What about when they don't?

They "Do" a lot more often than they "Don't"!

because senkos are garbage and have the approximate durability of cheap grape jelly.

Really?

It's great because it triggers strikes from both aggressive and fussy fish, casts a mile, and can cover water well for a finesse technique. Not to mention it has subtle, natural action. It doesn't always work, but many times it's one of the best baits you can throw for numbers.

Its basic profile resembles a wide array of living forage

Its action is very randon

It presents very few negative clues

While I agree with Catt, I am not a big Senko fan and don't use them very often . Senko's are very good during pre spawn when the bass are recovering from the spawn because they sink and move slowly, easy meal.

Tom

why they illicit strikes so well.

 

 

FYI: "Illicit strikes" are against the law! 

 

Roger

I always take a new soft bait and look at the action in shallow clear water before going off to fish it. Then I plan how to work it based on that feedback.

If you do the same with Senkos you can see what happens when they fall. 70% of my strikes are on the fall maybe not the initial but while fishing the bait. Bottom bumping slow retrieve is not what this bait is designed to do. It falls in a way that signals distress (small french fry worms the same) and triggers fish. It doesn't have to be fished hard just presented and allow to do its thing. T-rig, wacky, or drop shot the same applies. Over working is bad.

My boater yesterday used senkos exclusively. 2 keepers and two short fish.

I didn't do any better but he wasn't doing himself any favors