I'd like to mention that I use a 6500 C3, that is the style with the clicker. I love to hear that line tear off! Really gets the attention of the Crackers in the front!

Hey Eric,

I got a third school of thought. HYBRID rods!

Don't know if they make em' any more but my plug rods are Lamiglas "Flame Tip", which have a softer flourescent red Glass tip on a good and stout Graphite butt. Awesome plug rods. Only 8', shorter is good, but the disadvantage being that it is a one piece rod. Handles lines from 10-20 and lures fom 3/8 - 2oz. Been using Ande or Maxima hi vis lines, but have recently switched to the PP hi-vis braided, which seems ideal having small diameter (less water drag), high test and best of all, no stretch!

It's not necessary to get a specific rod for plugging, but they are sweet. Visibility of the tip and the line is key for me though. I've seen some guys paint or tag their plug rod tips too. Even used colored yarn on the tip in a pinch.

Seems to me that working a plug in a boat is much like working a spinner, spoon or crankbait. You learn their optimum action and operating depth and fish em using the boat as an extension of your arm, working them down and through a slot where by watching the rod tip and line as it enters the water you are able to determine that the lure is working optiminally through the areas you want to fish. My eyes are always on those two places adjusting rod position and action with the oars, never breaking a sweat. This is why I try to encourage riders to leave their rods in the holders so they can be worked with the oars to their maximum advantage. This isn't to say riders are uninvolved because plugging especially for driftboats is a great team sport. Oarman concentrating on positioning and working the boat the pard' setting the plugs at the top and the pulling them at the bottom of the run. This helps to extend the plug run through the most productive, but most difficult parts of the run. Love those tailouts, but what a ***** to it is to try to manuver and reel by yourself, as your'e dropping out of a hole. If you're just beginning, fish different colors but keep the plug types to minimum till you know their specific limitations, some are definatley less finicky and some perform better on certain type of rivers. Check with guys fishing your river first. When you do find that one plug that consistently produces, put it under lock and key.

One last point, just because you can plug or you want to plug doesn't mean you should plug on many rivers. Be considerate. Don't hog a hole or run plugs through bankies without asking. Plugging utilizes a lot of prime fishing water and sometimes to be fair there just isn't enough water to go around. Better to live in harmony to plug another day when the rudest thing that happens that day is a boat-twisting plug takedown.

Plug on!

I was doing a search for some plug rod information and ran across Erics post. Interesting can anyone answer it?

quote:
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Originally posted by Eric:
There seems to be 2 schools of thought here:

1) Those who are "old school" and prefer glass rods because they work more fluidly without the stiff rebound of graphite. I have friends who swear this is the way to go.

2) Everyone else who leans towards the modern graphite rods designed specifically for plug fishing. I fall into this group.

The "glass" guys make very valid points but my question to them (or anyone for that matter) is if those actions are the time-tested rods to use, why don't the graphite rod makers follow suit? These graphite plug rods are designed by fishermen just like us. Yet, they invariably design sensitive tip, fast action rods.

I just find it interesting looking at the 2 schools of thought and how very different equipment can (debatably) produce similar results.
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I was doing a search for some plug rod information and ran across Erics post. Interesting can anyone answer it?


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Bringing it to the top one final time

Lead Thrower,
Not exactly sure what is the "it" is you're looking for an answer to?

If you're wondering about the glass vs graphite question that has raged on for decades now, it is definately a feel and personal preference thing. A fine point if you will. Like most things, everybodys got an opinion. This is mine:
For most fishing glass loses out, but the debate remains strong with "plug" rods because the sensitivity and speed of graphite (composite) is not as important as it is to other types of fishing. The slower action on the glass rods can be an advantage to the plug puller if the tip remains responsive because the rod seems to allow more plug action, the greater weight is not a concern to plug puller, they are far more durable and they are definately more forgiving on takedowns (a critical point) and playing a fish. Although they are not very common, I mentioned a "hybrid" rod earlier in this thread that is designed exclusively for plugging. It is a wonderful plug rod, having many of the advantages of both types of material, but it is not much good for anything else but plugging. Another approach for a "high performance" lightweight plug rod with the feel and advantages of glass is to build your own using one of the new composite fly rod blanks in a 8,9 or10 wt with a slow or "classic" action. Although I've piddled with that sort of thing, I'm just as pleased with the inexpensive "boat" rods that are out there. For me, drift boats and persnickity rods don't mix.

As to why you don't see glass being promoted to plug pullers out there, I think it is simply economics. The market is small, most aren't buying a specific rod for plugging only and there is no money in a "throw back" technology for a few "throwback" plug fanatics. And truth is the new stuff works just fine. But then there are always a few, and like I mentioned, Lamiglass did make, maybe still do, some plug specific rods like my cool hybrid "Flame Tip". So these guys do know what's going on, point is do most fisherman care?

Hope this helps with your question, but if not, I am sure that if you were more specific someone will be glad to answer, best they can.

Cheers.

Mooch

Thanks much

"As to why you don't see glass being promoted to plug pullers out there, I think it is simply economics. The market is small, most aren't buying a specific rod for plugging only and there is no money in a "throw back" technology for a few "throwback" plug fanatics. And truth is the new stuff works just fine. But then there are always a few, and like I mentioned, Lamiglass did make, maybe still do, some plug specific rods like my cool hybrid "Flame Tip". So these guys do know what's going on, point is do most fisherman care?"

That is what I was after.

I will have to look into those Flame Tips.

Both fiberglass and graphite have their good points and bad points!!! I have magnum Hotshot rods made by lamiglass that were made for pluggin only. I like them in heavy water but they slow the action of the plug down in soft water!!! In the soft water I like a IM7 berkely rod they are awesome seem to be able to fish almost dead water and they still keep my plugs working. The key is getting the fish landed after a hookup and after trying many,many different rods ,lami's,loomis, etc.., these are my go to rods now. So to get back on the plugging suggestion question my number one tip is a hook file, what has really improved my landing ratio is constantly sharpening my hooks not just when I put the plug out to start the day but every time I put the plugs out!!!PEACE