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HARD BAITS & PLUGS
Pencil Popper
A long, top-heavy floating plug you swish across the surface; it splashes and skitters like fleeing bait and pulls big jacks and barracuda from far away.
DepthSurface
ActionSplash & skitter
WhereRocks, reef edges, open water
LevelIntermediate
How to fish it
- 1
Make a long cast; the pencil's weight is in the tail so it flies well even into wind.
- 2
Hold the rod butt against your hip or under your arm and keep the tip up.
- 3
Shake or rock the rod tip rhythmically while reeling so the head swings and throws water.
- 4
Keep it moving when a fish swirls; stopping usually makes a jack lose interest.
BigJoe Tips
- Use through-wired plugs with strong split rings and 3X or 4X trebles or inline singles.
- Find a rhythm with the rod against your body; it saves your wrist on a long session.
- If fish keep missing, speed up rather than slow down.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using a short, light rod that cannot move a heavy pencil or turn a big jack.
- Pausing the plug the way you would a chugger popper.
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