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what is the newest best rod and reel for weightless wacky senko fishing

Summary
For a weightless wacky Senko, the sweet spot is a 7’0″–7’3″ spinning rod with a fast to extra‑fast tip in ML to true Medium power, paired with a super‑smooth 2500/3000-size reel that picks up slack fast. If you want the newest, top-tier combo right now:

Flagship pick: G. Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR (7’1″ M/XF) + Shimano 2024 Twin Power 2500HG (or Daiwa 2024 Certate 2500-XH)
High-performance value: Shimano Poison Adrena 6’11” ML+ or Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS 7’1″ ML/F + Shimano Stradic FM 2500HG (or Daiwa Tatula MQ LT 2500-XH)

Why this works

Action/power: An XF tip launches a weightless Senko, skips docks, and drives a light-wire wacky hook without ripping it free. ML handles open water; bump to M if you’re fishing heavier grass, docks, or bigger fish.
Length: 7’–7’3″ helps casting distance and slack management so you see that line jump.
Reel: 2500/3000 with a high gear ratio (Shimano HG or Daiwa XH) to pick up slack quickly on long casts. Butter-smooth drag protects light leaders.

Best “newest” flagship combo recommendation

Rod: G. Loomis NRX+ 852S JWR (7’1″ M/XF)
Reel: Shimano 2024 Twin Power 2500HG (or Daiwa 2024 Certate 2500-XH if you’re a Daiwa fan)
Line: 10–12 lb braid mainline to 8–10 lb fluoro leader (FG knot). Go 12 lb braid and 10 lb leader if cover’s around; 10/8 in open water.

Dial it to your water

Open water/clear: ML/XF rod, 10 lb braid to 8 lb fluoro, #1–1/0 finesse wacky hook.
Docks/grass/light wood: M/XF rod, 12–15 lb braid to 10 lb fluoro, weedless wacky hook, consider a 1/32–1/16 oz nail weight when windy.
Reel size note: Shimano C3000HG shares body with 2500HG but has a larger, shallower spool for a touch more IPT and casting distance—nice for long-bomb wacky casts.

Terminal specifics

Hook: Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Wacky 1/0 (or VMC Neko #1 in open water)
O-rings: 5″ Senko = 6–7 mm ring or Wacky Saddle; ring the egg sac dead center for a slow shimmy
Leader length: 10–15 ft so the knot stays outside the spool on the cast
Set the hook: Reel down and lean—don’t cross their eyes with light-wire hooks

Reference Links

G. Loomis NRX+: https://www.gloomis.com
Shimano Twin Power/Stradic/Vanford/Poison Adrena: https://fish.shimano.com
Daiwa Certate/Tatula MQ/Elite AGS: https://www.daiwa.us
Megabass Orochi XX: https://megabassusa.com
St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass: https://stcroixrods.com

Note on pricing and links: I didn’t live-browse this moment, so prices are typical ranges as of late 2024 and links go to the manufacturers’ sites. If you want, I can pull current retailer pricing and availability and compare weights/IPT/specs side-by-side.

Request for your input

Budget range?
Cover type you fish most (open water, docks, grass, wood)?
Preference on rod length (6’10” for skipping vs 7’2″+ for distance)?
Brand lean (Shimano/Daiwa/St. Croix/etc.)?

Validation and next steps
If this lines up with your style, I’d proceed with the NRX+ 852S + Twin Power 2500HG (braid to fluoro) for the most “set it and forget it” wacky setup. If your budget or cover demands are different, tell me those four bullets above and I’ll tighten the pick—or price-check exact models right now.

high budget, all cover types, 7’2″, Lews, Kistler

Heck yeah—high budget, all cover, 7’2″, and you like Lew’s/Kistler? You’re speakin’ my language. For a weightless wacky Senko, I’d run a Kistler finesse-focused spinning rod with a Lew’s flagship spinning reel. Here’s the cleanest, hard-hittin’ setup that covers open water to docks and light grass without babying fish.

Summary (top pick)

Rod: Kistler Z Bone custom 7’2″ Medium / Extra-Fast spinning (built for Wacky/Neko)
Reel: Team Lew’s HyperMag Speed Spin 3000
Line: 12–15 lb braid main (8-carrier) to 10–12 lb fluoro leader (FG knot)

Why this combo

Power/action: M/XF gives you backbone for docks/brush and a quick tip to skip and drive a light-wire wacky hook. ML is sweet in open water, but “all cover types” pushes us to a true Medium.
Length: 7’2″ is perfect for distance and slack control without being clumsy around docks—exactly what you asked for.
Reel: The HyperMag Speed Spin is Lew’s top-end, light and rigid with a high gear ratio for fast slack pickup on long casts.

Notes on availability

I can’t live-browse right this second. Kistler’s stock lineup often runs 7’1″ or 7’3″ in Helium/Z Bone. If you require exactly 7’2″, Kistler’s Custom Shop can build it (ideal for high budget). If you’re okay with 7’3″, you can buy off-the-shelf today in Helium or Z Bone.

