Spoons - the most effective means for those who decide to catch pike in the first ice, and one of the few that work in the dead of winter. In terms of catchability, they are in no way inferior to live bait, but are much more convenient for transportation and storage.
In addition, these baits, unlike supplies for passive fishing, will not let you get bored on the ice and will allow you to fully demonstrate your fishing skills. If we add to the listed advantages the ease of production at home, it becomes clear why winter spinners have many fans.
The best winter lures for pike Top 5 rating of catchable lures. Catching pike in winter with a spoon
When the cooled bodies of water are finally covered with a layer of ice, it's time for winter trolling for many avid anglers.
Catching pike at this time is not so easy, so you should focus on high-quality and proven gear, with which you will not be left without a decent catch. Fishing from ice is especially interesting, since the resistance of the fish when fishing is felt even by your fingertips. Winter fishing is always accompanied by vivid emotions and leaves an unforgettable impression.
In winter, the voracious pike attacks precisely those baits whose play most closely resembles the behavior of a small fish that has strayed from the school.
Winter lure of pike
This fishing method is often most effective in winter. It is necessary to take into account that the movement of the bait in the water directly depends on its shape. The main purpose of lure is a believable and seductive imitation of an appetizing live bait. At the same time, the fisherman needs to have a set of various baits so that the most catchy of them show themselves at the right moment.
How to catch pike in winter using a spoon
Before you start fishing, you need to select several places in advance and then drill holes. The most common trolling technique is to raise the bait half a meter from the bottom with short pauses of about 3-5 seconds.
From time to time the height of the swing can be about a meter. This is necessary in order to check the upper layers of the reservoir for the presence of a hunting toothy predator.
In addition, the duration of the stop can also be changed based on the level of activity of the fish.
While fishing, you can often come across large and medium-sized perch. But if your desired trophy is exclusively pike, then you should use slightly larger spoons.
A winter fishing rod for trolling should be long and have a comfortable handle. It is best to use a hard and fairly strong whip, reaching at least 40 centimeters in length.
In many cases, fishing is carried out while standing, so such a fishing rod will allow you to carry out high-quality and effective hooking to minimize the likelihood of derailment. In addition, a long fishing rod is most convenient for finding depth differences.
Using a guard will allow you to feel even the most delicate and cautious pike bites. What lures will be most effective when fishing from ice?
1 place. Rapala Bergman Original
Spinner Rapala Bergman
- Manufacturer: Rapala, Finland
- Colors - silver, gold, copper
- Weight - from 4 to 17 g.
A time-tested bait for vertical trolling, which is one of the most effective baits for catching toothy robber. Possessing an impressive game, the spinner Rapala Bergman leaves no chance for the voracious predator. And the presence of the sharpest tees guarantees that the number of derailments will be kept to a minimum.
2nd place. Rapala Pirken
Photo of the Rapala Pirken spinner
The unusual action of this universal bait attracts a lot of predatory fish, but most often it is pike that fall for it. You can change the rig yourself and choose which hook to use (triple or single).
3rd place. Baron
Incredibly easy to use homemade spinner with excellent action. Suitable for both cloudy and clear water. Does not require special skills from the fisherman.
4th place. Three-sided
It belongs to the classic spinners and has a good performance both in currents and in still water. In addition to pike, pike perch and pike perch are often tempted by this bait.
5th place. Castmaster
- Manufacturer - Acme, Finland
- Colors - in assortment (20 color options)
A widely used and inexpensive Kastmaster spinner that produces good results. Works stably at different depths, comes in many colors and is sold in different sizes.
In addition to purchased ones, homemade winter lures for pike made by yourself (Crab, Ulyanka, etc.) also work successfully for pike.
In addition, the best winter lures for pike may vary depending on the region and the preferences of the pike in a particular fishing location. Here, as usual, practice and information directly from the place of “hunting” for the lure come to the fisherman’s rescue.
Video: Pike using lures in winter. Underwater photography
Winter lures for pike come in a variety of shapes, colors and sizes, but every avid angler should have at least a few proven and most effective lures.
Having such a set with you, you significantly increase the chances of successfully completing your fishing trip.
But, on the other hand, the less you experiment with gear, the greater the chance that the most catchy baits will remain on the shelves of fishing stores.
Classification of baits
Very rarely, there are beginners in fishing who cannot distinguish a spoon from a wobbler. The main difference between spinners and their craft relatives is the material from which they are made, as well as the shine - from which the name of the former comes.
