I have been thinking about making cedar plugs using my lathe for very long time. Here are my first creations using purpleheart, paduak and red cedar of course. I am still working on the process especially the protective end cap so they are still variable. I used a four ounce egg sinker to turn the head.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Woodworking/524D3575-EAC3-441F-993E-0E9B28C1AB0C_zpskehxwcrd.jpg)
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Woodworking/B627EAB8-7E57-4DDC-89E6-59B88EDEEFEA_zpsy38bhosw.jpg)
I'll try them out this summer and see them swim. It will be fun to see folks do a double take when the see my trolling rod with something new on it.
Fantastic! Are you thinking about selling these? Near shore BFT love these natural finish cedar plugs in our neck of the woods. Great job sir, as usual!
I've use the parts from an cutting torch hose repair kit, in the red boxes below,
Quote from: Keta on March 27, 2015, 10:03:45 PM
I've use the parts from an cutting torch hose repair kit, in the red boxes below,
Thanks so much!
If I go to a welding shop and show them the photo, will they understand? New shop for me for sure.
If anyone knows a source for pre-made jig heads, I would love it. Thanks in advance
Quote from: mmayo on March 27, 2015, 10:17:47 PM
If I go to a welding shop and show them the photo, will they understand?
They should.
We had a semi trailer from the fifties with a padauk floor that was used as a shop on the ranch.
Almost steel like in terms of durability.
Very nice plugs!
Nice work!
Mmayo... do you know how to tune cedar plugs if you are going to rig them? Actually whoever rigs them should tune the plugs so that they ride properly under tow. Dominick
Quote from: Dominick on March 28, 2015, 05:41:34 PM
Mmayo... do you know how to tune cedar plugs if you are going to rig them? Actually whoever rigs them should tune the plugs so that they ride properly under tow. Dominick
I would LIKE to know, if you know share your info please.
Quote from: Keta on March 27, 2015, 10:03:45 PM
I've use the parts from an cutting torch hose repair kit, in the red boxes below,
Thanks a 10^6
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Woodworking/FFA6B4AD-92C4-47E6-B561-1EA91D6B51EA_zpsgoymqwhk.jpg)
Quote from: mmayo on March 28, 2015, 05:50:10 PM
Quote from: Dominick on March 28, 2015, 05:41:34 PM
Mmayo... do you know how to tune cedar plugs if you are going to rig them? Actually whoever rigs them should tune the plugs so that they ride properly under tow. Dominick
I would LIKE to know, if you know share your info please.
Sure. Thread a stiff piece of wire through the plug. The wire needs to be taut so that you can spin the plug. The plug should spin freely. You may also use heavy weight mono. When the plug stops mark the top of the plug. The plug will stop with the natural weight of the plug on the bottom. Spin the plug 2-3 times so that you are sure where the top of the plug is. When you know where the top of the plug is located put a V notch in the inside rear hole where the top is and place the hook so that the hook points up while under tow. If this is not clear there should be some demonstrations on youtube. If you can't find one I'll consider making a how-to video. Dominick
Have pulled my share of cedar plugs, but never knew how tune them...just that some swam better and out fished others. Thanks for that Dominick!
I am going to make a load of them soon in various exotic wood species.
Let me know if you are interested.
mlmayo2@verizon.net
Quote from: Dominick on March 28, 2015, 05:58:38 PM
Quote from: mmayo on March 28, 2015, 05:50:10 PM
Quote from: Dominick on March 28, 2015, 05:41:34 PM
Mmayo... do you know how to tune cedar plugs if you are going to rig them? Actually whoever rigs them should tune the plugs so that they ride properly under tow. Dominick
I would LIKE to know, if you know share your info please.
Sure. Thread a stiff piece of wire through the plug. The wire needs to be taut so that you can spin the plug. The plug should spin freely. You may also use heavy weight mono. When the plug stops mark the top of the plug. The plug will stop with the natural weight of the plug on the bottom. Spin the plug 2-3 times so that you are sure where the top of the plug is. When you know where the top of the plug is located put a V notch in the inside rear hole where the top is and place the hook so that the hook points up while under tow. If this is not clear there should be some demonstrations on youtube. If you can't find one I'll consider making a how-to video. Dominick
Thanks for sharing that. Do the Cedar plugs typicallh swim in a tight pattern?, or do the wobble, spin, and dark more erratically? I have a few buried in my tackle boxes somewhere, but I don't remember actually ever rigging or runnin 'em.
To me they swim in an erratic back and forth movement. Not so much as to tangle the guy next to you, but they move laterally. I think by what I can see when trolling that the might go up and down too. I will try the suggestion to "tune" mine with a few spins, mark it and make a groove for the hook. Be careful what knot you tie or use a crimp.
