In early May, the 2-ounce Crippled Herring is placed into my plug bag, and barring snaggy bottom, sharp teeth or line-snapping wind knots, it remains there until December. I’ll skip it across the surface for racer bluefish in the spring, drag it along the bottom for fluke and weakfish in the summer, and jig it through the water column for migrating stripers in the fall. On the boat, it gets just as much action as a vertical jig for bass and blues. I’ve even seen it jigged for small yellowfin tuna in the canyons.
This humble hunk of chrome-finished lead is shaped like a small herring or peanut bunker, and fish eat it all season long. It casts like a bullet and swims with an enticing wobble on a slow, straight retrieve. I rarely fish it that way, though; the jig works magic on the free fall as it flutters to the bottom, so I usually lift and drop it throughout the retrieve. The 2-ounce size gets the most use from the surf, and the green-back color is my favorite. Just be warned, when fishing it around rocks, the line tie is easily bent out of shape. Before making a single cast, add a split ring to the front of the lure.
The secret’s out. Been using these since the mid 80s in upper mid-Chessy. My goto rockfish jigging lure and also works great on Smacks when they come up the bay in mid-late August.
Dear Dave…I just stumbled across this article today (1-5-22). To state the obvious, I am a little late with this reply. Thank you for your enjoyable, and educational, read. One of the many friendships that occurred over these many years are because of the Crippled Herring and its successor lures. The Kandlefish (smelt family) being a significant addition. Warmest regards, Pete (inventor of the Crippled Herring & Kandlefish, etc.)