Why testing is important

[stripermaineiac]

Question back beach. What speed were you using. I've tested a load and have found that speed sure makes a diff especialy with surface swimmers like Jr's,Dannys, 40s and surfsters. Add the lip and all with a short rod compared to a long rod and the plug swims different again .So how precise are we getting with our testing considering all the conditions we fish. Short of the plug going belly up retreive will make a load of diff in how deep a plug runs. Ron

[Back Beach]

I try multiple speeds. Basically start with barely crawling and keep speeding up or down until it comes alive on top. Some will dive a little on the faster retrieve, but most of mine roll out on a fast retrieve as they have mid slot lips. Also keep bending the lip wire until something works. Most of the dannies I made this winter like the eye bent down, regardless of size. Here's a bunch of stuff just completed. Top one is an eely, the rest are surface swimmers made from different kinds of wood. Ones on the left are copies of plugs I did real well on last year. Ones on the right are ready for action, who knows what will turn up.

Bottom left was my best producer in 2010. Its a 7" skinny danny and weighs about 2.25 oz...made from pine and has a .4 belly weight right around the widest part of the body. Also has a danny 2L mid slot lip.