[THERE IS AN ANSWER] Which lures are best for catching pike perch?
Shiny lures themselves fall into three main categories:
Making spinners for pike and perch with your own hands requires the novice master to have a good understanding of the differences between types of spinners. Only after deciding on the main task and the goal that he seeks to achieve, an experienced craftsman begins the manufacturing process.
We thread a bead, a petal and a bead again onto the wire above the core.
Making a spinner bait for medium-sized predatory fish is within the capabilities of any handy angler. It is not only unique and convenient, but can also be a source of pride, because all this beauty was made by your own hands. Let's hope that the fish will like these efforts too!
First, let's make the core. We connect the axle (we use a drill) and the wire together and clamp it in a vice. We wind the wire around the drill to the desired size of the workpiece, the turns tightly to each other.
The result is a spiral. We cut off the excess wire, clamp it in a vice and compact the turns.
We remove the workpiece from the axle and grind the ends with an engraver or file. Then we clamp the future core in the chuck of a drill or screwdriver and grind the rotating workpiece.
Initial processing is complete. Now the workpiece needs to be weighted. We put it on the axle again.
We treat the workpiece with soldering acid.
We heat it up and solder it with tin. This will allow the solder wire to melt and fill the voids evenly.
File again and sand with fine-grained sandpaper.
The result was a neat core. You can leave it like that, or you can bring it to the ideal.
We clean the coils of rosin and polish them.
Copper will tarnish over time, but the shine can be maintained by coating the core with a clear varnish.
We cut out the petal from a construction spatula. The metal on it is of the required thickness, does not tarnish or rust. There will be an engraving on the petal. To do this, first apply the design with nail polish.
We make engraving by etching with electric current. We use an old 9-volt charger. We connect the petal to the positive contact, and the copper electrode to the negative contact. Prepare a saline solution at the rate of 4 tablespoons of salt per 600g of water.
Etching must be carried out in a ventilated area. Immerse both contacts in the solution for 10 minutes. The solution has darkened - it’s time to remove it.
We wash the petal with plain water. We remove the varnish with a solvent.
Polish the petal. The result was a clear, beautiful drawing.
We make a special hook from wire, onto which we string a tee with a fly.
The diameter of the hole in the core coincides with the wire folded in half. This way it will not move on its own when used. But with a little effort, it can be moved to replace the hook.
We thread a bead, a petal and a bead again onto the wire above the core.
We extend the core, freeing access to the hook. At the height where all the nozzles end, we make a mark.
Using a drill, make holes for fastenings in the top and bottom of the bait.
Size of metal plate in the form of bait
Not the least role belongs to the size of the spinner itself. Small bronze spoons usually catch small pike, perch and other fish. But there will be bites much more often than on a large plate. It is best to fish with large plate at the beginning and towards the end of the winter cold. At the height of the winter season, such spoons will bring much less benefit than small and medium-sized baits.
This happens due to the fact that in winter, even in shallow reservoirs, there is less oxygen than in spring or summer, and it is very difficult for pike to swallow large bait. The pike almost never makes such attempts, preferring to attack small fish that are easy for it to deal with. Accordingly, the spinner in the middle of winter should be small and not heavy. Most often, winter plates with tridents for pikes do not exceed 5-11 cm, depending on the depth of the reservoir and the month - no more.
Time for ice fishing for pike using lures
Winter fishing with a lure for pike is possible during the entire period of “hard” water, that is, when lakes, rivers and ponds are covered with ice. However, at what time can it be more successful?
On the first ice, the pike does not bite as actively as in the fall, when it was really hungry. Nevertheless, the chances of catching a good specimen and not leaving with nothing are very good.
In early winter, pike still have the strength to move around the reservoir in search of food. And the oxygen content in water is high. Due to this, the predator diligently stores up nutrients. There is a high probability that your bait will not go unnoticed.
In December, winter trolling for pike is often best just after sunrise or an hour before sunset.
Closer to the dead winter and in January, the pike bite worsens. The oxygen balance in rivers and lakes becomes below normal, to which any fish reacts with less activity. Including the stern one.
In the middle of winter, it is difficult to identify time periods during the day when pike bite better. She can grab the bait in the morning, during the day, and at nightfall, when it becomes dark.
Closer to spring, this predatory fish again begins to eat more and more often. She moves more actively around the reservoir. All this increases the angler’s chances of catching it. Moreover, the best bite at the end of winter usually occurs during the daytime.
