View Full Version : Reverse Atom Plug, are they any good?


BCY
09-20-2001, 05:45 PM
I just finished reading an article on the reverse atom plug and I was wondering if any of you use it. It seems that the plug would work great in RI waters. Slipping and sliding over the rocks that abound in RI should produce some fish. Now, where would I get some of these plugs? Yeah... Just want to fill up the plug bag with more stuff.... It's an addiction.

JohnR
09-20-2001, 06:34 PM
I heard that Atom was producing them again but I lost the old style ones I had a few years back...

Roccus
09-20-2001, 07:08 PM
Yep...they're making them again but they're not the same as the old ones...different material for one thing...I have a couple of the old squid-color atoms & yes, they were great lures...still are if you can find them, but you pretty much have to get them from the lure-collector sites 'cause the originals are mostly gone now...I wrote an article for On the Water magazine that I think ran in the August edition (2001) and showed a regular Atom modified for use down around the Elizabeth islands...the main fish-attracting feature in my opinion is the fuss they make in anything from heavy surf to moderate rips to near-calm conditions...if you find any, cherish them...but fish them as well....

Clammer
09-20-2001, 09:00 PM
The article you read was it the one in the October issue of OTW??

bassmaster
09-21-2001, 12:05 AM
Buy a big danny trolling swimmer, Cut the lip off. reverse it and the hooks. paint it black and ad gold glitter to it. or paint it black and gold.
I know this is off base from the topic but it is the same idea.
and it works awsome.
I like them old ugly see through brown ones by the way.dont have any more.:D

Mr. Sandman
09-21-2001, 07:34 AM
I have one in a box somewhere...and it looks nearly new. Personally I have found them to be better trolled from a boat then casting from shore. I remember them being a hot lure at Montauk and the Cape years back. I alwasy thought they looked odd. I am sure others found it very successful from shore, I just never fished it enough. It is kind of a klunky plug and I would rather fish a comtemporary needle-fish.
But hell, casting live eels are rather klunky too...what ever works for you...use it.

This year I want to try using live squid, like an eel. Last year the squid were in the harbors big time at block and one night the bass fish was so slow I slapped on a squid jig and filled my cooler with some nice tubes, a couple were real sea monsters. (Those are very aggressive creatures and they can bite like a sob). But I want to try casting a freshly caught squid from the shore/jetty and see if I get any takers...

Anyone ever try it before?

Jaiem
09-21-2001, 08:40 AM
I have one, squid color, a friend gave me years ago. Haven't fished it, too much a collector's item. ;)

TheSpecialist
09-21-2001, 03:40 PM
I just got the new ON The Water and there is a good article in there about the reverse atom.

jamiek
09-21-2001, 04:18 PM
Hi all! First post to this board. I loved the entire original Atom line. Still have, and fish, multiple reverses, A-40s and A54s. I bought a dozen new A54s and will try them out in a couple of weeks as I get to the shore. I was born and raised an east coaster but have had to spend the last 15 years landlocked. I'm in Chicago now. Sure do miss the smell of salt water!!

Patrick82
09-21-2001, 04:46 PM
What is the proper way to work a reverse atom? I've seen them but never used one. I thought it would be used like a Pencil popper but I guess not. Any tips?

bassmaster
09-21-2001, 04:50 PM
Radar, ya work it slow and ya twitch it........

Patrick82
09-21-2001, 04:53 PM
Like a needlefish?

Could one be carved on a lathe?

TheSpecialist
09-21-2001, 07:54 PM
According to the article in On The Water you skim it across the surface. Get the new On The Water or maybe it is on their web page.

bassmaster
09-22-2001, 07:06 AM
sure Radar, You can carve it on a lathe.
the big swimmer for trolling is awsome of mv and islands.
in may the macks come runnin through, and it works well.
i prefer using the smaller swimmers and some old bob hans.
gan out. but have more plugs to trash for this, just no need right now. usin my home made needles

10x10
09-22-2001, 06:49 PM
Naaah those things are worthless.If you find any send 'em to me and I'll make sure they get disposed of properly.http://www.pixhost.com/pixp/poltroon/mvc-708s.jpg

Slipknot
09-22-2001, 07:30 PM
WOW

bassmaster
09-23-2001, 09:05 AM
Ken I Love You, Got wire?You bring out the man in me.
when we rollin in the sand, Im mental, Did you know that?
Like stealing candy from a baby:D

bassmaster
09-23-2001, 09:06 AM
Originally posted by BM
Ken I Love You, Got wire?You bring out the man in me.
when we rollin in the sand, Im mental, Did you know that?
Like stealing candy from a baby:D

TheSpecialist
09-23-2001, 10:51 AM
That Yozuri really brings out the blue in her eyes.

Patrick82
09-23-2001, 04:28 PM
BM,

You gotta pop those baby doll eyes and strap them to a plug.

bassmaster
09-23-2001, 05:24 PM
POOf...........

Patrick82
09-23-2001, 05:34 PM
How did you get that awesome finish? That stuff looks like the tu-braid that Jon S guy has been working with.

