Hey Gang: Check out this blue cedar plug I purchased from Gene at Pelagix. I am going to have to buy a couple of more. As you can see they work extremely well. By the way, we haven't heard from Gene in a while. Dominick
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/IMG_9367.jpg)
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/IMG_9366.jpg)
I went searching for Pelagix and found out that the name was changed or merged with Tunatec. I'm buying 3 more blue plugs. Dominick
Nice one Dominick - I'd been wondering about these 'cedar plugs'.
They look a bit like some old-school kiwi lures - much more refined though.
QuoteAs you can see they work extremely well
Indeed!
Cheers mate.
Justin: Check them out at http://www.Tunatec.com. I used 2 of them in the spring and in the fall. The blue cedar plugs out fished the others by about 3 to 1. We did catch some Tuna on purple and, red with a black head. I buy them unrigged and use No 10/0 Mustad needle eye hooks with 150lb Jinkai leader. Dominick
Will do Dominick - thanks for the link (and detail).
Do they offer any that have been completely painted...????? ;D ;D
(sorry...that was too easy)
Seriously though....I've seen those kind of lures, but have no experience with them.
Do you just drag that chunk of wood behind the boat, or is there some special technique ..??
Thanks.
Quote from: qcguy4198 on November 18, 2011, 10:39:26 AMDo you just drag that chunk of wood behind the boat, or is there some special technique ..??
It's just a trolling lure with an action that really doesn't look all that special but has proven it's worth many times over.
Quote from: qcguy4198 on November 18, 2011, 10:39:26 AM
Do they offer any that have been completely painted...????? ;D ;D
(sorry...that was too easy)
that made my morning....... ;D
Quote from: qcguy4198 on November 18, 2011, 10:39:26 AM
Do they offer any that have been completely painted...????? ;D ;D
(sorry...that was too easy)
Seriously though....I've seen those kind of lures, but have no experience with them.
Do you just drag that chunk of wood behind the boat, or is there some special technique ..??
Thanks.
Thanks for the laugh. You have got to see the action on one of these cedar plugs. If the plug is tuned correctly the hook is straight up. The lure does a side to side shake on the top of the water. The lure is placed in the 3rd and 4th wakes behind the boat when the boat is up to 7-8 knots. The lure kicks up a splash the same as if a fish was feeding on the surface. The big mystery is why certain colors seem to attract the most fish when the splashing action is the same. Whatever the attraction of the blue plug is all I know is it out fished other colors we threw out. To add to the whole mystery, the blue plug out fished the other colors both in the spring and in the fall. One would think the colors would change with the different seasonal bait. By the way the next plug that gets hit regularly is the cedar plug in natural wood. Go figure. It's fishing. By the way I emailed Gene at TunaTec and did not receive a response. Does anyone know if he is still around. He hasn't posted in a while. Dominick
I traded emails with Gene a few months ago - brought me up to date. It took him a few days to get back to me and he doesn't log in much anymore. He was/is reducing his scope of products.
these 2 articles will change the way you think about cedar plugs.
www.albacoretuna.org
vonborks.org/cedar_plug.html
enjoy.
Quote from: wallacewt on November 20, 2011, 12:35:43 AM
these 2 articles will change the way you think about cedar plugs.
www.albacoretuna.org
vonborks.org/cedar_plug.html
enjoy.
Wallace: Great article. I read lots of stuff about fishing. If you could only see my library about big game fishing it would astound you. I get most of my information from reading the experts' opinions. Yes I have read the same thing about fish looking up at the bright surface and all it sees is a silohuette. It all makes very logical sense. I have looked up from under water at the bright surface. Yes I can't see colors but a dark shape. But I "ain't" a fish. Everytime I read some of these studies, I believe them. But I always come back to how come the blue lure gets hit more times then the other colors? I think a fish knows more about eating fish then we do. allace, my friend, it is called fishing. I don't think there is an answer. I also have a bright green Marauder that gets chewed up a lot. Dominick
have you tried 6 or 8 black plugs at the same time.that scientist reckons all lures should be the same colour.our season is about to start,warm water is coming,im gunna try it instead of mixed coloured lures.i know squid love black.cheers
Quote from: Pescachaser on November 20, 2011, 04:57:32 AM
I think a fish knows more about eating fish then we do. Wallace, my friend, it is called fishing. I don't think there is an answer. I also have a bright green Marauder that gets chewed up a lot. Dominick
I have a buddy that works at a fish market, I usually grab a bucket of fish parts for when I go out with my boat.
