The Glory Daze,,

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20743&stc=1MK with a florida bass off the beds.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20744&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20745&stc=1
a blue tilapia caught MK's son from the pond behind his home

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20746&stc=1
what happens when lightning hits your rod and you!,,,,if you're lucky!

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20747&stc=1
reel overdrive!

[hookedonbass]

haha is that a working reel, or photoshop?

[Rip-Plugger]

haha is that a working reel, or photoshop?
lol,not sure but,it is interesting at the least.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20749&stc=1
danny/hound dog hybrid.

[stormchaser]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20746&stc=1
what happens when lightning hits your rod and you!,,,,if you're lucky!
His face looks a little crispy as well.Bet he had a hell of a headache that night.

[stormchaser]

That tilapia pic is unusual. Released from someones fishtank?

[Rip-Plugger]

That tilapia pic is unusual. Released from someones fishtank?
you know how it is florida,folks release live fish into ponds and they get spread out all over.
this is just a retention pond in his complex,it's just 4 years old now.
he said it there are channel cats,LMB,big bluegills and tilapia of several species in there.
they were breaking 14lb mono just after the hook is set,I guess they surge down when hooked.
he sent me a pic of a diff kind of tilapia that was very colorful and had wide fins,it was huge like 5 lbs he said.
I lost the pic of it,I think I saved it but,have not found it yet,if I do I'll post it.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20764&stc=1
Malibu Kenny's crappie.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20765&stc=1
Malibu Kenny's nice lmb.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20766&stc=1
malibu Kenny's 11lb'er.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20770&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20771&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20772&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20773&stc=1
Malibu Kenny with some fine florida LMB.

[aage]

Nice 5 pounder day. They are so nice pulling them out of a bunch of weeds

[storminsteve]

Whoa doggy, nice lmb!

[Monty]

That is a real nice bass, MK congrats.

[hookset]

Sweet bucket mouth thanks for sharing.

[albiealert]

Thank you for sharing that, nice catch.

[Rip-Plugger]

all are welcome.
Malibu Kenny has been busy for sure.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20790&stc=1
MK's monster tilaipia,which species of tilapia it is,I have no idea.
he guessed it at around 4-5lbs.
they are wild fish too.

[fishinmission78]

Yeah you can even catch tilapia in the drainage ditches in sunny Fla.
The asians farm them over in China in the dirtiest sewer water you could ever imagine. They can thrive anywhere. 5 pounds that's a decent size one.

[DarkSkies]

I want to commend Roddy for maintaining this thread through the years. He's one of the legends in his area.....but it's nice to see him sharing the spotlight.... and some of his techniques and successes, along with sharing about such legends as Malibu Kenny, and some other old timers he has fished with.....

Any of the new guys...who are looking to learn.....you could learn a lot by reviewing some of the posts in here.....Roddy catches fish when many others have thrown in the towel.......there's something to be learned from that determination and persistence...
We have a lot to thank him for....for unselfishly sharing.......Thanks Roddy and best of Health to you and your wife Sandy.:HappyWave:

[Rip-Plugger]

I want to commend Roddy for maintaining this thread through the years. He's one of the legends in his area.....but it's nice to see him sharing the spotlight.... and some of his techniques and successes, along with sharing about such legends as Malibu Kenny, and some other old timers he has fished with.....

Any of the new guys...who are looking to learn.....you could learn a lot by reviewing some of the posts in here.....Roddy catches fish when many others have thrown in the towel.......there's something to be learned from that determination and persistence...
We have a lot to thank him for....for unselfishly sharing.......Thanks Roddy and best of Health to you and your wife Sandy.:HappyWave:thanks so much for the kind words Dark.
it is not easy doing this thing we do in NW winds cranking at you and bucking the tide,waiting for that bump or tap and then being cold and still persisting to stay out there and catch and then do it all over again the next night.
2 more weeks and it will be start up time for me,herring are around and that's all it takes as long as the water temp is not below 40F.
I encourage all of us here to share a shot of their spoils,no need to burn your spot.

RP

[Rip-Plugger]

just found out the last tilapia pic is of a blue nile tilapia.

[fishgutz]

Cool pics thanks for the share. you are lucky. We don't see herring until the end of April

[Rip-Plugger]

Cool pics thanks for the share. you are lucky. We don't see herring until the end of AprilYW M8,,,can't wait to get slinging.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20815&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20816&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20817&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20818&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20819&stc=1
Malibu Kenny's action shotz.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20840&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=20841&stc=1
Malibu Kenny's action.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21049&stc=1
rigged with inline singles and ready for action!

R-P

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21051&stc=1
gave this storm giant flatstick a try one night,hooked up on the second cast and the fish got loose.
will give it more action when the fall starts up.
great action and makes a lot of noise too.
hope the fish are not put off by it.

