Washing plugs

[carpsniperg2]

This year I am going to do a lot more plug fishing. I have been with some guys who wash them and some that don’t. What are y’all thoughts on this? I think I remember lemon pledge or something along those lines being recommended to me for washing.
I plan on using some scents and waxes so I guess it would be a good idea to clean them after fishing.

[hollymaster]

Lemon joy. And yes clean them after each use. 

[Stein]

I use a non scented dish soap, Walmart has it pretty cheap.  I keep a dedicated brush on the boat that only scrubs fishing tackle and make sure to wash and air dry after each use.  In addition to scent, it keeps the swivels and hooks from rusting out quickly.

[MtnMuley]

Lemon joy. And yes clean them after each use. 

You won't read any better advice on your question.

[SkookumHntr]

I use that pro cure no scent soap, seems to work well.

[metlhead]

Fished with fella a number of years back that connected a line to his outboard, and had a tiny basin for doing just this. Hot water on the river! Scrubbed after every fish.

[bigdub257]

Spray em with some WD-40.  Good to go!

[fowl smacker]

yep, non ultra lemon joy and a toothbrush will take you a long way.

[SeaRun1]

always clean your scents off of your Kwikfish or spoons or ....  Kings are sensitive and that stuff gets rank.  I used to use Lemon Joy but now use the non scented dish soap the wife buys from Costco.  No difference in results.

I have a buddy that doesn't clean his gear and keeps his Pro-Cure out for multiple seasons until the big bottle runs out.  Black gunk all over it.  He doesn't catch that many fish.

SR1

[Mfowl]

Like everyone non ultra lemon joy is my top choice but WD-40 will clean them as well. In addition I prefer using oil based scents on my plugs. I find the super gel scents leave a greasy film that just does not come off. Take good care of your ace fish catchers! They will keep producing even if the paint wears off. The wiggle is more important than the color!

[carpsniperg2]

Awesome thanks for all the advice. Trolling plugs isn’t new to me but getting pretty dedicated to it this fall so want all the advantages I can get.

I have learned to mark plugs that catch fish. Seems like some just have the magic tick to them. I have seen some that hardly have any paint and use to be solid orange!

Also going to do a lot more trolling prawn spinners. Looking forward to this fall!!!

[7mmfan]

Lemon Joy like everyone else. One more thing though. In the boat I keep a toothbrush and a tube of basic colgate toothpaste. I put a tiny amount on the brush and scrub the heck out of the plug. It does a good job of cleaning, but really polishes them and makes them shiny and bright. It rinses off with no scent left. I've been doing this for steelhead and salmon for years with great success.

[carpsniperg2]

Interesting I have never heard of that will have to give that a go as well.

[Stein]

River guys have used lemon joy for a long, long time.  I used to when I fished the Columbia.  I knew a guy that washed his anchor rope in it all the time.  Same with WD-40.

For salt, I don't want my stuff to smell like lemons, mint or anything like that.  I don't think it matters a ton, but I have more confidence with a clean, scent free plug or lure that I add scent to if I want.

River and salt scents are way different, the salmon act like different species when they get into fresh water from my experience.  In addition to the fish acting different, they have a lot longer to inspect and sniff the presentation in the river than they do in the salt.

Good river fishermen are absolutely crazy about cleanliness and scent, like voodoo religion crazy.  Salt guys not so much, so there is a mixed perspective on this thread.

[carpsniperg2]

I am just a river guy no big puddle for me lol.

I am very clean with scent when bait fishing. Always use gloves and am careful with scent. I’ve mostly been bank fishing last couple years since getting back into salmon and steelhead but have a boat that’s better for the Columbia now and one that will be parked on a tributary during fall Kings and coho. So I’ll be targeting them more with plugs and some with bait.