Pencil popper short strikes - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

steelhead · 07-23-2005, 11:43 AM

I got a 6" floating parrot stubby needle. Maybe that would work, too?

Mike P · 07-23-2005, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelhead

I got a 6" floating parrot stubby needle. Maybe that would work, too?

Sure, just work it like a pencil. I've used the small Superstrike "Bullet" needles when the bass have been breaking on small bait in the Canal---they got hits where the 7" Gibbs and Hawgs were getting ignored.

Christian · 07-23-2005, 02:59 PM

yay! make more plugs!
also you may want to try a little chrome creek chub popper.

steelhead · 07-23-2005, 03:23 PM

Got a few like that. I was thinking about bringing along a few 4" Zarra Spooks that I have. Lordy, at this rate, I'll need a little red wagon just for the plugs....

steelhead · 07-24-2005, 09:06 AM

Went back this AM with a smaller version of the pencil popper. Better... Got two explosive strikes. Both fish cleared the water, but no hook up. The plug isn't balanced right and I suspect hook size is too small... But I'm in the ball park... Turn another today to fine tune....

NIB · 07-24-2005, 09:23 AM

I use mostly 4/0-5/0 hooks on my pencils.they are bigger than most so perhaps 3/0-4/0 will work.NO SPLITRINGS. Cut em an bend them to the sides like the old mustads.use a good pair of needle nose vise grips so the pliers don't slip promoting rust.The VMC's will bend back an forth several times before breaking so they will be ok.just do it once though.make the back loop large an a little long so the hook wil lie flat against the body on the cast.this will eliminate wobble an get u better distance.Spin some epoxy around it so it don't worm loose an have to be rewired.I tried the whole split ring thing on the pencils an was gettin killed tilll i figured it out it don't seem like much but trust me on this.In Montauk when they are feedin on 1 inch baits they eat pencils like mad.When that thing is floppin around in the water do u think the size really makes a difference.I would say most times No.but what do i know.

steelhead · 07-24-2005, 09:47 AM

NIB, That's an interesting comment on hook size. I wouldn't have given it too much thought til this AM. I have also giving some thought to using a longer shanked trailer hook to see what happens. On the split rings. Were you not getting solid hook ups? What size pencil are you talking aobut with the 4/0 and 5/0 hooks?