In a Spin - Part 2

Spinner baits and buzz baits were two of the most exciting ways of catching bass.

I intend to do a lot more lure fishing for pike this year. I have a nice pistol grip rod being built on a Harrison blank for me by Dave Lumb. And I have two Ambassadeur baitcasting reels desperate for an airing. All I need now are some lures.

[Macca_EFC]

Get onto www.thelureshack.com plenty of choice and they do deliver! unlike easytackle.com seem to be doing!

[Kevin Perkins]

Jeff

Great article, as always. Couldn't agree more about the effectiveness spinners like Droppen and Mepps, but I have to say those Mean Hornets have more than a passing resemblance to (v.v.cheap) mackerel spinners of yore, although the pike didn't mind them I seem to remember!

And what ever happened to kidney spoons? They were a 'Don't leave home without' item for years, did they stop being effective (were they ever, in reality?) or did fashion pass them by, along with the Colorado spoon........

I used both the kidney and colorado spoon in the 50s. They worked of course, but today there are much better lures.

Spinnerbaits for example.

The huge advantage of spinnerbaits is that you can work them through weed beds and you can bump them along snaggy bottoms without hooking up. It is vital to understand how to work the two distinct types of spinnerbait. The single bladed ones are for deep water and vertical structure. The double bladed spinnerbaits are for shallow water and weedbeds.

I'm not sure which American invented them, but when he did they became the biggest advance in spoon lures ever known and enable you to fish where the fish are.

If you haven't already, don't forget to learn how to use a baitcasting (small multiplying) reel for this type of fishing. They are far superior to fixed spool reels.

[Dicky (Angling Trust PAC)]

An excellent piece Jeff.

I use plugs for most of my spinning, so this was a really useful read for me.

Keep them coming.

[Neneman Nick]

Ron it would be nice to see an expert using a baitcasting reel.I`m weighing up the pro`s and cons of buying one or one of those all enclosed american type jobbies.

Nick,

For goodness sake do not waste your money on what is termed a spincast reel. I have a couple of ABU Ambassadeur 5501 C3 baitcasting reels that are absolutely ideal for general lure fishing for pike. I can even cast small spinners for perch with them.

If anyone wishes to learn how to cast a multiplying reel, perhaps they can come to the fly fishing fish-in in May.

It is easier to show people how to do it than writing about it.

[Macca_EFC]

Ron, I've got an abu multiplier, which I find to be total s**t for smaller lures/spinners/plugs, constantly tangling and generally pissing me off, any tips? or should I just stick to a standard reel for my lure work? I can't really see the advantage, although at present my Dave Lumb rod is being wasted sitting and not being used :0(

My simple tip is that you are trying to cast with it like you cast with a fixed spool reel.

Multipliers are totally different and first of all you need to get your head around how different they are.

Using a fixed spool reel is easy, you are casting the weight by holding back the line with your finger and then letting go, very similar to letting go with a bow string or sling shot.

With a multiplying reel, a portion of the forward cast is used to get the spool spinning. And then at the end of the cast your thumb is used to stop the spool spinning.

As you might be aware, mutiplying reels are used on the top of the rod. The best type of reel seat to use with these reels is the pistol grip.

If you are having all sorts of problems with your reel, you need to consult a pro-angler, in the same way that fly fishing beginners go for casting lessons.

It's worth every penny, believe you me.

Ron,I have an Abu 5501,but tend to stick with a fixed spool on the drains and small rivers around here. I just find it easier to use.However, I find the Abu in a different class when casting out on larger waters.