Field Notes: Decoding the Anatomy of a Plug at the Steelhead Classic

Location: Lewiston, Idaho — The Steelhead Classic Expo

There is nothing quite like the energy of the Steelhead Classic. We are on the ground in Lewiston, Idaho, soaking up the expertise and talking tackle with the best in the business.

This weekend, Pat Kalmerton had the opportunity to sit down with Jarod Higginbotham from Yakima Bait Company for a masterclass on the "anatomy of a plug." While many anglers have a tackle box full of lures, knowing exactly why and when to use a specific body shape is what separates a good day on the water from a great one.

Here is the breakdown of what we learned, featuring the legendary Mag Lip—the proven chassis for our partner Rugged Outdoors' game-changing technology.

The Duel: FlatFish vs. Mag Lip

Jarod broke down the specific situations where you choose a classic FlatFish over a Mag Lip, and it all comes down to current speed and action.

1. The FlatFish (The Slow Dancer)

When the river is low or the flow is slow, the FlatFish is king.

• Speed Tolerance: 0.75 to 1.5 mph.

• The Advantage: It produces incredible action at very low speeds. If you are barely moving, this lure is still working for you.

2. The Mag Lip (The High-Speed Hunter)

When the water is high, the current is ripping, or you need to cover water, you switch to the Mag Lip.

• Speed Tolerance: Starts "kicking" at 1.25 mph and handles speeds up to 4 mph.

• The Action: This is a high-speed, aggressive diver. It’s a "mid-to-deep" diver designed to handle the pressure of heavy flow.

Pro Tip from Jarod: Don’t be stubborn with your gear. If you are plunking from the bank and the current slows down, that aggressive Mag Lip might stop working. You have to be willing to adjust—lengthen your dropper or switch to a lure that dances in slower water.

Precision Matters: The Science of the Dive

One of the most interesting takeaways from the expo was the discussion on Precision Trolling Data. Jarod explained that this isn't a guessing game. Yakima Bait plugs (like the Mag Lip 3.5) have been rigorously tested—literally watched by divers underwater in Michigan lakes—to map exactly where they sit in the water column based on line type (braid vs. mono) and speed.

Knowing your lure is exactly at 15 feet when you have 76 feet of line out allows you to target fish with surgical precision, rather than just hoping for a strike.

Adapting to Conditions: Light and Clarity

Jarod emphasized that a lure's "anatomy" isn't just its shape—it’s how it interacts with light.

• Clear & Sunny: Go with shiny, bright colors.

• Overcast/Early Morning: Stick to bolder, "coffee" colors.

• Muddy Water (<1ft visibility): Use solid colors.

  • The Logic: Just like a blacklight poster, a solid silhouette stands out against a murky background. Complex patterns and dots can actually camouflage the lure in dirty water, making it harder for the fish to see.

The Secret Weapon: Rugged Outdoors & The Mad Scientist Coating

We know the Mag Lip is a proven winner. It dives deep, handles high current, and triggers aggressive strikes from salmon and trout. But at PATTRIE Productions, we look for that extra edge.

That is why we are proud to partner with Rugged Outdoors. They have taken the proven anatomy of the Mag Lip and supercharged it with their "Mad Scientist Tackle Coating."

This specialized coating reflects UV (Ultraviolet) and IR (Infrared) light. While the Mag Lip provides the perfect mechanical action, the Rugged Outdoors coating lights up the visual spectrum for predatory fish, making the lure visible in water conditions where standard paint jobs fade into the darkness.

It’s the perfect marriage of Yakima Bait’s engineering and Rugged Outdoors’ optical science.

Note: These Mag Lip lure combos can only be found on the Rugged Outdoors website. Get your UV/IR-coated Mag Lips today!

Ready to Upgrade Your Spread?

Next time you hit the river, ask yourself: Is my plug fighting the current, or working with it?