Basic plug/lure set

[jammss]

I want to take a stab at some artificial/ plug fishing. Could someone tell me a pretty specific basic set up? (Color, type, oz) Doesn't have to be only for striper I'd like a few for flounder,blues and striper. Would greatly appreciate it. Thinking about 5-10 lures.

[ped579]

Well to start off with I am a surf rat so I will mention only that part and I will let the others chime in. 

It is pretty much the same for stripers and blues I have a few favorite lures I like.

Swimmers:  Big Ed in Yellow and Black

Pencil poppers: red/white, yellow/red

Bottle poppers: black, red/white, yellow, white/blue, yellow.red

plugs: Striper Swiper: blue/white, Atom: blue/white

Metals: AVA007, 17, 27, 47  Chartreuse, red, yellow, white, green

Bucktails: White w/ either tipped with white or chartreuse curly tail or pink Fin-S

I like the raps for the back bay for stripers as well.

There are many others but this is what I have used with success off the surf.

Happy Catching

Paul

[jammss]

thanks alot, I assume many of them would work well in the bay too?

[ped579]

The smaller lures and plugs will work just fine.  Just keep trying different combo's of colors start with the yellows and oranges they seem to be a good choice last year.

Happy Catching

Paul

[jammss]

Im thinking about buying the Star Nickelite 7ft model in heavy, it will be on a decent daiwa reel forget the model, with 16 lb mono, it will be for everything really and throwing these lures, boat and beach, any thoughts? its rated at .5 to 2.5 for lures,theres also a 6'6 model in MH not sure what would be better

[Bucktail]

Three of my favorite baits for the bay.

[Noworries2009]

Bay and ocean fishing are vastly different. Most surf guys these days have a 9 or 10 footer to throw 3-4 oz pencil poppers.Distance can be very important. Smaller rods can be used for metals and smaller swimmers. This rod might serve double duty for bay fishing with small plastics like shads and fin-s. My small rod is an 8'. Bait fishing is another story. Hope this helps 

[Bucktail]

   It's hard to find one rod that will do boat, bay and surf well.  If you can only afford one rig, you should determine what you will be doing most of, and go from there.

[Noworries2009]

Rods longer than 7.5' can be hard to handle on a boat.That said .... short rods are at a disadvantage on the beach. THe fish don't always come right to the sand. Shop around and consider used but not abused stuff if the budget is tight. Buy the best you can afford. 

[ped579]

I agree with everything that has been said so far.  But your 7' heavy will not do you well off the beach throwing plugs or even lures.  I would go 8' and maybe a MH for the surf and bay.  You have to realize how the system works and then go from there. 

Rods are the key to getting your offering out there and not the reel so much.  You have to be able to load up the rod and when that is done properly your casting ability will sharply improve.

Choose a rod that will through at least a 3 oz plug and you should be good to go.   A 21/2 oz lure will simply fly when cast with a rod like that.  Plus you can put 40# braid on the reel and have one nice setup.

Hope this all helps.

Happy Catching

Paul

[blynch]

For blues especially, but really anything that is feeding on slender baits, i find that Yo-Zuri Crystal minnows are about the most effective thing out there. They are some of the more expnsive hard plastic crankbaits around but they are still not as expensive as the wooden ones you will find.  Buy the biggest size (5 3/4 in?)

On the wood side, i like Ron Mucie and Gibb plugs. They have all sizes- you want at least 2 oz for the surf, less in the back

For fluke, you are mostly looking at bucktails.  I like  these... Try 1 oz or less for the back, 1 to 4 ounces for the ocean.


I use diamond jigs in 007 through a47 more than any other lure

Lastly, take some time to broswe around at soaftbaits.


Good Luck