Senko plastic

[Nathan77]

Guys I have always used Calhoun plastic from bears but I've heard it's not available anymore. What brand are using? I like the idea of using do-it brand but don't know which one and do I need soft or regular? I'm putting sand and salt in my senkos to get the fall. Thanks

[efishnc]

Hi Nathan -

#1.  It seems as if you went under the radar without a welcome on your first post, so let me get it started on your second... WELCOME!

#2.  I think the Do-it Essential Series is the ideal plastic as far as Senkos go.

[Nathan77]

Thanks!!! Is that soft too flexible for a senko or do you use regular? I like my senkos to be like the original and don't care if they only last for a fish or two.

[bryanmc57]

Guys I have always used Calhoun plastic from bears but I've heard it's not available anymore.

Calhoun is not available from Bears, but it's still available from other sources. 

[ctom]

Welcome aboard Nathan.

Guys here using the Essential plastic [it comes only in the medium formula] and the HD sinking additive found here are finding a finished plastic quite a bit softer than a straight plastic with salt that is really close to the original Senko plastic's feel. Way more durable too. The HD is less abrasive than salt and sand to the injector cylinder, seals and plunger parts....just a thought. The Essential is unbelievably elastic making it one of the most durable plastics around.

The soft formula Crystal Clear will give you a nice bait too but the plastic is a bit more temperamental to use if you are just getting started.

Again, welcome aboard

[efishnc]

It has been a couple of years since I've had a legit Senko in my hands, but as I recall they are softer than Do-it's regular formula.  Regardless of the consistency with medium formula, Do-it sells both hardener and softener so you can make your baits to have whatever consistency you like.

[Nathan77]

So Is the HD additive like a sand substance? I've read it softens the bait some too. I stopped shooting worms about 5 years ago and now things have changed a lot with companies. Love this new senko mold.
Thanks for helping me guys!

[Nathan77]

Calhoun is not available from Bears, but it's still available from other sources.

Where can you find it? I've looked online.

[Mike J]

Where can you find it? I've looked online.

My guess is you have to know who is reselling it under their own name instead of calling it calhoun's.

[Mike J]

I've made senco type baits out of medium with HD added.  I believe the HD has sand in it but it is more of an oily type of paste.  2 tablespoons in 4 oz of plastic will get you very close to the weight and action of a real senco.  If you go with medium and salt or sand you will have to add softener to get what your looking for.

[Jkwbwca]

It's all about what you have confidence in.  I just started making my own baits this year and have been  using only the ES plastic for senkos.  I bought the HD additive and then was reading here about the glass bead media so of course I needed to get that too.  The HD additive (2 tbsp. to 4oz) works great in that it makes the senko fall faster and it adds weight for longer casts.  I don't notice quite the shimmy with that combo so I add a little softener.  Your bait will be opaque when using the HD additive.  Now the glass bead media works about the same (same ratio) again with the addition of softener.  The real difference is your baits will be more translucent.  It does scratch the injector though.  I also have been making some baits with no HD or beads added at all.  If your fishing it Neko rig style or really shallow this works great to.  It's really up to you on how you want your senko to perform and how your using it.  I personally like the glass bead media look and thought that was the best way to go...except last week my father and I went fishing...he caught 12 bass on a senko neko rigged with no HD or beads and I caught 12 bass on a senko with HD and no softener added that was neko rigged including my biggest bass I've ever caught...so of course this week I've been making more baits with just HD additive.  In the end buy and try different things and see what the fish want...sometimes its best to fish something a little different.  I'll also add that my father and I only used 2 worms the 4 hours we were fishing...he used 1 and I used 1 with no O ring...amazing.

[Nathan77]

It's all about what you have confidence in.  I just started making my own baits this year and have been  using only the ES plastic for senkos.  I bought the HD additive and then was reading here about the glass bead media so of course I needed to get that too.  The HD additive (2 tbsp. to 4oz) works great in that it makes the senko fall faster and it adds weight for longer casts.  I don't notice quite the shimmy with that combo so I add a little softener.  Your bait will be opaque when using the HD additive.  Now the glass bead media works about the same (same ratio) again with the addition of softener.  The real difference is your baits will be more translucent.  It does scratch the injector though.  I also have been making some baits with no HD or beads added at all.  If your fishing it Neko rig style or really shallow this works great to.  It's really up to you on how you want your senko to perform and how your using it.  I personally like the glass bead media look and thought that was the best way to go...except last week my father and I went fishing...he caught 12 bass on a senko neko rigged with no HD or beads and I caught 12 bass on a senko with HD and no softener added that was neko rigged including my biggest bass I've ever caught...so of course this week I've been making more baits with just HD additive.  In the end buy and try different things and see what the fish want...sometimes its best to fish something a little different.  I'll also add that my father and I only used 2 worms the 4 hours we were fishing...he used 1 and I used 1 with no O ring...amazing.


Awesome man! I want mine to be like Yamamoto. I want that softness and don't mind them tearing every other fish cause it's not expensive compared to buying the name brand. His softness and weight is what makes the difference to me on his senkos. He came up with the idea while fishing in Florida because he couldn't keep fish hooked when they bit the Slugo. Guess I'm gonna have to order softener and HD and try that because I'm gonna add a lot of salt.

[bryanmc57]

Where can you find it? I've looked online.

Sending you a pm.

[Lamar]

It's all about what you have confidence in.  I just started making my own baits this year and have been  using only the ES plastic for senkos.  I bought the HD additive and then was reading here about the glass bead media so of course I needed to get that too.  The HD additive (2 tbsp. to 4oz) works great in that it makes the senko fall faster and it adds weight for longer casts.  I don't notice quite the shimmy with that combo so I add a little softener.  Your bait will be opaque when using the HD additive.  Now the glass bead media works about the same (same ratio) again with the addition of softener.  The real difference is your baits will be more translucent.  It does scratch the injector though.  I also have been making some baits with no HD or beads added at all.  If your fishing it Neko rig style or really shallow this works great to.  It's really up to you on how you want your senko to perform and how your using it.  I personally like the glass bead media look and thought that was the best way to go...except last week my father and I went fishing...he caught 12 bass on a senko neko rigged with no HD or beads and I caught 12 bass on a senko with HD and no softener added that was neko rigged including my biggest bass I've ever caught...so of course this week I've been making more baits with just HD additive.  In the end buy and try different things and see what the fish want...sometimes its best to fish something a little different.  I'll also add that my father and I only used 2 worms the 4 hours we were fishing...he used 1 and I used 1 with no O ring...amazing.

  That advice is spot on. I too use the ES with HD and use the glass beads media. I'm the same I like to mix it up for different sink rates. The bass see a lot of GY senkos so to make it just little different might get you a few extra bites. That's why we make our own baits.