Favorite Steelhead Plugs

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 11-17-2003, 08:17 PM

OK,

That time of year is upon us where some of us is "Jonesing" to get started Steelhead fishing.

My recent weekend up at the John Day peaked some curiosity among some Ifishers so I thought it would be a good time to share some of what I think are great "go to" plugs.

A shout out to "Lure Dragger" the Wiggle Wart on the left side in the middle (3rd up or down) produced the catch on the John Day this weekend. They call this "Metallic Pink" or "Cerise." The definition of Cerise is cherry but this plug is very metallic.

I know I haven't scrated the surface here but thought this would be fun and make a good start.

"Wiggle Warts"

"Tad Polys"

"Hot Shots"

"Flat Fish"

I know some will say where are the quick fish, but I always run the Flat Fish for Steelies in the slow deeper pools when back trolling plugs... I suppose it is a confidence thing.

Good Luck & tight lines everyone.

FEAR NO FISH! · 11-17-2003, 08:24 PM

I don't see many teeth marks! Where are the lighted K-13's and Vortexes?

Steelie King · 11-17-2003, 08:35 PM

Hog Hunter,

Have you ever noticed the difference with metalic and/or florecent plugs when the sun is on the water? This is a debate I have had for a long time and would like some different advice.

happybrew · 11-17-2003, 08:39 PM

The metallic red Wiggle Wart is certainly my favorite.

happybrew

spinnermaker · 11-17-2003, 08:40 PM

Tads all the way and Brads wigglers.I have all kinds but the last few years these have been my best luck.

[ 11-17-2003, 09:42 PM: Message edited by: spinnermaker ]

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 11-17-2003, 08:56 PM

Steelie King...

Bright Days - I tend to lean to the flourescents & metallics (Blue & Green Pirates)(Cerise)(Gold Metallic).

Cloudy Days - Darker non flourescents like the (Cop Car Hot Shot)(Flame Red Hot Shot).

I am no expert at this but I will tell you that Mike Laverty's book "Plug Fishing for Steelhead" is a winner and will give you insight to his years of experience.

I am also very partial to the "Flame" Hot Shot. That is the red one (3rd down on the left) on the Hot Shot picture. This has truly been my personal best.

Lure Dragger · 11-18-2003, 06:54 AM

Best rule of thumb that I have found is bright days bright colors, blue pirates, silver and orange, metallic red, and on some days metallic purple can't be beat. Dark days my favorite is michael jackson hands down. Just the straight mj no different colors on the tail or anything else. This color even works in the dark before daylight really well.

River Ranger · 11-18-2003, 07:13 AM

I would have to say my favorite plug is the one that fills the hole in my boat1!Without it I'm sunk! :shocked: WART all the way,small water big water salmon or steelies great plug.
R.R.

Lure Dragger · 11-18-2003, 08:03 AM

I have to agree with River Ranger, wiggle warts are the only way to go. Especially the old stlye of storm wiggle warts in the discontinued colors. I am looking for some of the old style wiggle warts in some of the old colors. Can anyone help me out?

LCFisherlady · 11-18-2003, 08:25 AM

Ok guys, have you tried the Hot Lips plugs? Here in upper river the Hot Lips are widely used. Hooks and split rings need to be changed to a good steelhead hook. A lot of the time when the Mags are not working the fish will take the Hot Lips, I think it is the more erratic movement??? Anyway, they are widely used in the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater as well as in the flowing water above in both rivers.
Judy

h20dog · 11-18-2003, 08:30 AM

Terry, I don't have a favorite yet. I've only done the plug thing twice (both times with Tom during fish alongs) and both times we didn't touch a fish (a fact i revel in calling to his attention, hope you're reading this Tom). We'll have to put together a game plan so I too may have a plug I can call MAMA. I'll see you at the meeting thursday. I'll be late but I'll be there.

rola76 · 11-18-2003, 08:30 AM

Definitely the metallic pink w/ black lip Mag Wart!! But you're missing the purple w/ yellow stripes...it's a killer!!

River Ranger · 11-18-2003, 08:32 AM

lure dragger check great american tackle. He has colors no one else has.
R.R.

Straydog · 11-18-2003, 08:33 AM

There is a new Wart in town!!

Look for the Lil Wiggler in a store near you........ it is going to be a low/small water killer!

