[hartattack]

Lifted this tip from another site (I think Buddha162 may be a member here - thanks Brotha ! Can't wait to try this inexpensive, innovative tip) . . .

Magic Gulp Bands

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I wanted to share with the community something that I’ve discovered a few seasons ago that has drastically improved my gulp experience. I’m going to call this the Magic Gulp Rubber Band pictorial!

Since I’ve first read about gulp and its various fluking applications from Lep’s forum, I’ve become a 100% gulp jigger. Fluking has never been more fun. The biggest issue I’ve had with using gulp was its durability on the jig, through various formulas that seem to get softer every year. So I came up with a system using these small rubber bands I purchased from CVS; I gather these are used to tie hair, and believe me, it took a LOT of trial and error to find the right rubber bands (and a lot of confused conversation with arts/craft store employees until I found the most helpful lady working at my local CVS. Thanks CVS lady!)

I don’t have a picture of the rubber bands in the packaging, but I find them in the beauty isle at CVS, along with the nail clippers and eyelash shapers etc. I think they are made from silicon and come in clear, black, and my favorite: multi-color.

Fishing mostly in the shallow Raritan Bay, I am a single-jig jigger 90% of the time; sans teaser. With only one gulp in the water it’s very important that my single jig/gulp combo is presented correctly as much as possible, that if I miss a short strike the gulp is still reliably threaded on the hook and not hanging askew for my drop-back. I’ve found the magic bands really keep my gulp securely planted on the jig, even after multiple strikes and landed fish. On the larger gulps (my favorite 6” grubs) I double or even triple the rubber bands for extra strength.

The bands are remarkably tough, but do lose their elasticity after a few hours, and obviously they can be chewed through by a pesky fluke. Fortunately they are cheap, and I keep a handful in a small ziploc baggie in my pocket at all times to replace as needed.

I’ve also used the magic band on a teaser hook, and the concept is the same. Finally, the couple of times I have dragged bait, a rubber band kept the dead snapper’s gills from flaring out and spinning on the rig.

I hope the pictures are pretty self explanatory (will of course answer questions on this thread) and I hope this is of some help this fluke season!