Lure of the Month / bi-week, bi-weekly curious - Part Four - The Cowboy

[JFigliuolo]

The cowboy is one of my favorite Jetty/current plugs. I like mine designed to swim down a bit, much like the older BM's. They dig well, and hold exceptionally well in a big heave. You might have some issues tossing them (the older ones) from the surf as they tend to run a bit deep, at least the way I like them. The are an excellent plug to use in all but the strongest part of the tide in outflows also as they behave well in current. I can't speak about the CCC as I rarely fish it.

The newer ones swim higher in the water column. While they definitely don't suck, I don't like them as much.

I believe they were designed after a Pikie, at least that's what came from the horses mouth.

[luds]

In my experience it takes a sweeping current and big fish to be successfull with a cowboy. I like to just let it swing in the current keep my line tight and pump my rod tip every so often to get it to dig in. I think most of the hits come right after the rod action. The only success I've had is with the BM cowboy with eyes but that's mostly because it's what I've fished. If you can't get your hands on a cowboy the Bigwater diving pikie is a great alternative in the same conditions. They're really equaully as good IMO.

For me the BM Cowboy jr. is a completely different plug. I like it in most surf conditions. I have not done that great with it in the same conditions I've done well with the the big cowboy. Cowboy Sr. is usually in my inlet/jetty bag, cowboy jr is usually in my surf bag.

I don't have near the understanding of these plugs that the plug building guys do but that's what my experience has been. Hopefully will learn them more this season.