To all you stick creators...

[Senkosam]

Soft sticks are the latest innovation that has taken over plastic worm fishing for the most part. Senkos fly off the rack faster than any other brand or stlye worm, but the copies that abound in great numbers, also have their uses. I believe fish can tell the difference between a slimmer stick (Cabela's brand), a fatter tailed Stik-O, a fatter center Magic Stick, or the uniform taper found in Senkos.

In the case of all lures, form and function go hand-in-hand. The slimmer designed stick make for a better jerkbait that allows a more snake-like or whip action. The thicker centered sticks, allow for a nicer end-wobble on the drop.

Of course, sticks many be smooth (Lurecrafts) and catch as many fish as those with prominent segments, but lure texture (like scent), has always been a superstition of mine concerning plastics. I believe the hydrodynamic differences can be 'felt' or detected by the lateral line and in the mouth of a fish. Softmess is a conclusive reason fish hold on longer, but what about texture (the feel of a surface)?

I make different syles of sticks using Wacko Worms, Senkos, Lurecraft, Stik-Os, JDC, Case Magic Sticks and the slim, Sinking Slugger (Cabela's).

I've joined two halves of a Zoom Speed worm together, as well as other faster- taper worms to get a different 'wacky action'. (The molds produce the unified product.) I've made a mold of a Sharpie pen, which produces a chubby stick. (It worked, so I'm always on the lookout for felt-tip pens that have 'potential'. )(LOL)

You never know when a change-up style of stick will be just as productive as changing colors. (Now, where did I put that rabbit's foot?)

Sam

[earthworm77]

Frank, alledgedly, Gary Yamamoto modeled the Senko after a bic pen. Nice post, you know how I feel about scent

[kidlizard]

We have thought time and again about getting into the senko business, but we try to offer "different" things if possible. I just can't think of a modification that would improve the senko enough to make it different. Maybe a huge senko like 12" for those western and southern guys could be cool????? I'll just wait until it hits me, but it might be awhile.....lol

Nice post,

and scent does make a difference!!!

John

[Senkosam]

The Senko is a unique stick. Even if someone could exactly duplicate it(and I'm sure a lot of home pourers have come close), there is no improvements or modifications that could ever be needed. It is a classic bait that will be around for many years to come, just as it is.

The soft stick or cigar stick concept, on the other hand, has been modified many times and resulted in unique action/profiles and weights that fall and look differently. This is the same thing that happened once everyone found how lucrative mass-producing worms could be after Creme made the scene. The big difference they all made was to invent new tail designs and modify softness, which did result in more angler appeal, if not more fish appeal.

No, the Senko model is in a class by itself - forever copied, but unlikely ever improved upon. The big guys must catch up or continually lose market share by exactly copiing the Senko and offering it at a much lower price. The Stik-O is only worth $.20 each and not the regular price of $5/20 because it's a poor copy and can't compare, even though it catches fish. BPS will have to continually offering the lure at $3.99 to get many anglers to buy the product . There are just too many better copies are out there that are similar to the Senko, on the fall.

Sam