Jointed Needles

[DZ]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Something those of you who use spinning tackle on sand beaches with steep shelves might want to try. Most of the scratches on this plug are from bass. First picture shows the lead (split shots) second shows the ground lip. Upgrade your hooks. Saw some serious bass beached on these little things by some Nantucket guys who knew what they were doing big time.

George,
Boy does that plug bring back memories! When the needlefish were hot in the 80s I remember seeing those rapalas at the Eastern Outdoor show when it was in Boxborough. We were very keen on "slim" plugs and they looked like they'd fit the bill. We talked to the Rapala rep about them and asked if they would ever be made with smaller lips - he said no. We did get a few and ground down the lip but they still swam to deep for us. I never thought of the loading idea. I'm glad someone figured out what to do with that plug.

You can probably see that most good jointed plugs come with a lip. I've tried to put lips on various needles with no luck - the ass end of a traditional needle is to heavy to swing. The back end has to be light to swing but them you lose the casting capability. I've always been looking for a needle that could swim just a little bit more - I even put Slipknot to work on one but it didn't pan out.

DZ

[Sea Dangles]

Rebel Jawbraker has a place in the bag too.

[Skitterpop]

Originally Posted by DZ

George,
Boy does that plug bring back memories! When the needlefish were hot in the 80s I remember seeing those rapalas at the Eastern Outdoor show when it was in Boxborough. We were very keen on "slim" plugs and they looked like they'd fit the bill. We talked to the Rapala rep about them and asked if they would ever be made with smaller lips - he said no. We did get a few and ground down the lip but they still swam to deep for us. I never thought of the loading idea. I'm glad someone figured out what to do with that plug.

You can probably see that most good jointed plugs come with a lip. I've tried to put lips on various needles with no luck - the ass end of a traditional needle is to heavy to swing. The back end has to be light to swing but them you lose the casting capability. I've always been looking for a needle that could swim just a little bit more - I even put Slipknot to work on one but it didn't pan out.

DZ

Why could`nt you use a maple front end and a floater pine tail end?

[bloocrab]

The biggest drawback when using a jointed plug is the loss of distance. 9 out of 10 fishermen ALWAYS want distance and think distance is always the key. With this fact, most fishermen don't invest enough time in a jointed plug to make a proper distinction. I am a big fan of jointed plugs. When applicable, I love tossing one out there. However, aside from castability, there is also the question of durability. Will a jointed plug endure the head shaking and plug rubbing that big Bass can produce? When you lose confidence in a plug, you fish it less. Jointed plugs create doubt - which creates lack of useage - which leads to fewer reports - and the dominos keep falling. For the record, I am also a big fan of "Distance". For the greatest fact that distance increases the amount of water covered, it often takes precedence in what you're casting. Jointed plugs have their place. Every plug does, you just have to know when and HOW to use that plug.

Send me your unwanted jointed plugs please -