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