In recent years, the variety of spinning lures has grown so much that sometimes, going fishing, you don’t even know what to bring with you. Specialized shops offer the attention of the angler a variety of spinners, wobblers, twisters, vibro-tails, jig nozzles, spinner bait, etc. To understand all these names, and even to choose a suitable bait from them, is not an easy task. It’s a matter of 20-30 years ago, when, in addition to the baubles, we had no other spinning tips. And they caught, and even very good.
A bit of history
Spoon-baits is a classic spinning bait, known from the middle of the 19th century. The first such nozzles were used by American amateur fishers. They had the shape of a spoon, and often they were also made from it. Over time, the spinner has modernized and spread around the world as the best artificial bait for fishing predators. Various modifications appeared, adapted to a specific type of fish, season and different fishing conditions.
Today spinners have not lost their relevance and continue to be successfully used for fishing predatory fish. So what is the secret of such popularity?
The main varieties of spinners
Pike is the most common large aquatic predator in our area. It was for fishing on it that most of the spinning lures were invented, among which spinners take first place. These nozzles are always made of metal and are designed to imitate the natural movements of peaceful fish in the water.
If you do not delve into various modern fishing theories, then there are only two main types of spinners: oscillating (oscillators) and rotating (turntables). Each of them has a number of modifications that have arisen in the process of refinement, taking into account one or another type of fish, season, features of the reservoir, gear, etc.
Benefits of Oscillating Lures
The oscillating spinner has a number of advantages over other types of spinning lures:
- Low price and the possibility of self-production.
- Universality of application. You can catch any fish of prey in open water at any time of the year and in any body of water.
- Ability to adjust immersion depth by changing the intensity of the wiring.
- Reliability. The design of the oscillator is so simple that the probability of its failure (excluding breakage of gear) is reduced to zero.
- Far cast. The weight of the oscillating baits allows you to throw the tackle to a distance of 70 m.
- Efficiency. In terms of catchability, even home-made oscillators are in no way inferior to the most expensive wobblers.
Spinner on pike
For pike fishing, oscillating baits of medium or large sizes are mainly used depending on the activity of the predator. They are a solid metal plate with one or more hooks, curved in a certain way. The classic spinner in most cases has a coloring for peaceful fish, and sometimes a texture that imitates fish scales. For greater resemblance, various additions can sometimes be attached to it in the form of plastic multi-colored plates resembling fins or bright “flies”.
In case of sheer flashing from a boat or for winter fishing, “trihedrals” are often used - weighted vibrations on a pike. They are not too similar to fish, but this does not in any way affect their subtlety.
How do spinning lures in water behave?
Depending on the shape of the baubles, their behavior when posting in water is different. By type of movement, they are usually divided into three groups:
- Rotating When posting, the spinner rotates around its longitudinal axis, which perfectly attracts the predator in the spring in areas clean from vegetation.
- Swaying. When moving the baits evenly sways from side to side. These are the most catchy vibrations on a pike. In autumn, even in difficult conditions, this way you can get yourself a very good catch.
- Combined. Depending on the type and speed of wiring, the spinner can both rotate and swing. They are not recommended for use by novice anglers, as if improperly maintained, their behavior in water is unpredictable.
Fishing in the fall for pike on a wood hike is mainly carried out using spinners of the second group, but on hot summer days it is recommended to use rotation or generally primitive behavior of a trihedral. The latter, by the way, is not distinguished by any special game. Its main purpose is vertical movement from the bottom to the surface. Also, trihedral hedgehogs for pike have proven themselves in winter hole fishing.
If fishing is carried out in places that are covered or overgrown with bottom vegetation, it is very important to avoid hooks. Otherwise, you can remain not only without a catch, but also without baits. Because of this, some spinners on the pike have a special lateral rib that does not allow them to quickly sink to the bottom, but as if to plan in the water column. Such baits are most often used for slow posting during periods of low predator activity. For fishing in difficult conditions, the so-called "unhooked" can also be used. This type of spinner is equipped with additional protective threads on the hook, which protect it from accidental engagement.
How to choose a spinner color
In addition to form, color is very important for baubles. Its coloring is selected based on several criteria:
- season;
- Times of Day;
- features of the reservoir (bottom type, water transparency, presence of vegetation, flow rate, etc.)
The color of the spinner should match the activity of the pike. In spring and early autumn, when this predator is most hungry, the bait must be as bright as possible. In hot summers and after the first frosts, it is better to use the lures of discreet natural colors: white and yellow without additional patterns.
As for the time of day, here the color also significantly affects the reaction of the predator. In the early morning, when a hungry pike walks in search of food, it is better to use bright colors, after lunch and in the evening - neutral colors.
Abundant vegetation at the bottom significantly reduces the visual contact of the predator and the prey. Not for nothing that most peaceful fish prefers to stay in the thicket. They are not only food, but also reliably hide from the eyes of the aggressor. In this situation, vibrations on the pike, regardless of the time of day, should be as noticeable as possible, that is, bright.
