I was wondering what you all thought were some of the more influential plugs made by people here? Paint, or design, or action, or simply a personal favorite, and so on. And if you could post up some pictures too :)

Yes, there is a reasoning behind this but I can't get into that just yet :hihi:

Thanks!

John

http://www.bmwoodworking.com/brucefishing/snowplug.jpg

Thanks :doh: ...

How about something a little more, uhh, significant than that, eh? :hs: :eyes: :gu:

Mr Pogie for paint

Tattoo for thinking

BM for getting off the beaten path

I dont collect plugs nor really follow history, I see something that takes off in my mind and work with it or come up with something new to find out I am just reinventing the wheel.
I would have to say that Stan Gibbs (who's watching) was the most influencial even though he's not hitting keys around here.

Tagger's Tadpole
BM's PhatBoy Danny
BBJ's midget Danny
Capesams Lobstah
JPI's Surfster's

habs' poop eel..

The paint work of Bernzy and Ryan Smith aka Lab1 is what I aspire to!:kewl:

I think that Bernzy's Surf Howdy in any size and Lab1's Big Eye Swimmers are the most original plugs I have seen in awhile.....and they catch fish!

my vote is for fishing freak's american flag pikie. :kewl:

oh and my glass needlefish:hihi:

I dont collect plugs nor really follow history, I see something that takes off in my mind and work with it or come up with something new to find out I am just reinventing the wheel.
I would have to say that Stan Gibbs (who's watching) was the most influencial even though he's not hitting keys around here.

I wood totally agree: everything that has been posted here has been"just reinventing the wheel"even my lobster...given time everything comes around again from[r.i.p] past builder's not yet discovered by new builder's.There's been many a great plug built by alot of new builder's to single out a few.

The Freaks painted flag plugs are just awesome

all of them...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/thefishingfreak/DSC05084.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/thefishingfreak/DSC05087.jpg


hmm,,, plugs bye members of this site?
here's my favorites....in no particular order..

ALL of them..
every one is special to me :kewl:

Amongst the builders here, I feel like a kid in the Candy Store with a nickel! I don't know what to grab first, so I promise myself to steal that design, no that one, oo look at that! Well, you know what I mean. Lately though, I can't get enough of the older, more traditional designs. But they all seem to have a gravitational field....

mrpogie for sure. Paint and everything is flawless :kewl: freak's flag plugs are always cool. Some talent in his painting skills. Same with bernzy. guzz plugs look great and work real well. Picked up a lot of tips from him on topwater plugs. Definitely helped me in designing my own topwater plugs.

Jigman

people that helped me the most, telling me how to do things at the start ,gotta say Mac and Capesams. I got Bob Hahn lesson from Justplugit..darter lessons from lifshvermont. Floyd Roman lesson Vineyardblues and knuckle head..predator lesson knuckle head .. hanger lesson Gary2,,all told me straight up what i needed to know .. Thanks for tin foil lesson FishinFreak ...Mike Fixter told me alot .. And all the little bits and pieces .. I gotta say I've learned from the best ...all of u... thanks eddy spagehtti

I wood totally agree: everything that has been posted here has been"just reinventing the wheel"even my lobster...given time everything comes around again from[r.i.p] past builder's not yet discovered by new builder's.There's been many a great plug built by alot of new builder's to single out a few.

There is a method to my madness (to be revealed much later):musc: . This is not a philospohical discussion of the plug arts on a grand scale - just the opinions of the members here of influential plugs from other members here....

I think JohnR is looking for builders who may have stirred the pot a bit? Got others thinking maybe with an original idea or a new spin on the old wheel?? Innovative and thinking out of the box perhaps?? Is that what you want JohnR?

I think JohnR is looking for builders who may have stirred the pot a bit? Got others thinking maybe with an original idea or a new spin on the old wheel?? Innovative and thinking out of the box perhaps?? Is that what you want JohnR?

Nope - what I am looking for is either plugs from this site that have influenced you, made you want to cast real bad to a bass, or said "H&%*(# Sh27#^&# - That's $^^%*& AWESOME!!!"

