The Outdoor Line Forum

I recently purchased a tomic plug 4 inch tubby with rattler. I thought it may work. Last outing I fished possession with a 5 inch tomic plug. It seemed I had to fish faster to get action to the lure. 2.5-3mph. I couldn't fish bottom well going that fast. Does a tubby version and a rattler help catch more fish? If so what is the benefit of a tubby version of the plug and a rattler.

The key to consistently successful fishing is attention to detail.

With blackmouth fishing, two of the most important details are:
1. Location/depth of baitfish
2. Size of presentation i.e. "matching the hatch"

The Tomic "tubby" is a 4" plug with a 5" plug cross-section. In other words, by using the tubby you're attempting to represent a shorter bait size -which is predominent in winter- while still enjoying good action on the plug.

The 2.5-3 knot speed range is right on the money and if you're having trouble maintaining a close relationship with the bottom at that speed, I would suggest going to a 15lb Cannon ball.

I used to think that 10lbs was a practical minimum for saltwater salmon fishing.
Now, I rarely fish anything lighter than a 12 and more often than not, I'm running 15 lb Cannon balls and I also carry and run 20 pound balls

When in doubt... Get the big lead out!!!

Thanks for the help Tom. I did great on the sound today for blackmouth. Finally got a few too the boat!

From what I have been told, the tubby model plugs can be fished a little slower while still achieving correct action on your plug. This allows you to run two different sets of gear; say, a flasher and hootchie on one side of your boat and a tubby plug on the other. I am new to fishing plugs as well and I have found videos like the one below very helpful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEtIGPLgOcM

Also, keep this in mind. With Tomic plugs, the Tubby models are 1/2 inch longer than what they say they are so a 4 inch Tomic Tubby plug is actually a 4.5 inches. In the great scheme of things, this really doesn't make a difference, but it's something to keep in mind if you're really trying to match the hatch as they say. But I think when it comes to plugs, especially plugs with rattles in them, you're trying to piss the fish off and get them to strike more than anything. Granted you dont want to be running a 7inch tubby in Puget Sound but that 1/2 inch is not a huge deal.

I run the three main sizes of Tomics. 4's, 4 Tubby and 5's. I also love Silver Horde's plugs. Really simple to use and you can run them a bit slower than the Tomics as well.

Hope that helps Bud! Glad to hear you're having success. I have a few hundred bucks invested in plugs and have not had one fish caught in them. Granted, I have only fished PS for one season missing all of the king run, but I am confident I MIGHT have some success with one of these plugs. Just remember, they catch fishermen just as well (if not better) as they catch fish.....

Everything said already is spot on. But there is one more thing you can do to a "Tubby" or a standard Atomic plug. Just like it was said before, knot placed at the top of the eye, but you can also add a small rubber band over the line and the plug. Place the rubber band maybe a 1/4" over the top of the plug with the leader/main line under the rubber band. Line up the leader/main line with the center of the plug. This will make a Tubby work even at speeds under 2mph.

I can't take credit for coming up with this. We were at Critter Cove Resort, in Nootka Sound. A gal running the cash register was part of the Atomic Plug family in Gold River. (Have to say, we weren't saying at that resort but they were awesome people and totally open with information). I asked a few questions about fishing the plugs at the mouth of the Conuma River, the guides were just on fire with the plugs (late Aug). She gave me the full 1/2 hour run down on how to use the plugs. Needless to say we went back to the fishing grounds and gave the guides a run for their money. We found the best speed to troll them with the rubber bands was around 1.6 - 1.9 mph (no tide worries)....

Good Luck
Draggin Bait