Just met with Don Guimelli of Afterhours Lures. Showed me some new downsized models of topwater stuff (Needles/pencils) to be released soon. Real nice plugs - sure to generate interest. His finish is amazing. Also had a chance to share some ideas with Don. Don was all ears as anyone in the plug business should be - he knows the importance of getting feedback from customers. I'm looking forward to seeing more of his new stuff.
Good work Don.

DZ

Ya his stuff works. No frills, basic color schemes, heavy duty epoxy and components, just the way a plug should be.

don's stuff is pretty cool- his new 10" needles are sweet- i had a chance to fish one this past fall & cant wait to rip one accross the surface this spring when the squids are around.

Yeah his stuff is good, I especially like his pencils - the 3+ ounce size have pulled some good fish for me last year.

That squid plug he makes is really unique. I have caught a few fish on it so far but when ever I show it so someone their eyes bug out. I dressed mine with a few long hackles to add an even more squid like look. Still experimenting with the best way to work it. I wouldn't mind having one of these with a metal lip in a swimming plug version (hint):D

I caught up with Don this fall and was introduced to some of his plugs. Very nice, this spring I will put his pencils to the test and see how they hold up . He is meticulous and fussy about his product, never seems satisfied with what he has, it always has to be improved. I love that attitude in a plug builder. I will definitely be doing a couple of his needles this fall as well.

Don makes good %$%$%$%$ plain and simple.Jane refuses to fish the plug I bought her at last years RISAA show,she
thinks its to nice!!!.

Purchasing anything with afterhours' name on it is money well spent. My first ones were bought used in the classifieds, soon became my favorite commercial builder. I don't have a ton of plugs(only pluggin for a little over a year) but I have more afterhours plugs than any other one builder.

he's got some really nice paint too, I got a green with gold crinkle paint job on a swimmer... I've yet to see his epoxy fail, best finish out there:kewl:

love his needles. All black needlefish produced for me all fall.

love his needles. All black needlefish produced for me all fall.

yup. the needles are my favorite. big for me this bast summer.

last fall i did really well with the jr. spookster

thanks for the kind words guys! my sole goal remains- build the very best plugs i can for you guys. keep an eye out for new colors and models. working on new web site. oh jim- like this? been fishing it last year- i like.....and occupational hazard.

thanks for the kind words guys! my sole goal remains- build the very best plugs i can for you guys. keep an eye out for new colors and models. working on new web site. oh jim- like this? been fishing it last year- i like.....and occupational hazard.

OUCH!!!! I DID THAT TOO!!!!!! :gorez: :gorez:

I love the 2.25 ounce needle. I caught a few 25 lb. class fish on it this fall in CT using a sluggo like twitching retrieve. I can't wait to visit his booth at the Rissa show.

Don. This is Billy D, pres. of the Ct.Surfcasters. Looking forward to meet you and see some of your work tomorrow evening. See you soon.

that was me last fall,,, except I had a stinkin bluefish flopping around on the other hook ,,,,,,

OUCH

Nice stuff :kewl:

Ouch - I did that also. Except it went into my little finger - buried the barb like yours. had to cut it out eh?:bc:

Don makes some nice stuff for sure. A good freind of mine did some serious damage on his needles this far, and I can remember catching some decent numbers of fish in the spring on his pencils all while the other guys were not catching at all. I always have 2 or 3 of his plugs in my bag, no matter where im fishing.

Ouch - I did that also. Except it went into my little finger - buried the barb like yours. had to cut it out eh?:bc:

nah, had to poke it thru then cut the barb, i'm very fortunate to have a retired dentist for a neighbor and friend- a couple of shots in the hand and what pain. this is one of the reasons that i crush barbs on all my personal plugs.

hey don- i'm glad this has come up about the crushed barbs- i know they come out of the hand but do you think you loose any fish with crushed barbs on plugs- in the past when i've taken my brother in-law who only fishes once and a while i've crushed the barbs thinking he could release the fish by himself- but the fish seem to toss the plug a lot. im not sure you can keep a tight connection with hooks swinging off the plug like you can when fishing a single hook (i.e. fly fishing)

hi paul! i've been fishing crushed barbs for 30 yrs on everything from trout flies, salmon flies, striper flies and plugs. i'm sure i've lost just a few- not the many at all- due to crushed barbs. i think you might get quicker penetration without the barb. if you fight the fish skillfully i don't see it as a problem- try it some time. easy fish and human release. you going tonight?

hey don- short answer about tonight is no- i'm still about 7 weeks from being able to drive & my buddy who is a member has to work tonight so i'm sol...... would like to have seen your new stuff. did the needles ship yet?

ship today, was going to bring tonight.

cool- i cant wait. you going to do the SWE edge show again this year- i wont miss that one...

yes.

Hey Don,hope yer paw heals quick.