plug modifications

[cowherder]

so how have you guys modified your stock plugs to catch more fish?

[DarkSkies]

One of the easiest tricks is to swap out the rear treble and replace with a bucktail dressed siwash. Make sure you crimp the hook eye good so you don't lose a big fish due to fisherman error. :( Chartruese or white bucktail.

[GeoffT]

Definitely swap out at least the belly stock hooks with 4X or higher VMC trebles otherwise you'll be sorry if you hook into a big bass or blue; trust me on this as I learned from painful experience. :( Any back stock trebles should be replaced with a VMC treble or a VMC siswash hook, preferably dressed with a bucktail as DS mentioned. I typically use heavy split rings to attach the (short shank) hooks to the plug but in some quarters it's felt you're better off without the rings.

Pinch the barbs also for easier extraction from fish and human.

[Rip-Plugger]

so how have you guys modified your stock plugs to catch more fish?


Hmm,

that one is tough.
personally,I have not modded a plug but I have many that I gave modded designs that have worked.

I kinda figgered to make it modded from scratch then there should be nothing else to do.
if I could put more hooks on a plug,I would.

I have changed colors on them but not anything else.

R-P

[basshunter]

I was thinking about taking a couple of my bombers and removing the treble hooks in the center. Then putting single hooks at the tail. Would you say this would change the action and give better results for catching stripers?

[Stripercoast1]

It's what I do to all of mine. They swim and catch the same.

[Frankiesurf]

While you are at it change the front hook and all split rings. Believe me, it is worth it.

[jonthepain]

^^
what he said

[7deadlyplugs]

While you are at it change the front hook and all split rings. Believe me, it is worth it.


There's nothing like losing a bigger fish than you planned on catching, because of bad split rings or hooks. Change them up every season that you use them hard.

[hookset]

I have changed colors on them but not anything else.

R-P

Some cool bombers I got at a flea market.

[cowherder]

Nice!

[Rip-Plugger]

Some cool bombers I got at a flea market.

lookin' good Hookset,I like the custom skewlbuss,sharp,,,,,

R-P

[buckethead]

You can also load them with water or BBs.

[J Barbosa]

My preference in bombers is the 16A (the old three hook style) and the jointed bombers.

I always take the middle treble off and replace the stock hooks and split rings. VMC 4X 1/0 is what I use on the 16A.

[rockhopper]

Thanks buckethead and jbarbosa I am going to try that this month.

[J Barbosa]

I like these setups very much for trolling/casting from the kayak. I don't want two trebles and a big bluefish on the other end.

Yellow over White 16A Bomber
-front hook is a VMC 4X 1/0
-rear hook is a VMC 3/0 dressed siwash.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2850/9950386785_8d36f16382_b.jpg

Diawa SP Minnow
-slight black over yellow
-front hook is a VMC 4x 2/0
-Rear hook is a VMC 3/0 dressed siwash
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5324/9950321725_7887a3719a_b.jpg

[Monty]

Loaded these Redfins today

http://rocksimpson.com/images/2013_10_13_redfins2.jpg

[robmedina]

^^^^got enough redfins there Monty?

[Monty]

I tend to do things excessively.
:HappyWave:

[vpass]

I tend to do things excessively.
:HappyWave:

Me too, I got a bunch to do also. and change some hooks on Some Bombers and Sp's Can't wait to get out there.

[robmedina]

I tend to do things excessively.
:HappyWave: yeah I can tell. I called my wife in and showed her your pic and said aren't you glad I am not as compulsive as monty??? Thanks buddy!

[DarkSkies]

^^^^got enough redfins there Monty?

If you asked for a list of what older/ordinary plugs are effective for the sandeel bite....the redfin would be in my top 5......:thumbsup:......loaded redfin or bomber, would be in the my top 3...:HappyWave:.....












I tend to do things excessively.
:HappyWave:


Ya think? :ROFLMAO
Anyone who doubts this, owes it to themselves to take the ride to visit Monty-land...:fishing:..one of the most impressive assemblies of plugs/ gear in NNJ.....and all organized in neat little categories.....dymo label maker, labels,. sizes, etc....etc....
Yup, if all the tackle manufacturers went out of business tomorrow....Monty could probably fish for another 50 years with what he has stored in those tackle totes of his......:drool: :HappyWave:

[robmedina]

That is what grumpy hisself says- he opened a store because he couldn't fit any more in his garage!

[cowherder]

lol. Someone should start a new thread how many plugs would monty bring if he was locked down on a desert island. nice redfins monty!

[Monty]

If you asked for a list of what older/ordinary plugs are effective for the sandeel bite....the redfin would be in my top 5......:thumbsup:......loaded redfin or bomber, would be in the my top 3.:
Its likely my most productive plug based on the amount of time I fish it (not a real lot) and the amount of Bass I catch on it (bass per time the plug is OTW).


lol. Someone should start a new thread how many plugs would monty bring if he was locked down on a desert island. nice redfins monty!
Thanks, Would really like to be locked down on Rhode Island rather than a desert island.



Also caught my largest Fluke of the last few years on it this past August.
http://rocksimpson.com/images/2013_8_4_F.jpg

[J Barbosa]

Loaded these Redfins today

http://rocksimpson.com/images/2013_10_13_redfins2.jpg

I should have sent you mine so you could load them for me :kiss:

I have to reload mine from past seasons as the water has evaporated.

i may go with mineral oil this time.