Pike spoon for winter fishing
To hunt for toothy predators, anglers make spinners of a different shape. They can be classified as oscillating baits. Spinner baits are quite difficult to manufacture, so a novice fisherman needs to be patient and hardworking.
Before starting work, you must prepare the following materials and tools:
- a piece of sheet metal (copper, brass, stainless steel);
- paints and varnishes;
- metal scissors or grinder;
- file and fine-grained sandpaper;
- electric drill;
- rubber mallet;
- vice and die;
- treble hooks and winding rings.
Manufacturing technology
The manufacturing technology includes the following steps:
- First, we select the shape of the spoon that is more suitable for fishing in a particular body of water. You can make a copy from a purchased fishing bait or draw a sketch in a fishing online forum.
- The outline of the future spinner should be transferred to a sheet of thick cardboard or whatman paper. If you have to make the same bait more than once, it is better to make the template on fiberboard. After this, a stencil of the workpiece is cut out with scissors or a jigsaw.
- Now the made template is placed on a metal sheet and the outline is outlined with a marker or a construction pencil. To cut out a metal workpiece, you should use special scissors or a grinder with a cutting wheel.
- It is necessary to remove burrs and sharp edges from the resulting figure. To do this, it is clamped in a vice and the surface is carefully processed with a file. You can immediately make holes for the winding rings.
- On the surface of the future spoon, you can imitate fish scales using a marker and a mallet.
- To give the workpiece the necessary bending lines, you will have to make a matrix. First, a cast is made from a working spoon in a plaster mash. After the plaster has dried, lead is poured into the resulting mold.
- When the matrix has cooled, all that remains is to remove the flash. You can start stamping the metal. The flat workpiece must be laid on the matrix and given the required profile using a mallet. There is no need to rush when deforming; the slightest inaccuracy in work can negatively affect the future parameters of the spinner.
- When the body of the pike bait is perfected, it is equipped with winding rings and a tee. After this, you can experience her playing in a deep and transparent container with water.
- The final manufacturing operation will be the color design of the artificial fish. When coloring, you can rely on your own knowledge or copy the appearance from the original.
- After applying the paint and drying, the product is coated with a waterproof varnish, which will increase the service life of the spoon.
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Homemade do-it-yourself spinner, which is great for catching pike
Today, together we will make a simple rotating spoon with our own hands. At home you can make such a spinner in 10 minutes (if you have the tools and material).
Tools and material for a homemade catching spinner for pike
What do we need for a homemade turntable?
- a piece of tin (the most affordable and suitable is a lid for screwing on jars - remember the preparations for the winter),
- winding ring,
- beads,
- paper clip,
- tee,
- sinker,
- red cambric.
- pliers,
- scissors,
- ruler,
- marker,
- awl,
- sandpaper or file.
Making a homemade catchy rotating spoon for pike
Now we can start decorating the spoon - we’ll paint it with silver manicure varnish so our spoon will play effectively in the water.
- Take a paper clip and bend it into a straight wire. We make a loop at the end.
- We thread a sinker and a couple of beads.
- Then our homemade spoon and again a bead. At the second end of the straightened paper clip we make a loop.
- We pull the red cambric onto the tee and put on the winding ring.
- The last step is to connect our entire structure together - hang the hook on the base.
To add brightness and match the look of a real fish, you can paint the side tails, bent at 45 degrees, red – again using nail polish.
With these simple steps, we made a catchy spinner spoon for pike with our own hands.
Fishermen say that the wire from a paper clip is too unreliable, but I assure you that a pike of 2-3 kilos grabbed such a structure, and everything survived.
[THERE IS AN ANSWER] Do-it-yourself winter fishing rod for trolling
Secondly, some advise not to bother and buy similar Chinese spinners for future use. But, guys, aren’t you interested in whether it will work out or not? Moreover, the material is accessible and inexpensive.
To attract a predator more, it is recommended to install a propeller made of the same metal in front of the turntable, and install a double tee and trim it with red woolen threads. Plus the petals – make the left and right ones wider in width.
Well, everything is in your hands. Test and experiment - then fishing luck will be on your side.
If we consider spinners as bait only for pike, then in this case they have the following advantages:
You can make the highest quality and catchiest baits yourself. To do this, you only need a small amount of materials and tools. Available tools and skillful hands will help you make a real assistant for catching a predator.
Spoon spoon
Such a vibrator can be quickly and easily made from an aluminum teaspoon by breaking off the handle. After this, the surface of the workpiece is polished using a file.
