Making soft plastics last?

[capers26]

Hey fellas,

Been doing a lot of fishing the past few weeks on Columbia and Snake river backwaters and inlets and such, and I have gone through several bags of senkos and similar baits. Any suggestions on how to get a few more fish out of em before their ruined? Or even another brand that makes em a little more sturdy? Luckily the fish aren't seeming to care how tore up they are at the moment!
Thanks for any help!

[TroutSnipr]

The trick with Senko's is o-rings. You do not need to but the o-ring 'kits'. I use Harbor Freight cheapo o-rings and a ball point pen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eb1-3iuTdFw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If the fish are tearing up your non-senko plastics like grubs and creature baits, I sometime find the cheaper plastics are a little tougher, so I use them and scent rather than more expensive 'signature baits'. Some of the issue may be related to snags/grass etc, and some of these can be solved by a jig that stands up the bait more rather that swimming it, or rigging with the hook in the back of the bait rather than exposed, carolina vs texas rigged to get it up off the bottom etc.

[AaronW]

What he said. O-rings are the way to go for senkos.

[capers26]

Thanks guys. I appreciate it, especially the ballpoint pen method!

[The Quadfather]

I too am all about the wacky rig. I didn't know U could by O-rings from harbor freight. Thanks for the tip.
I find it frustrating that it seems none of the Puget Sound retailers carry them, to include Outdoor Emporium, Cabelas, etc.
Angler's Choice in Shoreline does, but he is always out.
My question is why does anyone pay for the "Installer tool?" I just slide the O-ring up the Senko.

[Abomb]

O-ring was a good option until I found this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzObGjmJ ... xQ&index=2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Way better than an O-ring. Loose way less stick baits using this method.

Here is another great tip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCYfxg_W6Jo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seth is the man. Guy is so freaking helpful. He has a shop in Post Falls out at state line near the "C" store. If your in the area swing in to see him. He has baits most others do not.

[Amx]

1] using the 80 pound stuff the way he shows/does is a waste of material. Try shoving the line thru the eye, THEN cutting it off the big spool. That way you use only about a half inch. If you cut off 3 or 4 inches THEN shove it thru you're wasting 3 1/2 inches of line. Might as well save if you can.

2] I don't have the correct size of surgical tubing for the certain worms I have. So I use heat shrink tubing until I find some bigger tubing some day. I cut off about 1/2" and slide it up to the middle of the worm, then push the hook thru the tube and thru the worm too.

3] I also slide the hook thru the tubing from the SIDE and so it penetrates the tubing and the worm. Keeps the worm from sliding out of the tube which it'll try to do eventually, same as the wacky saddle, the worm WILL slide out so you have to check that every cast, just eyeball it as you start the next cast, you'll see that the worm isn't even on both sides of the o-rings. That also exposes the hook point to the side, if the point is over the worm a fish can grab the worm from the end and the point will then be 'hidden' by the worm body and might not penetrate the fish's jaw/lips. To the side is much better

4] I also use the shrink tube on the nose of the worm when I Texas rig it. I use about a 1/2" length and run the point of the hook thru the nose of the worm as usual, then push the point out the side of the worm and thru the shrink tubing. Holds the worm great and the worm doesn't tear so soon.

[BassDood]

If you need o-rings, check your local hardware store. I work at an Ace Hardware and our o-rings in that size range are .19 each. Another option if you are using Senko/Soft Stickbaits, and they tear, rig them from the tail end. Works just as well.

[capers26]

I live right down the street from an Ace, that's perfect. I've never consistently wacky rigged but it seems like its the way to go. I'm gonna have to try that a lot more