Not every fish in a pod of steelhead will bite. What we count on is that one or more in any school is the aggressive one. The spinner, like the swung fly, targets the aggressive fish, the biter, and the chaser.
Spinner water in the winter is different than what we look for in the summer. Classic steelhead water that moves at the speed of a fast walk is still a good bet, but I like to target deeper holes and slower-moving current.
In the colder flows of winter, when the metabolism slows down, steelhead are not as likely to chase a lure as far. For this reason, we want to put the lure at the level of the fish and keep it there longer. Casting and retrieving might work, but a swinging presentation is preferred, where the inline weight or the weight of the lure takes it to the bottom.
What contributes to a fast sink rate? The weight of the lure and its mass (or lack of mass) are factors. Also, a braided line with less resistance will sink faster than mono.
If the fish are six to 18 inches off the bottom, the spinner should run in the same place in the water column.
And the lure should thump.
Test drive the spinner before the first cast. Get a feel for the thump of the blade as it rotates.
On the cast, let the lure hit the water, then keep the bail open long enough for more line to peel off the spool as the lure sinks. Now close the bail and let the current grab the blade. Hold the rod tip low.
THE PRESENTATION
Use a retrieve that makes the blade flash like a strobe; if the blade blurs around the shaft, it is going too fast. Steelhead strike out of aggression, curiosity, defense, and feeding impulses, and flash moves the fish longer distances to the lure. Carry spinners in the whole range of blade finishes, with most emphasis on the flashier finishes: silver and brass.
There was a time when I made my own spinners, both to save a little money and to make the lures I needed for each situation. These days, there are more choices available in good fishing departments and on the internet.
For the waters I fish, I start with Wicked Lures with a 30-inch-plus leader and an inline weight, and Blue Fox (Nos. 3, 4, and 5) and heavy-bladed No. 4 custom-tied spinners.
The most common finishes on spinner blades are, in order of most flash to least flash: Silver-plate, brass, tarnished brass, nickel (mirror-finish), and black.
On medium-sized western rivers, use medium-sized spinners like Nos. 3-4 with brass, nickel, and black finish. Smaller rivers call for smaller lures. Black, nickel, and tarnished brass are good producers in these rivers. Use larger spinners in bigger pools and size down in lower, clearer water.
Almost as important as the proper size and flash is using the right color. An angler can add color with prismatic tape. In the cold months of winter, I like to use pinks, oranges, and reds to dress up my spinners.
The decorative tape goes on the inside of the blade. Think about the spinner moving through the water. The fish sees a shiny, flashing thing approaching. As it swings in front of the fish and moves on by, suddenly, there is a bit of color showing. That element of surprise might incite a follow-up and a strike.
More important than flash or color is the presentation, and the confidence it will catch fish. Fish it slowly so that the lure is presented in the same plane as the fish. Let it tumble, but keep the blade turning, tantalizingly slow. A fast-moving spinner is more apt to spook fish. Slow it down, almost to the point where it stops spinning.
Because fish are apt to be slower to move in cold water, and because the lure is presented at the same depth as holding fish, expect the strike to be softer than in the summer. The bite often just stops the lure. If the angler adds weight on the line, the shock-absorbing nature of the rig is accentuated, and the bite can feel like a wet sock. Set the hook and set it hard. A fish may also swim with the lure, snap its jaws around it, and swim with it. Set the hook hard!
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