J
Jordy
Anybody ever have any luck casting downstream and sort of back-bouncing a spinner into or through a fishy looking spot, kind of like you might fish a weighted nymph? This technique is a good producer of trout for me, but I've never had any luck when I try it on steelhead.
A big issue is what size line -- thinner sinks much faster and casts much farther. Heavier brings more of your lures back home with you -- there's always a balance.
Couldn't be more true. There is a hole I fish up on the OP where I cast onto a rock and pull my spinner back. It drops into the pool and flutters dead until it hits the river bed and thats the drift.
The "drop" as the spinner flutters down is deadly.
The "kick" as the spinner starts to tighten up is also deadly.
Change in blade movement is key.
I like fishing spinners when the water is right. I've used the gold blade #3 Bud's Steelhead Lure (spinner) for many years; I'm an old guy. I bought 50 or so probably 35 years ago when Payless (Rite-Aid) had them on sale at $.79. I noticed them at Sportsman's Warehouse the other day at $3.99. Didn't know it was going to be such a good investment or I'd have bought hundreds. I've had great success on Lake Creek, Rogue and others in reasonable clear waters retrieving with just a slight thump from the blade to feel it was turning over. Casting far enough upstream to allow the spinner to sink close to the bottom.
For lure, I have had success with the Little Cleo again in gold. Don't know the size except to say it is 1 13/16 inch long on the lure body. I learned to use them on the Gualala and Klamath in (norCal). Interestingly my father in law used a hot pink Rooster tail I believe in #3 and caught fish. We would try each others "hot" lure and neither of us did as well. Possibly a confidence factor was involved.
I've seen Steelhead caught on Mepps Anglia, Thomas Buoyant and Castmasters; even though I never have. Again, I believe it is a confidence factor for the fisherman.
Chez is correct! Colorado blades spin slower because of the surface mass, flutter on the drop better and appear to move slower as not to be concerned about being chased with the apperance of being able to be caught too. GL TonySome good posts by DirectDrive, DrT and Jordy.
I would like to add, when it comes to spinner RPM, slower seems better for steelhead. Although a few fish will hit a rapidly spinning blade, most will not and when in doubt, slack to slow is nearly always a wise move; you cannot be spinning too slow. In fact, even if not spinning at all, but merely wobbling or fluttering, you will get hit more often than not. I fish mine similar to a spoon and when the hole gets deep, I'd rather slack line and sink with virtually no spin; it catches fish!