I have cought stripers on salmon strips :o.... I've never seen a salmon in jersey waters :-\.
hey pesca
the reason they eat the blue more than the other colours is because you use it more often, and its your favorite.so whataya tink of dat.cheers dom.
Wallace: if the article is correct, then the blue is being hit more because of its position in the lure stack. I will move it around more and see if that works. Actually, on the spring trip, I put out 2 blues, 1 natural, 1black and purple, and 1 red with black head. The 2 blue got most of the action. Dominick
me, id try using all blue.cheers dom
Dom,
Thanks for the great info. on these plugs. I see them around a lot in Tackle shops...but ( at least down this way..in So. FLorida...) I don't hear much about their use. Never heard about "tuning" one for example.
IF the ocean ever lays down around here....I might have to give a blue one a try. In our waters at least...I can see that one looking like a flying fish on the surface, which oughta get a lot of attention.
Quote from: wallacewt on November 20, 2011, 11:32:55 PM
me, id try using all blue.cheers dom
Wallace: I traded emails with Gene at TunaTec. I ordered 6 more blue cedar plugs. You are right, I'll try using all blue plugs. I'll resurrect this thread when I see how all blue works. Not very scientific though, I might put in a black one to see if it gets hit also. Dominick
hey pesca,not very scientific,it was written by a scientist,not a journalist trying to be a scientist,now fair crack of the whip dom.all blue plugs,drip filled with fish oil.you can get 1 in the intensive care ward,everyones got one,berley or chum bag over the back and away you go,and good luck. i was speaking with gene and ill order some plugs
Wallace: What color plugs did you order?
hi pesca, black or natural not sure.they will be here this week.im going to stick a thin silver reflective tape on the underside of the plugs.i dont think colour matters at all.according to the scientist the idea is to hook the lead tuna and the rest will go into a feeding frenzy.then you can use anything at all. i have designed a cheap daisy chain to try.have seen empty beer cans used for sail fish.has any body seen radar at work to pick up the birds.sry off subject.cheers mate
Yeah Wallace (re: radar), my neighbour's brother-in-law has it on his boat and does 'hit and run' missions chasing down birds, hooking up, then back home for tea.
I'm yet to fish with him, but I'd say it'd help to be 'well monied' and have a fast boat, though.
Apparently his maxes at near 60kts!
S'posed to be very effective (if the birds are working). ;)
i got my plugs,black.
heavy,i thought they would float head down?and bob.
not very well made,but cheap
no hooks but gene told me that so ill improvise.
mustad dont make 3412dt hooks anymore.
i think we can go fishing sunday 15th.
any help appreciated.
You can sometime find those hooks on EBay-tomorrow if I have time I'll put up some photos on how to rig them a bit differently.
And Yes Cedar plugs aren't the best made lures and seem like they wouldn't work all that well.
Wallace: I don't know what you expected in the cedar plugs. Gene's plugs are more or less what everyone else is selling. Gene's are tuned. The will float on the surface when trolled and kick up a splash which mimics a fish feeding. What kind of help do you need? I tried searching for needle eye hooks on the Mustad site. There does not seem to be a 3412DT anymore (at least on Mustad's site). They do make another needle eye hook 7690 DT. I have some 3412 DT I can send you (8/0 size). I think I can buy more from Charkbait. PM me with an address and I will get them into the mail to you. I rig the 8/0 with 150lb Momai leader about 6 feet long with a barrel swivel on the end. You have to crimp the hook and swivel. Let me know if you do not have the crimps. I think I some left. Let me know what you need. Dominick
whalebreath,pescachaser
ive rigged mine up today,it will be interesting to compare.
i dont need any gear thanks.
i used swinging hooks
Quote from: wallacewt on January 06, 2012, 08:34:44 AM
whalebreath,pescachaser
ive rigged mine up today,it will be interesting to compare.
