I don't usually fish my local ponds on weekends, it's too crowded. This morning was

an exception and the banks were packed.  I had some good luck a couple of days

ago on the Tennessee River throwing a GYCB Kreature. That was rigged so I thought

I would give it a shot even though I already knew I wasn't going to be there long. A

couple casts and out of there.

 

First cast about 10 yards out and parallel to the shore just to make sure things were

working.  Next cast straight out from some culverts along an underwater hump created

from sand and rocks washed into the pond. Out about 35-40 yards and let it marinade

while I light up a smoke. After a minute or two, I gently lift the Kreature a foot or so off

the bottom and BAM! Fish on!

 

This fat girl came out immediately and got everyone's attention. My stick is a custom

Senko rod built by Mike at DVT,  Stella 1000 loaded with Seaguar Gray Stealth and about

8' of #6 Gold Label leader. With my light drag set-up, she ripped off 15 yards of line,

headed towards the middle of the  pond and went airborne again! She than took another

10 yards running to my right where she found a spot to stage.

 

The fight continued for a few more minutes and by this time we had a little group of

guys gathered for the landing. David, a friend of mine, asked if I needed some help

since I was standing on a dirt ledge 3' above the water. I said I didn't think my line could

handle the lift so he jumped right in.

 

Most of our biggest fish from this water are 7-8 lbs, but it has produced a 11.98 (not by

me). This big girl was right there with 'em. She's my best so far this year. Two casts, one

bite and one fish.

 

On 5/15/2022 at 9:58 AM, roadwarrior said:

"custom Senko rod built by Mike at DVT"

This seem like it could be a very specialized rod. . . or not, which is why I am curious about this rod.

 

The design constraints.

 

The selection of materials.

 

Should I assume weightless Senkos (do you differentiate)?

 

I find myself fishing 5" Senkos A LOT, more often than not, weightless and wacky. The conditions I fish them in might be something you don't encounter much if at all. I am generally tossing Senkos long distances to precise targets. I usually want to hit within 6" to 12" from the water's edge. If it's two feet away from the water's edge, I'm not thrilled. I'd rather it hit the bank and drop in gently than land too far out in the water.

 

I don't like lobbing it because the wind can do all sorts of bad things with the line while waiting for it to settle, and the strike often occurs within a second or three so I want to be ready for it. Nor do I like bullet casting as it's harder to be precise and can be hard on the bait. And it just feels dorky and spastic to do it.

 

All these things may be contrary or meaningless in the way you fish the Senko, but I'm just curious to hear your input since you went to the time, trouble, and expense to have a custom Senko rod made.

MHX HM-SJ843 blank

https://www.fishmhx.com/

On 5/15/2022 at 11:58 AM, roadwarrior said:

I don't usually fish my local ponds on weekends, it's too crowded. This morning was

an exception and the banks were packed.  I had some good luck a couple of days

ago on the Tennessee River throwing a GYCB Kreature. That was rigged so I thought

I would give it a shot even though I already knew I wasn't going to be there long. A

couple casts and out of there.

 

First cast about 10 yards out and parallel to the shore just to make sure things were

working.  Next cast straight out from some culverts along an underwater hump created

from sand and rocks washed into the pond. Out about 35-40 yards and let it marinade

while I light up a smoke. After a minute or two, I gently lift the Kreature a foot or so off

the bottom and BAM! Fish on!

 

This fat girl came out immediately and got everyone's attention. My stick is a custom

Senko rod built by Mike at DVT,  Stella 1000 loaded with Seaguar Gray Stealth and about

8' of #6 Gold Label leader. With my light drag set-up, she ripped off 15 yards of line,

headed towards the middle of the  pond and went airborne again! She than took another

10 yards running to my right where she found a spot to stage.

 

The fight continued for a few more minutes and by this time we had a little group of

guys gathered for the landing. David, a friend of mine, asked if I needed some help

since I was standing on a dirt ledge 3' above the water. I said I didn't think my line could

handle the lift so he jumped right in.

 

Most of our biggest fish from this water are 7-8 lbs, but it has produced a 11.98 (not by

me). This big girl was right there with 'em. She's my best so far this year. Two casts, one

bite and one fish.

 

 

Awesome!  There are still some big bass in the public ponds around here despite the pressure.   Any pictures? 

Congrats! And thanks for the excellent, detailed account.