Listen to Stripercoast1, baitstealer, he knows his plugs.

Needles are one of my favorites as well. They are deadly when sandeels are around, or in late fall when you think the bass are there but sluggish. There's something about them that will provoke a violent strike, as SC1 said. I like to fish em slow.

They're also great for covering large amounts of area to see if any fish are around.

If it's sinking, you gotta kick it up a notch so you don't get snagged on structure. Needles are so effective that in some places and times of year I just throw them out in current, hold the rod, and let the current do the work.