atom skin plugs?

[Ryan560]

Went and got eels last week and had one that was too big to throw so I skinned it thinking I'd put it on one of these atoms I picked up over the winter. I heard the atom jr makes a great skin plug but I'm not certain if any of these are jr's? The 2 bigger ones are about 6" from the tail to lip and weigh 2.17oz,and the smaller mac colored one is 5 1/2". Which if any would be the best one to throw the skin on, and should I rewire and install better swivels?

[JFigliuolo]

the bl/wht makes SUPER skin plugs. Can't rewire and atom. It comes with the territory

[tlapinski]

Those are all juniors. They changed size and weights over the years. As for re-wiring, it can be done by attaching a car battery to each end of the through-wire, let it get red hot to melt the plastic and pull out the wire (with pliers.) Rewire through the hole. It is not an easy or safe job, but it can be done. Might be best to just go with the existing hardware unless it is toast.

[stripermaineiac]

Been using Atoms since the 60's and still haven't had a swivel failure but that is setting a realistic drag and not trying to crank the drag with 50 lb braid. Try the p-40's they were the best for eelskins back in the day. the jrs will work too but many of use loved the bigger plugs for skins.

[Ryan560]

Thanks for the responses guys. I'm going to put the skin on the blue and white one. Should I rig it with 2- 2/0 belly hooks, with a loop of mono or something on the tail to keep the skin from fouling the hooks?

[pbadad]

Ryan that mackeral jr looks like a A54 model. I like that one to skin as it will swimm sub surface and it's thinner to aid in skin fitting. The others make great ones too. They swimm nicely along the surface and waggling it's tail w/skin sweet. U can add heavy mono to keep tail from wrapping but I did thatfor awhile but use the tail w/o. Just keep the tail end approx 1/3 the length of plug. I use bigger hooks on my skin plugs. Jr's-3/0's. Good luck. Best plug color(skin)!!

[jimmy z]

Those jr's were good all around plugs, anytime! I still have a bunch and buy 'em when I see 'em. I repaint 'em as well. As Toby stated, they can be rewired, but there are still many good ones out there that there really isn't a need to do that, yet!