Rapala Plug Mods
Jun 14, 2011 7:48:11 GMT -1
Post by THURSOMAN on Jun 14, 2011 7:48:11 GMT -1
As promised here is a quick thread to show you a couple of mods I did to my plugs recently that I reckon made a bit difference to the catch rate on the plug.
First of all I take both trebles off then get some of my bird scare reflective tape and cut out a nice shape for the underneath.
It's called repeller ribbon as shown here if of interest:
cgi.ebay.co.uk/REPELLER-RIBBON-Tape-BIRD-DEER-SCARER-GARDEN-30m-STV-/140554528392?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Weed_Pest_Control_CV&hash=item20b9b3e688
Cheap as chips for 30 Metres of the stuff. ;D
Anyway, cut it and superglue it on as shown
As you can see I'm only using enough for the underside as the lure has a nice reflective side I didn't want to mess with too much.
I use gel super glue which is waterproof and easy to manage without glue dripping on your clothes or the carpet...Ahem.
This is just to show you the same principle on a shad
My preference is to leave the front hook off for a couple of reasons.
I find pollack tend to always go for the tail end. Also, I hate it when more than one treble impales the fish making a mess of it and also the extra drag this can sometimes create.
Oh and also less hooks mean less snagging and less tangles on the kayak especially when you use a landing net for them bigger fellas.
I've been experimenting with bigger trebles to try and keep tiddlers off as much as possible. First time I used it with the original size treble I was absolutely plagued with coalies and very small pollock.
Also with a bigish treble, if you do happen to catch a wee fish there's always a change a monster from the deep will go for it and get hooked on any available hook point.
Last thing to mention about the treble itself is that I always crush the barb.
Never lost a fish so far for doing it.
(You know what's going to happen now I say this)
Main reasons are easier removal if more than one point penetrates fish which is generally always the case on a decent fish. Easy removal on rope etc. And perhaps most useful: easy to unsnag when you landed a fish in a net and one or 2 points snag the mess while fish still on. Nightmare as you know guys.
One other point(excuse the pun) ;D is I've fount the hook seems to penetrate easier without the barb. There is still a "lump" at this section on the hook that helps thefish stay on as long as you keep the tension on the line.
Anyway I modify the treble by adding a nice bunch of bucktail then add quite a bit of mirror flash. This is amazing stuff and looks increadible in the water at the end of a plug.
Finally I add a small amount of black fritz.
Now it may seem a waste using so much mirror flash.
The simple reason for that is fish will eat the stuff so you want to put a good bit on to make it last a bit longer.
Here is the end product
Also one here in Hot head orange and yellow.
And yes I did remember to take the plugs of my mug before my next slurp.
Hope this is of interest guys.
p.s mind and decide on a weak link breaking strain for your hook.
I go for 15 or 20lbs so that if I do get snagged I only loose the hook and not my nice plug. Mind and set your drag right though!!!!
BANG BANG... SNAP...!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
First of all I take both trebles off then get some of my bird scare reflective tape and cut out a nice shape for the underneath.
It's called repeller ribbon as shown here if of interest:
cgi.ebay.co.uk/REPELLER-RIBBON-Tape-BIRD-DEER-SCARER-GARDEN-30m-STV-/140554528392?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Garden_Plants_Weed_Pest_Control_CV&hash=item20b9b3e688
Cheap as chips for 30 Metres of the stuff. ;D
Anyway, cut it and superglue it on as shown
As you can see I'm only using enough for the underside as the lure has a nice reflective side I didn't want to mess with too much.
I use gel super glue which is waterproof and easy to manage without glue dripping on your clothes or the carpet...Ahem.
This is just to show you the same principle on a shad
My preference is to leave the front hook off for a couple of reasons.
I find pollack tend to always go for the tail end. Also, I hate it when more than one treble impales the fish making a mess of it and also the extra drag this can sometimes create.
Oh and also less hooks mean less snagging and less tangles on the kayak especially when you use a landing net for them bigger fellas.
I've been experimenting with bigger trebles to try and keep tiddlers off as much as possible. First time I used it with the original size treble I was absolutely plagued with coalies and very small pollock.
Also with a bigish treble, if you do happen to catch a wee fish there's always a change a monster from the deep will go for it and get hooked on any available hook point.
Last thing to mention about the treble itself is that I always crush the barb.
Never lost a fish so far for doing it.
(You know what's going to happen now I say this)
Main reasons are easier removal if more than one point penetrates fish which is generally always the case on a decent fish. Easy removal on rope etc. And perhaps most useful: easy to unsnag when you landed a fish in a net and one or 2 points snag the mess while fish still on. Nightmare as you know guys.
One other point(excuse the pun) ;D is I've fount the hook seems to penetrate easier without the barb. There is still a "lump" at this section on the hook that helps thefish stay on as long as you keep the tension on the line.
Anyway I modify the treble by adding a nice bunch of bucktail then add quite a bit of mirror flash. This is amazing stuff and looks increadible in the water at the end of a plug.
Finally I add a small amount of black fritz.
Now it may seem a waste using so much mirror flash.
The simple reason for that is fish will eat the stuff so you want to put a good bit on to make it last a bit longer.
Here is the end product
Also one here in Hot head orange and yellow.
And yes I did remember to take the plugs of my mug before my next slurp.
Hope this is of interest guys.
p.s mind and decide on a weak link breaking strain for your hook.
I go for 15 or 20lbs so that if I do get snagged I only loose the hook and not my nice plug. Mind and set your drag right though!!!!
BANG BANG... SNAP...!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