i dont need any gear thanks.
i used swinging hooks
Wallace: What is a swinging hook? Does it have a needle eye to fit inside the plug? Dominick
it doesnt fit inside.it trails.
i dont have a camera at the moment but will post one when i can.
no hurry,i havent heard of any tuna yet.
we have had rotten weather past 4 weeks
very hot,strong winds,rough seas
no good for this old bloke
Quote from: wallacewt on January 06, 2012, 10:21:33 PM
it doesnt fit inside.it trails.
i dont have a camera at the moment but will post one when i can.
no hurry,i havent heard of any tuna yet.
we have had rotten weather past 4 weeks
very hot,strong winds,rough seas
no good for this old bloke
Wallace: I suppose a trailing hook would work okay. I don't know if you are familiar with cedar plugs and how they are usually rigged. If you look at the pictures at the beginning of this thread you will see that the hook rides straight up as the lure splashes side to side. I am anxious to hear how well the plug works with the swinging hook. I hope the weather breaks for you and you are able to get your old bloke bones out on a boat. Dominick
Here's a few shots of how to rig a free swinging hook so the fish can't use the regular needle eye hook inside the body to lever the hook out.
I got this idea from a California board that seems to have deleted the photos originally put up-it's not my idea.
Like all good ideas it's as simple as can be-McMahon snaps that fit into the lure body.
I could only buy really big ones that didn't quite fit or mediums as shown-the black tape will work for a few fish/until I get some of the right size.
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e60/A_Fisher/IMGP3109.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e60/A_Fisher/IMGP3108.jpg)
(http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e60/A_Fisher/IMGP3110.jpg)
Ironically the Mustad 95170 hooks as shown are also being discontinued.
hi whale/pesca. i tried the mc mahon and decided against it.instead i used a nail punch to open the eye of the hook,put a 5/16 solid brass ring on and closed up.connected with a centaurie knot.looks like you did the same, placed a bead on top,to stop splitting the plug.i also reamed out the plug with a 3/32 drill bit to accept a 6 1/2"plastic tube to go inside the plug.to stop the mono chaffing.300lb mono x 2ft. 3412dt,7690dt hooks are both obsolete.thats the reason dom i didnt accept your offer.i have rigged 3 different style of hooks.1 is the same as whale,s but with a short shank.thanks for photos
Quote from: wallacewt on January 07, 2012, 07:29:29 AM
hi whale/pesca. i tried the mc mahon and decided against it.instead i used a nail punch to open the eye of the hook,put a 5/16 solid brass ring on and closed up.connected with a centaurie knot.looks like you did the same, placed a bead on top,to stop splitting the plug.i also reamed out the plug with a 3/32 drill bit to accept a 6 1/2"plastic tube to go inside the plug.to stop the mono chaffing.300lb mono x 2ft. 3412dt,7690dt hooks are both obsolete.thats the reason dom i didnt accept your offer.i have rigged 3 different style of hooks.1 is the same as whale,s but with a short shank.thanks for photos
Wallace: When you say obsolete do you mean that the issue of the levering effect of the needle eye hooks with the long shank has changed the way these cedar plugs should be rigged? I have never lost a fish on a plug, though I have heard that the long shank hook has a tendency to lever out of the fishes mouth. I will do some research to see what the going thinking is on rigging cedar plugs. I like the idea of drilling out the plug to put in a plastic tube. Do you drill all the way through the lead head? Has the weather changed?.. go get those Tuna. Dominick
needle eye hooks wont be made anymore so i dont want to be chasing around after them.i have never seen a cedar plug till you showed me.on tunatec,s plugs a 3/32 drill bit will ream it out without removing any metal.drill full length of the head for the plastic sleeve.it looks like there is a brass sleeve in the leadhead.the reason im trying 3 different hooks is to see if it affects the action of the plug.im also worried about 300lb trace effect on the plug.i thought short shank hook and mono as opposed to fluoro and a different hook.this is all trial and error for me.besides tuna we have a lot of other fish in my area who will eat them.maybe a jig with them.cheers dom
an update on the photo,thanks bryan for the help.