R-P

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21053&stc=1
custom made super pikie made by WV-Bud in west Virginia.
traded one of my large,slim hound dogs for it.

R-P

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21054&stc=1
custom made canal pencil made by WV bud.

R-P

[Monty]

A 2017 R-P Bass and a Blue for me.
Not many Blues in R-P area yet this year.....odd

https://i1.wp.com/rocksimpson.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/HH_2017_5_13_Bass.jpg

https://i2.wp.com/rocksimpson.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017_5_21_3AM_Blue_1_Sebile.jpg?w=850

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21058&stc=1
one on my micro rip-runner.

R-P

[Rip-Plugger]

one on a lazer eye [5 inch]
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21059&stc=1
one on a 6 inch bomber fuse.

R-P
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21060&stc=1

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21061&stc=1
tsunami longstick.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21062&stc=1
bomber fuse.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21064&stc=1
6 inch longstick

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21066&stc=1
TS longstick.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21067&stc=1
one on an LS-7

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21068&stc=1
one on a Tony Spina golden danny.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21069&stc=1
one on my beat up 8 inch rip-splitter.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21070&stc=1
fattie on a bottle,thanks to monty!

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21071&stc=1
one on a bottle.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21072&stc=1
one on my older styled,slim rip-runner @ 7-1/2 inch.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21073&stc=1
fattie on a bottle.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21074&stc=1
bottle was hot a short while back.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21075&stc=1
one on a creek chubb surfster[4oz]

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21078&stc=1
one on a 2 oz hurricane bucktail.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21079&stc=1
one on the bottle

[hookedonbass]

Holy macaroni man! What are you doing fishing at Cabelas tank? Fantastic fishing for July, whats your secret? Night only or pre dawn? Thanks for any info you can share and congrats on all the stripers!

[Monty]

Holy macaroni man! What are you doing fishing at Cabelas tank? Fantastic fishing for July, whats your secret? Night only or pre dawn? Thanks for any info you can share and congrats on all the stripers!
:HappyWave:
HoB, those pics have dates. Not July.

[Rip-Plugger]

as monty said,check the dates on the pix,july has been dead and not even gators are around in numbers,as for bunkers and threadfins they are walkonable.
some areas are choked with them.
normally I don't fish july/august but,gators are normally around but,not this year,I only got 1 so far.

[Rip-Plugger]

Holy macaroni man! What are you doing fishing at Cabelas tank? Fantastic fishing for July, whats your secret? Night only or pre dawn? Thanks for any info you can share and congrats on all the stripers!most of the fish in the pix were caught deep and LDP method,,,creek chub giant pikies,some of my own designs,bottles,,anything that would go 8-10 feet down on a LDP drift.
finally got one of my friends to learn the method from me,now he is convinced he can do it too.

[Rip-Plugger]

oh and yes,night only and night into firstlight,,no later than 7 am.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21080&stc=1
one on a creek chub giant pikie.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21081&stc=1
one on my 10 inch ripstick.

[hookedonbass]

:HappyWave:
HoB, those pics have dates. Not July.

:embarassed:Oops what a doofus I am! Just goes to show you a lot of us dont pay attention! They still are nice catches. Thanks

[jigfreak]

Of course we don't pay attention, we're men. My girl reminds me of this weekly, all good.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21090&stc=1
one more on my ripstick

[nitestrikes]

Good job, it seems like you are into em every april-may. We have to wait till about mid may until the bigger fish seem to show. Fishing for me has been very inconsistent this year.

[Rip-Plugger]

Of course we don't pay attention, we're men. My girl reminds me of this weekly, all good.I am lucky,my wife fishes with me,she likes the fall much more than spring though.
she will be getting out with me late September.

[Rip-Plugger]

Good job, it seems like you are into em every april-may. We have to wait till about mid may until the bigger fish seem to show. Fishing for me has been very inconsistent this year.it has been up and down this year quite a bit,the fish move in,ya hit them for 3 days then they vanish upriver.
then more fish move inside from outside and the same thing.
really wish gators were around but,they seem to be staying outside.
there was a big squid run back in june but,that has to be over by now.
still no gators.
when the tide comes around again I will do a reconnoiter since the tides repeat about every 14-16 days.

[Rip-Plugger]

Good job, it seems like you are into em every april-may. We have to wait till about mid may until the bigger fish seem to show. Fishing for me has been very inconsistent this year.yes and a lot of june too.
I was on them a while before they moved out.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21104&stc=1
gator on a bottle.