Quote from: Tightlines666 on March 28, 2015, 08:23:21 PM
Quote from: Dominick on March 28, 2015, 05:58:38 PM
Quote from: mmayo on March 28, 2015, 05:50:10 PM
Quote from: Dominick on March 28, 2015, 05:41:34 PM
Mmayo... do you know how to tune cedar plugs if you are going to rig them? Actually whoever rigs them should tune the plugs so that they ride properly under tow. Dominick
I would LIKE to know, if you know share your info please.
Sure. Thread a stiff piece of wire through the plug. The wire needs to be taut so that you can spin the plug. The plug should spin freely. You may also use heavy weight mono. When the plug stops mark the top of the plug. The plug will stop with the natural weight of the plug on the bottom. Spin the plug 2-3 times so that you are sure where the top of the plug is. When you know where the top of the plug is located put a V notch in the inside rear hole where the top is and place the hook so that the hook points up while under tow. If this is not clear there should be some demonstrations on youtube. If you can't find one I'll consider making a how-to video. Dominick
Thanks for sharing that. Do the Cedar plugs typicallh swim in a tight pattern?, or do the wobble, spin, and dark more erratically? I have a few buried in my tackle boxes somewhere, but I don't remember actually ever rigging or runnin 'em.
It is not so tight as compared to other swimming plugs I can think of. Imagine a very fast "walk the dog" thrash side to side on the surface. A lipped plug or other trolling lures have a much tighter swim. We fish them right behind the first wake and is a nice way to fill out the spread. Very effective on most anything that hits trolled stuff.
Mmayo, those are beautiful. Cedar plugs have always been my " go to " for Albacore. Always wondered what a scaled down plug, lighter line and smaller hook would do when they get fixated on smaller Anchovies. Like 4" or so, kind of a "match the hatch " deal. I'll buy a half dozen for starters. Anchovies are to albacore like peanuts are to an elephant.They're great on pizza, too.
Lee is spot on ,as usual, with the oxy/acet ferrules , but maybe you could try empty brass shell casings for different sizes..a 9mm might be about right...punch out the spent primer and the centering hole to drill out is there. You could market these as "9 mm, .357, .44 mag."etc. ;D
Quote from: mmayo on March 28, 2015, 08:10:11 PM
I am going to make a load of them soon in various exotic wood species.
Let me know if you are interested.
mlmayo2@verizon.net
MMayo, I will buy a couple unrigged, so that I can tune them before rigging. I use a No. 10/0 Mustad needle eye hooks with 150lb Jinkai leader. I also rig with a thin nylon tube in the front so that the line does not chaff. I also crimp the hook. I would be buying them to rig and fish with. So if I am going to pay extra for exotic wood I probably won't pay much more than a cedar plug. You might want to check out this thread http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=2997.0. Dominick
After some suggestions here, they look like this:
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Woodworking/7CB2D2FE-5EF3-42EF-8833-B5995D2D99F9_zpsqykvsn94.jpg)
The one on the right still needed turning and all need finish to make them last a bit more.
Thanks for the good ideas.
Mark they are looking too good to fish. Good job. Dominick
No, IMO never put finish on a cedar plug. The cedar wood will be just just fine long after the brass and leadheads need replacing.
Quote from: SoCalAngler on April 04, 2015, 04:05:06 AM
No, IMO never put finish on a cedar plug. The cedar wood will be just just fine long after the brass and leadheads need replacing.
X2-plain old wood is Best and the more scuffed up the better.
I will buy some unfinished please!
Here are a couple of shots from the recently flurry of plug production to give you an idea of what I use to make them.
Raw components and a turned, but not finished plug.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Cedar%20Plugs/A6ABC047-79FB-4744-8635-9AD50E894859_zpsj1zfu4xq.jpg)
Before and after it was a sliding sinker
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Woodworking/379A954C-6C45-4132-909F-9CC32A179480_zpsvan9o8yh.jpg)
Several partially turned and drilled wood blanks in paduak and purpleheart.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Cedar%20Plugs/6D351CB5-8748-4920-8F2E-03FED52DAE47_zpshny7perx.jpg)
After epoxy glue up of partially turned lead heads and brass end caps.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Cedar%20Plugs/7077B171-65FF-4A6E-885C-1F805328BD4A_zpskhl2vyhg.jpg)
Three finished plugs from today.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Cedar%20Plugs/New%20Wood%20Plugs_zpsyd9jwwwf.jpg)
As I have found out after making 25 of these, substantial work is involved. If you have seen my tackle boxes you probably have figured out that I do not always take the easy road... So far it is still fun to see raw stuff turn into something useful and pretty.