[finchaser]

been using mineral oil for over 25 years 5cc in 5" and 10 CC in the 7 inch

[Monty]

been using mineral oil for over 25 years 5cc in 5" and 10 CC in the 7 inch
I don't think JB was alive that faaar back :HappyWave:
I use the BBs to load them.


http://rocksimpson.com/images/2011_3_6_Redfin1.jpg

[J Barbosa]

I think I just turned 25 but I can't remember...part of getting old.

I have bought a bunch of used Bombers and Redfins this year very cheaply. Cheap enough where I can play with them and not worry about the outcome.

I plan to load most with mineral oil but I'm going to try one with both so it sinks rather than suspend (for kayak use in deeper water).

[surfstix1963]

Yeah part of getting old for sure, I don't even remember 25 that was 25 years ago.

[finchaser]

Monty are you testing plugs in the toilet bowl tank again:HappyWave:

JB you can only load 16A's A-salt bombers can't be loaded

[Monty]

Monty are you resting plugs in the toilet bowl tank again:HappyWave:

:HappyWave:

Unfortunately the only white water I see no a days is is the flush.

[speedy]

been using mineral oil for over 25 years yeah its good for the skin lmao

[jigfreak]

loaded redfin hands down a deadly tool when sandeels are around. No need for the sp the redfin swims better anyway

[Monty]

I like to fish floating needles at times.
To make it easy differentiating between floating and the sinking ones I put an F on the top of the floaters.

http://rocksimpson.com/images/2014_2_16__RM_FL_Needle_2.jpg

[J Barbosa]

Monty was kind enough to share his loaded 5" redfins with me and my brother.

I finally got to test it today and it seems to swim the same as those that I have loaded with 5 CC of water.

The plug did cast well and didn't tumble in the air like an unloaded redfin would.

My first impressions are that the redfins may cast better loaded with BBs rather than water. I had a new rod so I will have to test the two options side by side with the same rod.

[finchaser]

Monty I thought you put the F to remind you where front of the plug is for when you attach your line.:HappyWave:

We use to use mercury back in the day , then went to BB or buck shot but found they get stuck behind hook holders, or the threw wire on some plugs giving a very inconsistent casting and or swimming action. Then we tried the oil and that replicated the action of the mercury the best and didn't freeze like water when left in truck over night. The action always stayed true so we stuck with that.

[fishinmission78]

Monty I thought you put the F to remind you where front of the plug is for when you attach your line.:HappyWave:

We use to use mercury back in the day


:scared:Thanks for sharing that chief. Yep and back in the day they used to dump mercury in the hudson too. Did any of you guys get brain damage from that? Can't imagine it would be good for your health, kind of like inhaling fumes from melting lead for jigs.

[finchaser]

It was in every home in thermometers and heating and cooling thermostats wasn't an issue. We also survived lead paint no bicycle helmets or seat belts in cars. Bass and other fish are loaded with mercury and PCB's but big brother says ok to eat so its ok for now.

[BassBuddah]

It was in every home in thermometers and heating and cooling thermostats wasn't an issue. We also survived lead paint no bicycle helmets or seat belts in cars. Bass and other fish are loaded with mercury and PCB's but big brother says ok to eat so its ok for now.

I felt my age when I read this. Yes I remember the mercury thermometers in homes and how we had to jiggle them to see the spark if they were working sometimes. You would watch the enclosed mercury move back and forth as the switch catalyst. Also remember the mercury thermometers that Mom or the nurses used to put in our behinds or mouths. Full of mercury and we put it in our orifices with full confidence that the mercury would never leak.

Has anyone ever broken a thermometer on the ground? I had the misfortune to break several of them in my time and the easiest way to clean it up was with a dustpan and broom. Wet paper towel would clean up the mercury remnants. I am sure mercury was dangerous but as finchaser said the generation of ours grew up without bicycle helmets, crossing guards, amber alerts, peanut free lunchrooms, and we got dirty, bloody, skinned and scraped up, may have eaten a lead paint chip or two. broke some bones, and still managed to survive into adulthood.

[porgy75]

God I don't remember a time with out crossing guards. Some of you guys must be older than dinosaurs lol! Just kidding this thread is very informative and i am learning a lot thanks for sharing.

[finchaser]

yep we're 2 years older than dirt

[bababooey]

^^^ I was told you're older than that, dating back to when God created the earth.:ROFLMAO:HappyWave:

[storminsteve]

I wouldn't mess with finchaser dude. Word on the street is he's connected. You might end up in the trunk of a cadillac seville taking a long ride to the meadowlands. :)Capish?

[surfstix1963]

Bob's not that bad,but he will tell you what he thinks. I don't want to blow smoke up anyone's a$$ but the guy is a walking fishing encyclopedia and a damn good rod builder also, one of these days when I can spend more then a day in Jersey we have to talk about a couple of rods for the handicapped.

[DarkSkies]

^Surfstix to the rescue.....:( :HappyWave:

I was getting ready to pile on here, adding something like "he's so old, he has barnacles on the barnacles"....now ya ruined it by saying something nice about the old grouchy basstid......:laugh:

I was gonna add...
Old Grouchy Opinionated, Ornery, Obstinate, Cantankerous, Curmudgeonly, Crabby ......(all true) just to throw a few more in the pot....;) :kiss: :HappyWave:

[cowherder]

^Old Grouchy Opinionated, Ornery, Obstinate, Cantankerous, Curmudgeonly, Crabby ......(all true) just to throw a few more in the pot....;) :kiss: :HappyWave:


LOL that's a lot of adjectives for just one person!