| |
|
|
Allan Cole isn't just knocking on wood when he talks
about the fishing plug he invented. When it comes to monster fish such
as largemouth bass, striped bass, lake trout, brown trout and muskies, the
A.C. Plug has no real rival - only imitators.
|
The exciting new A.C. Plug
|
|
Consider this: The A.C. Plug, developed by Cole over the past
decade and now manufactured and marketed by Luhr Jensen, has caught more
trophy size largemouth and striped bass than any other lure.
Cole's "oversized plugs put trophy fish in the boat,"
proclaims Seattle-based Fishing & Hunting News' Gear Guide 2000.
"Need proof? Take a look at the catch records from California's best
bass waters over the last decade and you'll see. No lure has caught more
10-pounders than Cole's plug...the A. C. Plug pulls them in."
|
A.C. Plug inventor Alan Cole
|
When it comes to stripers, the A.C. Plug is peerless. It owns the
record book. The lure has been credited with catching dozens of lunkers
over 40 pounds, including the 67.1-pounder caught by Jeff Smith on the
Colorado River that claimed the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame World
Record and Herman Britz's 60-pounder that shattered the Nevada state
record. Three world line-class records - for largemouth, stripers and lake
trout - also belong to the A.C. Plug.
While the larger sized A.C. Plugs have won acclaim as deadly fare for
huge bass, lakers, browns and muskies, smaller versions of the plug are
just as effective for smaller-sized members of those and other species
such as walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, rainbow trout, tiger muskies, and
many ocean species including redfish, speckled trout and yellowtail.
|
| "There is not another lure company on the market that
can honestly say they have a lure that catches as many big fish,"
notes California angling expert Bart Crabb, author of "The Quest for
World Record Bass". "While it entices a lot of big fish, it also
produces a lot of small ones as well." |
|
The A.C. Plug comes in four sizes - 5-, 7-, 9- and the whopping
12-inch. Luhr Jensen of Hood River, Oregon makes the three smaller sizes,
while Cole continues to produce the homemade 12-incher.
The plugs are protected by U.S. patent. Their articulated body sections
are constructed using action-giving wood and connected with heavy-duty
screw-eyes. They are currently available in seven color patterns (see
photo below).
|
A.C. Plug Sizes
|
|
A.C. Plug Finishes
|
These lures can be cast and retrieved or trolled, with best results at
slower speeds. Either way, their lifelike action is irresistible to
mega-sized monsters on the prowl for an easy meal.
Here's Georgia Outdoor Review writer Daryl Kirby's description of an A.C.
Plug he used to catch a big striper on the Chattahoochee River: "The
plug plowed about 18 inches below the surface and began its tantalizing
side-to-side, broken-backed wiggle that looks amazing like a low-I.Q.
rainbow trout swimming slowly."
To sum it up, the philosophy behind the A.C. Plug's design, size and
unparalleled success as a giant killer is simple: "Big lures work
best for catching the biggest fish".
"There've been so many copies made of my plug," says Cole.
"That's another reason why I think it's so great. They don't copy
other lures...lures that don't catch fish. They copy this one."
WHY THE A.C. PLUG WORKS!
It's simple, really. The plug's patented design makes it perform more like
an actual wounded fish than other big lures.
"Most fish are predators, looking for a meal," explains Allan
Cole, the plug's inventor. "They see the A.C. Plug and think that
it's wounded - or at least has a low I.Q. - and BAM, that's the one they
drill on!"
|
The A.C. Plug's large size, combined with its lifelike action is the
other reason it catches so many large fish when other lures fail. Lunker-size
fish are smart. That's why they reach lunker proportions. And, a LARGE
wounded baitfish, which only the A.C. Plug so deftly resembles in the
water, is irresistible to much larger, healthier fish.
Think about it. If you're big, hungry and don't have any table manners,
what are you going to go for first - a full-course meal, or a cucumber
sandwich? The A.C. Plug, make no mistake, IS the T-Bone/Baked Potato of
fishing plugs.
|
World Record Striped Bass
(Jeff Smith - Weight: 67 lb. Aug. 20, 97 Lure - A.C. Plug)
|
HOW TO...
The A.C. Plug is a super-effective lure either trolled or cast. With
either technique, remember that patience is a virtue.
"When trolling, the A.C. Plug works better at a slower pace,"
advises Allan Cole, the lure's designer. "At a trolling speed of 1
mph to 3 mph - with the optimum range being 1.5 to 2.5 mph - the A.C.
Plug's wobbling, swimming action is excellent."
