05/18/2025
Brad Poehler, Hawg Hunter Lures
A Cape Cod Canal Plug Builder
Bradley David Poehler 1958-2002 (43 years old )
Brad followed in the same foot steps of other local legends like Stan Gibbs and Bob Pond who loved fishing in the canal and built lures to step up his game and help others around him. He sold out of his truck and during Mass Bass shows in the late 1980s and 90s .
We are around the same age, never met him unless it was at a MassBass show but I can’t remember.
He fished the same waters like Wasque on the Vineyard , we may have crossed a line or two .
Brad and his crew fishing the canal regularly , bait fish and lures . He was a very well known local fisherman and builder and people would search him out to grab a lure or two .
Sadly Brad had many medical issues and died way before his time but most definitely he left his mark in the striped bass / canal / lure building community!
Brad made copy cat lures and added his own spin to them . He was a big fan of Stan and John Gibbs lures.
His first lures were a canal special , flat bottom pencil, the go to lure on the canal for first light , slack tide to bring the bass up . It was a simple lure that worked.
He also made the Gilligan lure , almost like a Gibbs skipper ii but in a few larger sizes . They must of cast a mile ..
Next up was his popper called , Polar popper. Each one was different for sure , not sure he made two the exact size or weight. His paint was crude , mostly mackerel. Some with doll eyes , others with varnish over spray and many had stick on eyes and almost all had a white hair treble hook with red thread .
Maybe one of his most well liked lures that would catch just about any fish at the right tide and timing !
Brad also made a needle nose lure , nothing special but I am sure they worked when the correct bait was to be found along the cape cod shoreline .
Brad also made lead jigs to fish the canal , they have always been a mainstream lure for the canal. Cast it as far out as possible, sink to bottom and yank it up several times in the ever so fast canal current. Re-Pete until you lose a few 5oz jigs …
Brad made a few supper sized 155 canal specials the ###l that he gave away to his close friends and at shows. Always painted in mackerel 7oz
He also made a few clear coat epoxy all natural wood lures that he called Road Hawgs that he would autograph . Fished from the service road along the canal. And handed out to special friends.
I reached out to several people to use information and pictures posted on the internet but never received any responses . I could have added alot of great info and apologize in advance to anybody that i borrowed pictures and info from.
After his death the Hess brothers refined his lures and they are now called Guppy lures.
A very special lure and favorite with all striped bass fisherman. And beautiful looking plug !!
And I would like to thank some very special people who were able to add some great lures to my collection that made it possible for me to remember Hawg Hunter lures and Brad Poehler
RIP Brad God bless