[RocksandReds]

Sorry wrong pic

[Rip-Plugger]

ya know what,you're right,didn't think of it but yes.
seems that color combo was killer last year.
I had a plug and a friend of mine wanted to test swim it.
I had it rigged to test out so,I told him to clip it on and sling it out there.
he did and liked the swim,,,then a sudden crash and drag peeled,,at that point I said to him,pay me now,it's yours.
he totally hammered fish with that plug almost all year,wish I had it now to take a pic and show it.
it is beaten to death and still swims great almost no paint on it.
ya know what?,,,I have a pic of it new,before I sold it to him.heres a pic of the plug before my friend bought it from me.http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21125&stc=1

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21134&stc=1
one on a gibb's goo-goo eye swimmer[big daddy]

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21135&stc=1
one on my 8 inch rip-splitter.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21136&stc=1
one on a creek chub giant pikie.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21137&stc=1
one on my 10 inch ripstick.

[lostatsea]

Nice contrast at night with the stripes and black background. Thanks for sharing.

[Rip-Plugger]

Nice contrast at night with the stripes and black background. Thanks for sharing.therain earlier that night helped with that.
it was very quiet out there that night,not even a mouse pissed.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21138&stc=1
4oz. creek chub surfster.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21140&stc=1
one on my pink chocolate rip-splitter.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21141&stc=1
one on a Mann's magnum stretch 1 minus.[8 inches/3 oz.]

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21142&stc=1
one on my new,blind hound dog.

[cowherder]

nice!

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21143&stc=1
one on my old rip-splitter,,fish got loose at my feet thrashing and got rehooked where it is in the shot.

[hookset]

Nice lil fattie.:fishing:

[Rip-Plugger]

Nice lil fattie.:fishing:yes it was,nice/heavy,was very lucky to land it too.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21145&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21146&stc=1
nice gator on a fresh repaint.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21154&stc=1
gator on my large hound dog rigged with 6/0 owner inline singles,they really dig in and hold on good.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21155&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21157&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21156&stc=1
gator on a large custom parrot darter/scale made by Seed420

[seamonkey]

Wow I see you have a conventional. You are prepared for the big mothers, huh?

[Rip-Plugger]

Wow I see you have a conventional. You are prepared for the big mothers, huh?oh yes,I fish with nothing but winches.
I never really liked spinners,always felt wonky to me.
I do have my old glass surf rod which hangs on the wall in my den but,thats an oldie from 1983.
not wind knots ever and no twisted line.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21159&stc=1
ming-yang CL-70.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21160&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21161&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21162&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21163&stc=1
quantum Iron winch I found on ebay,brand new old stock,discontinued years ago,very solid reel.
finally got one after wanting one for many years.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21164&stc=1
gator on a super darter made by Seed420.

[Rip-Plugger]

a new builder friend of mine EJM's work.
"the bullet"
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21165&stc=1

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21166&stc=1
EJM bullet

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21167&stc=1
EJM bullet

[Rip-Plugger]

one he made for me,in large size of course.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21168&stc=1
got a few slams on it already but,they got off.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21169&stc=1
EJM swimmer.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21174&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21175&stc=1
gator my new Hound dog swimmer.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21181&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21182&stc=1
gator on my repainted rip-runner.

[hookedonbass]

That thing has a big head! Looking for them in the bay last night but only got small cocktails. Congrats.

[Rip-Plugger]

That thing has a big head! Looking for them in the bay last night but only got small cocktails. Congrats.I think it's the angle,,it looked normal to me.
the tail is pointing away from the cam so the zoom "highlights" the head whilst affecting the tail/body less as they are farther away.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21183&stc=1
bass are starting to show up again.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21184&stc=1
this micro slammed the hell out of an RV plugs P-knutt.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21186&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21187&stc=1
then came this one,all diff sizes moving around now.
took a storm 6 inch-1-1/2 oz anchovy

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21188&stc=1
got this one on a 1-1/2 oz ballsleeve bucktail with 6 inch white curly.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21189&stc=1
small one slammed my old baby rip-runner.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21190&stc=1
this one hit my small rip-runner in black/white.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21191&stc=1
micro hit my old rip-runner [repaint 3 times]

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21192&stc=1
gator hit a storm anchovy.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21194&stc=1
my wife with her bass caught on a storm 6 inch shad

[jigfreak]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21192&stc=1
gator hit a storm anchovy.

Nice going. I throw rubber a lot as well but tend to lean on bucktails when the blues are around unless its at night and I'm pitching to bridges and structure. Do you guys have any luck with bucktails and pork up there?

