I met Dick Mandeville on a Rhode Island beach in early December. We were both looking to extend our surfcasting seasons, though the fish that afternoon weren’t especially agreeable to our plans as they stayed offshore and out of range.
When I called his house to talk about Fish Doc lures, on a snowy day a little over a month later, I could hear the lathe spinning in the background as his wife went to get him.
Dick builds the plugs as a hobby and because he loves to do it. He has seven styles available for purchase on his website, his favorite of which is his 6-inch pencil popper. The late-fall push of sea herring onto Rhode Island beaches made his blue pencil popper a hot commodity in the RI surf.
But Dick is always tweaking old designs and tinkering with new ones. “When I make up a batch of new plugs, I give them to some friends and we take them to the beach to see how they swim. And if they don’t pan out…well, then I have some really pretty kindling.”
Dick also does some plug testing in his pool which he said sees more plugs swimming through it than people, much to the dismay of his better half.
The Fish Doc swimmers have a wobbling rolling action to them, which Dick finds to be integral to their success. Some surfcasters are wary of plugs with too much “roll,” fearing the see-sawing motion of the plug’s eyes will tip off fish that it’s an imposter. Dick doesn’t believe this is the case. “I want my plugs to swim like an injured baitfish. And how does an injured baitfish swim? On its side. So when that plug rolls and that eye tilts toward the bottom, it’s looking like an injured baitfish. One Dick’s friends has even been known to add a third eye to the bottom of his plugs to there is an eye facing the bottom at all times. “The bass key in on that eye. That’s what they hit.”
You can check out more Fish Doc lures and order some for yourself HERE
Every other Monday we’ll be featuring a Northeast local lure or rod maker on Fishing On The Job. Know a local company that should be included? Shoot me an email at jimmy@onthewater.com
Hi Dick, I have purchased some pencil lures from you in the past. They have become my go to lure. I fish surfcast off the beaches and rock in Gloucester Ma. I want to purchase some additional pencils from you., can’t seem to get onto your site. Any way i’m impressed with the green/yellow 1.5 oz pencil. I prefer 2 treble hooks instead of the single on the end. Would like to order (4) pencils from you. (1) yellow, (1) white (2) yellow and green. Can you please contact me asap, as the fall run is in full swing, if you have no 1.5oz do you have 1.75oz, like to be under 2.oz
Placed an order with this company but beleave the site is compromised. Lost $26. I get no response from them and Paypal doesn’t help.
Hi Norjoa
I am Fishdoc’s son. Unfortunately, he passed away a few weeks ago and had been in the hospital for many months prior, which is why your have not received a reply.
I just came across your message while searching the internet for all things related to my dad. I am happy to send you the plug(s) you ordered, if he has any remaining in stock. If not, we can figure something else out. Shoot me an email when you get a chance.
Thanks and my apologies for any inconvenience this has caused.
sorry to hear about your dad I sent for two plugs on 1/25 18 a popper and a floating needlefish paid for by pay pal if you have any plugs left please send colors available if you cannot find my order and other plugs still available again my deepest regrets Russell Spencer