What's your favorite needle?

[steve]

The other thread got me to thinking about needlefish plugs. I used to cast them alot and caught my largest bass on one but have not used them much since the late 90's. Now I cast them once in while usually when distance is needed or windy big sea conditions. I also use a needle with a skin on it with alot of success when I do remember to take it out of the frig before leaving home. Well anyway, if you could only use one needlefish plug, which one would it be?

[ThrowingTimber]

Striper sniper, habs, mac's or my own.

Just 1 my own.

[bassballer]

I havent had alot of success with needle fish. I own a variety of afterhours, gibbs, SS, ect but lack of confidents keeps it in the plug bag. I want to make it a point for the rest of the year to really fish these more and gain some confidence in them.

[Bronko]

Habs all Black (or black over dark purple)

[jim sylvester]

habs, afterhours

although i probably lost the fish of a lifetime on cutty on a black beachmaster

just one

HABS black and purple

[DZ]

Steve,
I do use most of the major brands but if I could only use one it would have to be the most versatile - that would be the Super Strike model with a bright neon green back/white belly. I have other favorites for specific conditions... but Musso's needle will catch fish in the most varied conditions.

DZ

[JFigliuolo]

Originally Posted by jim sylvester

habs, afterhours

although i probably lost the fish of a lifetime on cutty on a black beachmaster

just one

HABS black and purple

I can still hear the scream...

[jim sylvester]

Originally Posted by JFigliuolo

I can still hear the scream...

i have nightmares still about that fish

[reebok]

Super Strike.

I also experimented with small Stetzko's in fresh water and was impressed by the wake they leave, more like a hump. Looked good to me.

[WoodyCT]

Originally Posted by bassballer

I havent had alot of success with needle fish. I own a variety of afterhours, gibbs, SS, ect but lack of confidents keeps it in the plug bag. I want to make it a point for the rest of the year to really fish these more and gain some confidence in them.

As long as you fish them slow you can't go wrong. Don't make the mistake of thinking it should be worked like a pencil. A trick I learned from a sharpie- reel it very slowly- every 10 turns of the handle lower the tip while reeling- stop reeling for a couple seconds- gently pump the needle back to the surface with 1-2 pumps- resume reeling- WHAM!

Needle I have done best with- Salty's 2.5oz. in everybody's favorite color- Blurple (with glow in the dark eyes).

Woody

[Clogston29]

if I could only have one needle and it would be my only plug, i'd probably go yellow/white afterhours

if I could only have one needle but still have other plugs (redfins, jrs., etc.) i'd go with a blurple habs 2 oz

the AH is more versatile IMO, but it can be replaced with other plugs in most conditions without a big drop off in catches. the hab's is great in certain conditions and nothing comes close as far as artificials.

[bassballer]

Originally Posted by WoodyCT

As long as you fish them slow you can't go wrong. Don't make the mistake of thinking it should be worked like a pencil. A trick I learned from a sharpie- reel it very slowly- every 10 turns of the handle lower the tip while reeling- stop reeling for a couple seconds- gently pump the needle back to the surface with 1-2 pumps- resume reeling- WHAM!

Needle I have done best with- Salty's 2.5oz. in everybody's favorite color- Blurple (with glow in the dark eyes).

Woody

thanks woody. I mean I will get to a spot, conditions look good for a needle. Ill toss one out sllloooowwwllly reeeling it in, couple twitches here and there. 6 casts later, im switching to a plug I have more confidence in. Its just a mental thing I guess.

[Steve K]

Habs 2oz - yellow, olive, blurple

[Flaptail]

There are so many good ones being made commercially it's tough to pick.

I use my own most times ( I don't dringe as much when I snap one off)

The last two years though I have caught more fish on the old style Gags than any other but you go through phases and one must remember that no one manufacturer makes the perfect needle for all conditions so I carry quite an assortment, Gibbs, Afterhours, SuperStrike, Gags and Salty's.

[GattaFish]

Originally Posted by bassballer

thanks woody. I mean I will get to a spot, conditions look good for a needle. Ill toss one out sllloooowwwllly reeeling it in, couple twitches here and there. 6 casts later, im switching to a plug I have more confidence in. Its just a mental thing I guess.

Stick with it

It is mental... It does not feel like it is working so you switch,,,, I have to say that Salty's, Hab's or afterhours are the way to go,,,, Personally,,, It took me a long time to catch my first fish on a needle,,,, and fortunately enough I was given a needle by the Hab-man himself and told how to work it,,, I have never looked back,,, I have the most confidence in needlefish out of any type plug in my bag,,,,

[baldwin]

The Charlie Gargano magic stubby, hands-down favorite. Hear that Charlie, gotta get me a few more for September.

[redcrbbr]

Originally Posted by bassballer

I havent had alot of success with needle fish. I own a variety of afterhours, gibbs, SS, ect but lack of confidents keeps it in the plug bag. I want to make it a point for the rest of the year to really fish these more and gain some confidence in them.

Recently caught my first fish on a white needle. I will always have an assortment in my bag from now on.

[Saltheart]

Gibbs and Habs

[beaver]

Agree with DZ. The SS needles are versatile and might be my pick if I had no clue on the conditions or area that I was fishing. Have done well with the flour. green/white belly and the pink/white belly. I'd prefer throwing wood needles though. Mainly Gibbs since my father fished with Stan Gibbs as a kid and remains fairly loyal although Gibbs isn't the same as it once was. I'm always up for trying new things and hopefully becoming a better fisherman though.... Oh yeah and a white spoffords needle for bass, bonito, and albies. Guess it is hard to pick just one.

[wheresmy50]

Superstrike. White, Black/Purple, and Yellow/white.

Second would be the stubby Habs.

[Bauerman]

SALTY BUGGER yellow over White// pink- White

[Joe]

Needlefish are a weird plug - people either love them or have no faith in them.

[Slipknot]

If only one, then it would be Superstrike lime green.
other than that one, second choice is a loaded superstrike stubby with an eelskin.

I love fishing needles, I've caught a lot of fish on superstrikes, habs and my own.

[HookLine&Sinker]

habs and afterhours and rm

[hyefisherman2]

afterhours!!!

[fishbones]

Anyone catching on the RM Smith needles? They look great, but I haven't had a chance to get out and use one yet.

I've had success with the Habs stubby needle in yellow.

[HookLine&Sinker]

Originally Posted by fishbones

Anyone catching on the RM Smith needles? They look great, but I haven't had a chance to get out and use one yet.

I've had success with the Habs stubby needle in yellow.

i've got one and havent fished it yet, do look nice tho

[tattoobob]

My favorite would be Salty's 2.5 in parrot
2nd would be the new Salty's 1.5 toona tamer in parrot

I own hundreds of needles and only usually go out with a couple

[numbskull]

BM 2.75

[FishNH]

Hab's 2oz in yellow or black, Salty's are very good in the 2.5oz just got a few more.
I dying to try my new RM Smith