[Rip-Plugger]

Nice going. I throw rubber a lot as well but tend to lean on bucktails when the blues are around unless its at night and I'm pitching to bridges and structure. Do you guys have any luck with bucktails and pork up there?sure do I just prefer curlies over pork since they give much more movement with the slightest current.
the rubber I was suing is 1-1/2 oz to get down deep because of the full moon tides,they were cranking and 1 oz or less won't get down fast enough.
I have a ton of rubber so I don't mind getting it chopped up.
I do throw bucktails too though,,love these.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21195&stc=1

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21196&stc=1
these too,4 bottom ones.

[williehookem]

Oh, NOW you see the benefit of throwing small when there is small bait around LOL! Just busting your chops man, I always enjoy your reports, keep catching those thrasher's!

[Rip-Plugger]

Oh, NOW you see the benefit of throwing small when there is small bait around LOL! Just busting your chops man, I always enjoy your reports, keep catching those thrasher's!actually the bait are adult bunkers and threadfin herring which are 6 inches max.
since there are a big mix of sizes I will throw large enough to keep the taterchips away but,they can be ball-z.
not that I want the smaller fish,I'll fish for them late fall when the larger fish seem to vacate.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21197&stc=1
my wife with her second bass of the night/year.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21201&stc=1
one on a 6 inch storm anchovie.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21202&stc=1
small one on a 6 inch sea shad.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21204&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21205&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21206&stc=1
one on my 10 inch rip-stick.

[jigfreak]

Pretty work there. Was wondering what time of year when you stop catching larger bass in your area?

[Rip-Plugger]

Pretty work there. Was wondering what time of year when you stop catching larger bass in your area?normally you can catch 20 inch fish in the cold and then you catch a 15lb'er in the same area,it can be a mix but,mostly when it gets close to 42f,they stop hitting but,are still there.
below 42f,none of them will bite.
around here that is and on lures.

[hookedonbass]

Good going

[Rip-Plugger]

Good goingTY,,it has been crazy,fish are moving around a lot,catch one day and then they are gone.
then you'd see them then they vanish.
driving guys nuts.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21207&stc=1
saltwater assassin 6 inch.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21208&stc=1
6 inch storm anchovy.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21209&stc=1
6 inch storm anchovy

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21210&stc=1
x-rap action.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21214&stc=1
6 inch sea shad.

[plugcrazy]

Nice going. Must be nice to have all those fish around. I got blanked last 2 times in a row. Congrats.

[Rip-Plugger]

Nice going. Must be nice to have all those fish around. I got blanked last 2 times in a row. Congrats.I did a bit of roaming around too,hit some in this area,then nothing,move to another hit a few then nothing again.
also I am fishing rivers not on the beach,,switched to river fishing many years ago,waay more fish in them than the beach.
convinced me to let my old waders rot away on the hook.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21249&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21250&stc=1
6 inch sea shad.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21251&stc=1
6 inch sea shad.

[DarkSkies]

Good to see you out there Roddy and adapting to the conditions. I was in Redding a few weeks ago and was going to call you and your wife up to grab some coffee, but it was short notice and I thought it would be rude.
We just lost another legendary Surf Man this week, and I know we are all getting older. Wishing you and your family the best of health pal. :fishing:Talk to you soon. Rich

[Rip-Plugger]

Good to see you out there Roddy and adapting to the conditions. I was in Redding a few weeks ago and was going to call you and your wife up to grab some coffee, but it was short notice and I thought it would be rude.
We just lost another legendary Surf Man this week, and I know we are all getting older. Wishing you and your family the best of health pal. :fishing:Talk to you soon. Richit is indeed good to get out there and be out there.
you could have called,it wouldn't have been rude,I would have been honored.
who's the one that passed on?
I didn't hear of anything like that that I remember right now anyway.
I wish you and yours the very same thing man.
I adopted what many older guys and my mom told me many years ago,,they told me to enjoy myself and the things I love doing now whilst it is doable.
I have done this for the last 36 years now and it does make sense.
at this point in my life money is not the point,serenity,calmness and fulfillment are.
that keeps the soul on a flat trajectory which is balance,balance is what everything is all about.
time is more valuable than money because you can always get more money but,ya can't get more time!
cheers

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21258&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21259&stc=1
41/25 on my slim design hound dog.

[storminsteve]

Kicking butt and taking names! Nice striper, man!

[Rip-Plugger]

Kicking butt and taking names! Nice striper, man!SS,I am trying hard man.
cast after cast,drift after drift.
sometimes I go into sleep/auto mode and sleep while slow cranking.
you know how I do it,,when the bite is on I am on them,when it';s off,I do recon and keep trying.
btw,take a closer look,tell me whats wrong.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21262&stc=1
matzuo swimbait 2 oz.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21263&stc=1
northbar bottle darter.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21264&stc=1
one on my 7-1/2 inch rip-splitter

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21265&stc=1
one on a Seed420 custom made darter.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21266&stc=1
bunkers were hitting hard last night.

