Every Plug has a story - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

DZ · 11-09-2006, 10:09 AM

Here are some old needlefish made by Habs - I first purchased them at Beachfront Bait & tackle in Newport RI around 1993. The first trip they took to the island with me they proved very productive. The one on the bottom I called the "armpit needle" because it stuck out of my plug bag so far it stuck in my arm pit. It was John's first attempt at an oversized needle - it passed all tests. Black Rock bass wouldn't leave it alone. I had to shorten it to make it easier to carry. These plugs are now retired and don't see water anymore - they caught just as well as Habs current products. Quality stands the test of time.

DZ

ProfessorM · 11-09-2006, 10:22 AM

Beauties

Flaptail · 11-09-2006, 01:16 PM

They remind me of a 10x10 needle I have, rough but it caught tons of fish. The eyes on the 10x10 are those little white reinforcing thingies you put on papers in a three ring binder just stuck on. Or some of Brad "Hawghunter" Porchners plugs with the goopy coatings and randomly spray painted finishes. Didn't and doesn't matter to the fish they ate them as fast as any perfectly finished plug.

Dennis I think it's more a case of who is on the other end of the line if you know what I mean, I know it is in your case.

John has come a long way from when he had a booth behind the Gibbs booth at the armory in Braintree at the MSBA show in the early 90's.

Back Beach · 11-09-2006, 02:18 PM

Those are cool, DZ. I have some needles that John gave me back in th early 90's too. They are different than those in that they look like the wooden donny musso's. They were protoypes from the time when John was experimenting with finishes and the like. Got a couple poppers and jointed swimmers too.

Mr. Sandman · 11-09-2006, 04:24 PM

I remember those....

Tagger · 11-09-2006, 04:45 PM

Look like Boone knockoffs...

ChiefLinesider · 11-09-2006, 10:48 PM

haha the "Armpit Needle".

piemma · 11-10-2006, 05:42 AM

I had a bunch of jointed swimmers that John give me in the early 90s to "field test". I never did fish them, just tested them. George Heavey of Murats lost 2 of the 3 I had at High Head one dark and stormy night on absolute moby stripers. I traded the last one to Joe Pagano at Nelsons for a Beachmaster that weighs about 6 or 7 ozs. Never fished that either.
I do have a bunch of John's very early needles which I never take out of the basement. My kids will get them when I die.