Best setup to throw a weighless plastic?

[vatreefarmer]

I'm starting to see the merits of throwing some unweighted stuff, like a senko. Problem is, I don't know how to throw it well. I was leery of using my baitacsting setup, for fear of birds nests, although thats what I used. Unfortunately distance suffered due to my cautious thumb. Should I use a spinning setup? If so, would braid be OK so I could avoid excessive twists, or does braid friction reduce distance?
Longer rod better?
Stiff or fast action?

Thanks, I need to benefit from your experience

[Danny Kid]

What BC gear are you using?

I throw weightless senkos (5" whacky rigged) on a Falcon Cara 6'7" MH, Pfleuger Supreme, and have no problem getting the worm out there 70' - 80', providing I'm not chucking into a stiff breeze. That's plenty far enough for me.

If you think you'd be more effective with spinning gear, nothing wrong with that. I'm sure some suggestions for setups will follow.

[vatreefarmer]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Danny Kid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What BC gear are you using?

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Was using my worm rod, as the 4" senkos were given to me to try out that day.
A Quantum energy PT on a 6.5 foot Daiwa LT fast action, using 12lb copolymer line

[bassboogieman]

I normally prefer a baitcaster for weightless Senko's. My current setup is a 6'9" MH Kistler LTX, Pflueger PatriarchXT reel w/30# braid. Any quality MH rod between 6'6" to 7' paired with a decent reel would work just fine. I'll also use a spinning combo if I need to skip baits under docks or overhanging brush, also a 6'9" MH LTX, a Pflueger Supreme reel w/20# braid & fluerocarbon leader. Whichever you would be comfortable with is the way to go.

[Ranger 361V]

Although I can throw weightless plastic's with a baitcaster and do fine but I prefer a spinning reel set-up. I use a G-Loomis BSR852 7'1" {which I bought used from a BBC member} and a Shimano Symetre 2500 w/8lb Floro.
It's whatever you are comfortable with..... the spinning gear offers better sensitivity and control for me with the light weight baits.

[Bronzebackpro7]

I like to use a spinning rod for them as well. Can also skip the bait if need be with the spinning rod. I use a 6'6" M XF and a pflueger medalist with 10lb copoly. I like using the mono because it helps me line watch

[barkleyhawggitter]

i use the superline gamakatsu 5/0 hook to add a little weight to the senko if the wind is blowin a little. otherwise i use a regular gamy 5 and a long stiff rod to rip their lips off.

[charger19]

medium fast rod daiwa sol bc.But any decent bc will work fine.On a windy day a swivel helps alot.

[skeet210]

I've tried both but never enjoy throwing a spinning reel. To throw senko's and other weightless lures I use either a 683 Powell casting rod or a 703 Powell paired with a Revo STX with ABEC 9 bearings. For line I use Gamma 10# clear because I have found it to have less memory and casts very smooth.

I just don't have the accuracy with a spinning reel as I do with a baitcaster.

[beethao]

Wow no one here uses a curado E7 to throw weightless plastics. I have 2 combos for worms: 1 is paired with a custom rod I made 6'6" medium light action rod, and the other is a medium heavy action rod for fishing in heavy cover and other things like that. That curado is a great reel. I use 12lb seaguar invizx for the medium light combo and 15lb yo-zuri hybrid for the medium heavy combo.

[PATRO]

I throw weightless Senkos on a 6'6" MH Shimano Crucial with a Curado E7 on 15lb. Seaguar Invizx. I do use a spinning rod sometimes ( 6'8" Med. XF Crucial) and will throw it with 30lb braid w/ a flouro leader in clear water or straight braid in stained water. I prefer the baitcaster in most situations..

[ShannonBassMan]

Maybe you just need to upsize to 5 inch Senko with #3 wide gap hook, this weighs over 3/8 oz and casts pretty good for me on both Med Spin and MH BC set ups. I will switch to Texas worm hooks in thick cover and BC rod.

[Bigguyone]

Part of this depends how you are rigging as well - if you are open wacky or texapose.
When I go wacky I definitely go spinning but for texapose I usually go BC unless need to skip or dealing with wind.

Usually when you go open hook you have a smaller hook like sz 1 to 1/0 so lighter setup.


rod really depends on the distance you need. 6'6" to 7'2" probably best bet - especially with you mentioning distance needs.
M to MH rod (depending on cover)

[BigCheese]

I use two different set-ups for Senko fishing

First is a 7' Kistler Magnesium Senko Rod a Shimano Scorpion 1000 and 12lb Seguar Invisx. The Kistler Senko rod is specifically designed to throw unweighted plastics and it does an outstanding job on the distance part.

The second one I use is for a Wacky Rig senko and that is a 6'6" MH Kistler LTA spinning rod a Shimano Stradic reel and 8 lb Izorline XXX. I usually use this set up skipping cypress trees and docks. The 8lb Izorline is some very strong limp line and I have caught plenty of fish 5-7 lbs and have yet to break one off.

[bigGUNS04]

I use a 7' MH Dobyns spinning rod.

IMO the length helps get the senkos out further. I can use small senkos and never get backlashes. Have the backbone IF I need it- for using it around thicker cover. I like to use 15 braid w/ IF needed 10-12 fluorocarbon leader. I use it with a 2500 symetre. Works great.

[sycamorehoosier]

I'll use a 6'6" Medium spinning rod 7'er would work well also.

[Fish-N-Fool Lures]

I throw all my Sink-N-Fool baits (a improved sinking stick bait) on a 6'6"med-heavy spinning rod (Fenwick) with Mitchell 300X pro model spooled with 12lb. Power Pro hi-vis braid and a 3 foot 12 or 10 lb. mono or floro leader. The reason I use a spinning rod is I skip cast my baits a lot. I fish back under docks and under trees where 90% or your fishermen never cast and you can't skip cast a baitcaster. The reason I like the hi-vis braid for weightless plastics is you need to watch your line to see the strikes and the fact that it floats just helps you see the strikes better. I use the leader so the fish aren't spooked my the braid. I also like the fact the you can use the floating braid to lift the bait up off the bottom to let it fall again.

[cscoios]

I came in second in a tournament last week, about the only thing I threw were senkos. I use a Loomix GLX paired with a Curado e7 with 17# BPS flouro.

[Revofisher]

I use a spinning rod for skipping the baits, or for the small senko worms, and casting gear for regular use.

spinning- 7'0" shimano crucial med-hvy fast action 10lb fluro, soron stx reel

casting-7'3" powell max med-hvy extra fast action 15lb fluro, revo stx 7:1 gear ratio

whatever you throw it on make sure you use fluro because it helps get the bait down. mono and braid will work if you are fishing super shalow, but the sink rate is so much slower where as these two lines float.

[Bwell]

I use both my Revo STX and BPS Pro Qualifier for weightless plastics.