To attach the equipment, small holes are punched along the edges of the spoon. The tee is attached to a homemade spoon using a ring, which should be twice the size of its hook counterpart.
You can also make an oscillator from the remaining handle:
- Reduce the workpiece by two centimeters and file the edges.
- Punch two holes and attach the equipment. The tee should be placed on the wide side of the handle.
- The spoon will be more catchy if you attach multi-colored strips of polyethylene to the tip of the tee.
Oscillator on a template
To make the lure look like a factory one, you will need more time and tools. You need to prepare:
- templates;
- gypsum;
- plastic container with water;
- metal plate;
- manicure file;
- file;
- scissors;
- candle.
Homemade spinner from a coin
A five-kopeck coin is best suited for its manufacture. You will also need:
- round nose pliers;
- pliers;
- metal scissors;
- drill with a diameter of 1 mm;
- screwdriver;
- flat file;
- leash;
- winding ring;
- tee hook from the store.
The large summer spoon spoon is ready.
Tubular oscillating lures for pike
To make the model you will need a metal pipe of small diameter. The workpiece should be cut to the required length so that the edges are at a slight angle. However, their angles should be different.
Using sandpaper or a file, the edges should be well processed. After this, one hole is made on each of them.
Now you can attach equipment to the spoon. So that during the wiring process it scours the pond, a monofilament thread is attached to the end with an acute angle. A more advanced design would be a tubular vibrator consisting of three parts that are movably connected to each other. In the reservoir it will scour even stronger and more actively. And the model’s bends in the water make it very similar to the movements of a fish.
Oscillating baits made from corrugated tubes are very catchy. Holes are drilled in the cut blanks of the desired shape, which are used to attach the tee and fishing line.
When choosing a spinner for catching pike or perch, you should remember that you also need to take into account the characteristics of the reservoirs. When choosing bait in a store, it is recommended to give preference to high-quality gear from well-known manufacturers. They will serve you for many years and will guarantee a successful hunt for predators. If desired, catchable spoons can be made with your own hands.
This type of bait is very similar to real fish. The balancer is the only type of vertical spinner. It is made from a 4-5 cm tube, to the ends of which hooks are attached. The balancer is tied in the middle.
Choosing a spinner for pike depending on the time of year
When choosing a spinner for pike fishing, you should take into account the fishing season, since each of them has its own specifics.
Summer
Summer is a good time for pike fishing. In the summer, you can fish with both rotating and oscillating spoons, but preference should still be given to rotating spoons. To catch pike in summer, you should use spinners number 2 and 3, as well as spinners with a length of 80 to 120 mm. In very hot weather, you should use rotators slightly smaller in size No. 1 and No. 2 and vibrators 70-80 mm long. In summer, a lot of pike stay in grassy areas, where fishing with unhooked spoons will be most effective.
Autumn
Autumn is the best time for pike fishing. In the fall, pike tries to gain weight before the long winter, so they feed actively; anglers call this time the autumn pike glutton. In autumn, you can catch pike using any type of spoon; the size of the spoon should be increased compared to summer. The optimal size of a rotating spoon for catching pike in the fall is No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4. The optimal size of a spoon for pike in autumn is from 70 to 150 mm.
The rotating spoon should be driven at a slow, even retrieve; sometimes you can try accelerating and decelerating the speed of reeling in the fishing line. The oscillator should be driven slowly, evenly or in steps, making pauses of varying lengths during the drive.
Winter
Winter is a difficult period in the life of pike. With the exception of the periods of the first and last ice, pike leads a passive lifestyle, eats little and rarely hunts. Most of the reservoirs in our country are covered with ice, but winter fishermen continue to hunt for pike, including using spoons. During periods of pike activity, good results can be shown by oscillating vertical spinners 50-100 mm long, gold and silver colors.
Spring
Spring is a period of increased activity for pike, which begins to prepare for spawning. Slow retrieval of the spinner will be more effective; in the spring, the pike is not in very good condition to actively pursue the spinner. In the spring, it is better for the fisherman not to use rotating spoons; their too intense vibrations during this period of the year do not attract, but rather repel pike. The best results when catching pike in the spring are shown by small oscillating spoons 50-80 mm long, the color of the spoon is gold or silver.
Painting homemade pike lures
If you don’t have a suitable color material for soldering homemade winter pike lures or you want to paint the lure in a different tone, giving it maximum resemblance to live bait, then you can use acrylic paints.
