Having success fishing with a senko takes patience, skill and a bit of practice. That is something you learn as an angler on the hunt for that elusive big bass. The key to your success has a lot to do with the rod, reel, and other tackle you use; that’s why investing in the best possible Senko rod should be a top priority. There are five must-have Senko rods you can choose from.
The five must-have Senko rods are the St. Croix Bass x Casting Rod, the Dobyn’s Fury FR 703SF Spinning Rod, the Shimano Expride A Casting Rod, the St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod, and the Daiwa Aird X Spinning Rod. These rods are superior in quality, handling sensitivity, manufacturing materials, durability, and overall performance.
Just having a good rod is not enough. Pairing that rod with a great reel, the right line, leader line, and good quality Senko lures is imperative. Whether you’re fishing in rocky bottomed water, between reeds, or under trees, you need the correct setup. It is no secret that Senko’s have produced some of the biggest fish, and with that in mind, let’s look at the five must-have Senko rods more in-depth.
Our Top Pick
Our top pick out of the five must-have Senko rods is the St. Croix Bass X Casting Rod. The St. Croix range of rods carries a 5-year service warranty. This rod has the correct sensitivity for passionate bass anglers that enjoy Senko fishing. The Bass X is handcrafted in Fresnillo, Mexico, and manufactured with a premium quality SCII carbon. In its price class, the St. Croix Bass X Casting Rod has few to match it.
The 5 Best Senko Rods
St. Croix Bass X Casting Rod
As mentioned, the top pic of the five must-have Senko rods is the Bass X. Available in lengths from 6′ 8″ to the heavy 7’11”, there is a Bass X to suit you. The rod provides excellent versatility to any rigging you prefer. Not only is this rod great for Senko, but it is also a clear choice for spinning or any other forms of lure fishing.
The top feature of any Senko rod should be its balance and sensitivity. Senko can be fished in so many ways, and unless you add weight to your preferred Senko, a sensitive or slight bite from a large fish can go unnoticed. The Bass X will provide you with sufficient sensitivity on the tip of the rod to notice and feel the slightest movement below water.
Dobyn’s Fury FR 730SF Spinning Rod
The Dobyn’s Fury FR 730 SF is a 7’, medium to fast action spinning rod. It is a sensitive rod with a great backbone yet very light and balanced. This Fury 730SF rod is an excellent choice for weightless or very lightly weighted Senko fishing. It has a Kevlar wrapping and Fuji reel seat, high modulus graphite blank, and an AA grade cork grip. The butt a high-density Hypalon.
This Dobyn’s rod is excellent value for money and a good choice for novice or experienced anglers alike. It will be especially effective in topwater or fishing “whacky-worm” style Senko.
Shimano Expride A Casting Rod
Shimano is a household name in angling, and this rod does not disappoint. The Expride series has been tested meticulously by professional anglers and fishing enthusiasts for two full fishing seasons all across the USA.
This rod is fitted with Shimano’s Hi-power X CI4+ reel seat giving you various options. Available in lengths of 6’8″ to 9’11” when you need the extra whip for a long cast and sensitivity on the lure.
This Expride A is almost 10% lighter than the original rod. The new material gives the rod an overall feeling of lightweight and a significant increase in sensitivity. This characteristic of the Expride A makes it a great Senko rod.
Shimano is known for outstanding balance in their rods, and the micro guides assist in keeping it that way.
St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rod
Staying in the St. Croix camp, the Mojo Bass Casting Rod is a favorite of many. The Mojo range of rods is very well balanced, which is a characteristic of St. Croix rods, and nothing was spared in terms of quality during the manufacturing.
The Mojo Bass range had a total overhaul in 2016 using better materials and finishes. Being a technique-specific rod range, the Mojo Bass is perfect for Senko lure fishing. It is kitted out with a split-grip cork handle, Fuji ECS reel seats, and slim guide rings from aluminum for reduced casting friction.
The Mojo Bass Casting Rod is available in different weights and lengths from 6’8″ to 7’11” and carries the same 5-year service warranty.
Daiwa Aird X Spinning Rod
The Daiwa Aird X Spinning rods are solid and lightweight, which delivers excellent response and sensitivity. Daiwa uses the latest carbon technology in their manufacturing called Braiding X, and this weaving creates a maximum density blank without compromising on strength and weight.
The Aird X is a perfect Senko rod available in lengths of 6’8″ to 7’3″, giving you sufficient length for casting and close enough to provide you with the right amount of control, connection on the lure, and synergy.
The Aird X is fitted with Daiwa’s Surround Hold reel seats giving you the trusted confidence in specific reel action.
Choosing the Best Senko Rod
Knowing which rod suits your fishing style or favored techniques will help you decide on the type of rod you should buy. Let’s look at what defines spinning or casting rods and their pros and cons.
Spinning vs. Casting
Spinning rod advantages:
- Spinning rods are highly versatile and can be used in almost any setting for any fishing.
- Spinning rods are better applied in lightweight or weightless lure fishing
- Much easier to master than casting rods.
Spinning Rod Cons:
- Much lower casting accuracy and distance.
- Not suitable for heavy lure fishing.
- It is not recommended for big game fish.
- Not very durable.
Casting rod advantages:
- Greater casting accuracy.
- Greater casting distance.
- Great for bigger lures like crankbaits.
- It is recommended for larger game fish.
Casting Rod Cons
- More difficulty to master
- Prone to backlash when casting.
- Higher cost than spinning rods
- More difficult to master
- High risk of backlash while casting.
- Not good when casting light lures.
Best Rod Power & Length
For Senko, the general consensus is that a 2 or 3 power rod is the best option. Most pro anglers prefer a light action, straight 7’ spinning rod.
Best Senko Setup for Bass Fishing
The name most synonymous with Senko is undoubtedly Gary Yamamoto. Creating his famous Senko range of lures in 1983, he is still considered one of the leading angling experts in his field.
Like most pro-anglers, Gary Yamamoto has a preferred setup that he likes to use, and going by his choice is a good starting point to work from.
A 7-foot light-action spinning rod and a 2500 series spinning reel are Yamamoto’s choices for working a Senko. He opts for high visibility 10- or 15-pound braid for his main line and ties on a Sugoi Fluorocarbon leader of 10- to 14-pound test for stained water or 6- to 10-pound test for clear water.
- Rod – A light action 7’spinning rod.
- Reel- A 2500 Series spinning reel.
- Line – 10- or 15-pound High Visibility line with a 10-to-14-pound Sugoi Fluorocarbon leader line.
- Hooks – A 3/0 Gamakatsu extra wide gap hook.
- Senko – A 4-inch or 5-inch weightless Texas rig.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that fishing using Senko lures is a skill that can take some time to develop. Many anglers prefer Senko fishing because it produces some of the largest fish every season.
Having the right Senko rod, reel, and line setup is imperative to your success and knowing how to fish the Senko lure to be most effective.