1.the metal jig on the bottom has the hook attached to solid brass ring,then crane swivel and brass ring go onto the split ring.its said to last 5 times longer than connecting the assist hook to the split ring.
2.plugs,all rigged the same,different hooks to try.
3.nail punch to open hook eye.5/16 solid ring.
centaurie knot,soft bead,large glow bead cut in half(fits well)plastic tube thru bead and out reamed plug(3/32 drill bit) tie off to ring or swivel.
its all new to me as well,heres hoping the plugs will preform
Nice work Wallace. Any reason why you don't use crimped sleeves there?
By the way, if you had a Penn you could actually get to use those ;).
hey sal
i didnt have any big enough to go over the thick mono,also the fish are not big in the near area.we were going out today but a severe hail and lighting storm stopped that.18,000 strikes recorded,4 people hit,lasted 8 hours.it was a magic show to watch.any tips to improve the plugs gratefully accepted.critics welcome,they are only proto types.
sal i only use lever drag reels unless im fleain about.penn thats what i use to write with :D
Wallace: What are the odds of being struck by lightning? 18K to 4 and you were worried ;). I like the way the plugs look in the manner you have rigged them. I like the look of the 3rd one down :-*. I also like the beads and flash you have attached. Have you watched them work yet? Also were you able to get the hook to ride vertically? I can't wait for a report. Good Luck. Dominick
Quote from: wallacewt on January 20, 2012, 12:56:12 PM
hey sal
i didnt have any big enough to go over the thick mono,also the fish are not big in the near area.we were going out today but a severe hail and lighting storm stopped that.18,000 strikes recorded,4 people hit,lasted 8 hours.it was a magic show to watch.any tips to improve the plugs gratefully accepted.critics welcome,they are only proto types.
sal i only use lever drag reels unless im fleain about.penn thats what i use to write with :D
Ok, if that's the case I'll take those Penn's that you have , not the ones that you write with ;).
I'm hoping you didn't mean the people hit was a magic show to watch :-\.
Very creative with those plugs. I think that I still have your address, maybe I'll send you some heavy duty sleves.
pesca, vertical?hooks are free swinging on solid brass ring and trail straight behind the plug.balanced,dont think it matters at all.reflective tape was stuck on willy nilly also.
alto, thanks for the offer,(crimps)but there is no need.if i need any its just a short walk up the street.
cheers
Quote from: wallacewt on January 20, 2012, 11:44:09 PM
pesca, vertical?hooks are free swinging on solid brass ring and trail straight behind the plug.balanced,dont think it matters at all.reflective tape was stuck on willy nilly also.
alto, thanks for the offer,(crimps)but there is no need.if i need any its just a short walk up the street.
cheers
Wallace: IMO the hook should be pointing up. Why? Because of the way Tuna grab the bait from below. This has been a tried and true tactic since cedar plugs have been used. That is not to say your way won't work, Tuna will hit it by its action in the water. I think it does matter to tune the plug because that will tell you where to put the reflective tape. Everyone has an opinion. Check out this link. Dominick http://steviedow.hubpages.com/hub/Cedar-Plugs-Tuna-Lures
pesca,you could be right mate,i dont know,videos i watched the plugs jump all over the place.i added the glow beads hoping the fish hit the tail.not even sure there will be any tuna around this year,mahi mahi will be,kingfish samson,all depends on el nino.
i have a ? for you,the bloke that tested the shimano tranx reel on utube was he casting a cedar plug?
Quote from: wallacewt on January 21, 2012, 06:26:17 AM
pesca,you could be right mate,i dont know,videos i watched the plugs jump all over the place.i added the glow beads hoping the fish hit the tail.not even sure there will be any tuna around this year,mahi mahi will be,kingfish samson,all depends on el nino.
i have a ? for you,the bloke that tested the shimano tranx reel on utube was he casting a cedar plug?
