I've been working on my first prototype of a pencil popper type plug.[not a true pecil popper] I used mahogany thinking the red cedar and ayc would be too light for throwing.

I want the head tip to lay on top and the tail sit just a little below the water line.After a trial of tail weighting and switching out different size hooks , the whole plug still sits too low in the water.:( I can't get the head up without the tail sitting too low.
Has to be the density of the wood unless you guys have an answer. What wood would you use for a second try? Thanks.

BTW- i found some great stuff for tweaking tail weight a tad. If you need a hair more weight you can get Tungsten coneheads in the fly fishing dept that fit over the wire and slide into a 3/16 tail hole behind your tailweight for a little extra weight.

The Red Cedar might be the go to... I built a few out of that and had to add a little more arse weight to get them to sit where I wanted. Good tip on the extra weight... I found some 3/8 eggs with a 3/32 thru hole that helped out too.
I built some out of Poplar last spring, that sat just like you say, with the middle size tail weight from NJT, might be worth a shot :huh:

pine/..anything clear u can get your hands on.

I've had good results using AYC for pencils, poppers, and spooks. Weighed them various ways: tail or parts of the belly to get them to sit how I want them. The bouyancy of the AYC gives the plug a nice action. At least thats what some finned friends told me ;)

Jigman

you could even try regular 2x4's, just cut around the knots. Spruce is fine for pencils too.

heres my 10cents... you should use a bouyant wood like AYC and then weight the crap out of the tail... the weight will be in the right place for casting and the nose will be more bouyant becuase its cedar..

I make mine from AYC Dave and it gives me everything I am looking for in a pencil popper.....sits just right, with simple tail weighting. No problems with it at all.;)

My first I used maple. :( It was like trying to raise the Titanic and make it dance. Been pencil shy ever since thanks for the solution:D

i like ayc for pencils. the plugs nose to tail altitude can be adjusted by drilling the tail weight bore all the way to the center hook hole and pushing tailweight almost to center which will give you a slight nose up stance. be sure to follow weight with a drilled out dowel. i like the nose to sit high myself for a nice topwater dance.

I like cedar its lighter than ayc Clear pine is another good choice.my pencils sink.But cast very far.i got a few fish on em.i got this real neat trick i do to em makes the bass nuts i think i'm gonna do them for the Canalman swap.so if u wanna get one get in.

Originally posted by Backbeach Jake
My first I used maple. :( It was like trying to raise the Titanic and make it dance. LMAO Fred,that is what i'm sure will happen with the mahoganoy:laughs:

Thanks for all the great information from everyone :) There is some great information there that you all contibuted:btu: Ya keep me learnin:D

I turned an ayc and a red ceda today and plan to seal and swim all 3. The red is defenitely the lightest followed by the ayc and then the "titanic" wood.:)

Appreciate all your help:D
Dave