The Annual Fishing Expo in Asbury Park, NJ, draws crowds from all over the Northeast that come to buy custom wooden striped bass plugs – many of which are available only at this show. Joe CermeleThe crowd pours onto the floor shortly after the doors open to get in line for a chance to buy a plug or two from their favorite builder. Joe CermeleConsidering the time and care that goes into turn these lures, they can cost upwards of $40. Joe CermelePaul Lindner of Cyclone Lures holds up one of his swimmers in the popular “school bus” color pattern. Joe CermeleDingBat plugs ready to find good homes in surf bags. Joe CermeleDingBat builder Bob Hessels with two of his most popular swimmers. Joe CermeleVeteran New Jersey plug-maker Tom Bottomley builds just a handful of his TB Swimmers every year to sell at Asbury. Joe CermeleNotice that the wallet of this shopper is packed to the max as he peruses Tom Bottomley’s last remaining plugs. Joe CermelePajama Plugs founder and builder Greg Cuozzo with one of this bottle poppers. Joe CermeleCuozzo’s bunker pattern, shown here on a bottle popper, is one of his most sought-after colors. Joe CermeleScott Lehman (left) and Dave Petry of Twisted Lures are relative newcomers to the plug-building game that are making a fast mark with their wooden swimmers. Joe CermeleTwisted’s take on the classic school bus pattern. Joe CermeleThe last few PlugCaster darters hang ready for purchase. Joe CermelePlugCaster Lures owner Rich Karpowicz with one of his over-sized pencil poppers designed with giant bass in mind. Joe CermeleDonald Guimelli of Afterhours Custom Plugs with a chartreuse pencil popper. Joe CermeleBuilder Russ Paoline holds one of his noted marble swimmers. This classic from BigRock Lures is a coveted plug up and down the striper coast. Joe CermeleAfter the untimely passing of legendary plug-maker John “Habs” Haberek, the price of his plugs has gone sky-high. Joe CermeleAn assortment of Ron Muccie’s Glitter Plugs. Joe CermeleA new color pattern on one of New York-based builder Ryan Smith’s jointed swimmers. Joe CermeleStyled after the original Creek Chub Pikie, Gary Soldati’s Big Water Lures have accounted for some truly huge stripers. Joe CermeleSoldati holding one of his squid trollers. Joe CermeleLoki Lures produces a near-perfect bunker imitation. Joe CermeleLoki Lures owner Greg Myhre with a smaller version of this killer custom. Joe CermeleFish On! Lures builder Gene Amato displays some of his famous pencil poppers with daughter Kacey. Joe CermeleWith a uniquely thin diameter for a swimmer, DT Lures is gaining attention in the surf scene. Joe CermeleAll the way from California, Bodega Bay Lure Company started making custom wood for monster largemouth hunters and is now trying to break into the East Coast surf market. Joe Cermele
