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		| Plug Building - Got Wood? Got Plug? | 
	 
	 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
	
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			10-10-2013, 06:53 PM
			
			
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			#1
			
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			 Big E 
			
			
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Dec 2009 
				Location: Seabrook, NH 
				
				
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				"Canal Pencil"
			 
			 
			
		
		
		Just curious what the flat bottom does on these pencils.  Never fished one. 
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-10-2013, 07:33 PM
			
			
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			#2
			
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			 Registered User 
			
			
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Jan 2011 
				Location: Fall River,MA. 
				
				
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		 I'm not sure, but was told that it controls the roll and action of the plug in the strong current that the canal produces. Not sure if that is the reason, but was what I was told.  
Rene 
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			10-10-2013, 08:01 PM
			
			
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			#3
			
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			 Chris Blouin 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Mar 2009 
				Location: Warren, RI 
				
				
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		 So builders can sell two versions of the same plug. 
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device 
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-10-2013, 08:08 PM
			
			
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			#4
			
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			 Plug Builder in Training 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Apr 2000 
				Location: wareham MA 
				
				
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		 In a current like the canal the flat bottom lets the plug ride the top better. this allows builders to add more weight. 
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-10-2013, 08:47 PM
			
			
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			#5
			
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			 Big E 
			
			
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Dec 2009 
				Location: Seabrook, NH 
				
				
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	Quote: 
	
	
		
			
				
					Originally Posted by  mikecc
					 
				 
				In a current like the canal the flat bottom lets the plug ride the top better. this allows builders to add more weight. 
			
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 Huh...guess I don't quite understand that...aren't you sanding away buoyancy (and reducing lead need) by taking it to the belt sander?  
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-10-2013, 08:51 PM
			
			
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			#6
			
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			 Big E 
			
			
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Dec 2009 
				Location: Seabrook, NH 
				
				
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		 **(Originally quoted wrong poster)** 
 
Seriously, Chris -- you don't think this design has a benefit? 
		
		
		
		
		
		
			
				  
				
					
						Last edited by Eric Roach; 10-11-2013 at 10:36 AM..
					
					
				
			
		
		
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			10-10-2013, 11:29 PM
			
			
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			#7
			
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			 Registered User 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: May 2010 
				Location: South Central 
				
				
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		 when makin the plug walk the dog the flat bottom adds stability too, it wont roll out as much when you're really rippin it. absolutely a benefit. 
		
		
		
		
		
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something clever and related to fishing
 
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			10-11-2013, 04:18 AM
			
			
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			#8
			
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			 Land OF Forgotten Toys 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Sep 2009 
				Location: Central MA 
				
				
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		 Gotta agree with Mike and Johnny. Plus the added weight may help when trying to reach out and touch some one. 
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device 
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-11-2013, 05:38 AM
			
			
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			#9
			
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			 Oblivious // Grunt, Grunt Master 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2005 
				Location: over the hill 
				
				
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		 In addition to what Mike said, I suspect the shape itself makes the plug cast further.  
It seems plausible that the flat bottom creates aerodynamics that reduce wobble and it may even create some lift (like an airplane wing). 
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-11-2013, 06:16 AM
			
			
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			#10
			
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			 Great White Scup Hunter 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2006 
				Location: In the Corner... 
				
				
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		 Rise to the top faster with more weight, easier to work since it rides higher in the water.     
 
Lifting body concept has merrit. 
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device 
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-11-2013, 10:17 AM
			
			
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			#11
			
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			 Plug Builder in Training 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Apr 2000 
				Location: wareham MA 
				
				
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		 Acts like a surfboard. 
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-11-2013, 10:32 AM
			
			
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			#12
			
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			 Registered User 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2004 
				Location: plymouth,ma 
				
				
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		 what the others said.  Sometimes you need a lot of distance, small plug with extra lead goes a long way but is hard to keep up top.  My canal pencils sink fast.  But a flat side lets them glide the current as you work them downcurrent and lets you work them slower/easier. 
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-11-2013, 10:40 AM
			
			
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			#13
			
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			 Big E 
			
			
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Dec 2009 
				Location: Seabrook, NH 
				
				
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		 Thanks to all of you here and who PM'd me -- I understand now and will give the design a shot for the spring herring run in the upper Merrimack. 
		
		
		
		
		
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			10-11-2013, 11:27 AM
			
			
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			#14
			
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			 Great White Scup Hunter 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Nov 2006 
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	Quote: 
	
	
		
			
				
					Originally Posted by  mikecc
					 
				 
				Acts like a surfboard. 
			