How I’d dial it for “all cover”

Rod: Kistler Z Bone custom 7’2″ M/XF; if off-the-shelf, Z Bone or Helium 7’3″ M/XF.
Reel size: 3000 in Lew’s for more IPT and spool diameter (cast farther, pick up line faster).
Line: 12–15 lb braid main (Sufix 832, J-Braid x8, or PowerPro SuperSlick V2) to 10–12 lb fluoro leader (Seaguar Tatsu/Gold Label). Use 15/12 around docks/grass; 12/10 in open water.
Hooks: Weedless wacky 1/0 (Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Wacky or Owner Jungle Wacky Weedless). Open water: #1–1/0 standard wacky/Neko.
Leader length: 10–15 ft so the knot stays outside the spool during the cast.
Wind/pressure: Add a 1/32–1/16 oz nail weight (Neko) to keep contact and still get that shimmy.

Reference links

Kistler: https://kistlerrods.com
Lew’s: https://www.lews.com

Validation and next steps

If you want exactly 7’2″, I recommend the Kistler Custom Z Bone build with an XF tip and true Medium power—absolute chef’s kiss for wacky in all cover. Want me to spec components (guides, seat, handle) and price it out?
If 7’3″ is fine, I’ll give you exact stock model numbers to order now and can price-check current availability once I’m allowed to live-browse.

I’m not much on fairy wands, how about open face casting reels and rods to match

You got it—no fairy wands. Let’s build a 7’2″ Lew’s + Kistler baitcasting setup that’ll launch and skip a weightless wacky Senko clean across docks, grass edges, and laydowns.

Summary (Top pick: all-cover, high-budget, 7’2″)

Rod: Kistler Z Bone 7’2″ Medium / Fast–Extra Fast Casting (custom build for Wacky/Neko)
Reel: Team Lew’s HyperMag Baitcast, 7.5:1–8.3:1
Line: 30 lb 8-strand braid to 12 lb fluoro leader (or straight 12–15 lb fluoro if you prefer)

Why this works

Power/action: A true Medium with a crisp Fast/XF tip loads a weightless 5″ Senko (about 3/8 oz total rig), skips effortlessly, and still has backbone for dock posts and light grass.
High-speed reel: 7.5–8.3:1 picks up slack fast on long casts—money for wacky bites.
Kistler sensitivity: Z Bone transmits that subtle “line ticks and slack jumps” you get on the fall so you can reel down and lean.

If you skip docks a lot

Reel upgrade: Team Lew’s Pro SP Skipping & Pitching SLP (8.3:1). Its braking profile is tuned to prevent low-trajectory blowups—awesome with weightless plastics under docks.

If you throw lighter sticks (4″ Senko, Ocho) or want max finesse from a baitcaster

Reel: Team Lew’s Custom Lite SLP (8.3:1) for a super light, quick-start spool.
Rod: Kistler Helium or Z Bone 7’2″ ML+/Fast Casting (custom) rated down to about 1/8–3/8 oz.

Recommended builds

Premium “do-all wacky” combo:
- Rod: Kistler Z Bone 7’2″ M/F–XF Casting, labeled for Wacky/Neko (custom shop if you want exactly 7’2″)
- Reel: Team Lew’s HyperMag 8.3:1
- Line: 30 lb braid to 12 lb fluoro leader (8–10 ft), FG knot
Dock-skipping specialist:
- Rod: Kistler Helium 7’2″ M/F Casting (or Z Bone if you want max sensitivity)
- Reel: Team Lew’s Pro SP Skipping & Pitching 8.3:1
- Line: 30 lb braid to 12–14 lb fluoro leader

Setup details that make this sing

Brakes/tension (start point):
- HyperMag/Custom Lite: Set external mag brake around 60–70%. Set spool tension so the Senko falls slowly and the spool stops as it hits the ground. Back off brake as you dial it in.
- Pro SP (skipping): Start around 70–80% brake for dock work; loosen as you get comfortable.
Line strategy:
- Braid to leader casts freer and skips easier on light rigs. Use 30 lb braid (stays round, resists dig-in) to 10–12 lb fluoro leader.
- Straight fluoro is stealthy around pressure and keeps one knot out of the guides. 12 lb is sweet; 15 lb if you’re in gnarly cover.
Hooks and rigging:
- Weedless wacky 1/0 (Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Wacky or Owner Weedless Wacky) around cover; #1–1/0 standard hook in open water.
- O-ring or wacky saddle on the egg sac; run the hook perpendicular to the Senko for best shimmy and durability.
Wind/current plan:
- Add a 1/32–1/16 oz nail weight (Neko) when it’s breezy so you can keep contact without losing that seductive fall.

On-the-water tips

Casting: Smooth side-arm roll cast or low skip. Keep the rod tip low and thumb feathering the spool the whole way.
Hookset: Reel down until you feel weight, then sweep. Don’t cross their eyes with light-wire hooks.
Around cover: If you’re getting them wrapped on posts or grass, bump leader to 14–15 lb and consider the weedless hook 100% of the time.

Validation and next steps

This setup checks your boxes: high budget, 7’2″, Lew’s + Kistler, and it handles all cover with a weightless wacky. Want me to spec an exact Kistler custom (handle/reel seat/guides) and confirm current model numbers and pricing with a quick price check, or are you good with Z Bone + HyperMag as listed?
Also, just to confirm: you meant baitcasting (thumb-bar reel), right? If by “open face” you meant spinning, I can pivot—but I’m pretty sure we’re talkin’ baitcasters here.