[Rip-Plugger]

I just wanted to share with those here that do their own customizing.
I was given an old daiwa regal surf stick made of glass.
it was in good shape but,needed to be cleaned up.

since this rod was a spinning rod and I don't do spinning I decided to customize it into a winch rod.
it was 11 feet long and had the old style aluminum reel seat I cut it off at the top of the handle which was exactly 24 inches.
I stripped off the old wire guides and then wet sanded the blank with 440 grit lightly.
I had another handle with the reel seat still on it from another old project so,I cut it down leaving on 2 inches of the blank on each end.
soaked the reel seat in hot water then took pliers and crushed the blank close to the edge of the reel seat.
I kept dipping it in the hot water until the graphite got soft,,kind of and then took a screw driver and shoved it between the inside of the reel seat and the outside of the glass to pry it away from the inside of the seat.
after a while it all came loose and I took it out.
seat was good as new.
I added it to this blank and with it being a winch rod the nut that tightens the reel on the rod had to be facing up not down like a spinning rod.
I epoxied the seat on the blank and let it cure.
now for the handle,,how to finish it??
with the high cost of the corktape[high quality]I opted to try out an idea I came up with after looking at my BB bat next to my front door.
I suddenly had a vision!,,,,,
the stuff they wrap the bats and tennis rackets with would work good and look cool too.
so,I bought a roll of it for 5 bucks[96 inches] and used that.
one layer was all that was needed and it is slightly spongy and pretty grippy,even more so than the rubber that comes on surf rods today.
came out great and the more you grab it the more it stays put.
heres some shots above the seat and below.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21268&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21267&stc=1

[hookset]

Interesting and creative, thanks for the share and tutorial.

[DarkSkies]

who's the one that passed on?
I didn't hear of anything like that that I remember right now anyway.


Roddy, here it is....
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?10541-RIP-Rich-Rusznak-another-Surf-Fishing-Legend-gone

He passed last week. One of the very few people that I fished with. He loved fishing more than anything else. In the last 18 mos he could not get out there because of mobility issues. It killed me to see him lose that in his life.....sometimes we don't realize what we have...until we don't have it any more. :learn:

[DarkSkies]

it is indeed good to get out there and be out there.
you could have called,it wouldn't have been rude,I would have been honored.

I wish you and yours the very same thing man.
I adopted what many older guys and my mom told me many years ago,,they told me to enjoy myself and the things I love doing now whilst it is doable.
I have done this for the last 36 years now and it does make sense.
at this point in my life money is not the point,serenity,calmness and fulfillment are.
that keeps the soul on a flat trajectory which is balance,balance is what everything is all about.
time is more valuable than money because you can always get more money but,ya can't get more time!
cheers

Agree with that, Roddy.....finally got around to posting these pics of Pebbles in that bite that I told you about.....( just a "little" delay in posting......):rolleyes:
She out-fished everyone else on the beach that night....including me.....proud of that girl. :thumbsup:

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/showthread.php?9061-Following-the-Night-Tides-Do-You-have-What-it-Takes/page9
(post 167)

[Rip-Plugger]

Interesting and creative, thanks for the share and tutorial.YW Hookset,,thought it would inspire someone there that reads it here.
there is always an alternative and more than one way to skin a cat.

[Rip-Plugger]

Interesting and creative, thanks for the share and tutorial.update on the handle wrapping,,,it worked perfectly.
it got wet and didn't lose it's grip quality also it kept my hand warm too.
just thought I'd share that point.
to hell with corktape,,I am sold on this bat wrap.

[lostatsea]

Cool sizes on those stripers. I got two this morning but the biggest was only 18 in. Send some of those down our way!

[Rip-Plugger]

Cool sizes on those stripers. I got two this morning but the biggest was only 18 in. Send some of those down our way!there is a mix of sizes right now.
you can catch a 12 inch fish and 2 casts later you can catch a 15lb'er.
I am plugging with plugs that are a bit too big for the smaller ones and even so,they still hit them sometimes.

[Rip-Plugger]

Interesting and creative, thanks for the share and tutorial.I made an error in my statement,,I cut off 12 inches from the bottom not 24,it is 10 feet now.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21348&stc=1
one on a northbar,,

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21349&stc=1
one on a big fischer mega darter.[thanks monty]

[storminsteve]

Congrats on the stripes you seem to really be on em. So far our run has been good one night, terrible the next.

[Rip-Plugger]

Congrats on the stripes you seem to really be on em. So far our run has been good one night, terrible the next.it's pretty much that up here.,,couple of good nights then fish are gone,then they show up again.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21352&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21353&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21354&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21355&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21356&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21357&stc=1
some custom blanks from my friend pat at elm city lures.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21358&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21359&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21360&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21361&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21361&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21362&stc=1
the titanic,,from elm city lures,just the way I like them,large like a barge.

