LET'S SHARE A FEW OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES
What's the best spinner?
I have been pretty lucky with the places I have fished and the people I have been able to fish with. As the years have gone by, I have seen a huge variety of spinners catch salmon. As with any fisherman, the places you fish, the people you fish with and the results you see are the things that will affect your spinner choices. Your favorites or "go to" patterns are the ones that have been consistent over long periods of time. Sometimes those favorites are fishery specific and others just seem to work well no matter where you turn them. I get a load of questions about what spinners are "the good ones". The answer is the ones that work. Yeah, I know, nice answer right? But, it's true and I have been able to offer my input to many different people in many different fisheries and have seen that there are some patterns that seem universal in their ability to get bites. So, I want to share a few of my "go to" patterns with you and give you a bit of background on them and hope that when it is all said and done, they work for you as they have for me. As I always stress when discussing spinner patterns, there is no substitute for paying attention to what's going on around you and the details that are built into the spinners you are using. This will help you make the best choices as you send a spinner out in search of a salmon. Let's take a look at a few patterns and discuss them a bit.
Consistent Producer 11/21/12
Recently I made the pattern pictured to the left available in the size 5, 6 and 7 FB series blades and spinners. Although this is just another version of a green/chartreuse pattern, there has been something special about this particular combination. The pattern is done on the hammered hex pattern that I really like and the back is polished brass. I use it in skirted and non skirted patterns. I find that the guide green UV beads and the opaque lime green UV beads (by the way, this is a great color and is largely overlooked) perform equally well in combo with the blade.
This pattern is one that has been a great pattern over a long time and until recently, I had been using up a very short supply that I had. I finally broke down and had it made in bigger numbers so I could offer it on my online store. The final thing that convinced me on this pattern came out of a closure on kings in my home waters of Cook Inlet this last summer. The only boat fishing for kings in my normal stomping grounds was a Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game biologist boat. Over a 3 week period, they caught 50 plus kings. All were on spinners that they got from me. One of the guys in the boat had a spinner exactly like the one in the photo above left with the skirt. A number 7 FB left over from a couple seasons past that was well worn from catching a few fish. I only had one other blade I could make up for them so they had two of the exact same pattern. They were calling for more about a week into the 3 week period but I could not justify giving them the spinners from my personal box. So, they finished their time on the water and the main biologist told me that they got in the neighborhood of 67 kings and 70% of them were on this pattern. They were fishing some good ones that I had recommended so the results with this pattern were pretty impressive. And the thing is, I have used and had great luck on green/chartreuse patterns and this one has something special going for it. I have had great luck on the #5 and #6 for silvers as well.
I relate the story above because one, it is recent and two, it makes me think of the old saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. This pattern along with the copper/red white four dot below are two that will stay on my lines, particularly when fishing may be a bit tough.
This pattern is one that has been a great pattern over a long time and until recently, I had been using up a very short supply that I had. I finally broke down and had it made in bigger numbers so I could offer it on my online store. The final thing that convinced me on this pattern came out of a closure on kings in my home waters of Cook Inlet this last summer. The only boat fishing for kings in my normal stomping grounds was a Alaska Dept. of Fish and Game biologist boat. Over a 3 week period, they caught 50 plus kings. All were on spinners that they got from me. One of the guys in the boat had a spinner exactly like the one in the photo above left with the skirt. A number 7 FB left over from a couple seasons past that was well worn from catching a few fish. I only had one other blade I could make up for them so they had two of the exact same pattern. They were calling for more about a week into the 3 week period but I could not justify giving them the spinners from my personal box. So, they finished their time on the water and the main biologist told me that they got in the neighborhood of 67 kings and 70% of them were on this pattern. They were fishing some good ones that I had recommended so the results with this pattern were pretty impressive. And the thing is, I have used and had great luck on green/chartreuse patterns and this one has something special going for it. I have had great luck on the #5 and #6 for silvers as well.
I relate the story above because one, it is recent and two, it makes me think of the old saying, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. This pattern along with the copper/red white four dot below are two that will stay on my lines, particularly when fishing may be a bit tough.
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Copper, Red and White
Skirted and Non Skirted Versions
Any conversation about my favorites has to include this pattern for the simple reason that it has been so good for so long for me. This pattern is a throw back to "old days" when you saw a lot of plain old blood red and white lures--particularly old spinners that usually had hooks dressed with squirrel or buck tail. I have always been a fan of copper for silvers (coho) and when I saw the hexagon pattern hammered copper blade, I knew I had to fish it. Couple the copper with the red and white and you get the creation of the hex copper/red 50/50 with white 4 dot pattern. I came upon the white pearl UV skirt quite a number of years ago when UV was not really a big thing yet. I had taped up a hammered copper blade with some dark red tape--half on the front and half on the back and combined it with the UV skirt. After not fishing it for a couple days, I was confronted with a relatively dark, foggy morning on the troll in Cook Inlet (Alaska) and as I was putting the four"chosen" ones on, I noticed that the white skirt and copper really showed well under the lower light conditions. I tied it on and we proceeded to boat 3 very nice kings and lost another on that spinner that morning. So naturally after that experience, that pattern was definitely going to get some more spin time. Well, it has been spinning almost perpetually behind my boat for, I think, 7 seasons now and has been producing consistently since then.
