Loading the Redfin, Step By Step

[chefchris401]

Loading the Redfin.

Items you will need:
7” Redfin
Split Ring Pliers
Tape
Epoxy
7/64” Drill Bit and Drill
Sandpaper or Scuff Pad
Shot or BB’s
Syringe if using Water or Mineral Oil
Water or Mineral Oil
Sharpie
Digital Scale
Clear Nail Polish or Fly Tying Cement
Hooks, personal preference
Split Rings, size 5.5 or 6


1. Remove all the stock hooks and split rings, throw them away. They are cheap and will break and the split rings will straighten out.

2. Mark where the hole is to be drilled, I like doing mine off center so not to put more stress on the seam of the plug. I use a sharpie and make a small mark.

3. Slowly drill a hole using a 7/64 drill bit.

4. The plug weighs .750 oz with no hardware, you want the plug to weigh 1.120 oz when loaded with no hardware. The finish weight with hooks will be close to 1.4 to 1.5oz.

5. You can use many different items to load these plugs. Some popular ones are:

10 cc of water
10 cc of mineral oil
Size 7.5 or 8 lead shot, can be obtained from gun supply shops, no special license required cause its not ammo.
BB’s , about 30 to 35 will get you the desired weight if you want to count them, 33 is the magic number.

I use the 7.5 shot, I like the added noise. Plus you never have to worry about the water evaporating. I had a few swell up and leak out on me from sitting in the truck in the heat.

I check and recheck the weight of the plug as I’m loading it, once it gets close to 1.120 oz, I slowly add the shot only a few at a time till it hit’s the desired weight.

6. I epoxy the hole using 6 minute 2 part epoxy. I like to use the back of the package to mix the epoxy. I let the epoxy set up a few minutes so that it doesn’t drip inside the hole and into the plug.

I always tape the area around the hole to keep it as clean and neat as possible, I also lightly sand the area around the hole to help the epoxy bond.

7. Once the epoxy sets up, peel the tape away and allow to fully cure.

8. Once the epoxy is dry I hit it with some clear nail polish or fly tying cement just to make sure its sealed and waterproof.

9. There is a few ways to rig the plug once its done.

Two 4x 3/0 VMC trebles with size 5.5 split rings
One 4x 3/0 VMC treble and size 5.5 split ring for the belly and just a flag in the rear
One 4x 3/0 VMC treble and size 5.5 split ring for the belly

I use a 6x 3/0 VMC treble and size 5.5 split ring for the belly and a dressed siwash size 5 in the rear. I like the siwash to have hackles and bucktail, adds great action.

Most bass will get the front hook or inhale the whole plug, while blues will tend to hit the rear siwash.

10. Add a split ring to the nose loop and your done!

As far as retrieve techniques, it varies spot to spot and night to night. Sometimes a simple straight retrieve, or quick burst then a pause, or short twitches. Try a few techniques and see what works.

I always have two loaded redfins in my bag, usually a Bone and a Blurple.

There are many techniques for loading the redfin, none are right or wrong, its all personal preference. So is color, bone has always produced for me day or night.