For spinning fishing, there is another axiom - the lighter and more transparent the water in the pond, the more ordinary and dark the spinner should be.
Is size important
The size of the spinner is one of the most important criteria for its correct choice. Active pike is inherently voracious and greedy, therefore, it will behave on a shallow bait only during the summer heat or autumn cold.
For catching spring pike, baits from 8 to 17 cm in size are most often used. During this period, the predator is most hungry, and such a bait will appeal to her. Pike fishing in September and the first half of October can also be carried out with such spinners. In summer and late autumn, it is better to use oscillators no longer than 7 cm.
Hook
Any spinning lure, including the oscillating bait, allows you to choose the necessary hook size. Most often, it is attached to the crown. Its size is selected based on the size of the spinner and the type of fish that is being hunted. It is important that the hook does not exceed the size of the spinner in width, otherwise the predator will suspect a catch in this.
Usually, pike vibrations are equipped with one tee in the tail section. But some models may have additional hooks in front or from the side of the “abdomen”. Sometimes anglers independently upgrade their baubles by changing the type, size or number of hooks.
The best domestic baubles
Among the variety of swinging baubles, domestic models that were successfully used by amateur fishermen back in the 60-70s of the last century, and today occupy a leading position. Passed through the decades of Soviet oscillations became the prototype of modern spinners used for fishing for pike. The most popular domestic models were and remain:
- “Atom” is the legendary Soviet bauble that tops the rating of fish whales for pike, zander and humpback. It is produced by many companies and firms, including foreign ones. It features a smooth measured game. May have different colors. The best color for pike fishing is “wet stone”.
- “Chernoshinka” - heavy (16 g) Soviet baubles, distinguished by a dark upper part. Modern analogues are produced both in Russia and far beyond its borders. These are the best pike oscillators in the fall, having excellent efficiency at a depth of 3-4 m and a smooth low-amplitude game.
- “Tsvetnaya” is a little-known, but very effective oscillating lure of domestic production. It has a texture resembling fish scales. Works great when fishing for pikes at shallow depths. In the tail section has a red plastic “flag”.
- "Storling" is one of the oldest and most famous pike oscillations. It is successfully used on pike during spring and autumn zhora. It is not suitable for use in conditions of strong current, since, gaining speed, it begins to rotate randomly around the longitudinal axis.
- “Successful” is our classic spinner with a narrow oblong body. May have silver or copper color. Despite the name, these vibrations are not very catchy on the pike. But when hunting for zander and asp, they have no equal.
- "Baltic" - a large old Soviet baubles with red and green coloring. Modern analogs are the best oscillators for pike for catching it in shallow water. When wiring creates significant hydrodynamic fluctuations that can attract a predator from a long distance.
- "Trihedral" - a heavy domestic spoon-bait intended for predator bottom fishing. It has proven its worth in the sheer flashing of a boat in the summer.
Of course, not all the most catchy oscillators on the pike of domestic production are presented here. It is simply impossible to describe them all, but old anglers remember such models as Crocodile, Norway, Karelia, Moray, Dnipro, Gnome and others. Some of them have been forgotten over time, while others are still being produced under other names.
The best import spinners
Abroad, it turns out, is also interested in fishing for pike, so most of the good spinners are produced in Western Europe. Asia is not far behind her, and sometimes ahead of her. Today's fishing lure market is crowded with Chinese goods. In most cases, these are unsuccessful fakes of well-known models. As for the real import branded pike spinners, their rating looks something like this:
- "Syclops" - a very successful spinner of the French company Mepps. Known and popular all over the world. It has a double bend, a complex profile and a multifaceted body, which allows it to play an excellent hydrodynamic and light game. “Syclops” is the best imported pike shaker in the autumn during the Jora period.
- Effzett is a very efficient model from the German company DAM. It was first applied about 100 years ago. The prototype of our Storling. It is produced by different manufacturers around the world. It works perfectly in still water and in a small stream, producing low-frequency oscillations.
- Rasanen is a universal oscillator from the legendary Japanese company Kuusamo. This model is included in the permanent list of spinners recommended by experts for hunting for a large predator. It can have different colors and sizes.
- Kastmaster is a unique American long-range spinner. Well established for summer fishing of pike during the periods of its low activity.
- “Minnow Spoon” is a good “ungrounded” from the Finnish company Rapala. Allows you to catch the bottom predator in the conditions of abundant vegetation.
- Eira is a great pike shaker in the fall from the French company Rublex. It has a classic shape. Equipped with an additional tee in the head. It is characterized by a smooth wide-amplitude game. Available in two sizes: 55 and 76 mm.
- “Mr.Cro” is the universal spinner of the Swedish company ABU. An analogue of our "Crocodile". Suitable for pike fishing in spring and early fall.
