Posted by Bassin Dude on 07-06-2003 02:24 PM:

Stupid Senko Tricks - Sprague Brook Park 7/6/03

Many of you may have read my post in "Tackle and Tactics" talking about how I read that Guido and Dion Hibdon have a method of making plastic baits more durable by immersing them in boiling water for about five seconds then they immediately drop the bait into ice cold water. They claim that this "trick" makes the baits more durable.

Furthermore, you may have read in the same post that I performed this process on some Senko's and I was wondering out loud if it had any merit. Well, today I finally got out to test the "treated" Senko's and compared them to some non-treated Senko's.

My son Anthony Jr. and I went to one of our favorite little haunts, Sprague Brook Park in Southern Erie County. As is my practice at times, all I brought with me was one rod and reel with one bait. This morning that bait being the aforementioned Senko. First cast I caught a dink but within a few minutes I managed this nice four pounder:

This nice four pound Largemouth thought my Senko
was YUMMAY and my face FUNNAY. The flag in the
background is pretty cool... don't you think?

We fished from about 8:00am to 12:00 noon. I managed twenty fish - all on Senko's which is very unusual for me because I really don't throw them much. But, as you may recall, the main reason I was using them was because I was testing the Hibdon durable plastic process which I can now report....

MADE NO DIFFERENCE!

I went through the treated Senko's just as fast as the non-treated one's.

But... at least I tried. I had visions of all you guys sending me emails thanking me for making your Senko's last longer. But alas, sometimes dreams don't come true

Now, with that out of the way, I need some advice. My son Anthony is a very good fisherman but he is in a terrible slump. As I mentioned, I caught twenty fish in about four hours of fishing and he just couldn't land anything. He fished in front of me along the bank mainly using Senko's and tubes but he just couldn't get a fish. Now, at the risk of sounding like a jerk (nothing new for me ) I must say I don't know what to tell the kid because I've never been in a fishing slump. I just about always manage to squeak out something. I gave him prime water. I told him where to cast. I told him how to work the bait. I even gave him my rod and reel... All for naught.

The last three outings, he's been blanked. Any suggestions appreciated and by-the-way, he's 15.

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Tony

"That man's nuts... GRAB 'EM!"

Posted by Mark G on 07-06-2003 02:34 PM:

I've found that fishing slumps are just like hitting slumps in baseball. They are all about confidence. Let's face it, we've all had slumps on the water. For me they seem to come and go. Not much quality advice, except to say that I bet the slump ends with a flurry once your son gets a fish. When you aren't confident you don;t fish as well, making things snowball. Once you get a fish you start to focus on what you did right and as confidence builds your fishing gets better and you catch more fish.

My advice is to keep him fishing and he'll pull out if it!

Mark

By the way, great job! That's a nice fish. And thanks for field testing the boiling bait theory. I'm kinda glad it didn't work. The last thing I need to do is boil my senkos before I use them!!!

Posted by JOHN G on 07-06-2003 02:44 PM:

the problem is that it doesnt take much to discourage a young person about fishing......

how about a change of pace: take him to a bluegill infested pond and arm him with a slip bobber and worm!!

after dozens of sunnies, he might feel that he still has the touch!

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Posted by mikeD in NYC on 07-06-2003 04:56 PM:

nice report tony!....

maybe the brewers grub would help him snap out of it.. he can find a depth and speed where the fish take it and give himself an active role in buiding confidence.

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Posted by VRap on 07-06-2003 05:12 PM:

Sounds like he is fishing too fast....

He is probably over working the baits. Remind him to SLOW down, and let the bait do the work. I agree, once he gets his first fish or two, he should be fine again. Hope this helps.

VRap

Posted by Bassin Dude on 07-07-2003 10:51 PM:

Thanks for the suggestions guys. One thing I have to say, the kid ain't the least bit discouraged. He can't wait to get out again.

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Tony

"That man's nuts... GRAB 'EM!"

Posted by HugeFish4 on 07-08-2003 09:05 AM:

Nice Fish! Your son is just waiting to break his slump with a 6lber!

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Posted by earthworm77 on 07-08-2003 10:32 AM:

Really, there is such thing as a fishing slump? Huh, Beats the $hit out of me. I've never heard of it!

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Posted by ttony_5 on 07-08-2003 04:17 PM:

I agree with VRAP. Especially when fishing a senko, people tend to overwork it and work it too fast.

I've found that when I canst a senko and do something like adjust the electronics or go to the back of the boat to get something, I almost always have a fish on. Thsi reminds me to slow down. The senko is a "do nothing" bait and it's lask of action is the very reason fish find it so irresistable.

My $.02

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Have Skeeter will travel.

Posted by JOHN G on 07-08-2003 04:47 PM:

Craig, we can all have slumps.....but the word is all relevant: a slump to some might mean fewer fish, or not as many large fish, or in some cases, just getting outright skunked...

or how about a stretch where you are getting broken off more than usual, and so on and so forth......

I know that at the end of these hot summer days I lose my concentration when I am beat and tend to lose more fish then....

doesn't have to be a week to week slump, could be stretches during the day, say, throwing your lure into the trees a little more than you want to...........

in the case of a young person , all of those possibilities are magnified and more......

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Posted by MikeYac on 07-08-2003 05:46 PM:

Re: Kid's Slump

Tony,

Try bringing your son out fishing and leave YOUR fishing rods home! Bring him to the hot spots and continue to work with his techniques.

Its probably discouraging to him to see that his father is always out-fishing him.

It would be difficult for you not to fish, but he will be ever grateful to you if you give him a day.

Good luck!

MIKEYAC

Posted by Hooked Solid on 07-08-2003 06:58 PM:

I have your answer...

Tony,
All he needs is a lucky hat or more importanly a lucky fishing shirt that rarely if ever gets to see the washing machine!
The baits and spots make no difference.
Remember what he was wearing on a killer day when he caught the life out of 'em and the magic will come back.You must have pics.Worked for me, and Mom will be proud to have that stinky garb lying around as well.
Isn't that right "Mustard Man"?...><>...HS

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Posted by Theole34 on 07-08-2003 07:47 PM:

get him out during topwater time. let him work a sammy and after the first topwater explosion.... he will never leave.

or... hire roland martins diver/fish hanger.

robbie

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