Cheatin'

[numbskull]

This ain't fair. Exact (as I can make 'em) copies of 3oz Beachmaster skin needles. Never fished one of his, but considering how well his other plugs work, and how well skin needles in general work, I've got a good feeling about these. A very good feeling.

[numbskull]

Made this, too, in case my drag needs cooling. 2oz, 6.3" swimming needle.

[Tagger]

Good looking needle George .. looks like a cow catcher.. I gotta ask .. how they sink ?

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Tagger

Good looking needle George .. looks like a cow catcher.. I gotta ask .. how they sink ?

Haven't swum the skinplugs, Eddy, just copied them dead on from the xray and measurements of the original. My little one sinks fast but slightly tail down so it will come up quickly on the retrieve. Pre epoxy it swam very well, near level with a big side to side sway and moderate surface wake. I've got a theory the relation of the bevel/taper of the front of the needle to the angle it "floats" during the retrieve determines if a needle will swim. Too long a taper, or too flat or steep a float angle and you get a waker. Get a shorter nose taper, and slight tail down attitude and they'll wag. Pretty critical weighting and I have worries the weight of the epoxy might upset it. I suspect bending the lip up or down may make a difference as well. Much to learn.

[Tagger]

Originally Posted by numbskull

Pre epoxy it swam very well, near level with a big side to side sway and moderate surface wake. I've got a theory the relation of the bevel/taper of the front of the needle to the angle it "floats" during the retrieve determines if a needle will swim. Too long a taper, or too flat or steep a float angle and you get a waker. Get a shorter nose taper, and slight tail down attitude and they'll wag.

Wow !!! .. You get bonus points for all that George .. I never went for a swim or wag action . Mine fish like sticks,, I went for the slow retrieve sensitive rise/ fall .. I gotta see one of those swim .. even if its next winter on the poop deck ..

[numbskull]

Your's fish very well, Eddy. I'm not sure a swimming motion is even important when it comes to needles, and I suspect the sink/suspend rate can be just as important a feature. But I've always done well with the small Spofford needle on schoolies, and that plug swims (at least without a tail hook). Also, after so many years fishing dannies and pencils, I feel better with something that moves side to side on my line. Experience suggests the fish don't care and will eat both kinds.

[Young Salt]

The look great.....hope they fish well.

Been wanting to play around with eelskins myself.


Where did you put the weight mr. x-ray vision

[islander]

Nice stuff as always, killer paint

[Backbeach Jake]

Just seeing those skin-needles I heard choir music and angels singing. You aren't alone in the "very good feeling dept."