Being relatively newe to this sport
I find the one plug that I can say I have truely mastered is the popper, more specifically the Creek Chub Series 1900 and 2100 in Chrome (fav) and Pearl white (2nd fav).
Now as a beginner may I be so bold as to suggest that those things will catch when most others fail. So far it has been my good fortune to have taken bass up to 40lbs with them and a couple Bluefin Tuna found them interesting as well last year.
It has also been my good fortune to have have this tip given to me by a friend a few years back as he was stating his dismay on a how a fifty pound bass could be and was fooled by one of them along the Elizabeth Islands. I guess bass ain't really that smart
There are certain groups of plugs that are given to morwe success in different areas. On the boat while sliding along the Elizabeths the CCB poppers, Bernzy's Howdy (which to me is a better boat fished pluig than shore fished) Beachmaster Danny's, Gibbs Pencil Poppers and Predators ( the only place they consistently catch fish)
On the Beach it's Needles. Sinking , floating and intermediate by whomever. I make my own now and they are pretty rough but they catch and catch well. After needles it's minnow type plugs like Yo's, Bombers and the good old reliable and still a fish producer Rebel 5-1/2 and 7 inch floating. Pencils cross over here as well and occasionally (especially in the fall) Danny's catch along the sand edge.
The canal has it's specific plugs ( and all should pay homage to Msrs" Gibbs and Kuzia) Polaris Poppers, Pencils and Lead head jigs.
Pop and slop, it all goes into the mix for successful fishing. (Pretty heady stuff from a tyro like me
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