Wallace: I went back over the video. There were no cedar plugs that I could see. If you will look at the video at 1:15 there is a plug that is similar. I do not know what type of plug that is but it looks like a modified cedar plug. If you will notice it has 2 treble hooks like a Bomber or Popper. It is an interesting looking lure, maybe someone picking up on this thread will know what the lure is. By the way the guy in the video uses several different lures, the one I am talking about looks like a cedar plug at 1:15 on the video. Mahi mahi will hit cedar plugs. I am not sure but when targeting Mahi Mahi the troll is slightly slower than for Tuna. Dominick
ok dom
spanish mac caught 3 days ago (not me)
i just gotta get out there,but its proving very hard.
keep well
got out yesterday(sat) and what a disappointment with the plugs.they tracked straight and never moved off line.(6knots)could be the heavy mono+plastic sleeve.ive got some soft 100lb mono,ill strip them all down and try again next trip.(tues) got 7 crays(lobster) 1dhu fish.
Quote from: wallacewt on January 29, 2012, 03:04:57 AM
got out yesterday(sat) and what a disappointment with the plugs.they tracked straight and never moved off line.(6knots)could be the heavy mono+plastic sleeve.ive got some soft 100lb mono,ill strip them all down and try again next trip.(tues) got 7 crays(lobster) 1dhu fish.
Hey Wallace, at least you did not get skunked. With regard to the plugs what were you expecting. I am not sure what you mean they never moved off line. The plug does move in a straight line. Where in the water behind the boat were you putting the plugs. At trolling speed for Tuna (7-8 knots) the plugs should ride the crest of the third and fourth waves. 100lb mono is okay. I know you saw the video of the man with the Shimano Tranx using a plug that wandered from side to side, but the cedar plaugs you bought do not do that. I'll look for a diagram that explains the positioning. I probably have it somewhere in my fishing library. I'll scan it and attach it here. Dominick
hi pesca
i thought they were suppose to jump side to side
i dont want to work the plug to give any action(lazy)
i tried all diff; waves behind,plugs are just as lazy as me(ran straight)
Quote from: wallacewt on January 29, 2012, 09:52:29 AM
hi pesca
.......
i dont want to work the plug to give any action(lazy)
i tried all diff; waves behind,plugs are just as lazy as me(ran straight)
Wallace, that makes the plugs and you two peas in a pod! ;D There's too much other stuff to do when yer mug is "just fishin'". You're being schooled by the plugmaster. 8)
Take care, mate.
norcal,your right
plugs and me both got the sack for inactivity
Quote from: wallacewt on January 29, 2012, 11:34:45 PM
norcal,your right
plugs and me both got the sack for inactivity
Hi all. Wallacewt sent me this email and photo. He had a problem with Photobucket crashing on him. He probably put his own photo on the site causing a catastrophic crash.
hi dom
1st plug has 300lb downgraded to soft 100lb mono,thats all.
2nd plug stripped of everything.
100lb mono
mustad 9/0 penetrator offset hook
plug balanced
both plugs have 5ft leaders
try offset hook for more action
kind regards wallacewt
(http://i1220.photobucket.com/albums/dd459/lmdl4law/MISC%20FISH%20AND%20REEL%20PHOTOS/0013.jpg)
Quote from: norcal pescador on January 29, 2012, 05:26:28 PM
Wallace, that makes the plugs and you two peas in a pod! ;D There's too much other stuff to do when yer mug is "just fishin'". You're being schooled by the plugmaster. 8)
Take care, mate.
Yo Rob: That is Mr. Plugmaster to you ;). Dominick
Quote...plugs and me both got the sack for inactivity.
Classic ;) ;D
Here's a photo from Joe Thrasher (Kona) catching a marlin using a cedar plug. These thing do catch fish.
Kinda wonder how the season worked out down there. I read most all the posts and noticed that no-one mentioned the fact that cedar plugs are a lot like hard metal surface iron. Though they all "swim" and have a particular action.......the ones that get bit like the one in the first post.......swim just a little different. If you got a plug the fish have chewed the paint off...........don't replace it with "another one just like it" it may not swim the same. Because they are made of 2 components wood and lead........the margin off error does exist.......Commercial jig fishing we pulled the whole set all the same color........kind of like that sport fishing to........
Fishnazzi: I heard that before. Yes, I will fish that plug until it wont catch fish anymore. Dominick