Cut Plug Vs. Whole Herring Question ?

[Abalone]

Why do it ?
When to cut and when not to cut, That is the question.

I know this is probably pretty basic but I'll ask anyhow.

[ 02-01-2004, 03:19 AM: Message edited by: Abalone ]

[Bluefinn]

I cut plug when targeting chinook. slower troll bigger bait on the downrigger.

[No Cents]

I cut all year long. For a few reasons I dont have to spend as much time when re-baiting, plus you can double your bait. It works just fine for both Coho and Chinooks. Just a matter of preference.

[CAPT KUJO]

CAtch'em on both.....like to run both....use both... Just use fresh bait they'll bite almost anything anyway

[corrirod]

It's been my experience that Nooks prefer more of swirling bait than Coho. Coho will eat anything you put out but Nooks seem a little more finicky, or perhaps their just more lazy, and like to attack a crippled herring when given the opportunity.

I use both and that's been my findings.

[Threemuch]

I use cut plug in T-bay or inside B-10 to target Chinook. Outside, if I use bait (and I will only use bait if nothing else works) I generally use whole, but if that won't work I will cut plug em. Kind of like how I use flashers, only if nothing else works.

Generally, outside, a big fin RSK gets the job done for the nookies and saves me the trouble of cut plugging em.

KB

I never thought much about this. I usualy use whole herring for kings and cut plugs and strips for coho.

[Pitch Pocket]

I don't think it matters if your bait is cut plugged or whole. It's not like the fish see herring swimming around with their heads cut off in their natural environment.

I used to like cut plugs (and still do) for both chinook and coho because I can solid tie a mooching rig and get the spin I want. I refuse to use a sliding top hook to get the spin on a whole herring. The top slider can slam down on the bottom hook and you're hooks are gone! It's happened too many times.

With the RSK's I have gone to using solid ties and whole herring and I really like it. Whole herring are easier to deal with and you can fill the vent with scent, something you can't do with a cut plug.

I think it's the flash, the smell and the motion that attracts them. Quality whole herring, spinning properly do just fine for me.

I use solid ties on whole herring and can get a perfect spin.


The following quote is so true.

The top slider can slam down on the bottom hook and you're hooks are gone!

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">

[Beefcake]

How do you place your hooks for a good spin on whole herring?

[Pitch Pocket]

I can get it to spin correctly too, but it takes time and is difficult to teach everyone in the boat to do it the same, especially novices.

We would end up with my rod spinning properly (of course I adjust the trolling speed to my bait) and everyone elses spinning differently.

With the RSK's it takes about 5 seconds to rig the herring and everything spins exactly the same. Even the most novice fisherman can bait his own hook and get a good roll.

Run back hook through the mouth and out the gill. Put the front hook through lower jaw and out center of head. Set back hook along the herring and gage where to insert hook. Insert hook and test. It takes a few tries to get this down but I've been doing it for a few or more years.

Pitch,
If you are dealing with several novices it takes a lot of running to keep them fishing. I was usually the "least experienced" crewmember in Alaska when fishing. The old timers taught me much.

[ 02-02-2004, 11:53 AM: Message edited by: Keta ]

[AuntyM]

We used to use plug cut.... but not since RJ taught us his zipper secret. Fast and easy too! Do not tell him I posted about it though. He can be mean to poor AuntyM. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

[Birdnest]

Originally posted by AuntyM:
We used to use plug cut.... but not since RJ taught us his zipper secret. Fast and easy too! Do not tell him I posted about it though. He can be mean to poor AuntyM. [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">delmontejb@msn.com

:grin:

[Beefcake]

Thanks for the help. I've wanted to try whole baits, but didn't want to waste good fishing time if I had it rigged wrong. I may also try the RSKs.

[Hawg Caller]

Im with capt. kujo: use both, I do'nt have a perticular time for either... whatever they want at the time,usully lg.cut for nooks, sm. whole for silvers.

[Abalone]

Originally posted by Pitch Pocket:
I don't think it matters if your bait is cut plugged or whole. It's not like the fish see herring swimming around with their heads cut off in their natural environment.

I used to like cut plugs (and still do) for both chinook and coho because I can solid tie a mooching rig and get the spin I want. I refuse to use a sliding top hook to get the spin on a whole herring. The top slider can slam down on the bottom hook and you're hooks are gone! It's happened too many times.

With the RSK's I have gone to using solid ties and whole herring and I really like it. Whole herring are easier to deal with and you can fill the vent with scent, something you can't do with a cut plug.

I think it's the flash, the smell and the motion that attracts them. Quality whole herring, spinning properly do just fine for me.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Scenting the Vent ? Never thought of that. As I fish more Iam learning to scent everything.
Great idea.

Someone told me Cuttplug in slow water, whole herring in moving water. And what are RSK's ?

Thanks for all the great replies. I plan to use Herring a lot this year in the Willamette. Just got to remember to let them chew for awhile. Last year like every year, I tried to set the hook too soon on my first bite. ( Dang )

[corrirod]

Abalone,

RSK's are "Rotary Salmon Killers". They are made by ProTroll/Scotty and you can find them at any GI Joes or Fishermen's marine. They are basically a clip that clips onto the head of a herring or sardine and makes the bait spin much like a cutplug bait.

You can go to the manufacturer's site and check them out at: www.protroll.com



[ 02-03-2004, 08:29 AM: Message edited by: corrirod ]

[Pitch Pocket]

We used to use plug cut.... but not since RJ taught us his zipper secret.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Now we have a zipperlip about how you stick a herring?

[corrirod]

Must admit, I was thinking the same thing Pitch.

I was hoping that wouldn't happen on the Salty Dog board. :depressed:

I think Aunty is pushing our leg here :grin:

[AuntyM]

I don't suppose it was obvious that I was TRYING to draw RJ into this discussion?

Seems even on Salty Dogs, people think they need to make negative comments and correct others. My post was light hearted and well intended. If you don't have anything nice to say......

Keta, you're still a doll. [img]graemlins/hearton.gif[/img]

[Pitch Pocket]

[WildHawg]

Well I got a ZIPPERLIP whole herring roll that outperformed other methods consistently, which I can rig faster than anything I've ever seen anyone else do and consistently get a nice slow, loping roll. It's called the "Chinook Heroin Roll".
I wont tell anybody about it here [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] (mostly cause I am not good at technical description [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img] }--so don't try and make me!
And no BADMOUTHING me either--I'm freakin' sensitive for a big guy :depressed: .
I will however, show any Dogs who'd like to see in person :grin: .
If you don't believe me, check Uglygreen and my pictures from last summer--they'll make a believer out of you :tongue: .
Hard takes, and tight lines!!!
'Hawg

[TWB]

Quote "We used to use plug cut....but not since RJ taught us his zipper secret."

AuntyM......Hmmmmm....I'm not real sure that I want to know RJ's "ZIPPER SECRET!!!!"

[ 02-03-2004, 06:53 PM: Message edited by: TWB ]

[Birdnest]

You'll be nice to AuntyM. I bet if you asked her, she'd tell ya.

[FullDeck]

I've been hearing alot about the RSKs here...Do you RSK users modify the hook set up or just use it off the shelf? Also do you use it at the rockpile for buttts and nooks or just salmon?