The Trouble with Needlefish

[LeCounts1099]

The "problem" with Needlefish is that to some extent, they are a sharps' plug. Because there's no "no- brainer" action to it, as there is with say a Storm Shad or YoZuri minnow plug, the average caster generally finds it a non- productive choice. This is why it seems the majority of everyday-casters are in love w/ the Storms... & almost no sharps' throw them (Ultimate Jigheads & bodies anyone?)

Because it "does nothing," it is paramount and imperative for the Caster to have the ability to "feel" the Needle through the water-- under ANY & all water/ conditions-- on the retrieve. To some extent "become one" with that plug through line/ rod/ reel! For a caster lacking this ability, the Needle will not work ("present") properly... & just as importantly any bumps & takes (more subtle than with most plugs on the whole) will not be felt or successfully set upon. Takes lots of exp. to develop this "feel"... under all conditions, & mostly at night! And: it's easier to get this touch in areas featuring "sameness" of water generally-- say like the great Back-beach, its' corners excepted. But in locales featuring very variable water/ conditions/ currents/ depths like Rhody, Block & Montauk to name a few, you must be quite a good student to know how to successfully "work" Needles through alll of this varied water...

One attraction to the Surf plug-casting devotee of this art, is certainly that there is a heavily intellectual element to this form of fishing: SO many decisions that have to be made correctly, depending upon location & conditions present on that particular outing. Not to mention the Winter bench prep. necessary to be ready for all of the different situations in- season. Fact is, there are very many (good) brands of Needles out there... and almost all have a semi- unique niche/ proper use. S.S., Habs, BM, Gibbs, Lex, Saltys & others/ customs are all must- haves!-- but really most need to be used in their "best"/ proper conditions... & size! (& color? Debate there rages!)... WHEN to throw the S.S. stubby?-- vs. the Habs 2 oz.?-- vs. the Habs "N- n- Gale"?... vs. the Gibbs large?... vs. the Lex 3.5 oz. "Montauk"?... vs. the 2 or 3 oz. BM?... etc.

DZ compiled the best concise summary of the different Needle brands, & their chief differences/ best uses, etc., that I've seen (searchable here?). But, really in the year 2007, this is now enough material for a full book! (And lucky anglers we are, to have this many quality choices! Just ask the '80s Block guys that had to meet the Jumbos head- on with non-through wired plugs featuring Mustad 3/0's... & bodies that were brittle in comparison to today's bullet- proof versions!) DZ?-- a possible "Modern Needles" companion piece to "Snowstorm Blitz?"

You'd better make sound "game- night" decisions about which Needle to throw, & why... & have them all handy, & ready/ featuring sticky- sharp & sound hooks!... IF Needles will be a stand- out & consistent plug (& produce Large) for you!

[zimmy]

Originally Posted by LeCounts1099

Because it "does nothing," it is paramount and imperative for the Caster to have the ability to "feel" the Needle through the water-- under ANY & all water/ conditions-- on the retrieve. To some extent "become one" with that plug through line/ rod/ reel! For a caster lacking this ability, the Needle will not work ("present") properly... & just as importantly any bumps & takes (more subtle than with most plugs on the whole) will not be felt or successfully set upon. Takes lots of exp. to develop this "feel"... under all conditions, & mostly at night! And: it's easier to get this touch in areas featuring "sameness" of water generally-- say like the great Back-beach, its' corners excepted. But in locales featuring very variable water/ conditions/ currents/ depths like Rhody, Block & Montauk to name a few, you must be quite a good student to know how to successfully "work" Needles through alll of this varied water...

I am a relative needle newbie and the above comes as a bit of a suprise to me. Heck some nights I can barely feel my hands nevermind the needle moving with the surf at 50 yards out. I assumed that there is, of course, a learning curve for knowing when to impart a little action, when to rip em, and when to make em slowly crawl. But this? Huh...

[LeCounts1099]

Simply put, Zimmy: it's generally not necessary to impart "action" to your Needlefish (though of course there are always exceptions, including daylight applications for Needles). The trick is to use the right type/ weight/ bouyancy of Needle for your given conditions/ spot on a given outing... and to correctly cast at the right (upcurrent) angle, crank speed given the wind/ current/ depth, & potential bottom "stickiness" at that place & time, for a proper "gliding" retrieve/ presentation. Sounds difficult-- it is! But a good selection of Needles... & practice/ trial & error... should have your Needle "gliding" at the right angle & depth & speed in no time (The big ones will let you know when you get the hang of it!). Believe me too that when retrieved properly, most good Needles do indeed have a "shimmy," if not an "action." Suffice to say, when done right, they look like easy pickings to mamma Bass!

Bob: Dennis had some pretty nice stuff hanging around the Porkchop condo... and I don't think any were missing? So you evidently can keep the mania in check! There was one particular fishing mag. of mine w/ the bikini babe on the cover conspicuously missing, however...

Dennis: A one- row bag is fine is you're mostly Eeling... but I couldn't live without a two- row bag myself when not. And... despite that I rotate 6 inserts situationally with my Surfcaster bag to be best prepared... nevertheless it is often that I'm a mile from my vehicle when I realize I left behind the "ideal" plug for this session!

Btw... the Surfcaster bag has the 7- slot insert (4 small, 3 big), that holds a LOT of Needles! I can get 2 medium-to-large Needles in each of the smaller slots... then use the big slots for the A 40's, Giant Pikies, big Darters, etc. Two inserts= 8 small slots= 12- 16 Needles easily carried, not counting other plugs. Only problem is when you go 4/0 on the larger sizes... but you can fit two of these per large slot. And those 9+ inch "Wad" Needles, easily point (hookless) nose-first out of the top/ sides of the bag/ flap, for easy carrying (no "laying them across the top")...

[DZ]

Originally Posted by zimmy

I am a relative needle newbie and the above comes as a bit of a suprise to me. Heck some nights I can barely feel my hands nevermind the needle moving with the surf at 50 yards out. I assumed that there is, of course, a learning curve for knowing when to impart a little action, when to rip em, and when to make em slowly crawl. But this? Huh...

Zimmy,
Lecounts is well on his way through "grad school" when it comes to how to fish a needlefish. I can tell by his words he has figured it out. Spending a week at Needlefish University this past November may have given him some new insights on the plug. When you cast them for many years, countless hours, into all conditions you begin to get "that feel." Kind of like Chevy Chase in Caddyshack telling the kid to "Be the Ball." "Be the Plug"!

DZ

[The Dad Fisherman]

Originally Posted by DZ

Kind of like Chevy Chase in Caddyshack telling the kid to "Be the Ball." "Be the Plug"!
DZ

Nananananana Nanananana

"Where'd my Cast Go?"

"Into the Lumber Yard"