To make a senko-style stick bait, heat soft durometer plastisol to over 350°F, stir in your color, salt, and glitter, then pour or inject it into a stick bait mold. Let it cool for a minute or two, pull the bait, and take the bait of the runner. Salt is a key ingredient: it gives a senko its signature heavy, shimmy fall.
Stick baits are the most-fished soft plastic in bass fishing and one of the easiest baits to make at home. Here is the full step-by-step.
What you need
- A stick bait mold (the 5" Core Shot Stick Bait is a proven size).
- Soft durometer plastisol.
- Salt, for weight and fall. (Optional)
- Colorant and glitter.
- A microwave or hot plate, thermometer, measuring cups, stir stick, and safety gear.
- An injector, only if your mold is an injection mold.
Why salt matters in a senko
The senko's famous slow, wobbling fall comes from salt loaded into the plastic. More salt means a heavier, faster-shimmying bait; less salt means a slower fall. Salt also adds bulk and a taste that makes fish hold on a split second longer. Salt does make plastic a little less durable, so balance it to your preference.
Step-by-step
- Gear up. Work in a ventilated space with gloves and goggles. Warm an open pour mold on a griddle.
- Measure plastisol into a microwaveable cup.
- Add salt and stir it in before heating so it suspends evenly.
- Heat in short bursts, stirring between each, until the plastic reaches just over 350°F and turns clear. Stir gently to avoid bubbles.
- Add color and glitter and mix well.
- Pour or inject into the cavities, filling steadily to avoid air pockets.
- Cool for a minute or two until firm.
- Remove and trim the seam, then store flat in bait bags.
Tips for better stick baits
- Inject the plastic at 310° to 315°F. Cooler plastic will help prevent denting.
- Stir often; salt settles to the bottom of the cup.
- For two-tone senkos, pour or inject one color partway, then add the second. For injection molds, use a dual injector.
- A stick bait mold plus a wacky rig is a deadly finesse combo.
Frequently asked questions
What plastic is best for senko-style baits?
Soft durometer with salt added. It gives the classic heavy, slow fall while staying durable enough to fish.
Why do I add salt to stick baits?
Salt adds weight for a faster shimmy fall, adds bulk, and gives fish a taste to hold. Adjust the amount to control fall speed.
Can I make senkos without an injector?
Yes. Use an open pour stick bait mold and pour the heated plastic straight in.
How many stick baits can I make from a gallon?
About 415 five-inch stick baits per gallon of plastisol.
Start pouring stick baits
Grab a stick bait mold like the 5" Core Shot Stick Bait, add an injector if you are injecting, and if you are new, read our beginner's guide to making soft plastic baits.
By the Angling A.i. team