The days before needlefish...

[tlapinski]

Over the past few seasons, the needlefish has really come into its own as the "popular" plug to use in the surf. I know there have been some faithfuls from the birth of the needlefish and its bloom in the 80's, but it really seems to have taken over the surf market lately. I will even admit to really falling in love with the needlefish for its versatility and fish catching ability in so many different sets of conditions.

So, here is my question: What plug did you use before you used the needlefish, in the places you now see as "go to" needlefish spots? I have asked this question to several fishermen this winter and I have received very similar answers, but I was suprised as to the results at first.

[RIJIMMY]

Tlap, I consider my Dad an old timer, his big days in the surf were mid-80s to mid-90s. My Dad is anti-plug, he beleives in live eels or jigs (bucktails or shad body) He never used needlefish. When he did use plugs there was only one. His primary plug which he swears by is a scale finish with chrome redfin. Most of his are so beat from the fish and rocks, they barely have any finish left on them. He injected them with water to weight them down. He has caught more fish on those than any other plug. When I show him all my wood plugs, he says goes into a big rant on how I'm wasting my money.

[Joe]

DZ could tell ya - he's the resident needlefish historian

[bloocrab]

Although it's not the "hardiest" of plugs...I STILL enjoy a 9" joint - in an Olive -flavoured wrap. Not the friendliest casting lure, but I like it -

When I fish a plug, I try to "be" the plug. Most of the time, I imagine myself as the plug...and how I would react in the conditions I'm swimming in. Taking bursts of 5-6' ...then stopping as if to look around...slowing the retrieve when passing through a big wave, etc.... I think most people fish plugs like they're pieces of wood or plastic, those people don't catch much fish ... To beat the fish, you gotta be the fish.
Getting back on track, I feel more like a fish when I fish a jointed -

[jsullivan]

brown/olive danny

[Nebe]

for me, needlefish are used when i want to go deep, so it would have to be the bucktail.

[tobias]

Darters.

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

Though i am not a needle historian, needle happen to have been around since at least the 1960's.i know of several gentlemen in their late sixties early seventies who fished needles along the jersey shore.these were mostly garage made.

[Karl F]

Rebel Windcheater, (the 70's version, not todays), blue/chrome, or black/chrome, had some that were worn down to the "bone" color, sometimes those worked the best. Shallow flats over sand eel beds, snap the diving lip off, and skip and pause over the top. To get them deeper, we'd wrap solder around the tail hook shank, they'd stnd up on their tail, similar to an arse loaded needlefish today.