Not pot stirring at all, in fact, plugs which everyone rates two thumbs way up :btu: :btu:

And pictures :D

Habs

CHUMBUCKET :bl:
VB

I would have to second the Freak Flag plug.....That thing is like Kryptonite.

When you get near it or hold it you get Dizzy and Weak in the knees.

CHUMBUCKET :bl:
VB

Yes, finally someone said Chumbucket :kewl:

http://www.bmwoodworking.com/brucefishing/chumsurfster.JPG

http://www.bmwoodworking.com/brucefishing/chum.jpg

http://www.bmwoodworking.com/brucefishing/chum_bunk_32.jpg

how can ya not be influenced by this artists' work?

Another would have to be Mr. Pogie, and I am sure he was influenced by Stan Gibbs since his bottle plugs simply blow away any Gibbs paintjob I have ever seen.
There are many others that I can list that influence me, as far as inspiring me to experiment, then I'd have to go with Bassmaster and Gary2 and Tony Stetzko Sr. for a couple of names.
I find it very difficult to put one person above the rest but having said that, Chum's work speaks for itself.
Mike Fixter helped me out alot as well as many others, we all help each other, even that Habs guy helps :wave:

Mr.Pogie examples :
http://www.bmwoodworking.com/brucefishing/mrpogie.jpg

freakflag
http://www.bmwoodworking.com/brucefishing/flagpikie.jpg

my list is:
capesams
PNG
Bassmaster
Chumbucket
Mr. Pogie

Yes, finally someone said Chumbucket :kewl:



Yep.. Chum is waaaay out front, for sure, Mr. Pogie, Guzz too.

OJ needles rock too, as do Slipknot tigerneedles.

CS Norris laminated squids

lot of plugs rock in here, and the guys that make them too.
like Tagger said, lot of guys help ya out too, if not on board, than thru PM. lifishvt, MAC, PNG... list too long... ALLL GOOD.

:kewl:

Gary2....always ahead of the curve, paint wise and originiality wise, the craftsmanship of his hand carved are second to none.
Bernzy...Amazing painter and plug maker, hell of a nice guy too. Howdys have to be one of the best new wood plugs to come around in a while.
It doesnt get more influential than these two guys and their plugs.:)

I honestly have to say i have been influenced by every member's plugs on this board.

Somehow, to me, each plug has a piece of the character,personality and soul of the builder built into it, and thats the thing that means the most to me.:)

Well... the plug that made me want to build was the OJ needlefish. I'm sure many of you have seen the picture of about 6 or 7 of them in that tasty purple color sitting in a coffee cup on a windowsill. I saw that and I said oh man this is going to get expensive. I actually lost sleep that night (honest) thinking about how to get started. PNG's paint jobs have influenced me a lot too, as well as Bernzy, Tobias, and Tagger. Construction and tweaking-wise I have learned alot from Capesams, BM, Gary2 and MAC. But evryone has influenced me at one time or another. I'll try and find that pic of the OJ needles it's actually beautiful... brings a tear to your eye :crying:

here it is

That's some serious plug porn :usd:

-spence

" plugs which everyone rates two thumbs way up :btu: :btu:"

well! if we're voting,,for someone who has come up fast, has plug's that hold up well,,are wanted by the general public here and off site even more, has more color's than what is posted and get's more pos. comment's on a great job of building fine bait's,,[sounds like a gd advertisement :hihi: ] it would have to be M ,,,crud! ran outta ink,,hold please/////////// all better now........MAC.

and no,,I wasn't bribed in any way.

