Small Cutplugs.....

[Seafever]

On just about every fishing show where they run cutplugs....the bait size is medium to big.

But there are places around the island where much smaller bait prevails a lot.

I don't see people making cut plugs out of the smaller sizes of bait....

Yes I know they'll just put the smaller ones in a teaser head......

But so could they use teaser heads up where they fish the bigger cutplugs too if they wanted...

Anybody tried making a cutplug out of the smaller sizes of bait?

Did it work or was it impractical?

 

[Dogbreath]

Making cut plugs out of Anchovies was all the rage locally a while back-it works but is a total PITA forty ways to Sunday.

 

[Aces]

When i guided in the gulf islands in the late 70's/early 80"s a cut plugged 7in herring was my go to winner. It outfished the larger bait that was present for some reason. Now the Ling Cod that was a different story

 

[hambone]

Look into some of the articles/youtube stuff from south of the border as I'm pretty sure they commonly use smaller plug cut herring.

 

[Sharphooks]

early in the season (May/June) or late in the season (Oct/Nov/Dec) Red Label can be killer (next size up from orange, down from green)--maybe a 5" long herring??

It's the preferred size for the commie trollers in Alaska which sez lots

July through Sept? my Kingdom for a dozen trays of vac-pac Blue Label!

 

[Fins -n- Skins]

Seen the US guys use smaller cut-plug. I mix up the size all the time. Match the hatch !!

 

[Fishtank]

Anybody use cut plugs on wcvi and if do you use a flasher?

 

[Sharphooks]

Cut plug with a flasher is a desperation move. And it's scary how many times that move pays off. Just make sure you know how to make a killer brine solution or use a plastic helmet

 

[Highliner]

I've never tried cut plugging. Can you run a cut plug effectively off the downrigger at normal trolling speeds, or do you really need to do a slow mooch with a sink weight like in the charlottes?

 

[Dogbreath]

Can you run a cut plug effectively off the downrigger at normal trolling speeds

With a well brined/well cut bait Yes.

 

[cowieslabslayer]

My biggest guided chinook was on a Cuttie 39 ft on the downrigger-62 lb
It works!! I like it better than running a 6/8 oz slip weight. Once it's off the rigger all that's there are two hooks and a chain swivel.