Homemade vibration
Despite the wide range of different baubles on sale, some amateur anglers prefer homemade models to the purchase. The simplest oscillators on a pike with their own hands have long been made from an ordinary spoon. Aluminum, by virtue of its low weight, of course, will not work, but it will be just the same from stainless steel.
For fishing on a small pike a dessert spoon will do. It has a weight approximately equal to the mass of medium and medium heavy spinners. For a trophy specimen, it is better to take a tablespoon. As for tools, here you will need a hacksaw for metal, a file, sandpaper and a drill with a thin drill (1-2 mm).
It is enough to saw off the handle at the spoon, polish the place washed down, drill two holes along the longitudinal axis to secure the leash and hook, and the elementary oscillator is ready. It remains to insert rings into the holes and attach a tee. For greater persuasiveness, you can put on the outside of the spinner notches that simulate scales, as well as bright plastic flags in the tail. In times of total deficit, these were the best fluctuations on the pike in the fall and spring.
Do not throw out the handle from the spoon. From it you can easily make a small “pilker” for perch or asp.
Having more or less “straight” hands and a piece of sheet metal, you can easily make an excellent lure. For this, copper, brass, stainless steel, galvanized iron , etc. are suitable. Having marked, cut and polished the workpiece, it is given the desired shape using a metal ball, a hammer and a soft wood stand. In order for the future spinner to behave predictably in water, take a ready-made nozzle for the sample and transfer its shape to the workpiece.
Copper and galvanized homemade products are easily painted with nitro paint.
Fishing tackle
Fishing for pike vibrators will be effective only with the right gear. It is important to choose the test of the rod, and its system, and the reel with fishing line.
For pike fishing, forms of medium or medium-fast speed are used. Its length is selected based on fishing conditions. If you plan to catch from a boat, 2-2.5 m will suffice. For fishing from the shore, you need a form with a length of at least 3 meters.
Given that swinging baits generally have significant weight, the rod test should be appropriate for the weight of the bait. To avoid trouble in the form of a broken tip, it is better if the test indicator is one third more than the mass of the oscillator.
For fishing pike is not recommended to use cheap reels of unknown origin. A large predator will easily break the tackle if it is not protected by a reliable friction clutch. Well, if the friction brake has a rear adjustment. When playing large pike, this option is much more convenient. The approximate coil size is 2500-4000.
As for the fishing line, you can use both braid and monofilament. The first option, of course, will be more reliable than a monophile, especially when it comes to large production. The minimum thickness for the cord is 0.2 mm, for monofilament - 0.25 mm.
The use of a pike leash is a must. She can easily bite any braid, not to mention ordinary fishing line. Usually use steel or tungsten leads 15-30 cm long.
When using small spinners, the equipment can be weighted with an additional load, which is placed on top of the leash. This option is used for strong currents, as well as to increase the casting distance.
Wiring Features
But a good tackle and a set of catching lures is not enough to return home from fishing, having a decent catch. Correct wiring of the oscillator to the pike is the most important factor affecting the reaction of a predator. There are dozens of ways to bait in water, however, all of them are applicable to a certain type of spinner. Consider the most popular of them.
- Uniform. Classic in spinning fishing. After casting, the baits are allowed to sink to the bottom, after which the tackle is gently reeled up using a coil with constant intensity. Perfectly works in open transparent water with a clean bottom. Most often, for this type of wiring use Atom, Chernoshinka, Storling, Effzett, Syclops, Eira. Pike fishing in September and the first half of October will be most effective when using this particular method.
- Stepped. Applied during periods of weak activity of pike in "clean" ponds. The essence of this wiring is that after casting and diving the spinners, the rod is sharply raised with the simultaneous reeling of the fishing line. After that, the spinning is lowered down, stopping the rotation of the coil. Further, these movements are repeated. With this type of wiring, the spinner moves along the polyline from the bottom to the surface and vice versa. Catching this method in the absence of vegetation can be any lure.
- Twitching. This method does not provide any binding rules. This jerking wiring is selected for a specific oscillator by trial and error. Most often, jerks of tackle are carried out horizontally with the tip of the rod lowered down. Although twitching is more suitable for using wobblers, oscillators are also applicable here. Syclops and Kastmaster are most suitable for this purpose.
- Trembling wiring. Its essence lies in the fact that the bait is in small jerks. The bait at the same time, as it were, shudders, resembling a frightened fry.
- Acceleration-braking. This is a kind of uniform wiring. The only difference is the changing pace of the gear. After diving, the spinners, for example, make five turns with high intensity, and after - three turns with low. Then this cycle repeats.
- Mixed wiring. This method is more suitable for experienced anglers who have gotten their hands on spinning fishing and are able to feel the behavior of the bait in the water. It provides a kind of mix of different postings. Spinners can be used anyway.