You can paint a homemade winter lure for pike only on the side filled with solder, and sand or polish the opposite surface of white, yellow or reddish color.
Acrylic paints dissolve in water, mix with each other, dry relatively quickly and adhere well to the surface being painted. A painted homemade winter pike lure acquires a more saturated bright color if the surface of the vertical bait is coated with colorless varnish after painting.
True, I myself never had to paint my homemade metal lures for winter vertical pike fishing, but I painted wooden wobblers after production quite often.
Those fishermen who catch pike with homemade foam fish can paint pike baits with acrylic paints to any desired color that is fairly water-resistant.
How to make a homemade vibrator
The production of an oscillating spinner can be divided into two techniques, which are convenient to use when designing and manufacturing a future product. For the first method, you should modify any factory-made item that is similar in shape and size to a purchased bait. One of these items is a tablespoon in its various modifications, from tea spoon to sauce spoon, provided that it is made of metal. Both the spoon itself and its handle will go into production.
Important! With increased convexity, the game becomes more lively and shallow. By reducing the deflection, the game is made sweeping and calmer
Using the second method, do-it-yourself spinners are made from sheet metal or its alloys. For these purposes, stainless steel, copper or brass plates are used. This material can be quite easily mechanically cut and then minted to give the product the desired shape. A plate thickness of 0.5-2 mm is exactly what is needed for production.
Initially, the shape of the future fishing bait is marked on the sheet, taking into account allowances for bends and deformations for convexities. Having cut out the workpiece, the edges of the metal are processed and holes are drilled according to the first type of production for the swivel and tee. Next, concavities or bends of the edges are minted. After giving the final shape, the product is polished to a soft shine and tested.
Having adjusted the game to the required conditions by folding, additional embossing and loading, which is carried out using soldering or riveting methods, the product is brought into its final form, adding colors if necessary, retrofitting with additional fish-attracting accessories and engraving.
With a responsible approach to the production of the product, a home-made spinner will be in no way inferior in appearance to a purchased copy, and with scrupulous debugging of the game, homemade spoons are more catchy and much easier to control when performing postings.
Homemade lures for pike
Effective and attractive spoons can also be made for catching pike. This fish is one of the most coveted trophies of many fishermen.
A homemade bimetallic bait can bring very good results. You can make an original product without using soldering or adhesive solutions. Even the hook is riveted to such a design, due to which the overall reliability of the product increases many times. The bait in question is convenient to make, having access to specialized machines. Let's consider the procedure.
- First you need to prepare the copper and stainless steel. From these materials you need to cut 2 blanks of the same size.
- The metal strips will need to be folded together. After this, a couple of holes are made in the blanks. Thanks to them, the product will be temporarily fixed with bolts, and then rivets will be placed there.
- Using machine tools, a homemade lure for pike can be given the appropriate shape. On the inside of the product, cuts are made for future fixation of the hook. This method does not require the use of glue or soldering.
- The double hook will need to be inserted into the prepared place. The bolts will need to be removed. After this, the spoon should be riveted correctly. As suitable rivets, you can use pieces of aluminum wire of the appropriate diameter.
- The bends characteristic of pike lures can be formed using a vice. Then the finished product should be carefully sanded on a machine or manually. This is necessary so that the spoon acquires a shine that attracts predators.
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The best summer lures for pike
In summer there is enough food in the reservoir, so you can lure pike with large bait. The length of the devices is at least 10 - 15 cm. For fishing in the hot season, it is recommended to take turntables. They are effective at shallow depths using the trolling method. If the catch is made in a grassy pond, then it is better to choose an option with a size of 7–8 cm. Of the 6 nominees, 3 models became the best in comparative tests.
Mepps "Lusox AG FLUO", No. 3
Rotating model with a combination of red, black, white colors. This coloring is called “pike”, as it effectively attracts predators. There are 3 fluorescent dots in the center of the petals. The weight of the bait is 30 g, size – 10 mm. It is equipped with a triple hanging hook. It is used for fishing at medium depths.
Advantages:
- Possibility of catching small and large fish;
- Bright, noticeable color;
- Compact dimensions;
- Reliable design;
- Average price.
Flaws:
Not found.
Users claim that the bait is effective with any type of equipment. A good catch is possible even in muddy water. The advantages include the quality of the tee and stable play in the current.
