Custom Wooden Plugs Review and What's New

[DarkSkies]

Art Hoch Plugs

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Some of his biggest plugs are 9" and 2-3+ ounces.
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His plugs are priced from $5- $20 depending on the size and level of detail.

[DarkSkies]

Had a chance to meet Ed G from Mt Holly. SeaHunt custom plugs. This guy really knows his stuff, he's got a wide selection from surface swimmers to plugs that will dive 8-9' perfect for deep current. Had a decent conversation about how fishermen are "lured" by a nice paint job when it's the action that matters most of all. I fish yellow, white, black, unless I'm fishin under the lights somewhere it doesn't matter. The action of the plug determines the hits. We're all sucked in by nice paint, though.

It was also cool hearing his perspective on different guys having unique building styles. We agreed every builder wants his plug to resemble a baitfish as closely as possible, so there are bound to be imitations and similarities, going all the way back to the mid 1900's. The man knows his plug styles, I was honored to meet him and get an education on the history of plug building.


Ed builds to put his plugs in the hands of fishermen to catch fish, not to sit the plugs on a shelf. It was great meetin ya, Ed, hope to fish some of your stuff in the future.

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[DarkSkies]

SeaHunt plugs. Just want to talk about this one last plug for a bit, the one with the scale pattern.

Ed makes it on the lathe, but it's offset, so he has to finish it by hand. I work with my hands for a living, so I appreciate seeng the talent that guys have to create custom wood. Nice work, man.

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[DarkSkies]

Always a pleasure to run into Armand and his son Marcel. They're full of great stories, and top it off with good family values.

I ran into Armand from RI poppers and his son Marcel. They gave a nice interview not only on the business of plug-making and some of their background info, but on Armand's philosophy and his outlook on life.



It was nice to meet you two again, always a pleasure, Armand and Marcel.

Some of the hardwood plugs Armand is now putting out there:
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[DarkSkies]

Steve of T Bone Tackle Co.




T Bone tackle company, started by the other Steve about 3 years ago. Steve lists Gary Hull and Harvey plugs as his influences . Right now it seems he's focusing on one style of swimmer. It's a decent size, about 3 oz, good for stayin on top in fast water.

I never fished one, so I don't know how it swims. I like how the back underside is offset. Looks to me like that plug needs a little extra effort to come out as smooth as it looks, and that Steve has some decent building skills.

Nice meetin both Steves.


Some pics of the T-bone swimmers:


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[DarkSkies]

RV Plugs, Brick area, NJ
Met with Ralph & Jerry from RV plugs. The talk a little about what they do, show off some of their work, and Ralph (behind the table) talks about an awesome hand carve piece he did. Amazing detail.





Next stops for these guys, Shorecatch seminars, and Asbury on the 14th.

[DarkSkies]

Tony Spina and his friend Howell.
Tony has been around for a long time, used to partner in a few businesses with Charlie K, Driftwood Lures, and some others.
More about Tony Spina:
http://stripersandanglers.com/Forum/...ead.php?t=2469


He was here at a table with his friend Howell. They were selling Tony's plugs, and some tackle and teasers.



I think Howell said Tony will be doing area flea markets for the next 4 weeks.
Next one might be Lacey Twp Elks in Forked River.

[DarkSkies]

Fish on-8 Middlebury CT
Rob with his sons Rob & Danny





You can next find Rob at the Asbury show on the 14th.

[DarkSkies]

Loki Lures, SI, NY

Met Greg and his brother in law.
Greg makes a particular style of plugs that require some extra time because of the way he shapes/shaves them.
He's famous for the "Loki Slider"

[DarkSkies]

Bodega Bay Lure Co

Joe Riviera from Bodega Bay, he's also known as Sporty Guy.





Joe will be at Asbury on the 14th.

[DarkSkies]

Big Ed's Lure Co

Carmine from Big Ed's Hamilton, NJ







They will be at Asbury on the 14th.

[DarkSkies]

Kevin's Lures, Jackson, NJ

Kevin had an interesting story. This was the first time I ran into him. He started making plugs because he didn't have to money to keep throwing away on plugs that he might eventually lose on the rocks.

He has always been handy with tools, and a tinkerer. So he started making plugs to fill his fishing needs, saw that they worked well, and branched out from there.

Because he's making only a few at a time as a hobby, his prices are attractive, from $7-$15 per plug.

He even sells unfinished plug kits, for a beginner to try, or a Dad to get into plug building with his son. Very reasonable, I think each kit with everything included is around $5

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Nice meeting ya, Kevin, best of luck.

[DarkSkies]

Fish On Lures

Met with Gene and Mrs Gene Amato
Gene, VP of the Asbury Club, is one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet.
He makes Fish On Lures





Gene will be at Asbury on the 14th.

[DarkSkies]

Bob from Sunset lures. Relatively new to the scene. His plugs range from $15-25.

Among his biggest influences:
Billy McFadden, whom he called one of the "most sharing guys, with the biggest heart".
He's also been iinfluenced and inspired by Bill Lindner and Lefty.

Nice meetin ya.

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[DarkSkies]

Mike Fixter from California is an established guy, has a good rep in the plug world. I never met him, heard a lot about him. Was looking forward to meeting him, but instead got to meet Dave who was workin his table.

Dave's a musky nut, the guy could write books about muskie fishin. But why would he? it would take away from his fishin time.

I never fished Fixter's plugs. He makes some huge stuff, some of em must have been over 5oz or more. Price ranges from $25-40. After checking out the plugs, I could see why musky and salt guys hold Mike in high regard. People say they're built to take punishment, and then some. Nice to finally meet ya, Dave.

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[DarkSkies]

Joe from Bodega Bay lures, out of California, aka Sporty Guy. He's been into this for 6 or 7 years now, and said one of his biggest influences was Chumbucket.

Chumbucket is one of the humblest guys you would ever want to meet. First tiime I met hiim, I said someting about what masterpieces his work was. He just shrugged it off, like he didn't want to feed into the ego thing too much. Meanwhile, guys all around say what a helpful resource he has been to the plug building community, and how generous he is with his advice. I don't think you could find one person on this earth who would be able to say anything negative about him.

Nice meeting you guys again.


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[DarkSkies]

Guppy Lures started in 2002 when brothers Peter and Wayne Hess bought the equipment and machines after Brad Pohler of Hog Hunter lures passed away.

They started to ramp things up around 2003 or 2004, and have been hard at it making plugs since. Nice meetin you guys.

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[DarkSkies]

Ryan Smith's table.

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[DarkSkies]

Ron Muccie is an institution in the plug building community, has been doing this for a long time. Ron is pictured here with his son. Ron had some good things to say about Tony Spina. Glad to hear your health has been good, Ron, I haven't seen ya for awhile. Stay well, nice meetin ya again.

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[Monty]

Rich,
Great posts and Pics.
Thanks for sharing.