Working a Pencil popper - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

tattoobob · 10-18-2006, 10:45 AM

What is your method?

Finlander · 10-18-2006, 11:00 AM

Slow and walk the dog.

bart · 10-18-2006, 11:05 AM

whip it fast with slow retrieve. in calm water- walk it

libassboy · 10-18-2006, 11:18 AM

whip the hell out of it and move it forward as slow as possible...
I like the yozuri but the Surf Asylum pencil is becoming my favorite far and away, you can get that thing to basically stay in place..

tynan19 · 10-18-2006, 11:48 AM

Vary the retrieves till I find what they want. Somtimes real slow and deliberate and sometimes fast and irregular. Seems I get more hits when it is slithering in slower motion.

Peter Lajoie · 10-18-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libassboy

the Surf Asylum pencil is becoming my favorite far and away, you can get that thing to basically stay in place..

That plug is amazing, Ive taken fish to about 32 pounds on it so far, will be killer in the spring.

Bronko · 10-18-2006, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Lajoie

That plug is amazing, Ive taken fish to about 32 pounds on it so far, will be killer in the spring.

Got a pic of the SA Pencil?

Thanks.

baldwin · 10-18-2006, 05:30 PM

Whatever method works. Reel slow and whip it like hell (Long Island Style), then if that doesn't work I sweep the rod about two feet then reel up as bringing the rod back, then try walking the dog.

libassboy · 10-18-2006, 05:38 PM

Heres the SA pencil....

Skitterpop · 10-18-2006, 06:21 PM

try a 4 oz red dot sinking Cordell

let sink a few feet ... pull up top quick....let sink.... pull up.... lots of hits on the drop.

or let sink and slow swim it back with small jiggles here and there.....

Good in a heavy surf

With regular pencils I had more luck when searching by a slow swim with small twitches and pauses.....but in a frenzy just make it go crazy.

Backbeach Jake · 10-18-2006, 06:44 PM

I watched Rappin' Mikey work a Canal Special. He's got it down to an art form. Cast, splash, jiggle jiggle, Bang! fish on. Now he knows I was watching him!

NIB · 10-18-2006, 07:09 PM

It helps if u have a long 11' parabolic rod.i use a 1322 or a gsb 132 1M.I hold the rod between my legs an grab the rod above the grip.Light pressure grip pump it up not down.i have seen guys pump down this is wasted energy.U need to get in a cadence of reelin an pumping the combo makes the plug walk back an forth.I like to sing a song Like"gimmie that thing, gimmie that thing, gimmie gimmie that"If U remember that wonderfull tune try it it works.keeps me in synch.I basically detroyed my Surf Assylum pencil.an many others..

tynan19 · 10-18-2006, 07:49 PM

I like to develop a cadence like NIB said while cranking and pumping.

tattoobob · 10-18-2006, 08:44 PM

I like to work it and pause and whip it as I crank I guess there is no wrong way of doing it as long as it is working thru the water.

I think I need a softer tip rod

Finaddict · 10-18-2006, 09:51 PM

I have several methods that I will employ depending upon my mood, the fishes' mood and the gear or particular plug I am using. My go-to action is similar to many above, frenzied side to side thrashing, while having it move forward as slow as possible.

But I will say my favorite pencil popper over the past year has become the AfterHours pencil popper, especially the 3.5 ounce pencil he makes, as it works pretty easily and effortlessly and the fish go crazy over it. At times I will switch out to the 2 ounce version, as it works well too, still gets decent size fish, but pretty much will always revert back to the AH 3.5.

Bob, I know you use the Habs pencils, they too work effortlessly and well, but I have only used it once or twice. The Surf Asylum works well too, but I have to get that action working better ...

luds · 10-19-2006, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by libassboy

whip the hell out of it and move it forward as slow as possible...
I like the yozuri but the Surf Asylum pencil is becoming my favorite far and away, you can get that thing to basically stay in place..

Agreed on the SA pencil. I have a yozuri but haven't given it a chance.

For big pencils you can't beat Mac's. I don't know what I'll do when they're gone.

RickBomba · 10-19-2006, 02:43 AM

Unlike my bro, I use MAC's almost exclusively.
He sent me six versions of the Canal Specia a couple of months ago.
I aslo fish his verion of the rear eye popper, works pissa.
Later,
Rick

NIB · 10-19-2006, 06:14 AM

Mac's rock I don't know why all pencils aren't made with the shaved bottom like the canal special's they work the best current or no current..

Rappin Mikey · 10-19-2006, 06:59 AM

I agree. First cast with a Mac canal cut and I was on literally seconds.

Rappin Mikey · 10-19-2006, 09:37 AM

Fred, don't give away my secret methods!!!

reelecstasy · 10-19-2006, 10:53 AM

Big fan of BF's pencil, (in my head I sing too.."shake that thing miss can I can I shake that thing" WHAM-fish on..................

RickBomba · 10-20-2006, 12:07 AM

Do the secret methods have to do with stinkfist???
Love,
Rick

Slingah · 10-20-2006, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reelecstasy

Big fan of BF's pencil, ...

me as well chris.....I work it to the side....walk the dog or slow bob....

Rappin Mikey · 10-20-2006, 08:04 AM

BF plugs have great mojo. Not only do they cast and catch well, they come back to you as well. One weekend late this Summer, I lost a BF popper (which had a nice fish on) to a seal. Well the next morning, this gut comes walking down the beach asking if anyone had lost a plug. I know it was mine because earlier in the summer I had gotten it caught up in lobster pots while fishing from my kayak and had to cut off a barb on the belly trebble. The guy gave me the plug back. That's good mojo.

Christian · 10-20-2006, 09:28 AM

as long as youve got that thing slashing your in buisness.

i like when you are working down the front side of a wave, and you get that nice aquarium view of the take down.

i love pencils above 3oz. such a fun way to catch fish. i had a tobias pencil last year that i popped off at the end of the season, thing was by far the best lure i have ever owned. it was about an inch and a half thick and you could walk the thing side to side like 3ft or keep it in place and have it take baby steps in.

gone fishin · 10-21-2006, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rappin Mikey

BF plugs have great mojo. Not only do they cast and catch well, they come back to you as well. One weekend late this Summer, I lost a BF popper (which had a nice fish on) to a seal. Well the next morning, this gut comes walking down the beach asking if anyone had lost a plug. I know it was mine because earlier in the summer I had gotten it caught up in lobster pots while fishing from my kayak and had to cut off a barb on the belly trebble. The guy gave me the plug back. That's good mojo.

Big fish lures come back because they fear Larry will swim for them --