The best fishing lures
Pontoon 21 Trait №5 Nb04-002
The manufacturer positions the spinner as a model for fishing in the current. At the same time, it works well in still water. The width of the elongated petals is slightly larger than that of classic baits. Their ends are rounded. This feature provides low drag. The nominee can go into deeper layers of water, the stream practically does not displace him to the surface. This allows you to use the device in strong currents, when fishing near the bottom.
Advantages:
- Compact dimensions;
- Stable operation in areas with reverse flow;
- Versatility;
- Bright color;
- Sharp tee;
- Presence of edge.
Flaws:
High price.
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The body of the spoon consists of brass balls, which makes it easy to change its length and weight, taking into account the depth of the reservoir. Fishing in strong currents is ensured by the presence of weights of different sizes in the kit.
Kuusamo Rasanen 70/20 BLU non-snacking
An option for not hooking a spinner for pike in summer. The model is presented in the form of an oval plate with a slight expansion at the bottom. The center of gravity is shifted to the double hook, which ensures accuracy, casting distance, and stability of the game. The numbers in the name indicate a length of 70 mm and a weight of 20 g. Such parameters help to work without failures in moderate currents. The figured corrugation of the surface like scales reproduces natural highlights, which attracts pike more strongly.
Advantages:
- High degree of catchability in thickets;
- Possibility of fishing with spinning rod;
- Good combination of softness/hardness of the mustache;
- Fishing efficiency;
- Color options.
Flaws:
High price.
Characteristics of spinners for perch
In order to lure any fish, specialized equipment is required. Some tips and knowledge will help you make the right bait.
For predatory fish, the most attractive thing about spoons is their game. They must exactly repeat the movements of the perch's most frequent food in order to attract its attention and provoke an attack.
It is precisely in order for the winter lure for perch to play correctly with your own hands that it is made of certain shapes, sizes and weights.
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They also use larger spoons to catch larger fish, so the outcome of the fishing depends on the size of the bait. But still, the parameters of ideal perch lures are limited and are within 5-10 centimeters.
In addition to its size and shape, fish are also attracted by their external similarity to the intended prey. If you draw a little eyes, scales or specks of blood on your spoon, then the perch will more effectively pay attention to it.
Please also note that the bait must be fully compatible with the size of the spoon.Check it out here too!
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And don’t forget to prepare complementary food for the predator, otherwise everything will be useless. In order not to make mistakes when making bait, it is better to make drawings of a winter spinner.
Oscillator
It is popular among fishermen due to its varied side-to-side play, which imitates a tired or wounded fish well, which is what the predator pays attention to. In addition, it is suitable for fishing in all weather conditions.
The design is simple but reliable. Allows you to cast at a distance of up to 70 m
In addition, it is suitable for fishing in any weather conditions. The design is simple but reliable. Allows you to cast at a distance of up to 70 m.
The easiest way to make a homemade vibrator is from a spoon. Moreover, you can do it both with a scoop and a handle (handle). But a stainless steel plate will also work.Depending on the type of workpiece chosen, the method and sequence of bait assembly differ.
From a spoon:
- There is no need to bend the workpiece.
- Part of the spoon is cut off from the handle to the very edge.
- Next, holes with a diameter of 3 mm are drilled on both sides of the future spinner, retreating from the edge to 3–3.5 mm.
- On one side of the spoon, which is heavier, a double ring is placed; it is also called a clockwork ring. In order to then put a tee of a suitable size there.
- On the other side there is a hole for a carabiner or twist.
- The finished product is polished.
- The spinner is ready.
From plate:
- A blank of the desired shape is cut out (oval, oblong, diamond-shaped). Depending on the imagination and desire of the fisherman.
- Then the workpiece is placed under the press. At home, you can clamp it in a vice and bend it with pliers. Another option is to place it on a rounded surface and hit it with a hammer.
- We polish. Polishing.
- Further, the assembly technology is similar to the previous view.
From a spoon handle:
- The handle is cut off or the rest of the spoon is taken.
- If the handle is bent, then the spoon is almost ready. In the case of a flat surface, bending is achieved using a vice and pliers.
- Holes for fasteners are drilled.
- A sharp tee is installed or a double is soldered.
- We polish and the catchy bait is ready.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the bimetallic spinner - this is a product made of two different metals. Often these are copper and aluminum.
The design and size of the spoon depends on the imagination of the fisherman and what predator he is going to catch.
The assembly sequence is as follows:
- Take 2 plates of aluminum and copper.
- 2 blanks of the same shape are made.