Salmon Stryker · 11-18-2003, 08:35 AM

Hoghunter-

Are you holding out on us? :grin: In your signature you mention a team "Bagley." That wouldn't be referring to Bagley plugs would it?

:grin:

Thaks for the post...my favorite would have to be the pink and black metallic warts. However I've done well on the blue pirate hot shot and I have cop car with pink dots on it...I call it the gay cop car that I've done well with.

Steelie King · 11-18-2003, 08:48 AM

Thanks Hog Hunter for the advice. I've always learned that on dark days use non-metalic florecent colors or flat dark colors i.e. black or red's. On bright days use metalic colors and lots of silver. My favorite is the florecent pink Mag Wart.

Fisher Lady, I have had decent luck with hot lips. They dont have the big action like warts and fat fish. But when the water is warm and the fish are non-active the hot lips are one of my old stand by's. Stait metalic purple. 3/8 ounce.

Silver Hilton · 11-18-2003, 09:09 AM

On busy days on the river, I try to see what others are using that are ahead of me, and then use something different. Larger/smaller, different type of plug, different color. I figure there's no use showing an orange plug to a fish that just saw an orange plug.

Fishin Magician · 11-18-2003, 04:47 PM

My favorites are the ones in the box that look like this.......... He has taken over 50 steelhead and is retired to the display case.

Meet tiger........

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 11-18-2003, 04:59 PM

Very Impressive indeed John...

Do you prefer the Tads of Hot Shots & Wiggle Warts???

TH · 11-18-2003, 05:18 PM

I too like the "Dr. Death" Pink Tadpolly with a black bill...
I also like the copper/gold Tadpolly with a black bill
and probably my favorite is the metallic red Tadpolly with a black bill...

Fishin Magician · 11-18-2003, 05:35 PM

KHH I am a tadpolly guy myself just because I have spent a lot of time fishing hard with these to learn how to get the fish to bite them. I have caught a few on other plugs but for winter steelhead the tads are my go to box. During less than optimal conditions I have hotshots that produce well too.
TH- you are speaking my language.....

John

River Ranger · 11-18-2003, 05:44 PM

To TH and Fishin,are you guys running siwash or trebs??
R.R.

FishFreak · 11-18-2003, 05:44 PM

Hog Hunter (or others)... can you tell me more about the practice of removing the front hook and extending the back. I notice that with some you do and some you don't...
Is there method to this madness?

Fishin Magician · 11-18-2003, 05:50 PM

Both...... tip: some plugs run differently than others.......if you arent hooking fish on a particular plug, change the hook arrangement and you might find that you have a "killer".

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 11-18-2003, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Hog Hunter (or others)... can you tell me more about the practice of removing the front hook and extending the back. I notice that with some you do and some you don't...
Is there method to this madness?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">David, yes there is a method and I am sure there will be others to comment on this question. When we fished Sunday, I actually set a poor example of how the plugs should habe been outfitted.

What I should be doing and I have done with all my Kwickfish is remove the back hook and add a 4 bead chain swivel and then add the hook. The hook should extend just beyond the tail of the plug.

What this does is it prevents the stressing the hook by not putting undo torque on the split ring. The bead chain swivel will allow the fish & the hook to roll freely.

Have I caught fish on plugs out of the box? Yes... Have I lost fish on my extended hook 4 bead chain swivel set up? Yes...

Many ways to rig and the best answer is be flexible... Just what Fishin Magician said.

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 11-18-2003, 06:29 PM

One thing I failed to mention.

I remove the back hook and leave it off. I add the bead chain to the belly hook & extend it back with the 4 bead chain. It will typically go just beyond the tail of the plug when it is extended out.

Sorry for the confusion and if I was home I would show a picture. When I return this Thursday I will do it...

Kentucky Hog Hunter · 11-18-2003, 11:26 PM

Hey Salmon Stryker,

Good point...I stepped up to Team Bagley "Pat" this fall when he allowed me to put his moniker on my auto signature...

I will have to ask him about his name but you are absolutely correct...

I used to use Bagley Lures for bass fishing all the time when I was doing my time down in Texas & Florida not to mention the Bluegrass State.

I do own 1 Bagley Lure that I am partial to and it memics a crawfish... Very effective in the spring time by the way...

So yes, thanks for calling me out on that.