Does it matter what kind of beads I use?
This is among the most common questions I get asked through emails, phone calls and talking with my customers at shows. My answer is yes, I think beads can make a big difference in the effectiveness of your spinner patterns. In taking a look at beads, it is important to understand what is available in beads and how each type of bead may be of benefit to you in your specific spinner building needs as well as beads as a lure in bead fishing techniques.
The majority of beads available on the market are injection molded. The main reason for this is price considerations. Higher quality beads that are ground round and polished are one, more expensive and two, not nearly as readily available. The flaw that I see in the injection molded bead is the bubble(s) that is created in the bead when it is molded. Typically, the injection molded bead colors are not as intense because of that bubble. Now, that is something that, as a spinner builder, I don't like but a number of bead fishermen I have talked to actually like the bubble. When it comes to spinners however, I want a bead that enables me to contrast and/or match color schemes and shows up well in the water. Higher quality ground round beads do just that.
The majority of beads available on the market are injection molded. The main reason for this is price considerations. Higher quality beads that are ground round and polished are one, more expensive and two, not nearly as readily available. The flaw that I see in the injection molded bead is the bubble(s) that is created in the bead when it is molded. Typically, the injection molded bead colors are not as intense because of that bubble. Now, that is something that, as a spinner builder, I don't like but a number of bead fishermen I have talked to actually like the bubble. When it comes to spinners however, I want a bead that enables me to contrast and/or match color schemes and shows up well in the water. Higher quality ground round beads do just that.
Light up your spinners...
The photo to the left shows the three beads I use the most on the spinners I use personally and on the spinners I sell on my online store. This particular photo was taken in diffused (through high fog) sunlight. If you use a high quality bead, you will notice that in low light conditions, the beads actually seem to light up. This is especially noticeable first thing in the morning and I am convinced that it makes a positive difference on the "first light" bite. I really like the idea of having a translucent bead that lets light pass through it and with a ground round bead you get that with a bonus. Since the bead has no bubbles, light gets diffused throughout the entire bead without being broken up. This, I believe is the reason this type of bead "lights up" better than a lesser quality bead. You really have to put beads out in the water under varying conditions to get a feel for the difference a quality bead can make. When you get into conditions with more light, all the way up to direct sunlight, you will see a big difference in the beads as well. Again, the translucent bead lights up well and light diffuses throughout the bead. The beads have kind of a chameleon effect depending on what light is available and what the color of the water is. Some spinner turners go as far as to use crystal beads (available in round or faceted) that are very expensive but have the same qualities as a high quality plastic bead but are very exceptional, particularly when there is medium to strong light available. I do not sell crystal beads but have used them on a small scale with some success and they are worth a mention.
Opaque beads are also very popular and effective. I use and sell two colors that are solid colors, chartreuse and white, that are great beads to use in your patterns. The solid (opaque) chartreuse is one of my best sellers and just looking at it, you can understand why. White, in my opinion, is a very overlooked color for beads. I find it to work well in combinations with red and copper finish blades in particular. In the case of opaque beads, there are lesser quality beads available in both round or faceted but I stick with the quality bead over the injection molded variety.
Opaque beads are also very popular and effective. I use and sell two colors that are solid colors, chartreuse and white, that are great beads to use in your patterns. The solid (opaque) chartreuse is one of my best sellers and just looking at it, you can understand why. White, in my opinion, is a very overlooked color for beads. I find it to work well in combinations with red and copper finish blades in particular. In the case of opaque beads, there are lesser quality beads available in both round or faceted but I stick with the quality bead over the injection molded variety.
Fishing Beads...simple but deadly.
Bead fishing has become a very popular method for fishing for trout, steelhead and salmon of all varieties. After getting a little bit of a lesson and some on hands experience on the upper Kenai for rainbows, I realized how effective beads are as a lure in themselves. By chance, my custom "ultimate" pink turned out to be a hot bead in both 6mm and 8mm for rainbows and dollies on the upper Kenai River and in the Northwest for steelhead. After talking to some very avid bead fishing guys, I had a bead made that I call "pink washout" that is a muted version of the ultimate pink that has been an even better producer.
Both colors have received good marks and one comment that has been made more than a few times is in regard to the chameleon effect of the bead depending on the color of the water and the available light. There are a number of ways to fish beads and I will be detailing these methods on this site in the near future.
Look for more information on beads here in the near future...
To check out the full selection of beads available, go to: http://www.sdcustomdesigns.com/
Both colors have received good marks and one comment that has been made more than a few times is in regard to the chameleon effect of the bead depending on the color of the water and the available light. There are a number of ways to fish beads and I will be detailing these methods on this site in the near future.
Look for more information on beads here in the near future...
To check out the full selection of beads available, go to: http://www.sdcustomdesigns.com/
