Plug Prices

[Mike P]

Originally Posted by numbskull

LOL. Plugs add another and a significant level of difficulty to fishing. Specializing in one spot or one technique is hardly an indication of overall skill as a fisherman. Nice that he catches fish and can brag about it, though. Got me beat.

The steepest and most difficult learning curve in surf fishing is jigging the Canal. Anyone who is a capable caster can land a popper close enough to a breaking fish to get it to eat it. At night, swimming plugs account for a fraction of what jigs and their ilk catch. If that is what you mean by adding a significant level of difficulty, well, I guess you have a point. But it has nothing to do with one's versatility or ability to fish a plug. It has to do with playing the percentages, especially for those who target large fish. Catching 20-30 schoolies on small swimmers or shads isn't really indicative of any particular skill level.

When it comes to large fish--say over 20# or 40"--10 fall to jigs, skins, or plastics on lead in the Canal for every one that falls to a plug, over the course of a season. At night. The public only hears about a very small percentage of them. Guys fish the Canal at night for two reasons--better shot at a truly large fish for a longer stage of the tide, and no audience.

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Mike P

When it comes to large fish--say over 20# or 40"--10 fall to jigs, skins, or plastics on lead in the Canal for every one that falls to a plug, over the course of a season.

Precisely, and it requires substantial skill to do it. But put the same guy in the rocks at Gay Head and his attitude about plugs would change very quickly. To suggest the opinion of a guy who fishes where plugs are not needed is a good indication of the value of plugs in general seems misguided. It also overlooks the real value of plugs, namely that getting a large fish to eat a plug provides a greater sense of accomplishment to many of us than fooling the same (or multiples thereof) fish with bait or lead. Not everyone feels that way, but those that do are happy to have such quality plugs available even at high cost.

[wader-dad]

I think there are 3 levels of plug buying. You got guys that buy buctails, jigs plastics, bomber and redfins and can catch much better than me for $3-$6 an item. Thats about catching fish and you don't need anything else.

Then there are guys like me that go to the RISAA show and don't mind paying in the mid 20's for a Habs or Tattoo plug. When I load my plug bag, rip open the packaging and insert that Tattoo darter slowly into the tube (maybe too graphic) before heading to the Vineyard or Cuttyhunk for a special trip, I get the passion going like nothing else. It adds to my surfcasting enjoyment. With Mag Darters going for like $14. Its not crazy money.

Then there are the guys that bid $100 for a Pichney Troller on Ebay because they are collectors. They are not going to fish them, but collecting something is a passion also. I don't get it when guys get pissed off when they see vintage plugs going for alot of money. To me it means our sport is being recognized. I do not begrudge anyone from collecting older plugs.

[Slipknot]

Swimmer, you gave me permission to fish there , remember?

Originally Posted by numbskull

Precisely, and it requires substantial skill to do it. But put the same guy in the rocks at Gay Head and his attitude about plugs would change very quickly. To suggest the opinion of a guy who fishes where plugs are not needed is a good indication of the value of plugs in general seems misguided. It also overlooks the real value of plugs, namely that getting a large fish to eat a plug provides a greater sense of accomplishment to many of us than fooling the same (or multiples thereof) fish with bait or lead. Not everyone feels that way, but those that do are happy to have such quality plugs available even at high cost.

George, maybe we are giving you the wrong impression of Jim, he jokes about only needing one plug. He is obsessed with the canal, it's the only place he fishes, I couldn't even get him to go out to Orleans to fish with Stetzko that's how stuck on the canal he is. He really loves the idea of catching large out in the middle down on bottom with a jig and having to fight it to shore. If he were on the rocks at Gay Head or Cutty, I'm certain he would appreciate a wooden plug and all that it can do. I'll see you tom. night