So the fish like the garlic salt? ;)

bassmaster
09-23-2001, 05:55 PM
Radar, My powers are great.go fishin will ya

Patrick82
09-23-2001, 06:15 PM
BM,

You are a fishing fiend my friend. I'm sorry I doubted you!

bassmaster
09-23-2001, 07:20 PM
doubt me, dude i fake all the fish i get, slip is the master

JPowers
09-24-2001, 11:53 AM
BCY : About a 25 years ago there was a story with pictures in a mag/newspaper ( can't remember which) about a 14 year old kid who was fishing with his Dad at the Ditch. Seems the kid messed up a cast and the plug landed about 25' from the rocks and just layed there. The plug was a reverse atom.

The fish that hit it was a 70 #er which took the kid better than an hour to land. The article said that although the boy was hollering for Dad to help him, Dad refused ( much to his credit - in my opinion).

I'm guessing that this was probably the largest striper ever landed from the Ditch.

Now, I can't confirm this story anymore - I've tried. But I think the Red Top had a picture of the kid hanging on the wall for a while.

If you're ever up in P-town, check out the collection of reverse atoms hanging from the rafters at Nelsons' tackel shop.

Me, I've got one left in my " plug museum". I'm too afraid to use it . I'm afraid because I'm certain that if I ever casted it off at the canal , I'd dive into the canal to recover it.

redcrbbr
09-24-2001, 12:17 PM
So that is what the heck that plug is called. I have one of those clear amber ones. It fills with water a bit (hope it's suppose to) and can cast the darn thing like no other plug i have. Havn't used it in years. Guess it has finally made it to my wall of fame:D

BCY
09-25-2001, 12:13 AM
Thanks for all the great info, guys. I'll be on the lookout for some of these plugs. My surf bag is always ready for some more additions. Yeah, the article was in the October edition of OTW. BM, thanks for the idea on the Danny trolling plug. I think I might just try that if I can't find any Reverse Atoms. J Powers, reverse atom responsible for the biggest striper from the canal, huh? That's all the encouragement that I need to get my hands on some of them. Just think of the battle a 70 lber would put up in the ditch. I'm getting excited just thinking about it. Time to head out and hit the canal. Get ready fishies, I'm coming to get ya....

MayorMcFish
09-25-2001, 08:40 AM
Try those Hurricane plugs they sell at building 19 for $2. Get the yellow "walk the dog" type and turn them around. They work great.

Canalratt1
09-25-2001, 12:19 PM
Jp I remember hearing about that fish. It was caught on a reverse Adoms and I think the fish was around 65#. I think it was in the 1960's.

Charlie M
09-25-2001, 12:43 PM
10x10 or BM...I don't have one and can't find them anymore...I have been looking. :( If ya give me some dimensions I will turn some for ya. :)

Charlie

Roccus
09-26-2001, 06:54 AM
Saw one over on eBay but when the bidding topped twenty bucks I lost interest...I don't see them as collectors items just yet but I guess the eBay folks see it differently...

bassmaster
09-26-2001, 05:11 PM
take a bob hans, rip the lip off and copy that...................

JohnS
09-27-2001, 08:30 AM
I saw one up at Cape Cod last month but it was a new style one.
Why don't they work as good as the old ones? They must make them with a different substance now I would presume.


JohnS

BCY
09-28-2001, 04:55 PM
John,

Can you tell me where you saw the Reverse Atom on the Cape? I'm out there all the time so I'ld like to pick one up. Thanks.

Patrick82
09-28-2001, 05:08 PM
I think Bill at the Surfcaster sells the whole line of atom plugs.

Roccus
09-30-2001, 03:18 PM
Originally posted by JohnS
I saw one up at Cape Cod last month but it was a new style one.Why don't they work as good as the old ones? They must make them with a different substance now I would presume.
JohnS

Yep...they're using some kind of hard "foam composite" and, as lots of plug makers have discovered, just because the plug looks the same it doesm't mean the action's going to be the same...I haven't heard anyone raving about the new ones. But the old atoms seem to have pretty much disappeared...too bad, they really were effective fish catchers.

BCY
10-03-2001, 03:58 PM
I just ordered some reverse atoms from the Surfcaster. Thanks, Patrick82 for the information. Once I give these plugs a good workout, I'll post my results on their fish catching ability.

JohnS
10-04-2001, 06:35 AM
BCY, I forgot about posting on this thread ( my head must be at the HUNK ) it was a little tackle/kayak rentle up in wellfleet just outside of Turo. It's on the right hand side if your going towards Turo. The name of the joint escapes me, but seeing as you found them in the Surfcaster you won't have to worry about it. There was only one left anyways. Was thinking about picking it up but as was mentioned with the "foam" I didn't know what to expect.
I have never thrown one, never even seen one that I can remember. So if the action wasn't up to the original I wouldn't know anyways. Let us know how they work when ya field test em.

JohnS

Big Swimmer Ho