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Bingo. minus the wave...  Hydrodynamic Lift       
		
		
		
		
		
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			01-24-2014, 03:18 PM
			
			
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			#15
			
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			 ><(((°> ><((( °> ><(((°> 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Feb 2007 
				Location: Falmouth, Ma 
				
				
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		 Catches slobs at Cutty! 
		
		
		
		
		
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60 % of the time, it works every time.
 
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			01-25-2014, 10:13 AM
			
			
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			#16
			
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			 Mojo 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: May 2011 
				Location: Taunton 
				
				
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		 Definitely helps the plug get up on plane. With the added weight and throwing it in the canal current the flat bottom helps get it back to the top. 
		
		
		
		
		
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			01-25-2014, 10:34 AM
			
			
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			#17
			
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			 Registered User 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Aug 2010 
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		 It can also make for some great sun surface swimming action if done correctly. 
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device 
		
		
		
		
		
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			01-28-2014, 07:56 AM
			
			
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			#18
			
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			 Registered User 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Feb 2002 
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				canal specials
			 
			 
			
		
		
		from my point of view, the planing of the bottom increases the surface area to allow more weight to be added, increasing casting distance.  removing the rounded portion and adding more weight will serve to sink the plug. I also think that the increased width will help with the chop in the canal. 
		
		
		
		
		
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			01-28-2014, 08:53 AM
			
			
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			#19
			
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			 Super Moderator 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Sep 2003 
				Location: Georgetown MA 
				
				
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		Think of it like skipping a stone. You skip a round stone...goes once maybe twice and then done.....When you skip a flat stone it goes and goes (If you are good at it   )
 
When you skip a stone the water is stationary and the stone's momentum is what makes it skip....when you are throwing a canal pencil, the water is moving and the plug (stone) is some what stationary and just skipping along .  
		
		
		
		
		
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"If you're arguing with an idiot, make sure he isn't doing the same thing."
 
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			01-28-2014, 01:55 PM
			
			
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			#20
			
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			 Mojo 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: May 2011 
				Location: Taunton 
				
				
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	Quote: 
	
	
		
			
				
					Originally Posted by  The Dad Fisherman
					 
				 
				Think of it like skipping a stone. You skip a round stone...goes once maybe twice and then done.....When you skip a flat stone it goes and goes (If you are good at it   )
 
When you skip a stone the water is stationary and the stone's momentum is what makes it skip....when you are throwing a canal pencil, the water is moving and the plug (stone) is some what stationary and just skipping along .  
			
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 Great way to explain it.  
		
		
		
		
		
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			01-28-2014, 02:33 PM
			
			
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			#21
			
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			 All up in the Interweb! 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Mar 2002 
				Location: In the dog house. 
				
				
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		 I also find that the flat bottom of a Canal pencil produces more splash than a rounded bottom pencil. Consider the different splash that results from slapping the water with a 2x4 as opposed to a dowel. 
		
		
		
		
		
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Co-Host of  The Surfcast Podcast
ASMFC Striped Bass Advisory Panel - Connecticut
 
"Out there in the surf is where it's at, that's where the line gets drawn in the sand between those who talk fishing and those who live it."  
     - a wise man.    
One good fish, a sharpie does not make...
 
Certified rock hopping billy goat.
  
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			01-28-2014, 07:41 PM
			
			
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			#22
			
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			 Canceled 
			
			
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Jun 2003 
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		 Just another Old wives tale. 
It actually has less surface area, it would have a slight tendency to develops some lift, but like Peter Pan said think happy thoughts and you will fly. First you need faith. 
		
		
		
		
		
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Frasier: Niles, I’ve just had the most marvelous idea for a website! People will post their opinions, cheeky bon mots, and insights, and others will reply in kind!  
 
Niles: You have met “people”, haven’t you? 
  
Lets Go Darwin
 
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			01-28-2014, 08:40 PM
			
			
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			#23
			
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			 Uncle Remus 
			
			
			
				
			
			
				 
				Join Date: Mar 2003 
				Location: Lakeville Ma. 
				
				
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		 Pretty sure  Mr. Gibbs screwed up a pencil popper and tried it that way and liked it.  
I got to admit I don't see a lot of difference in the flat bottom pencil compared to the round one and I've fished a lot of them. Matter of fact I have gone back to fishing the regular Gibbs style pencils since last year. 
Heck I even tried this, concave belly, as you can see in the pics below which looked kind of cool but without much difference in the action either 
		
		
		
			
		
		
		
		
		
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"A beach is a place where a man can feel he's the only soul in the world that's real"
 
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