- Then they are superimposed on each other. They are fastened in any convenient way - rivet, soldering, stamping.
- Installation of fastening elements is similar to other vibrators.
Oscillating spoons
This type of bait is widely used when fishing for pike. They are made from curved metal plates, shiny or painted, with a hook attached to them (movable or fixed).
- The most widespread and easiest to make version of a homemade spinner is a bait made from the handle of a steel or cupronickel silver tablespoon . The shape necessary to increase catchability is achieved by bending the handle of the former spoon at both ends. Both spinner attachments (for fishing line and hook) are ordinary holes made with a drill. Cut 1.5-2 centimeters from the handle on the thin side, so it looks like a medium-sized stick. The tee is installed on the wide end of the spoon handle.
- From the remaining part of the teaspoon (without the handle). The remaining part of the spoon is sanded with a file at the cut point. Two holes are drilled. That's it - a perfectly symmetrical spinner with a recess is ready. For good bait retrieval, the ring connecting the spoon to the tee should be 1.5-2 times larger than the hook ring.
- An exclusive analogue of the expensive Devon spinner is made from the handle of an aluminum spoon. The manufacturing process completely repeats that for a heavy teaspoon, only the tee in this case is installed on the narrow part of the future spoon. This will prevent the spoon from jumping out of the water during the reeling process. By additionally increasing the bend, you can increase the liveliness of the vibrator.
- From an aluminum teaspoon (without handle). Produced in a similar process to steel billets. Unlike the heavy version, the aluminum spoon spoon has the interesting effect of creating additional sound when retrieved. For pike this is a good additional irritant.
- or diamond-shaped plate in the form of a medium-sized bleak fish, with a hole for fishing line, is cut out of brass or copper blanks. By extrusion or embossing, the plate is given the required shape with the required bends. One side of the plate is covered with soldering solder, which secures the hooks and weighs down the lure. The second side is carefully sanded. Cast or turned blanks can be used as blanks, and then the process of making the spoon will consist of drilling holes and attaching hooks.
- A bimetallic spinner is made of two metals (galvanic pair). The best, but unfortunately not the most durable, option would be a copper-aluminum combination. Two identical blanks are made with holes for winding tracks and rivets. The blanks are riveted and processed with a file until the spoon of the desired shape is obtained. Then stamping produces the desired geometry of the oscillator. The surface is carefully sanded and polished.
- Tubular spoon made from a metal tube of suitable size. The tube is cut on both sides at different angles, processed and polished. The fishing line is attached to the blunt end of the tube so that the spinner yaws while fishing, imitating a rushing fish.
- Microoscillators
A tubular composite spoon will provide even greater “play” and yaw on the water. The design of a complex spinner usually consists of three parts, movably connected to each other. The bends of such a spoon make it almost indistinguishable from the movements of a live fish.
- Corrugated spoons can be made either by embossing (embossing) or from ready-made corrugated plumbing pipes. Blanks of the desired shape are cut out, holes are drilled in them for attaching the fishing line and tee. Such spoons often turn out to be very catchy.
- Ultralight micro-oscillators are made similarly to options 5 and 6 and differ only in the thoroughness of processing. The edges of the spoon are rounded with a file and the thickness of the metal on the outside is reduced to nothing. Then the surface is cleaned with fine sandpaper and polished.
Decoration of spinners
Plumage.
The beauty attached to the tee part of the spoon performs a very specific role: it makes the bait larger and more attractive for such a predator as pike. Possible variants of spinners with a vibrating tail (twister), with tinsel, with a silicone skirt, and with a bright woolen thread.
An additionally colored spinner makes the bait more attractive and catchy. It is enough to simply mark the eye of the fish, draw transverse stripes or paint one side in a contrasting color, leaving the other light, and an increase in the number of bites is guaranteed.
How to catch pike in winter using a spoon
Catching pike in winter with a spoon requires certain dexterity and skills, but experienced fishermen have already developed certain tactics for such fishing (Figure 2).
Among the main recommendations are:
When fishing for pike with a spinner, it is better not to stay too long at one hole
It is better to immediately drill about 10 holes at a distance of 5-7 meters from each other and fish them in turn. To attract the attention of predatory fish, choose a bait that is bright and clearly visible in the water. First, they lower it to the bottom, then smoothly raise it by 30-50 cm, take a short pause and lower it to the bottom again.