The White UV Skirt
Dan Kearn. Photo Dave Schamp/Big Fish Images
I have to give the white UV skirt a good majority of the credit for the success of this pattern. That skirt not only has worked well on this pattern but with the wonderbread pattern and the green/pearl/yellow tip, along with a handful of other blade patterns. But, there is something to be said for the combination of these colors together in general when you consider that the non skirted version (pictured above) has also performed well. Some days though, it seems that you can use anything as long it has that darn white skirt on it.
Below are some other patterns that have worked well for me that utilize the white skirt or white tubing (a highly overlooked color for tubing). These three blade patterns stand out to me as good producers and I cannot think of anytime that white tubing and/or white skirts are not part of the pattern.
The wonderbread (far right photo) is a great pattern with the white skirt for me. I like to use either the "ultimate" pink or the UV guide green bead with it. I have it available in brass back or white back and my preference on this pattern is for the white back. In low light (fog, first light or overcast), this spinner is in heavy use in my boat. As an aside to the effectiveness in general of the pattern, I have to tell you that hens seem to be particularly fond of this spinner. I honestly can only remember putting 2 bucks in the boat on this spinner over the 5 seasons it has been a staple for me. Not sure what that's worth, just interesting I guess.
The pattern on the blade in the middle photo uses fluorescent red and white pearl with a conspicuous blue dot in the center. A pretty common set of colors these days in many spinner fisheries. The one thing that is a bit unique about this particular spinner is that it uses one of my Alaska Magnum blades. This is a very large blade that is kind of a modern day version of the old fashioned, big T-Spoon blade. Modern in the respect that it is stamped out of heavier gauge brass than the traditional or older blades of its type. With the trend in a number of the Northwest salmon fisheries toward larger blades, I feel that if this blade ever gets some spin time, it will get a following pretty quick. Even though the blade is very large, I still go with skirted patterns on it and have had great luck in my main stomping grounds in Cook Inlet. It seems there may be something to the big bait big fish thing with this blade as many of my biggest kings have been on the skirted version Alaska Magnum blade spinners.
The blade pictured to the far left utilizes that pesky old copper and white again. With the fluorescent red dot and fluorescent red beads and white tubing, I really like this spinner if the water is off color like you find at times in places like Tillamook bay in Oregon. Many times on the low side of the tide cycle the water there can get kind of soupy green with relatively low visibility. Copper, white and fluorescent red are all three colors/finishes that show well in that type of water. I have also had luck with a white skirt and a cerise skirt on this on as well.
Below are some other patterns that have worked well for me that utilize the white skirt or white tubing (a highly overlooked color for tubing). These three blade patterns stand out to me as good producers and I cannot think of anytime that white tubing and/or white skirts are not part of the pattern.
The wonderbread (far right photo) is a great pattern with the white skirt for me. I like to use either the "ultimate" pink or the UV guide green bead with it. I have it available in brass back or white back and my preference on this pattern is for the white back. In low light (fog, first light or overcast), this spinner is in heavy use in my boat. As an aside to the effectiveness in general of the pattern, I have to tell you that hens seem to be particularly fond of this spinner. I honestly can only remember putting 2 bucks in the boat on this spinner over the 5 seasons it has been a staple for me. Not sure what that's worth, just interesting I guess.
The pattern on the blade in the middle photo uses fluorescent red and white pearl with a conspicuous blue dot in the center. A pretty common set of colors these days in many spinner fisheries. The one thing that is a bit unique about this particular spinner is that it uses one of my Alaska Magnum blades. This is a very large blade that is kind of a modern day version of the old fashioned, big T-Spoon blade. Modern in the respect that it is stamped out of heavier gauge brass than the traditional or older blades of its type. With the trend in a number of the Northwest salmon fisheries toward larger blades, I feel that if this blade ever gets some spin time, it will get a following pretty quick. Even though the blade is very large, I still go with skirted patterns on it and have had great luck in my main stomping grounds in Cook Inlet. It seems there may be something to the big bait big fish thing with this blade as many of my biggest kings have been on the skirted version Alaska Magnum blade spinners.
The blade pictured to the far left utilizes that pesky old copper and white again. With the fluorescent red dot and fluorescent red beads and white tubing, I really like this spinner if the water is off color like you find at times in places like Tillamook bay in Oregon. Many times on the low side of the tide cycle the water there can get kind of soupy green with relatively low visibility. Copper, white and fluorescent red are all three colors/finishes that show well in that type of water. I have also had luck with a white skirt and a cerise skirt on this on as well.
