Super Strike Darter- How do you rig them?

[Andy D]

Use them just the way they come out of the package ! That's how I use them. Changing hooks adding bucktails ect. will change the action.
Just my opinion !

[steve]

Change the belly hook to a 4/0 VMC 4x strong and the tail to a single bucktail. Hook changes make this lure bite and work better in a strong rip and rough water.

[Mike P]

old thread bumped, same comments as I made 3 years ago

[luds]

Funny to see this thread now. I live for those darters now.

[Raven]

very informative thread even three years later....

thanks! i'll go modify the two i just Bought

[WoodyCT]

You've come a long way Luds.

[hardcore from shore]

I fish a lot of darters. Love the action. I was afraid of them till I spent some time with them to get comfortable. Had to learn on the Vinyard a few years back as that was the only lure that was catching. A necessary part of the arsenal. Even some good luck on yellow or white during daylight (this can be a daylight plug in fall) when surf is strong, but not strong enough for a bottle. Also casts much better than a metal lip, so wind in face but fish a little further out bring out the darter as well. Black at night.
I have tried all the commercial brands with some success but primarily use some made by my dad (some long and thin, others fat). Watch any darter in the daylight and get used to how it feels and what the action is at various speeds. Also you can see if it runs deep or shallow and the brands do vary on depth and action. The wobble / wiggle is seductive.

I like a single hook in the rear and as Zeno states one that folds against the body adds casting distance. I have some single rear hooks trimmed with about 2 inches of 1/4 wide black rabbit that works well.

Fact is I have NEVER hooked a bass on the rear hook and thus I often fish the darter with no rear hook at as I believe this enhances the wiggle /wobble even more. Trade off one less hook (better at night to keep from me getting hooked) for more wobble.

Even picked up an Albie on the Vineyard a few years back when testing a blue Super Strike darter mid day.
Bill

[numbskull]

Interesting comment. I, too, never did much with that plug (whereas the danny/BM darter was very productive). Probably just how and where I fished (a shallow outflow with a hard cross sweep), but it does point out that as a class there are some substantial differences between darters.

[steve]

Of all the darters I have used over the years I have found the SS to be very consistent in action but my all time favorite is the 2 1/2 oz. darter by Gibbs. Unfortunatly it has srcrew eyes but "swims" well right out of the package. I also change the belly on this one to a 4/0 VMC with a sparse bucktail single rear hook. Both are good in storm seas.

[luds]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Interesting comment. I, too, never did much with that plug (whereas the danny/BM darter was very productive). Probably just how and where I fished (a shallow outflow with a hard cross sweep), but it does point out that as a class there are some substantial differences between darters.

I fish a spot that has those exact characteristics. I've done well with a 2 oz. tattoo darter here but it's a little rocky on the bottom and that darter gets pretty deep. I just get nervous about rendering a $20 plugs useless after a trip or two. It digs into the ground big time. I've read that the ss darter is popular for montauk because it doesn't run too deep. Also, the plastic is alot more durable.

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Interesting comment. I, too, never did much with that plug (whereas the danny/BM darter was very productive). Probably just how and where I fished (a shallow outflow with a hard cross sweep), but it does point out that as a class there are some substantial differences between darters.

metal lips are much better for doing sweeps and darters are much better for retrieving agianst fast moving water.. or at least thats what i have found over time.

[jimmy z]

Also, when I retrieve the darters, I do a couple of cranks, stop, lift the tip, crank, stop, etc. The lifting of the rod tip, the twitching if you waht to call it that, is important in the retrieve process.

[Zeno]

Most of the single hooks rigged it this way should be able to fold against the body and increase the casting distance.
Btw
This particular plug has a very strong casting properties right of the package.Steve is 100% right on a 4/0 hook .If you want a plug to dig in a strong current or rough seas you add a 4/0....but if you want to keep it up as high as possible ,go with cut 3/0
One of my favorite plugs.I'd say that more fish are landed on a darter on any given Montauk night than all other lure combined...btw....the needles,darters or metal lips take a ton of fish too but there is something about that zigzagging motion in a strong current