Fishing Plugs

[Derby]

RVP and family doing some more ECVI plug fishing. Classic 6 inch #118 and tubby 6 inch L26G (AKA: T-Rex), both on RVP2-ii custom series TOMIC Lures.
Rob says to troll fast and when you think that you are going fast enough...TROLL FASTER! 3 to 5 mph depending on what the tidal currents are doing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0KdJ9RNQ-E#t=494

 

[cannibal chris]

Hey derby. Where can I get some of those plugs?

 

[Derby]

Pnt Parksville I believe.. that is Robs program..I can pass the store number if you like...

 

[Seafever]

When I talked to Rob last week, he said he's been using the 6 and 7' off ECVI with good results.

 

[leftcoast]

My plug has water in it is it garbage? I'm guessing it will just keep filling up and have no action.

 

[spring fever]

My plug has water in it is it garbage? I'm guessing it will just keep filling up and have no action.

Garbage -unless you can drain it ;find the hole and reseal with epoxy. I have opened about 20 Tomics to insert LED lights and resealed them and have only had 2 leak failures-so they can be successfully resealed. Most leaks occur if the pins have been pulled and if that is the source of the leak-you're toast.

 

[leftcoast]

Garbage -unless you can drain it ;find the hole and reseal with epoxy. I have opened about 20 Tomics to insert LED lights and resealed them and have only had 2 leak failures-so they can be successfully resealed. Most leaks occur if the pins have been pulled and if that is the source of the leak-you're toast.

Thanks spring fever pin was pulled. That plug was only fished once I guess I'm going to stop pulling pins for a while and see how I like it. At the price of a atomic I need it fish it more then once.

 

[Seafever]

Some Tomic plugs sold in stores do not have the nose ring....pulling the pins on these can make for better action because you don't you have to tie direct to the pin.

The ones that have the nose ring on the pin will give good action at slow speed........better than tying direct to nose pin.

Pulling the pins means you get your plug back theoretically if the line breaks.

If it comes with the nose ring on the pin.......I wouldn't bother pulling the pins unless you are concerned about plug recovery from a line break.

The "tubby" versions are designed for slower trolling.

if you pull the pins on a tubby or regular that does not have a nose ring you get decent slow speed action.

But it pays to go faster with plugs......unless you are fishing late season "returners" in an upper inlet like Port Alberni....where fishing a #158 7-inch at slow speeds was the norm.

Up to 6 knots for a normal plug is not too fast at all.....

 

[Gerry Treger]

Have been fishing plugs a lot this year. They have been doing well, but I haven't. I seem to loose a lot of fish. Seems like right at the boat too. It's a totally different way from using flashers, I feel like I'm really horsing the fish.

Losing fish when using plugs? When installing the hook on your plug, first tie a short piece of heavy leader between the plug swivel, ring, or other and the hook such that the tip of the hook is further outboard than the tail of the plug. Your hook will get buried deeper in the fish's mouth? Also, with the hook outboard the possibility of the hook swinging up and lodging over the plug is eliminated.

 

[RiverBoy]

 

[RiverBoy]

This is how I rig my plugs.Sorry can't figure out how to rotate pics.Pins pulled, 7' of fluorocarbon line, two Gammy trebles debarbed and each hook turned in slightly as someone previously mentioned. As mentioned hook placement is critical; if your hooks are too long the rear hook catches on back of plug and they won't catch squat.

 

[Gerry Treger]

Note to HurtLocker & Riverboy: Try tying your hooks with a spacer between 2 swivels so the point of the hook is near the tail of the plug. This will sink the hook deeper into the mouths of fish that tail nip. See photo. This is how I do it - others use bead chains, or similar.

 

[trophywife]

i like leaving mine un-pulled unless not producing. i use the plug as a lifter. no net or gaff required.

 

[Canso]

Note to HurtLocker & Riverboy: View attachment 27896 View attachment 27896 Try tying your hooks with a spacer between 2 swivels so the point of the hook is near the tail of the plug. This will sink the hook deeper into the mouths of fish that tail nip. See photo. This is how I do it - others use bead chains, or similar.

2nd from the right dosnt look right, maybe try a bait loop or snell type knott for an octopus hook.

 

[RogersonCrusoe]

I'm interested in starting to plug fish (and this thread is mostly to blame )- have they been used to the same effect in the Sidney area? I can't recall ever hearing about them being used by the folks out there...

 

[mikep]

pulling the pin works, for me it is a last ditch effort to make the plug swim. Plugs with pulled pins will eventually die as the line wears a groove through hole. I learned this lesson in my first few years of guiding as I lost many good soldiers to line worn grooves. Stick with 6' of 60# leader tied high on the ring of the plug and GO FAST.

 

[ericl]

I like the one with the trebles - pretty catch-and-release friendly

 

[RiverBoy]

I like the one with the trebles - pretty catch-and-release friendly

I'm out there to catch and retain fish. Sorry. Single barbless hooks are just as lethal on a deeply hooked shaker; they don't differentiate. I find most plug takes are lip hooked anyway.

 

[RiverBoy]

 

[RiverBoy]

I would love to know more about this plug. I got this at a garage sale a couple of years ago. The LL box was labelled "Pink Pearl" which got my heart racing. But the plug inside, which is in excellent shape is labelled " Fishmaster" made in Japan. The paint is well done; plug appears to be wooden. Anyone know any more about this? The interweb yielded little to no results. Thanks in advance as always.