Dressed vs. bare tail hook

[Pete F.]

I like to use white or black saddle hackles, red thread, clear nail polish and a little pearl flashabou.
You need some kind of vise, visegrips will work. A bobbin is also useful
Wrap some thread on the hook, put some nail polish on. Then I put two saddles against one side and wrap to hold, then same on other side. I put two strands of flashabou in and then tie it off.
If you search in flytying you can find some good visuals.
You can make it a lot more complicated if you want but I have found the fish don't care.

[rphud]

I'm in!

(bump)

Some more please sirs.

[Rmarsh]

Good thread. Thanks to everyone. I'm learning alot from this discussion.
Picture shows a super strike "bullet"
I switched the rear treble it came with for a dressed siwash.

Emgred: Could you go into some more detail about using lunker lotion?
I have some but have only tried it once.
Maybe its time to give it another try.
Thanks Bob

[emgred]

Originally Posted by Rmarsh

Emgred: Could you go into some more detail about using lunker lotion?
I have some but have only tried it once.
Maybe its time to give it another try.
Thanks Bob

Bob
As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I got the Lunker Lotion tip from something that Gary (Big Water) wrote. Hopefully he will chime in with more detail. I just squeeze some into the holes where the hook hangers are. Not only ups production, but it seems to retard hook rusting.
Ed

[steve]

Rmarsh, I routinely spray menhaden oil or Sea Bait(any scent) on my artificials. I think it helps. It certainly can't hurt!

[Rmarsh]

Thanks Steve: I guess my problem was that I was putting way too much, and didn't try it again. But since the topic came up I knew I should learn how it's used. The spray method sounds like it would apply a very light coating.

[Big Water]

I use the Menhaden/Bunker Jell from Atlas Mikes. To give credit where credit is due, I got the tip by reading an article by Charlie Soares. I had trouble finding it so I e-mailed him and he sent me some. I had given him some plugs one time and he remembered me. Besides the hook holes I put some on the tied tail (another reason to have a tied tail). The jell seems to last longer than the oil. As I have said before it makes a difference. I caught a nice striper on Cutty this past fall and when my buddy came up to me the first thing he said was, "You still using that bunker jell?" I smiled and said, "Everytime". It can be a pain when you are out on a rock in the dark, in big waves and you are trying to squeeze a little gell into hook hole. Sometimes I go for awhile without a hit, put some gell on and get a hit the next cast.

[Rmarsh]

Thanks Ed: I was coating the entire lure with it (probably too much)and it severely affected the lures swimming action. I will try it the way you have suggested.

[Rmarsh]

Hello Big Water and thanks for your reply. Glad I asked the question and have guys like yourself to fill in the blanks for me.

[steve]

It can be a pain to apply in crappy conditions. The gel or stick probably stays on longer. I'll have to try it. Presently, I carry a small spray bottle in my bag. I , like Gary, have been fishing with no hits, then spray some stuff on and immediatley get hit. Like I said, it can't hurt. Fish have a good sense of smell and applying scent might trigger a strike. Who knows? Freshwater bass fishermen swear by it.

[Nebe]

smelly jelly works pretty good.. I goop in up in the belly hole and smear it all over the nooks and crannies of the hardware- it will stay on there for a long time..

[steve]

Eben, that's what the freshwater bass guys use.

[emgred]

Originally Posted by Nebe

smelly jelly works pretty good.. I goop in up in the belly hole and smear it all over the nooks and crannies of the hardware- it will stay on there for a long time..

Originally Posted by steve

Eben, that's what the freshwater bass guys use.

Easy Steve, Smelly Jelly works great on soft plastics in salt water.