Plugs
Plug Choices - a guide to plug performance
All of the following advice is based on personal experience and the experience of friends I have
fished with, and whose judgement I value. I make no attempt to divide the plugs into categories,
because if you jerk a minnow is it still a minnow? Or a Jerkbait? If you crank a jerkbait is it
still a jerkbait? Or a crankbait? I will offer a guide to how I think the plugs can be used to
their best advantage. Bear in mind that I use 100lb test Power Pro braid for casting and 50lb
test Power Pro or TUF for trolling large lures, so bear that that in mind when you read the working
depths that I ascribe to each plug.
Bill Lewis Supertrap
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Body length
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4.75"
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Weight
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2oz
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Rattle?
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Yes
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Material
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Plastic
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Working depth
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4ft downwards
|
|
An fast sinking, long casting, countdown plug with a tremendous rattle. Dreadful, blunt, nickel-plated
hooks that should be changed before you use it. Jigged, ripped or cranked this plug will get noticed,
it is not a subtle presentation and not for every day but worth having because it is so very different
to anything else.
Lureland Spitfire
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Body length
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5.75"
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Weight
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2.3oz
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Rattle?
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No
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Material
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Plastic
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Working depth
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1ft To 20ft+
|
|
An unusual countdown plug with a spinning blade in front of the tail hook. Versatility is this plug's
strength: jerked, jigged, ripped or cranked it catches pike. A good caster and a fairly fast sinker,
with the blade spinning on the fall.
Hooker Seducer
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Body length
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6.37"
|
Weight
|
2oz
|
Rattle?
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No
|
Material
|
Plastic
|
Working depth
|
To 10ft
|
|
Shad-shaped crankbait that is easy to use and a fair caster. Worked hard it will get down to about
10ft but normal speed retrieves will have it running easily between about 5 and 8ft. The finish is
poor, it seems really soft and even with a coat of nail lacquer it deteriorates rapidly when it comes
into contact with pike teeth. The lips also need regluing. Not suitable for trolling because they don't run true at speed.
Musky Innovations 9" Bulldog
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Body length
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9" (11" with tail extended)
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Weight
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4.25oz
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Rattle?
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No
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Material
|
Soft Rubber
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Working depth
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From about 8ft downwards
|
|
Soft rubber sinking lure with built-in jig-hesd, count it down and crank it back steadily. For pike,
the pike's teeth mean this lure needs regular repairs.
Nils Master Invincible 180mm
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Body length
|
7.2"
|
Weight
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1.4oz
|
Rattle?
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No
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Material
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Wood
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Working depth
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From about 2ft to 6ft casting
|
|
Deeper diving than most minnows and a reasonable caster fitted with VMC trebles. For pike and
occasional zander. Some of the colours are a bit er... different!
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