The Power of Chartreuse
Green/Pearl/Yellow Tip--Skirted
Any discussion of my favorite patterns has to include the subject of chartreuse or fluorescent yellow. The spinner pictured to the right is my overall favorite when it comes to yellow/green patterns. The blade pattern utilizes a green top with a chartreuse tip separated by a pearl white center section. The skirt is a green/chart two tone color and the beads are UV "guide" green. In a non-skirted pattern, I like it with chartreuse tubing and I stay with the UV green beads.
There are quite a number of patterns in my selection, as well as other manufacturers, that use these colors. I have singled this one out for the simple reason that I use it a lot and it works very consistently. I like this blade pattern with a white pearl back and have found it to produce fish in virtually all the conditions I have come up against. If there was a time I think it works the best, I would lean towards low light, overcast conditions to stand out in my mind. However, I can recall a recent 4 fish day, all of which came on this pattern and it was flat calm, clear water and bright sunshine coming in from above.
I have been adding some of the DS Tape Shapes to this blade recently and having some good results. I like the lime and chartreuse cracked ice colors to add a little flash to the pattern and of course, the clear pearl UV really enhances all three colors on this blade.
The photos below show a few other blade patterns that use chartreuse with green that have been very good producers. They are worth some spin time.
There are quite a number of patterns in my selection, as well as other manufacturers, that use these colors. I have singled this one out for the simple reason that I use it a lot and it works very consistently. I like this blade pattern with a white pearl back and have found it to produce fish in virtually all the conditions I have come up against. If there was a time I think it works the best, I would lean towards low light, overcast conditions to stand out in my mind. However, I can recall a recent 4 fish day, all of which came on this pattern and it was flat calm, clear water and bright sunshine coming in from above.
I have been adding some of the DS Tape Shapes to this blade recently and having some good results. I like the lime and chartreuse cracked ice colors to add a little flash to the pattern and of course, the clear pearl UV really enhances all three colors on this blade.
The photos below show a few other blade patterns that use chartreuse with green that have been very good producers. They are worth some spin time.
From left to right: Brass/Green Chart4 dot *Green/Chart 50/50* Metallic Green/Chart Dot
Coho and Steelhead Favorites
Metallic Pink/Hot Tip--Skirted
The "B10" series blade that I use is becoming better known as the "SBD" (small but deadly) by the local crowd in my area. It is hybrid of a colorado and indiana blade with a unique fold down the middle for added flash. It is a great blade for trolling or on anchor. It comes in a size 5 and size 4 in a large variety of color patterns. I would like to share just a few of the patterns that have done well for me with the hope they may do as well for you.
A couple Coho Killers
Metallic Pink/Pink Skirt* Red/White/White Skirt
The photos to the left and the one directly above show three patterns that are among the best I use for Coho. The metallic pink with the pink skirt uses a blade that is pink on both sides and a skirt that matches the "ultimate" pink beads I use for the body and bearings. A variation on this pattern is the pink blade with the chartreuse hot tip and chartreuse skirt. Since both pink and chartreuse are great for Coho, it's pretty easy to figure this one as a winner. The red and white with the red and white skirt is a staple for me on the troll for Coho.
I have found all three of these patterns to be effective for me in every Coho fishery I have fished. From my usual haunt, Cook Inlet, Alaska on down to the Columbia River fishery in the Northwest, they have all been very consistent producers.
If I had to break it down a bit, I would say that metallic pink with the pink skirt works exceptionally well in clear water with some light on the water. In less clear water or lower light conditions, the other two patterns seem to have a bit of an edge. But, I would never hesitate to use the pink on pink anytime Coho are swimming by.
I have started to run these style of spinners with single hooks--I use a 1/0 siwash hook and double my split rings to get the hook a bit farther back. To that, I add a strip of herring fillet (about 11/2 to 2 inches long) to the hook to add a bit of encouragement. I am not convinced this addition of bait to the hook is vital for success but on some days, it has seemed to be preferred over the plain variety.
I have found all three of these patterns to be effective for me in every Coho fishery I have fished. From my usual haunt, Cook Inlet, Alaska on down to the Columbia River fishery in the Northwest, they have all been very consistent producers.
If I had to break it down a bit, I would say that metallic pink with the pink skirt works exceptionally well in clear water with some light on the water. In less clear water or lower light conditions, the other two patterns seem to have a bit of an edge. But, I would never hesitate to use the pink on pink anytime Coho are swimming by.
I have started to run these style of spinners with single hooks--I use a 1/0 siwash hook and double my split rings to get the hook a bit farther back. To that, I add a strip of herring fillet (about 11/2 to 2 inches long) to the hook to add a bit of encouragement. I am not convinced this addition of bait to the hook is vital for success but on some days, it has seemed to be preferred over the plain variety.