I finally got to try out the Bass Pro Shop's brand "Stick-O" (senko imitation)
They are pretty much the same thing in the way that...
1. The Stick-o's side-to-side twitch is very similar when you're fishing it like a jerkbait.
2. It is still heavy enough to cast, and is actually more durable (but more durable = tougher/more stiff) I don't know if this is good or not, I'm guessing that fish would like the softer plastic senko.
They're different b/c...
1. I didn't have a chance to fish it in deeper water (just 2 feet deep water close to shore) but... it seemed like the Stick-o sinks faster. Again, this could be a good thing and a bad thing. For those of you who like to twitch these Senko-type-baits on the bottom like a creature might prefer the stick-o. I've personally been having more luck lately with fish taking the bait on the fall, or shortly after the fall -- I think the slow wobbling fall triggered the strikes.
2. However, I couldn't tell if the bait actually wobbled at all while it sank, I needed deeper water to really see -- but I have a feeling that they sink too quickly to really wobble in that slow and effective way.
3. They smell very plastic-like -- kind of reminds me of my childhood when I had a plastic tackle box full of random cheap plastic grubs -- I think the material (soft plastic or whatever) is obviously not as 'quality' as the Senko or even the Dinger.
So in conclusion...
I think that if you're on a tight budget, and you're willing to sacrifice a bit of quality -- the Stick-O could be an alternative. For the 5" (I think its like 5" and 3/8" or something) the price is 20 for $4.99 -- Senkos cost 10 for 5.99. I think I'll mess around with them more, and maybe even buy some scent/attractant to cover up that plastic smell.
Yum Dingers are I believe a 12 pack for around $4.00-4.50 at Dick's, and I guess you could call them an "intermediate" bait b/w the Sticko and Senko -- but I've actually had more luck on Dingers this whole summer than senkos (again, it's all relative and depends on how/where you fish)
My whole "analysis" on the Stick-O may be slightly biased/influenced by the fact that I just got skunked at this small lake near by (I'm in down in Urbana-Champaign with some buds). I'll keep up the reports, but I think that you guys have to really try them out yourselves and see what you think.
Good fishin'
Tim
The Senkos are sweet but way too costly for my pocket book, yet they have landed me a ton of LMB's at Opeka this summer!