[Rip-Plugger]

Kicking butt and taking names! Nice striper, man!zoom in and tell me whats wrong.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21363&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21364&stc=1
got it started.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21366&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21367&stc=1
almost ready to seal/build.
a cool banana type swimmer.
designed by elm city lures and built by me,well,going to be built by me to be a surface swimmer.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21369&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21370&stc=1
one on a big fischer mega darter.

[basshunter]

Good going. Is that wood pine, or amer yellow cedar? Elm city are they selling kits?

[Rip-Plugger]

Good going. Is that wood pine, or amer yellow cedar? Elm city are they selling kits?elm city lures is not a company,it is my friends NIC since he is getting into making lures now somewhat.
the wood is prolly pine since I gave him a ton of wood I find at work.
he is gearing up to build blanks right now for the winter.
he needs some schooling though since he rushes his work too much and the finished lure ends up looking like ****.
mostly what I gave him was old growth poplar,sugar pine and some other type of pine.
the large one he formed for me was out of poplar.
personally I love poplar and sugar pine to build with,it sands smooth great and shapes easy.
the blanks you see,I had to use sandpaper to get them smooth and regular,they did not come to my hands like they are in the pix,they were rough shaped.
80 grit will get them in shape easy though.
he is a member at SOL,his name is mad dog.
you could go there and shoot him a PM,I am sure he would make up some blanks and sell them to you if you wanted some.

[Rip-Plugger]

WOW!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz8vHvGUnyY

[plugginpete]

Jesus those things are fat and round as tuna! Thanks for sharing.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21386&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21387&stc=1
xrap

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21388&stc=1
bomber,,

[storminsteve]

Some nice sizes there. I spent all last night catching dinks, would love to see some fish your size in the mix.

[Rip-Plugger]

Some nice sizes there. I spent all last night catching dinks, would love to see some fish your size in the mix.
the good part is you were catching,good for you man.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21389&stc=1
bomber,,

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21391&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21392&stc=1
a collaboration with elm city lures and me.
his design which I flipped over and built and painted.
his original design was to have the flat side as the bottom.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21393&stc=1
atom jr type swimmer I refurbished in my custom pink chocolate paint.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21394&stc=1
another one I did up in pink chocolate paint.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21395&stc=1
one of my older builds that I really like.
gave it a freshening up with epoxy coating and some old school sparkles.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21396&stc=1
a very old one from my start in lure making,my friend said it didn't swim anymore but,when I tested it it swam normally.
I removed one of the hangers that had rusted some and added a new one then some new hooks.
it now has a home in my bag for late fall.

[lostatsea]

Nice, Heard there are squid around. That why you are tossing those colors all of a sudden?

[fishinmission78]

Good going.

[buckethead]

Great job. Thanks for sharing and merry christmas.

[Rip-Plugger]

Nice, Heard there are squid around. That why you are tossing those colors all of a sudden?squid?,,not now,water is cold now 40up this way,the bass don't bite at that temp here.

[Rip-Plugger]

Good going.
TY,need something to keep me fishy.

[Rip-Plugger]

Great job. Thanks for sharing and merry christmas.
TY and merry Christmas to you and yours.

[cowherder]

Merry Christmas Sir!

[Rip-Plugger]

TY,,I hope yours was nice/calm!

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21401&stc=1
very nice,large custom darter made by Seed420.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21402&stc=1
an old mullet design of mine I freshened up,,has some miles on it but still very good action.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21405&stc=1
finally finished this rip-runner.
has been built for 3 years laying in a drawer in my lure chest with a few others that need painting.
did it up in my custom color pink chocolate.

[storminsteve]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21402&stc=1
an old mullet design of mine I freshened up,,has some miles on it but still very good action.


Sometimes the old stuff is the best! Thanks for sharing.

[storminsteve]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21402&stc=1
an old mullet design of mine I freshened up,,has some miles on it but still very good action.


Sometimes the old stuff is the best! Thanks for sharing.

[Rip-Plugger]

Sometimes the old stuff is the best! Thanks for sharing.
oh yes indeed.
it's a small plug which I would only use in late fall.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21410&stc=1
a fresh hound dog with silver diamond dust and I added some old school silver sparkles to give some old style to it.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21411&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21412&stc=1
a collaboration,,designed by Pat @ elm city lures and my building it.

[ledhead36]

Got a nice shape to it.

[Rip-Plugger]

yes it does,not my design but,a friends,he started making lures this past season and came up with it.
he gave me 2 that were similar and then another he came up with a large one with a cool design,will share pix of it when I finish it.
oh yeah,I kinda changed the way he intended it to be built,I flipped it over,,the top was supposed to be the bottom.