OK...gave this some thought! I got into this plug building thing after coming on this site and seeing all of the beautiful work that all of you do.....I was blown away! I then got a nite going at MSBA the past 3 years each August called "Plug Night"! It was to pay homage to the wooden plug and to the many builders and their great and beautiful work! Because I was so inspired by many of you and was fortunate enough to get to know many of you and many of you helped me a great deal along the way....guys like #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&, Capesams, MAC and Slipknot....anytime I had a question one of you was there to help and thanks! I also had read a couple of articles in OTW that ran pretty close together a few years ago......one was about #^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^&#^& himself and the great work he does and how he got started....the other was about Habs and Tattoo and their great work and how they got started, there was also an article there about BM and Slipknot that was great......all great articles and they really inspired me to give this a try but the thing that put me over the edge was at the first "Plug Night" at MSBA....Bassmaster was the featured speaker and he was great as always.....just a great speaker and a great teacher and I was hanging on every word! That night BM was selling a used Grizzly lathe and a scroll saw for $100.00 and I jumped on them and it was all over for me after that....I was bitten hard by the plug building bug!:laugha: Look at me now....building a shop in my new garage dedicated to me making plugs...I got lots invested in great tools, I have learned alot and I am still starving for more!:drool: I continue to see so many great people building so many absolutely beautiful plugs....it just blows my mind! I have met many good folks in here, and made many great friends (I hope) one of them is Afterhours....man he makes some nice plugs too, he really puts his heart and soul into them just like Habs and Tattoo and Salty.....these are some great people to know and we are fortunate enough to have them here in this site.....and I see so many others turning great plugs right out of the chute....this truely is the best plug building forum on the web...just chock full of talent, competitive spirit and a willingness to help each other out! Just a few examples of inspiration for me personally...and I thank you all!:thanks:

M akes
A wesome
C hewtoys for fish!

:bgi:

I honestly have to say i have been influenced by every member's plugs on this board.

Somehow, to me, each plug has a piece of the character,personality and soul of the builder built into it, and thats the thing that means the most to me.:)
Damm,, shouldn't have named names,,i forgot so many ... what Dave said ..

M akes
A wesome
C hewtoys for fish!

:bgi:
cute... never thought I'd say that about old grouchy face ..

i'll put a vote for mac too...
not sure where this thread is going?? as others probly are not either?
tough to single out a "select few" from everyone that posts on here. it's like group of friends in here.
you would never put anyones hard work down, on the other hand if you select only a "few" you leave the rest of the regulars wondering ,,,, "what about me?"
like someone said it's the man behind the plug, not the plug.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/thefishingfreak/DSC05092.jpg

Damm,, shouldn't have named names,,i forgot so many ... what Dave said ..

yeah Eddie, I'm living that regret too.. too many to give credit to, should give credit to all.

and both grouchy faces make real nice plugs ;)

i'll put a vote for mac too...
not sure where this thread is going?? as others probly are not either?
tough to single out a "select few" from everyone that posts on here. it's like group of friends in here.
you would never put anyones hard work down, on the other hand if you select only a "few" you leave the rest of the regulars wondering ,,,, "what about me?"
like someone said it's the man behind the plug, not the plug.


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/thefishingfreak/DSC05092.jpg


You got that right mike :btu:

I agree with justplugit also but we don't know where this thread is going so who knows.
I could add to the list that has been mentioned but it would be a long one for sure.
Mac is definately one that is a natural at this plug building for sure. I don't know how he finds the time.
Keep up the good work all of you.
Excellant group of people we have here for sure.:buds:

Thanks :doh: ...

How about something a little more, uhh, significant than that, eh? :hs: :eyes: :gu:

HEY!!! what do you mean? my plug is not signifiant? :(

I never understood that glassblower guy making glass plugs :huh: don't they break if they hit a rock:behead: :rude:

This thread is not to vote for the best plug or builder. I'm looking for , ohh, the top 20 :hihi: . Seriously, this is not contest and it isn't to say one guy is better than the the other. It is about the plugs and those that built them. To give you an idea, in this thread we've go OJ's Needles, Freaks Flag, CS and the deadly Squid, Tat's Spook, PNG's Paint, Slip's Tiger Needle, MAC's pikie, BM's Phat Boy Danny, Berzy's Howdy, Hab's Needle, and so on, and so on - not leaving anyone out just that the list could go on... We have a LOT of different people and a lot of differnet things. But I guess I'm looking for an anthology of sorts of plugs and people from here that have inspired you all in various ways. My intention of this thread might be evident around PLug Fest...