A new addition to the family...a 7" long plug with a 6 ounce head pictured with six 6" plugs.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Cedar%20Plugs/756B3245-17FA-432D-9355-B13C02F6A39B_zps0lr7inmi.jpg)
Below are a few in the collectors edition group with very exotic woods.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Cedar%20Plugs/DB2998A4-B683-40DA-8E2D-D01D2E705804_zpsbs0tww1o.jpg)
A few folks want plugs for display only and these are for a framed display.
The color is purple for this set of plugs. Leland purchased 4'", 5", 6" and 7" "cedar plugs" in purpleheart wood.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Cedar%20Plugs/F9A952C1-C49F-45CE-B9F6-E62334C916A2_zpsmahsv66s.jpg)
By the way, wood changes over time. These somewhat pale purple plugs will darken to an eggplant purple with exposure to sunlight. Mine have simply amazing purple color after two days at sea trolling blind the boat.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Cedar%20Plugs/3BBB8401-C948-4145-A10E-AB77767232CC_zpskzg0xhtd.jpg)
FINALLY got out to fish on a friend's boat Bula at Santa Barbara Island and the Osborne bank. Caught 40 yellow and 30 bonito almost all released except five nice yellows. No tuna, but we did not see any being caught on the bank. All but one or two were caught on cedar plugs from my shop. They outfished a rapala and a feather 20:1. Size did not matter as the 6", 5" and 4" all caught their share. I knew these plugs, just as cedar plugs since ancient Egyptian times, catch fish; mine are just a lot easier on the eyes.
My plugs have a somewhat large rear opening of 7/32" and has a far more robust ferrule. The hook slides out effortlessly and my gaff to hookup ratio was near 100%. This seems quite a bit better than what I can remember with the stock cedar plugs I have used over many years.
Can't wait for the San Diego Angler 10 Day next month, I expect many species will be caught on them.
I can make some if you are interested. I have some made and in stock, others quickly.
Mark, is there a one-stop-shop link where potential/repeat customers (me) can see what patterns and lengths are currently available?
Thank you! :)
~A~
These plugs rock! 8)
These Plugs are great. Got 3 this year and love them. They get bit too..
Mark,
I'll be interested after the holidays.
If you have a chance, could you please send me one of your modified lead heads so I can try to make a mold for you out of Bondo. If it works, I may ask for one of each sizes and make a few molds because I'm not sure how long bondo would last with the pouring of lead.
Bryan
Do you still make these plus? I'd like to get a dozen.
Randy Kane
Yes. The available wood are:
Bloodwood
Padauk
Purpleheart
Bocote
Yellowheart
Red cedar
Perhaps a couple more
Please email me at
MLMAYO2@VERIZON.NET
Mark
I am e-mailed to you.
Thanks, Mark!
Waiting for the plugs.
Dear Mark,
http://vonborks.org/cedar_plug.html
"From a fluid/aero dynamics viewpoint, like in a wind tunnel smoke test, one can see the laminar flow around the plug, in this greatly simplified example we used a standard streamlined tear drop, an elongated plug would exhibit similar characteristics. The end result is a distinctive wave with a bit of turbulence (xxxxx) within the trailing wave; it is that turbulent wave that predator fish's lateral lines (motion sensors) detect (and at a considerable distance) triggering the attack response ending in a hook-up..."
That's why your plugs work, right?
Mark , what is the top speed these plugs can be trolled at. I am looking for something that will work at 12 knots. Also is one length better at high speed if they will work. Thanks Joe
I have one of the paduaks... works like a charm! To heck with feathers... it'll be first out on my June 8-day. :D
~A~
I have got Mark's plugs.
It is really a piece of art.
They have nothing common with many plugs have been producing.
Its another level of craftsmanship.
I just received an large order from New Zealand, color me happy and international again.
"Mark my wife arrived home yesterday (here in new Zealand) with the Plugs, they are works of art, thank you.
Its mid-winter here so will try then out in the spring and let you know how I do.
Thank you Peter"
As a new hobby lure maker, I must say.........your work is gorgeous. Also, sanding down those egg weights is ingenious! Great work.
Thanks for your compliment!!!
I turn them and the sanding scares me. I have worked very hard to capture chips and dust, wear a mask and gloves. Be careful too.
(http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/ae238/mlmayo/Cedar%20Plugs/0C2CC421-5A16-42E1-AD13-B20D9063BAE7_zpsy9xzylro.jpg)