[Rip-Plugger]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcRm-7dxWbI

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21413&stc=1
a gibb's trolling lure I'm building for a friend.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21414&stc=1
a few new pieces.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21415&stc=1
oval bodied hound dog.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21416&stc=1
narrowed nose hound dog.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21417&stc=1
a gibbs troller I built for a friend,I didn't turn it,someone else did I just built it\painted it pink chocolate.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21418&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21419&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21420&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21421&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21422&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21423&stc=1
dug out my old glass St Croix LMB rod,under that sits my old daiwa GS-13,,yeah,it needs a bath for sure.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nova-scotia/atlantic-salmon-smolt-new-study-striped-bass-miramichi-1.4494195http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nova-scotia/atlantic-salmon-smolt-new-study-striped-bass-miramichi-1.4494195

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21426&stc=1
2 hook hound dog swimmer.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21427&stc=1
fat mullet I did up for a trade on the west coast.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21429&stc=1
hound dog done in orange over pink chocolate.

[lostatsea]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21417&stc=1
a gibbs troller I built for a friend,I didn't turn it,someone else did I just built it\painted it pink chocolate.

Did you ever cast these in an inlet or something similar? Wondered how they might do if your not trolling them from boat? thanks

[lostatsea]

http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nova-scotia/atlantic-salmon-smolt-new-study-striped-bass-miramichi-1.4494195http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nova-scotia/atlantic-salmon-smolt-new-study-striped-bass-miramichi-1.4494195

How weird is that? In the waters by us we would love to have all them stripers. Up in canada they have so many they are eating the salmon? Global warming or something else?

[Rip-Plugger]

Did you ever cast these in an inlet or something similar? Wondered how they might do if your not trolling them from boat? thanks
oh yes indeed,one of my fave swimmers was a large gibbs like this one although it was white.
that was back when I first got into fishing salt.
at that time there were no bass around just very large gators.
they ate that gibbs down quite a bit,it had lots of it bitten away.
it finally wore out and I put it in my closet but,lost it somewhere.
they are very effective in current.
just cast acros the current,let it ride the tide waay out then engage the reel and hole it a while,when your line becomes close to straight roll it home slow\steady.
the fish will let you know when to swing.

[Rip-Plugger]

How weird is that? In the waters by us we would love to have all them stripers. Up in canada they have so many they are eating the salmon? Global warming or something else?
indeed true,,I prefer to use the term climate change since we are in a different point in earths precession,,,or is it procession??,,,anyhow,we will be seeing a redistribution of fishs' migrations that prolly true.
maybe we will even get some channel bass up north sometime soon.

[Rip-Plugger]

oh yes indeed,one of my fave swimmers was a large gibbs like this one although it was white.
that was back when I first got into fishing salt.
at that time there were no bass around just very large gators.
they ate that gibbs down quite a bit,it had lots of it bitten away.
it finally wore out and I put it in my closet but,lost it somewhere.
they are very effective in current.
just cast acros the current,let it ride the tide waay out then engage the reel and hole it a while,when your line becomes close to straight roll it home slow\steady.
the fish will let you know when to swing.
you can engage the reel at any point to find out if there are any fish spread out over the area your cast can reach.

[seamonkey]

indeed true,,I prefer to use the term climate change since we are in a different point in earths precession,,,or is it procession??,,,anyhow,we will be seeing a redistribution of fishs' migrations that prolly true.
maybe we will even get some channel bass up north sometime soon.

We do get quite a few redfish in cape may and delaware bay in the summer. I think they are also called channel bass as well.

[Rip-Plugger]

We do get quite a few redfish in cape may and delaware bay in the summer. I think they are also called channel bass as well.
that's good,I have heard they are very good eating,,never saw one before but,would love to catch one and try it on the table.

[lostatsea]

Nice job. Some of those piugs are so fat dude! I guess you are just lobbing them out there and crawling in slowly?

[Rip-Plugger]

Nice job. Some of those piugs are so fat dude! I guess you are just lobbing them out there and crawling in slowly?
TY,,with all thing being to scale the rigs match the lures.
the rods are built to sling large lures without being taxed.
most times I don't have to swing hard but,if I have to I can and not worry about being too close to the limit.
for the most part I fish LDP style,,throw it as far out across or along the rips as possible and let it ride the tide waay out,engage the reel and slow roll it back.
can cover a mile of water in a nights fishing.


this fish was taken in the manner I described with a very large swimmer.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21435&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21436&stc=1

[strikezone31]

Nothing like making something with your hands and fooling a wild creature to smash it. Cool.

