Question for the Needlefish Guru's

[Clogston29]

SS bullet with skin. Easy to rig and effective.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[l.i.fish.in.vt]

if it ain't yellow and white it ain't right

[Zeal]

I treat needles like bucktails when working them. (Using SS Needles, sinkers. Turning my own floaters once my machine is fixed).

Slowly swim them just over the structure, never bounce the bottom, and give an occasional lift (yes, a lift, not a twitch) which the speed depends on the current. If the fish already took an interest, that little surge forward tends to get me the strike I need to hook up.

The twitch just looks unnatural where I fish and I favor the lift because it gives it a nice glide. Or, instead of the lift, I'll give it a fast crank.

Basically I'll reel slow (not Danny plug slow), lift *without reeling*, then resume reeling a second or two after . The lift looks like the baitfish is wounded/struggling and trying to surf the waves but also IT STAYS IN THE BOTTOM OF THE WAVE WHERE THE FISH CAN HIT IT. Also, it looks like the fish is struggling and tires out. Usually I can get a very nice distance with the needle so I do multiple lifts.

I'm no pro, but that's worked for me even when the bluefish are picky eaters.

[Canalman]

Best advice...

Fish your confidence plug... Danny, Red Fin, Slug-Go... whatever. When you get in on a good hit, take that plug off and tie on a needle.

The only thing you're lacking is confidence.

Needles used to be my Newman, but now they are always the first thing out of the bag after dark. And they produce more sizeable fish than anything (except eels) that I use.

For me the trick was to get out from under the idea that I had to be "DOING" something for the plug to work. The only thing you really have to do it stay tight to it. I'm not a fan of twitching needles--unless they are very slow sinking--because it just makes them sink tail down for a half second. I discipline myself not to move my rod at all and I just vary the retrieve until I find the magic speed.

But seriously, build your confidence first, get in on a good hit, bang a few fish on the needle and then you'll be off and running.

[Pete F.]

Watch baitfish hanging in an outflow in the daytime or under lights, then hang a needlefish in there and make it look like them.