But again, not a competition with this thread or to play favorites, just an open thread of inspirational work done by you folks...

an anthology of sorts? cripe, you better not go there, it will take forever, you're better off working on your flower pot :faga: :hidin:
watch out or I'll edit you again :musc: :tooth: :hee:

an anthology of sorts? cripe, you better not go there, it will take forever, you're better off working on your flower pot :faga: :hidin:
watch out or I'll edit you again :musc: :tooth: :hee:
\&^F**>>//.... Yoo :scream2: :bl2:

anthology... oh ,, that explains everything,, where's my freakin dictionary..:scream2:

anthology... oh ,, that explains everything,, where's my freakin dictionary..:scream2:

:bl2: - kinda like the collecticve works, OK just a few of them....

But I need some pics - for starters:

Capesams - squids
Tagger - Tadpole
Chrisitan - wonderbread anything
Jiggman - Hypnotic Needle (clean pic)
MAC - Pikie

etc...

If I was a plug Builder I'd like my paint to look as good as Chumbuckets

Pure Quality

i have already responded, but I need to add.

Striperknight has some unique paint.

Mac's plugs catch fish bigtime, and are super HQ.

Prof. M has some unique metalwork

Hey John,
Now's good time to post a pic of the plug I sent ya...
Guys who have inspired me.I started makin plugs bout ten yrs ago.first redo's after i had saw some epoxy finishes on some made by a local guy Russ Hewing.I would help tony Spina at lex sandin an mostly hangin around pickin his brain.anyone remeber Oznavad.I think he was a member here.Mike Fixter,Chum,Kenny I did it allready 10x10 RIP,Mr.Pogie Kevin. remeber that roman he made...An Tagger.ok maybe I was not inspired by Tagger But u gotta love the guy.I was always in awe of BM's drive the guy was always turnin out new things an so many of em.I tend to like things simple an durable.thats why I was always a fan of MAC's work.Guzz's fishnets are very sexy.AN Gary for his ability to make all them little fish catchers.A long time fan of Bernzy's paints.Capesams his knowledge of wood helped quite a few.an John Habs.proof is in the puddin..hope i didn't leave anyone out...

I have to add one thing over the yrs.no one has inspired me to read these boards more then the wild man Dave Manzi.I would go back an forth with him there where lots of buttons to push to get him goin but his insatiable drive was always truely inspiring to me.along wit the flamein always good fun. I miss my bubba an I hope he finds the will to seek help an get better.we all have our down times an fishing keeps us well during the season. its coping when not fishing that is the hard part.for some its tougher than others.Get well soon Dave, this place ain't the same wit out ya....

I haven't seen everyone's work so I am not going to try and make a detailed list. I have seen plugs from MAC, Slip and BM and they are great. Chum does amazing work and he has helped me the most so I have to mention him. Other NJ guys - Gary, Digger, etc. - are great and I hear NIB makes a nice plug but I still don't have one. :bshake:
By the way NIB, I do remember seeing a photo of Oznavad's Predator plug and it really was great! :uhuh:
Has anyone noticed that NIB's posts have been not only intelligent but sort of caring lately? I think his body must have been taken over by an alien. :conf: :wiggle:

Hey John,
Now's good time to post a pic of the plug I sent ya...

What, this little thing :love: ? It's holding up well gainst the rocks of Point Jude, Falmouth, and Naps :)

Nice!!! :drool:
Wish I had one. :pop:

Chumbuckets goldfish surfster is the plug that got me hooked. Can't find pic.. Capesams attention to detail and respect for the past . Freak paint.

I would post a clean photo of a hypnothic needle, but my photo abilities are rather poor. Maybe someone else has a decent photo?

Jigman

This it Jigman?

I would post a clean photo of a hypnothic needle, but my photo abilities are rather poor. Maybe someone else has a decent photo?

Jigman

Could you e-mail it to me :hee: ?

John,

I have a larger version of the one jklett posted, but its just not a real good photo to start with. Not an easy plug to photo, and I suck with a camera anyway :doh: If that photo is ok, I can send the larger version.

