use a 7'2 m cumara with a sol spinning setup and you can feel a minnow swim by lol. i use 10lb power pro with about 5ft of pline halo leader for light plastics.
Money dosenot have to be a big factor here. Alot of tackle companies make a good high quality rod with a high number of carbonfiber in thier blanks, Basspo, Fluger,Quantun......ete Just make sure your not buying that rod just for it's name. buy it for is qualty. I am a working stiff myself. I order to fish I have to bugget my tackle too