What's your favorite needle?

[WoodyCT]

Originally Posted by bassballer

I havent had alot of success with needle fish. I own a variety of afterhours, gibbs, SS, ect but lack of confidents keeps it in the plug bag. I want to make it a point for the rest of the year to really fish these more and gain some confidence in them.

As long as you fish them slow you can't go wrong. Don't make the mistake of thinking it should be worked like a pencil. A trick I learned from a sharpie- reel it very slowly- every 10 turns of the handle lower the tip while reeling- stop reeling for a couple seconds- gently pump the needle back to the surface with 1-2 pumps- resume reeling- WHAM!

Needle I have done best with- Salty's 2.5oz. in everybody's favorite color- Blurple (with glow in the dark eyes).

Woody

[Clogston29]

if I could only have one needle and it would be my only plug, i'd probably go yellow/white afterhours

if I could only have one needle but still have other plugs (redfins, jrs., etc.) i'd go with a blurple habs 2 oz

the AH is more versatile IMO, but it can be replaced with other plugs in most conditions without a big drop off in catches. the hab's is great in certain conditions and nothing comes close as far as artificials.

[bassballer]

Originally Posted by WoodyCT

As long as you fish them slow you can't go wrong. Don't make the mistake of thinking it should be worked like a pencil. A trick I learned from a sharpie- reel it very slowly- every 10 turns of the handle lower the tip while reeling- stop reeling for a couple seconds- gently pump the needle back to the surface with 1-2 pumps- resume reeling- WHAM!

Needle I have done best with- Salty's 2.5oz. in everybody's favorite color- Blurple (with glow in the dark eyes).

Woody

thanks woody. I mean I will get to a spot, conditions look good for a needle. Ill toss one out sllloooowwwllly reeeling it in, couple twitches here and there. 6 casts later, im switching to a plug I have more confidence in. Its just a mental thing I guess.

[Steve K]

Habs 2oz - yellow, olive, blurple

[Flaptail]

There are so many good ones being made commercially it's tough to pick.

I use my own most times ( I don't dringe as much when I snap one off)

The last two years though I have caught more fish on the old style Gags than any other but you go through phases and one must remember that no one manufacturer makes the perfect needle for all conditions so I carry quite an assortment, Gibbs, Afterhours, SuperStrike, Gags and Salty's.

[Slingah]

Tagger's big blue/white needle...local....

[GattaFish]

Originally Posted by bassballer

thanks woody. I mean I will get to a spot, conditions look good for a needle. Ill toss one out sllloooowwwllly reeeling it in, couple twitches here and there. 6 casts later, im switching to a plug I have more confidence in. Its just a mental thing I guess.

Stick with it

It is mental... It does not feel like it is working so you switch,,,, I have to say that Salty's, Hab's or afterhours are the way to go,,,, Personally,,, It took me a long time to catch my first fish on a needle,,,, and fortunately enough I was given a needle by the Hab-man himself and told how to work it,,, I have never looked back,,, I have the most confidence in needlefish out of any type plug in my bag,,,,

[baldwin]

The Charlie Gargano magic stubby, hands-down favorite. Hear that Charlie, gotta get me a few more for September.

[LeCounts1099]

Favorite Needle for what?


Tell me the tide/ depth/ current/ wind direction & speed, bottom structure/ stickiness (or not)... bait present, etc., etc., & I'll choose my favorite Needle for THAT situation! (I fish 10 makes & more sizes/ styles frequently!


There are nights a 2 oz. Habs will sink like a stone to bottom & get stuck... & there are nights it will be tossed about ineffective... then the 3.5 or "Night- N- Gale" needed!


My "emotionally" favorite Needle? Just which make me happiest when I acquire? BM all three sizes/ styles, Parrot esp.... & Blurple Habs!

[Vogt]

Originally Posted by baldwin

The Charlie Gargano magic stubby, hands-down favorite. Hear that Charlie, gotta get me a few more for September.

Amen George, that thin stubby Charlie gave to me has quite a few battle scars now!

[Rappin Mikey]

I love Salty's bannanna!

[rphud]

Not to sound like a two year old, but why are these your favorites? Or better yet per LeCounts, why which one when (conditions, where in the water column...etc.)?

Oh and, Marc Z comes out of nowhere and posts! High Z! How was weakie fishing this spring? Seemed kind of quiet, but I was tied up coaching boys lacrosse and did not participate.