Dressed vs. bare tail hook

[ivanputski]

I always use a split ring on my hooks... i know there are VERY experienced guys that say crimp on Vmc hooks never open, but it just defies logic to me that a cut hook you have to bend on is stronger than one that is closed... I try to color code my feathers to my plugs, but then again, I started this thread to ask questions, so dont follow what I do... who knows... ask a fish, not me!

[emgred]

Originally Posted by ivanputski

I always use a split ring on my hooks.

My comment on split rings was only in relation to the tail hook. (Will not open the belly hook can of worms). There are plugs that I will use an open eye siwash on, but on the SS Little I use closed eye & split ring.
As to color; white, yellow and black is all I use. Black with black or blurple plugs, yellow with yellow, white on most every thing else. I've done some red over white and some brown over white (sandeel color plugs), but I think that was more for me.

[numbskull]

On big swimmers, no tail hook, a dressing alone is Ok but not mandatory

On pencils and spooks, tail dressings cause drag and deaden the action substantially (which some guys like/ not me)
On surface poppers, usually (though Pili poppers are very good without)

On darters, I never used dressing, but some LI guys apparently do and I wouldn't argue with anyone from LI about darters

On needles.....usually, but it does substantially lengthen the plug's profile and if fish are on small bait that isn't always good. You can fish needles with just a dressing and no tail hook if you want to avoid small fish. Does change the balance some which on needles will make the plug go deeper.

On jointed plugs, no hook but definitely a dressing.

[NIB]

Fish can be on anchovies which might be 1" long an they still hit 7" needles..
I think bass think For the most part bass think it is a pod of bait an not one individual piece of bait..Feathers help to give that impression especially when the plug is paused an the feathers will breathe..I like to use bucktails on my swimmers no hook most times..it really adds to the attraction for me anyways..
I never use em on pencils..
I just spent 5 nights out at Montauk.
The ss little neck popper with Feathers is one of my favorite nightime lures..
It has outfished the famous yellow darter at times for me out there..

[brucelieb]

Originally Posted by emgred

My comment on split rings was only in relation to the tail hook. (Will not open the belly hook can of worms). There are plugs that I will use an open eye siwash on, but on the SS Little I use closed eye & split ring.
As to color; white, yellow and black is all I use. Black with black or blurple plugs, yellow with yellow, white on most every thing else. I've done some red over white and some brown over white (sandeel color plugs), but I think that was more for me.

I am in the process of making a couple of plugs. I did a search and found this thread.
Perhaps you can clarify something for me?
Some plugs , small metal lipped swimmers, can have just a feather
( dressed but with no hook). Since I accidentalal purchase several hookless feathered tail - dressings?
I tend to think why not a hook on everything, I know bass hit the front but whats your opinion?

[Backbeach Jake]

I like to use dressed on swimmers because it gives you a sorta jointed. If you have a jointed and put a dressed hook on it, you have a double jointed. I think that the more joints (on a plug) the more sinewy ( is that a word?) or snake like the action.

[brucelieb]

yeah I get that, makes tons of sense but what I don't get is why whould it have only a feather and not a hook. will the addition of a hook cause too much weight in the back? drag?

[emgred]

Originally Posted by brucelieb

I am in the process of making a couple of plugs. I did a search and found this thread.
Perhaps you can clarify something for me?
Some plugs , small metal lipped swimmers, can have just a feather
( dressed but with no hook). Since I accidentalal purchase several hookless feathered tail - dressings?
I tend to think why not a hook on everything, I know bass hit the front but whats your opinion?

I will use a flag (dressed tail, no hook) on plugs that came that way; IE Bob Hahn's.

From a very knowledgeable surfcaster: ""Flags" are best for light swimming plugs like Hahns or on any Surftster. Dannys and others are OK with just a dressed hook."
The reasoning is that the action will be effected by the "keel" of the rear siwash on some plugs. A Gary2 Slim is a perfect example of a plug that is adversely effected by putting a dressed siwash on the back as opposed to a flag.

[Big Water]

I liked to build my Giant Pikes with a tied tail. I tie my own and make them longer then what you can buy. I like the way it waves behind the plug making it look more alive. If you are going to fool a big fish with a wooden plug you need to have everything working, color, smell ( I use a scented jell) shape, action and size ( I strongly believe big fish like big bait). I make my own lips to get a strong action at a slow retrieve so if I wanted to put a bare treble on the tail the weight would not affect the action ( and would be a lot quicker than tying tails), but it would not attract like the tied tail does. Ninety percent of the stripers I hook are on the front treble, a few fall of the front and are hooked by the second belly hook, a tail treble is not needed unless you are hunting bluefish. They call "tied tails" bluefish proofing the plug. Stripers are head hunters! Hope that helps. Gary