Ok, to your knowledge, does there exist any conditions, or combination of conditions that would cause a fresh, unused Senko to NOT do its trademark wiggle/shimmy as it sinks through the water column?

 

Can water temperature or density impede this action?

 

Why do I ask? Well, because when I tossed my 3" Senko into the water on two different days, at one particular lake, the worm exhibited no visible movement whatsoever.  The water was clear enough to view this easily.   Very odd. 

 

 

Only reason I can think of is if it's Texas rigged and the hook is more then half its length

Only reason I can think of is if it's Texas rigged and the hook is more then half its length

Nope, hook is less than half the length.  I use a #2 EWG, and that has always allowed plenty of wiggle-room. 

I've never thrown a 3" senko just the 5", but there's not much to wiggle on 3". I have gotten a few packs of Yamamoto where some colors have a different formula of plastic that doesn't move the same. Not sure of the particular color code but it was a watermelon with purple flake. I know from when I used to make plastics, different colors can have different plastic formula and therefor may act different under the water.

I've never thrown a 3" senko just the 5", but there's not much to wiggle on 3". I have gotten a few packs of Yamamoto where some colors have a different formula of plastic that doesn't move the same. Not sure of the particular color code but it was a watermelon with purple flake. I know from when I used to make plastics, different colors can have different plastic formula and therefor may act different under the water.

Well...I only use one color, in all waters. So the only part that was different here, was that I took them to a new lake.  Other pieces in the same pack, have functioned just fine in all other locations.  

 

Its starting to look like the answer to my question is, "No - the bait should shimmy just fine regardless of water conditions.  mustve been something wonky with that particular worm."

Well...I only use one color, in all waters. So the only part that was different here, was that I took them to a new lake. Other pieces in the same pack, have functioned just fine in all other locations.

Its starting to look like the answer to my question is, "No - the bait should shimmy just fine regardless of water conditions. mustve been something wonky with that particular worm."

Or it's the length of the worm, regardless of what percentage of the worm is covered by the hook.

1/2 of 3" leaves 1.5" of "wiggle". A 5" bait with 1.5" of exposed worm wouldn't have much "wiggle" either.

It's easy to snap a 7' rod in half but a lot harder to snap that 3.5' portion in half again.

Just fish a ned rig 

I have a hard time seeing a 5 inch wiggle when rigged wacky. Based upon your OP and follow-ups sounds like you just got a manufacturing defect on a few. I would rig them up anyhow, because even defected GYCB catch more fish then other top brands. 

I fish 3" senkos with a 1/0 EWG hook.

If you want to get technical, yes water temps will make the plastic stiffer or softer, and also make the water more dense or less dense at the same time. This may actually be more of an effect on a 3" worm that as previously stated, has very little plastic to wiggle. When water temps drop, the density will increase, and to an extent make it harder to move. The senko wiggle more comes from the bait itself. It needs to be soft enough to wiggle, yet stiff enough for the bait to have a recoil to the original movement it sees from gravity. Once the bait hits the water it has to use gravity to cause movement and wiggle unless you give it another force from say your rod. So I guess to stay on topic I would say it's just an inconsistency in that particular worm or pack.

If you want to get technical, yes water temps will make the plastic stiffer or softer, and also make the water more dense or less dense at the same time. This may actually be more of an effect on a 3" worm that as previously stated, has very little plastic to wiggle. When water temps drop, the density will increase, and to an extent make it harder to move. The senko wiggle more comes from the bait itself. It needs to be soft enough to wiggle, yet stiff enough for the bait to have a recoil to the original movement it sees from gravity. Once the bait hits the water it has to use gravity to cause movement and wiggle unless you give it another force from say your rod. So I guess to stay on topic I would say it's just an inconsistency in that particular worm or pack.

Or it's the length of the worm, regardless of what percentage of the worm is covered by the hook.

1/2 of 3" leaves 1.5" of "wiggle". A 5" bait with 1.5" of exposed worm wouldn't have much "wiggle" either.

It's easy to snap a 7' rod in half but a lot harder to snap that 3.5' portion in half again.

Uhh...How do you figure?   The pivot point of the worm is the center, keep the rigidity of the hook to one side of the center, and a 3" bait will still have 3" of wiggle.  Which is what I see taking place each time I use it.  The #2 EWG actually doesn't even reach the center.

 

So, no, the length of the worm is not a factor.

If you want to get technical, yes water temps will make the plastic stiffer or softer, and also make the water more dense or less dense at the same time. This may actually be more of an effect on a 3" worm that as previously stated, has very little plastic to wiggle. When water temps drop, the density will increase, and to an extent make it harder to move. The senko wiggle more comes from the bait itself. It needs to be soft enough to wiggle, yet stiff enough for the bait to have a recoil to the original movement it sees from gravity. Once the bait hits the water it has to use gravity to cause movement and wiggle unless you give it another force from say your rod. So I guess to stay on topic I would say it's just an inconsistency in that particular worm or pack.

Thanks.

I only wacky rig it in the center using 5" / 6" senkos.

These flutter down as they fall. The 3" / 4" gives hardley any flutter when compared to the longer senkos. Unless you cut a finish nail and weight the ends with 1/2" long nails.