Abstract: A protector for covering the front face of a "plug-cut herring" to maintain the front face of the plug at a predetermined angle. The protector is basically a cap having a planar face and a cylindrical wall adapted to extend rearwardly along the sides of the herring when the inside surface of the cap member abuts the front face of the herring. A pair of spaced apart apertures are formed in the face of the cover for allowing a leader terminating in a pair of hooks to extend through the cover. The speed at which the herring oscillates as it is towed through the water is determined by which of the two apertures the leader passes. The plug-cut herring protector may be formed of a wide variety of materials and colors and it may be fabricated in a variety of sizes to accommodate a wide range of plug sizes.