Big Jointed Creek Chub weighting

[steelhead]

Between a crazy work schedule, been playing with eel plugs all summer. I got the small one pretty well figured out. The bass up here seem to like it pretty good. Been struggling with the big Creek Chub profile. I've got several original ones that swim scary good.... (They scream Cutty Hunk....) I seem to do a great job at turning "wounded ducks" at this size. Any advice on the original wood, weighting, etc. would be greatly appreciated. Also, how did they get the joint between the two sections so tight? The way that the tail hinges, touches the front section and then pulls the front section of the plug down into the water as it sits neutral I believe has an affect on how the plug ultimately swims. Without that tight joint and the contact between the two sections, I feel I have to artificially make the front section settle using weight which in turn affects how the plug swims. Does this make sense? Or am I crazy?