Big Danny Help

[steelhead]

NIB, I'm trying to picture in my mind what you're doing with the scrap wire. Doesn't sound like you've done any drilling yet. You somehow wrap the wire around the plug and the slide hooks up and down the wire? Then water test in a bucket or the kitchen sink to see how it sits in the water?

I've sometimes put .1 ounce of lead in the tail to help stabalize the plug when I cast. Doesn't seem to affect the action too much.

[numbskull]

The big "Danny" I x-rayed has a lead plug 1/2" wide by 1/2" deep (actually a tad more since the top is slightly conical) set deep all the way up against the wire. Of interest, I also shot through a commercially available wooden Atom reproduction. Both the large and small version, in contrast to the original, carry a 1/2" x 1/4+" belly weight, and a 1/4" x 1" through wire tail weight.

[Slipknot]

Originally Posted by numbskull

The big "Danny" I x-rayed has a lead plug 1/2" wide by 1/2" deep (actually a tad more since the top is slightly conical) set deep all the way up against the wire. Of interest, I also shot through a commercially available wooden Atom reproduction. Both the large and small version, in contrast to the original, carry a 1/2" x 1/4+" belly weight, and a 1/4" x 1" through wire tail weight.

can you bring that info next weekend? that sounds like alot of tailweight for a swimmer

[numbskull]

Originally Posted by Slipknot

can you bring that info next weekend? that sounds like alot of tailweight for a swimmer

Yeah, I'll bring it, but I'd prefer not to post xrays of currently available plugs. I agree, it was suprising to find it, particularly in the smaller version. But I can vouch for the plugs' effectiveness, and I even fish the smaller version in current with oversized hooks. I think there is something to be said for slowing down the tail action on swimmers, particularly when used at night for bigger fish. Along the same lines, I'm not a big fan of very light wood for swimmers. I've made a few out of basswood. They're too bouyant. I've ended up putting alot of lead at the balance point of the plug, but the plug pivots too much for my taste and they've never caught well. Perhaps I'll try a bit less weight in the center and split the rest between the chin and tail next time (though it seems simpler to just use pine).

[steelhead]

Were the original Atom 40's not weighted?

[NIB]

Originally Posted by steelhead

Were the original Atom 40's not weighted?

The plastic ones are not weighted
The plastic thru the center of the plg is like 4 times as thick as the outside.an it runs from top to bottom.I'm sure it was designed like that.Not just assembled like that.Giant pike's where weighted.What looks to be a 3/16 hole in the belly.they also have lead in the nose in the thru wire hole.I would guess 3/16" by 3/4" with a hole big enough for the doubled wire t go thru.

[Jigman]

Steelhead,

When testing plugs, this is a trick I've put to use in determining hook locations (I believe pasurfer turned me on to it). Drill the thru-hole and weight hole as normal, but do not drill the swivel holes. Take a variety of hooks, a few screw eyes, and your drill with you to test. Stick the screw eyes in the plug where you think the hooks should go, and test. Using the screw eyes, you can move the hook locations up and down the plug as needed to check the action. Many times I'll go as far as predrilling holes at 1/4 or 1/8 inch increments (depends on the size of the plug) down the centerline of the belly to allow for quicker testing. Once you find the best hook location for that style of plug, take the notes as NIB suggested, then knock out a couple more with that set up (swivels holes drilled and everything). Test them out. If they work like you want, you are good to go. If not, should just be some minor tweaking. Note that you can also use a screw eye as the line tie to test out several line tie locations too. By the time I'm done testing a proto-type like this, it probably is not fishable, but at least I'll know how all the other plugs should be built. You can do the same thing with belly weights, lips, and wood types too.

Jigman

[steelhead]

NIB, I got it now. You don't drill the weight until you "Set the plug up" with the hooks, lip, etc., Balance and drill.

[capesams]

Originally Posted by steelhead

Were the original Atom 40's not weighted?

tail weight......1/4 dia. x 2 -1/8" long.

[steelhead]

Wow! That's a lot of lead! Slow wiggle?

[NIB]

Originally Posted by steelhead

NIB, I'm trying to picture in my mind what you're doing with the scrap wire. Doesn't sound like you've done any drilling yet. You somehow wrap the wire around the plug and the slide hooks up and down the wire? Then water test in a bucket or the kitchen sink to see how it sits in the water?'

I've sometimes put .1 ounce of lead in the tail to help stabalize the plug when I cast. Doesn't seem to affect the action too much.

I basically assemble the plug without finishing the tail rap to find the center in reference to balance of the plug.In this condition I balance on a pencil an mark the spot.
On the weight in the tail its ok for a headwind plug with some surf or current.I never weight em like this though.I'll trow a BM type danny in a wind it goes a mile.The smaller plug is less affected by wind.