Soft Plastic talk: SHAD BODY vs. EEL

[Clammer]

GT EELS ><>

[puppet]

This is my spin on it.

There may be a big difference in the water displacement signature in the bait types and subconsciously we have established a preference.

Naturalistic. Matched form to displacement profile options
Eel imitators, bucktails, fish snax, needles, glide baits

Loud UN-Matched form to displacement profile options

Paddle tails, poppers, darters, metal lips, plastic lips

I personally like naturalistic presentations. Over time I have taken bigger fish on them. I feel it is the simple factor that the displacement signature aligns with the visual signature.

I do carry darters and metal lips but they have become more fringe in my preference to use. Not because they are not effective, but more because my fishing style prefers naturalistic presentations.

We cannot carry everything. Naturalistic forms often require more finesse and I consider refining that skill a good investment. Also a reason I fly fish.

Spminnows and paddletails are deadly and yes they are marked as a novice tool. They do not require finesse to produce, but they could have finesse applied to them.

I definitely miss fish because I dont fish loud forms, but I also feel my choices have made me a better angler.


Poppers are loud offerings they push so much water. They are also notorious for getting the attention of fish, but also many misses or followers.

I have a very sparse 2 tube bag, 80% naturalistic, but do carry a darter and a littleneck popper. I call the littleneck my dinner bell. On a slow still night when I hear fish but dont get conversions. I will take 3-5 casts over the most probable structure with that popper splashing water. I dont expect to catch anything, but use it to draw fish in closer and energize them. I quickly follow up with a needle and often will start converting fish. Loud can compliment naturalistic.

[Pete F.]

Originally Posted by puppet

This is my spin


Poppers are loud offerings they push so much water. They are also notorious for getting the attention of fish, but also many misses or followers.

I have a very sparse 2 tube bag, 80% naturalistic, but do carry a darter and a littleneck popper. I call the littleneck my dinner bell. On a slow still night when I hear fish but dont get conversions. I will take 3-5 casts over the most probable structure with that popper splashing water. I dont expect to catch anything, but use it to draw fish in closer and energize them. I quickly follow up with a needle and often will start converting fish. Loud can compliment naturalistic.

One of my favorite methods, especially standing on my favorite rock at PJ, was a sinking little neck, cast out and immediately pop a few times, then slowly swim it in.
Far more effective for me than popping constantly
Works with darters and heavy tail needles also
I think the little ruckus brings fish and the slow swimmer is an easy meal.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[puppet]

Originally Posted by Pete F.

One of my favorite methods, especially standing on my favorite rock at PJ, was a sinking little neck, cast out and immediately pop a few times, then slowly swim it in.
Far more effective for me than popping constantly
Works with darters and heavy tail needles also
I think the little ruckus brings fish and the slow swimmer is an easy meal.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Agreed. I too will swim a little neck, very versatile.

Can pop a darter...sometimes crawl it on top like a redfin. Converts fish!!!

Breaking the surface and burning in needles on top can also be a tactic to mix into a slower naturalustic routine. Find what they want.

[piemma]

My Take, White Danny or Bomber in the Canal. At night 3oz White Storm Shad.

RI: Eels 1st, Habs Needles 2nd, White pink throat, Yellow, BI Neon green.

If you can't slam some "large" With that arsenal, something is very wrong.

[puppet]

Also, when i say water displacement. That is fish lateral line stuff. Consider it like sound, but with water.

How i imagine it, is like how we can be in the woods, close our eyes and hear animals in the woods and know what they are. A bird hopping around will have a different sound than a squirrel, raccon, deer, etc... we dont need to see them to know what they are....just by the sound of how they move and walk.

I imagine fish can sense other fish by the water displacent in a similar way.

Loud plugs produce a signature larger than what they visually represent. So imagine the sound of the racoon, but you open your eyes and see a chipmunk. If you are hungy and curious enough you might eat it, but you might not.

Naturalistic...size, shape, and water displacent align.