When trolling at a speed of 1.5 to 2.5 mph, the plug will zigzag along
somewhat methodically, and the plastic tail will give off lunker-attracting
thrashing action. As the speed of the troll increases, however, that
tail action will be reduced, while the plug itself will dart around
erratically.
Trolling depth depends on what species of fish you're after and where
you're fishing. The important thing to remember is that the A.C. Plug
will catch nearly all species of fish at nearly all depths. For example,
it's taken trophy striped bass at a depth of 40 ft. at Beaver Lake in
Arkansas, and largemouth bass on the surface at Lake Casitas, Castaic
and many others. Also, It's taken German browns by flatlining at a depth
of 5 ft. and lake trout using wire line at 45 ft. in Utah's Flaming
Gorge.
A.C. Plugs can also be fished with colored leaded line and are
super-effective when fished with downriggers. For trolling, we recommend
a stiff-action 6-foot rod. For throwing the A.C. Plug, you'll get best
results using a 7- to 9-foot, medium action rod.
|
|
|
|
|
When casting, a slow to medium retrieve works. However, there are
exceptions to any rule, and "some guys will catch lots of fish with a
fast retrieve," Cole acknowledges.
When fishing for huge striped bass on the Colorado River southeast of
Las Vegas, Nevada, Cole likes to drift his boat through striper holding
areas, making long casts with 12-inch and 9-inch A.C. Plugs near the shore
and around structure bordering deep water. After he casts, he starts a
slow retrieve that keeps the plug either on the surface or just below it.
While Cole favors a steady type of retrieve, others have found best
results using herky-jerky and stop-and-go retrieves.
Throwing and trolling smaller 5- and 7-inch sizes of the A.C. Plug into
shoreline and around structure such as tree stumps is proving to be one of
the best ways to nail big brown trout in such blue-ribbon waters as
Oregon's East Lake and Wikiup Reservoir.
When casting the 9-inch and 12-inch A.C. plugs, we recommend using 20-
to 30-lb. monofilament. For the 5- and 7-inch models, you'll usually get
best results with 8- to 15-lb. test. For attaching the line to the lure,
Cole prefers a cross lock snap with no swivel, and says that a large split
ring will also work.
|
|
|
A.C. PLUG™
REPLACEMENT TAILS
9-inch A.C. Plug Replacement Tail, Stock No. 6939-412
7-inch A.C. Plug Replacement Tail, Stock No. 6939-312
5-inch A.C. Plug Replacement Tail, Stock No. 6939-212
AVAILABLE COLORS:
0084 Black
0085 White
2030 Yellow/Green & Brown Stripe
2031 Green/Black Stripe
2032 Silver/Black Stripe
2033 Pink/Green & Silver Stripe
A.C. PLUG EARNS RAVE REVIEWS
"What it boils down to is simply this: The A.C. Plug has proven to
be the most bass catchin' lure of all time."
Bart Crabb, "The Quest for World Record Bass"
Allan Cole and his A.C. Plug "changed the way people fish for
bass. People saw those huge lures of his and said, 'no way will they
work.' They did work, and instantly there was a following of fishermen
using big plugs"
Los Angeles Daily News
"A big bait is the best way to catch a big bass...A.C. Plug is
making a big splash. In fact, Allan Cole (originator of the lure) caught a
17-pound, 4-ounce bass on the A.C. plug last year from Castaic Lake in
Southern California that may just be the largest bass landed in the nation
last year.
Field & Stream, October 1997
"Outrageously large yet undeniably effective on giant bass, probably
because of their super-erratic swimming action and 'full-meal size'.
Bassin', Fall 1997
"Many monsters have fallen to his (Allan Cole's) deadly creations.
Last time we spoke he had 12 fish (striped bass) over 40 pounds, including
two over 50 and a couple 48s."
North American Fisherman, March 2000
"There has never been anything like the A.C. Plug before or since.
While it entices a lot of big fish, it also produces a lot of small ones
as well...There is not another lure company on the market (besides Luhr
Jensen & Sons) that can honestly say they have THE LURE that catches
big fish."
ProStar Publications
|
|
This is one in a series of more than 30 detailed technique reports
produced by Luhr Jensen. For a complete set, a patch for your jacket or
cap and a price list/catalog showing all of our quality fishing tackle and
accessories, either;
 | E-mail us with the
above request. Charges will be $5 with $3 credited to your first order
of $20 or more.(include your Visa or MasterCard number and exp. date).
or
| send $5 ($3 credited to your first order of $20 or more) along with
your name and address to: Luhr Jensen Customer Service, P.O.
Box 297, Hood River, OR. |
|
|
|