Jigman

John,

I have a larger version of the one jklett posted, but its just not a real good photo to start with. Not an easy plug to photo, and I suck with a camera anyway :doh: If that photo is ok, I can send the larger version.

Jigman Yeh - taht would be great as I might be able to tweak it a little: john@striped-bass.com Thanks!

Wow - too many to mention! Ill keep it short as possible :)

this plug has all my friends drooling - its Ryans bright bunker - the pics do not even come close to doing it justice

My favorite paint job on any of my plugs - that says alot!!!

http://brianmullaney.com/fishing/albums/rmsmith/1ozbrightbunkerbottomtop.jpg

http://brianmullaney.com/fishing/albums/rmsmith/1ozbrightbunker_001.jpg

http://brianmullaney.com/fishing/albums/rmsmith/1ozbrightbunker.jpg



I really like Tattoo's also (havent fished his Darter, yet) -

I especially like the white with pink stripe diving swimmer :)

http://brianmullaney.com/fishing/albums/Tattoo/boardoftattoos.sized.jpg

couple pics

couple more..I went looking for Tagger Tadpole, and CS lobster or laminated Norris Squid.... you two been deleting pictures??? :huh:

Unfortunately Stan Gibbs does not qualify, but he is the plugmaker that inspired me 30 years ago to start making plugs. Ultimately Stans work probably inspired alsost all the current plug builders on this board. The 3 contemporary plugmakers that inspired me, and many of the current icons browsing this board, are, in no particular order, Mr. Pogey, Chumbucket and Bassmaster.

Mr Pogeys paint schemes awed most of us who first saw them. They were flawless! His work, both in paint and wood, is meticulous. Although we don't hear from Kevin much anymore, he is out there watching.

Chumbucket, I've only met him once, but he was on the edge of what could be done with a plug. Who can forget his early pikeys with their Chumbucket logo stamped into the metal lips. Or his titanium lipped plugs. Or his incredible paint schemes.

Bassmaster, I don't know how to describe the man other than to say he is focused when it comes to making/tweaking plugs that work. His plugs cover the range from topwater to dredging, and they all work! A man with an opinion but with the results to back it up. You could do no better than to emulate his work.

There are a lot of plugmakers out there now who do incredible work. And my shortlist is short because most of the current icons were just learning when these three, Mr. Pogey, Chumbucket and Bassmaster, were knocking our socks off. There were a few other plugmakers out there doing great work, but these three shared what they were doing with the rest of us on this board. This list is not meant to take away from any other plug builders, it is just a list of those that most inspired me.

FBW,

Very well stated.

Mr. Pogey, Chumbucket and BM were big influences on me.
I'd also add Habs ( because he never gave me the easy answers, but rather made ME think):huh: :faga: and Gary2.

Bernzy

There are many, many good plug builders out there and many deserve kudos for thier work but to be honest, although the craftmanship on most of the stuff I have seen and the generosity through which I am lucky enough to be the recipient of some of this fine work, the ones I find most influential are not the prettiest or the most technical designns. It's the ones that catch fish, pure and simple.
That being said my vote goes to Bernzy's Howdy, that plug in the hands of someone who really knows how to use it, could catch fish in the middle of the Sahara Desert. Next would be Bassmaster's needles, not just one particular one but a variety of them. Lastly would be Numbskull's jointed eel plug. He has been making plugs longer than most on this site though he recently started posting, a doctor by trade, his passion is fishing and we met when I was sitting in a bed in the intensive care ward at a local hospital. He wanted to know a little about me and when fishing came up, well the rest is history. His plugs are not fancy but they do the one thing that I admire most in a plug. The dam things catch fish and lots of them and the jointed eel has outfished the real thing on more than one occassion. Just unbelivable really.

John, email sent with photo.

Jigman

Some influential plugs i'm priviledged to own:

Tagger ------------------- Bernzy
Karl F --------------------Bassmaster
Jigman--------------------Mac
Motorfish -----------------Fishingfreak/BF

Tatoo------------------------------------BigFish
Capesams-------------------------------Habs
Backbeach Jake-------------------------BM
Professor Moriarty--------------------- BM