[Rip-Plugger]

Nothing like making something with your hands and fooling a wild creature to smash it. Cool.
that is very true and it never gets old.
I always smile when someone tells me or shows me a shot of a fish they caught with my work.
wish I could see others making their own here but,it seems that almost none do.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21438&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21439&stc=1
a collaboration build,design is by Lonell R.,build\paint is by me.
came out great,hope it swims nice.
built one shallow and one deep,deep is not finished yet,will be a dark color for bright nights.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21440&stc=1
super hound dog

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21443&stc=1
custom darter by Seed420[jersey]

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21451&stc=1
one on a northbar

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21452&stc=1
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21453&stc=1
same fish diff angles

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21454&stc=1
northbar,,,,

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21456&stc=1
northbar,,,,,,,

[fishinmission78]

Thanks for posting dude, can't see the pic in the last one?

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21458&stc=1
one on a custom darter by Andy,,,,

[Rip-Plugger]

Thanks for posting dude, can't see the pic in the last one?
YW,,as you can see even using a large darter the small fish are hungry and bold too,,,

[rockhopper]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21443&stc=1
custom darter by Seed420[jersey]

nice dartah!

[rockhopper]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21456&stc=1
northbar,,,,,,,

Love that color. You have a lot of squid where you fish?

[Rip-Plugger]

nice dartah!
yes it was,unfortunetly it did not work correctly,the builder found that it's head was too narrow and would not allow it to grab the water right.
he is building another one for me like this one in the same color.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21461&stc=1

[Rip-Plugger]

Love that color. You have a lot of squid where you fish?
I only fish rivers,no more beaches for about 25 years now.
squid do sow up at times and we always know when because the fish would leave the rivers and go outside to gorge on them,,they seem to know when they show up,prolly by smell.
they don't show up in any regular fashion,it can be at any time during the season.

[storminsteve]

Wood darters are funny. It seems like you have to have a lot of big water or current for them to dig in. Love the smaller ones like the mag darters though. thanks for sharing.

[Rip-Plugger]

Wood darters are funny. It seems like you have to have a lot of big water or current for them to dig in. Love the smaller ones like the mag darters though. thanks for sharing.
yes they can be,if not proportioned correctly.
the one in question looked odd to me when I opened the box,my first thought was that it would not perform right but,then I said I don't know much about building one so,maybe I could be wrong.
seems I was dead on.
the wood darters need to have a head that's wide enough to grab the water or they will not dart.
the one in question does not.
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21467&stc=1
I built these to dig deep when the fish are holding down low.
esp for 3 spots I know of where one can fish on a low bridge,they dig down perfectly.
let them ride the tide waay out then slow roll them home or half way then repeat.
has worked great for me using the creek chubb giant pikies and rebel's large sliver.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21468&stc=1
custom darter by Andy.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21469&stc=1
northbar

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21470&stc=1
northbar

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21472&stc=1
northbar,,,,

[Monty]

Here's a pic of a Blue this AM on a Rip-Plugger metal Lip.
~30 inches, thanks Roddy!

21474

[Rip-Plugger]

[QUOTE=Monty;98736]Here's a pic of a Blue this AM on a Rip-Plugger metal Lip.
~30 inches, thanks Roddy!
good catching monty,,nice plug too!
RP

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21475&stc=1
EJM Heavy-Hitter.
10 inches\4 oz.
done up in dirty banana.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21477&stc=1
northbar,,,,,,,

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21478&stc=1http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21479&stc=1
custom pikie collaboration with me and LonellR,his design,my build\paint.

[baitstealer]

You are def catching a lot of stripers. Feels better to read because I got the skunk last night, only one missed strike and I blew it. Keep up the good work!

[Rip-Plugger]

You are def catching a lot of stripers. Feels better to read because I got the skunk last night, only one missed strike and I blew it. Keep up the good work!I've been skunked 2wice this season so far,I am sure many will come and in a row no doubt.
2 seasons ago I had a 16 round skunk streak but,there were no fish around nor bait so I was not thinking it was me.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21481&stc=1
northbar,,,

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21484&stc=1
one on a custom wood darter by Andy.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21485&stc=1
one on my custom ripstick.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21487&stc=1
northbar

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21488&stc=1
one on an Andy's darter.

[plugcrazy]

Nice pics. Heard the gators have invaded the CT rivers. You getting any of them?

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21495&stc=1
one on a custom pikie.

[Rip-Plugger]

Nice pics. Heard the gators have invaded the CT rivers. You getting any of them?
I have not seen a single one yet.
I like catching them though.
been to just 2 of my rivers and didn't see any sign of them,,,yet.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21496&stc=1
EJM heavy-hitter.
6 inch2-1\2 oz.

[Rip-Plugger]

http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21497&stc=1
EJM heavy hitter.
9 inch 4 oz.