Big plastics??

[muskieboy46]

Do any of you fish big plastics like the bull dawg or shallow invader. Do they actually catch fish or are they just for show? If they catch fish, what techniques do you use.

muskieboy46

[NoodleSalad]

BullDawg's are one of my confidence lures. Especially on lakes that have catfish or bullheads in them. They are easy to retrieve and you can cover alot of water quickly. My first 48 was on a cream soda Dawg! A must for the tacklebox! Cut the top hook off though. (helps with the hookset) If you feel anything at all, set the s#*t out of it. You really have to crank in. Tiger Tubes are another good one. You can really work them slow. They have a funny cupping plop sound when they hit the water. Hope this helps. -NS-

[muskieboy46]

Noodlesalad-
I have a green bull dawg with a red tail and have had a couple follows but never a bite. Do you have a secret to make them hit?

[NoodleSalad]

Like with any other lure, either keep your cadence or try speeding it up with a follow. If you have a 2nd rod available, try throwing a walking type topwater just after the follow. -NS-

[Fish-n-Freak]

I would agree with Noodles -- The big rubber lures are great. I like the Bulldawgs, Shallow Invaders,Tiger Tubes, Kalins Big Grubs (10") and the Optimum and Osprey Swim/Jerk Baits. All seem to have certain days they work better, clear vs dark water and days, forage base in the lake/river and other factors all play a role.

The only "bad" feature of the rubber lures are the "one fish" factor. Don't expect to use the same lure for more than one fish. I have had some Bulldawgs and other lures SHREDDED by a big fish, some of the smaller fish won't do as much damage and then the lure might actually have better action with a few nicks and cuts.

Keep throwing the rubber, and like NS said, a Jackpot or Creeper on the second rod, will help to get those following fish.

Freak

[muskymike]

I have a couple bulldawgs, never been thrown yet. They just might hit the water tomorrow.

Is there any truth that they are hard on the fish? I have heard that the rubber lures often get swallowed by a musky and can kill the fish trying to remove it.

Any comments anyone?

[Walleye_GFA]

I was pulling some huge 7" Storms (like huge pogies) last night, did not get any on the line, but the back half of the rubber was shredded... small pike probably.

Wally

[Fish-n-Freak]

Mike, good point

The softplastics are usually fished pretty slow, this allows the fish to really hit it, and get the whole thing in their mouth! The best thing I can suggest is to make sure you have a good set of mini bolt cutters on board. Cut the hooks, don't try to remove them!

I have caught 10 fish on big plastics and only 1 has had the lure deep, I cut the hooks and only had a small amount of blood from the gills. She swam away fine, and I felt she was going to be fine. Would have been ugly if I tried to pull those hooks!

Steve