The Armpit Plug - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

DZ · 09-26-2007, 08:19 AM

The Armpit Plug

It’s October 1994 and John “Habs” Haberick is dropping off an order of his traditional needlefish to Beachfront Bait and Tackle in Newport. While there he’s showing Beachfront owner Frank Demenezes and I his new creation: a very large 12 inch solid black needlefish with painted yellow eyes. John explains that he’s looking to expand his line of needlefish to include something similar to the Musso and Beachmaster Wad needlefish. I’m intrigued by the plug and purchase one on the spot. I’ll be testing it on Block that November.

Fast forward to November on a calm new moon night at Black Rock. I’m on my favorite perch as the flooding tide begins to push my plugs to the west. As I cast I feel an irritating poke into my left armpit. The Hab 12 inch needle doesn’t fit neatly into my bag. It’s so long that its nose extends out the corner of my surf bag and pokes me in the armpit. My only relief is to remove it from my bag and use it. The Hab’s wad weighs in at almost 4 ounces, has three 4/0 trebles and feels like I’m holding a hand gaff – easily the largest plug I have ever thrown. My first cast with it stings my casting finger as I release the line. It sails nicely into the still night. A few casts later I had a very subtle take and set on a nice fish. The 35 pound bass took a few minutes to land as it was hooked in the top of the head with all three trebles. A few more bass to 20 pounds hit the “Armpit” plug that night while my other needles just didn’t produce.

John loved the story but wasn’t crazy about the name I coined to his large needlefish. I mean who would want a plug called an “Armpit”?

Thank You John. Rest in Peace.

JohnR · 09-26-2007, 08:41 AM

Dennis - do you have a picture of that plug by chance?

I believe I may have caught my first Albie on a Pink version of that plug when I was targeting bluefish that nobody else could reach

DZ · 09-26-2007, 10:40 AM

John,
Vineyard Blues (Peter O) should have a good photo. My original plug is gone.

DZ

Rockport24 · 09-26-2007, 11:10 AM

great story

LeCounts1099 · 09-26-2007, 11:39 AM

Nice remembrance, DZ...

RIP John!

I always carry at least one "Armpit Needle" in my bag in everything but calm water... The Habs 3.5 oz. is a very good one!

vineyardblues · 09-26-2007, 11:48 AM

I started to write a long story about this plug and Hab's.
Here is the short one.

I got this lure and few others from Tattoo when I was interviewing DZ
for a article about "The history of the Needle fish lure"
I talked to Hab's a few times over the phone because I thought he had a big part in the History,
And he did.
VB

JohnR · 09-26-2007, 11:51 AM

OK - different needle but I did have a couple of those in Olive - long time back...

Mr. Sandman · 09-27-2007, 10:20 AM

I have had similar luck with his somewhat newer one footer version a few years back. You gotta tape your finger and use the big stick to throw that baby but it looks awesome in the water and produces in big water. I managed to get my hands on one and after fishing it called John to get a few more in fear I might loose my only one. After his classic telephone shenanigans (He would imitate an irate Pizza guy (similar to the "Soup Nazi") asking me for my Pizza order when I called and would laugh when I become befuddled) He eventually made 10 of them for me. I still have them all. I will miss that guy, again he really added something significant to the sport both in deed and character. He has been on my mind a lot lately.

DZ · 09-23-2013, 10:18 AM

Bump in memory of Habs ... I believe we lost him on this date in 2007.

Mr. Sandman · 09-23-2013, 10:27 AM

Clammer · 09-23-2013, 11:45 AM

This is a Habs, original .. on the walls of too big to fish .

also a couple of my size needles .

I should sell all the custom plugs I bought or have won .

I,ll never use them ........I have some real neat ones /many from plug builders that are or were on this site >><