I moved to the Bay area from San Diego about 8 months ago. I was surprised at the popularity of senkos up here. All in all, it really depends on the conditions. I've fished side-by-side with an acquaintance in his own boat, and outfished his senkos with a combination of socal handpours and zipper worms. I've also fished with a friend who was throwing senkos and decided within the first 5 minutes that I needed to do the same.

As far as the "skill" thing goes, that's really a bunch of BS. I admit that senkos can be easy to fish, but there are always other variables besides lure choice. Also, does it really make sense to complain that a lure catches fish and is easy to use? I pride myself on having some level of bassin' skill, but criticizing a lure for working makes no sense. Maybe that'll change if Yamamoto comes out with an infomercial and 5-year old kids and bluegill fishermen start hauling in limits of hawgs, but until then, more power to the senko.