In this case, all movements must be smooth and short, so that the movements of the spoon reproduce as much as possible the behavior of a small fish. Depending on the behavior and activity of the pike, the frequency and duration of pauses must be changed periodically. It should be borne in mind that pike is an extremely cautious fish, so you need to approach the hole very quietly, and during the fishing process it is advisable not to make loud sounds. For the same reason, the hole needs to be lightly sprinkled with snow so that sunlight does not penetrate through it. If you have the opportunity, choose a fishing rod with a trigger hook, which will help keep the fish on the hook.
Figure 2. Predatory fish responds well to artificial bait
You should also take into account that pike see perfectly in water, so when fishing in shallow water you will need additional camouflage
If you are fishing at depth, such precautions will not be required. After you have fished all the holes and there are no more bites, try changing the spoon first and, if the situation does not change, change the fishing location
An important role in fishing is played by the fisherman’s ability to play with bait to attract pike. In fact, the options for vertically moving the spinner are very limited, and the whole essence of the game comes down to certain combinations of swings and pauses. Practice shows that each fisherman independently develops the mechanism of the game, but there are some general recommendations that can be taken as a basis (Figure 3).
The technique for catching pike with a spoon is as follows:
- The line with the bait is smoothly lowered to the bottom, there is a short pause, and then slightly raised above the ground by 5-7 cm.
- This is followed by a sharp swing of the rod, thanks to which the artificial bait rises in the water column by 40-50 cm.
- After this, the fishing rod can be returned to its original position so that the spoon falls freely to the bottom.
- When the bait falls to the ground again, you need to wait a few seconds and try again.
Figure 3. Flashing involves attracting the attention of fish to an artificial bait
You can also lightly tap the bait on the bottom to lift the silt. Such a cloud of turbidity is perceived by the pike as a swarming of small fish, and this will definitely attract a predator. The duration of the pauses is determined individually, depending on the activity of the bite: the better it is, the shorter the pauses should be. In severe frost, when the activity of the predator decreases and bites are weak and rare, you need to greatly increase the duration of the pauses. At such times, the intervals between playing with bait can be 10 seconds or more.
There are other features that should be taken into account when fishing for pike with a spoon in winter:
- About a dozen holes are drilled on the ice at once, placing them at a distance of 5-10 meters from each other. This is explained by the fact that pike most often hunt alone, so it makes no sense to place the holes closer.
- Fishing begins from the first hole, gradually moving in a circle. To find out whether there is fish in a given area, five minutes will be enough: if there are no spoon bites during a standard game, you can move on to the next hole.
- If you have already managed to catch a large pike, do not leave such a hole. In nature, pikes have one peculiarity: when a large individual leaves a certain area of a reservoir, a smaller one takes its place, so you can count on a very rich catch.
Read: Which braid to choose for a feeder and rating of the best models
Experienced fishermen advise that you definitely take a hook with you when fishing. Without it, pulling a large stubborn fish out of the water will be extremely difficult. In addition, it is advisable to immediately drill holes of a sufficiently large diameter (about 150 mm). A large pike simply physically cannot pass through a standard hole with a diameter of 90 mm.
Fishing for pike using girders
are caught well on winter baits This is both an easy and fun activity. In one fishing trip, if you're lucky, you can catch several toothy predators. Zherlitsy can be placed on any body of water, even unfamiliar ones. For fishing with girders, live bait is required. Live bait is a small live fish.
You can catch it yourself using a simple fishing rod with a jig and bait, or you can buy it at a fishing store. Roach, ruffe, perch, gudgeon, and dace are used as live bait. Fishing stores offer a huge assortment of fishing rods. They look the same, but have their own specifics.
The main varieties include:
1) From a vertical stand. They are made of metal and are only suitable for fishing at a comfortable temperature. In severe frost, the hand may stick to such a girder and the skin will come off, causing health problems. And on the last ice, the warm spring sun can heat the metal so much that the installation site with a high degree of probability will simply fall apart due to the melting of the ice under it.
2) The platform vent is easy to install in a short period of time. It is easy to use, does not freeze, and creates a shadow that makes fishing more catchy. But there is also a minus: rapid freezing to ice and long tearing off, this leads to breakage and further unusability. And the wind can blow it away from the hole.
3) The Taganka-type vent is made of aluminum, stands on 3 legs, is compact and simple. But there is a minus: it quickly falls from the wind and during the bite. Each fishing line consists of a long fishing line (about 30 meters, thickness from 0.2 to 0.4 millimeters), a large hook, a metal leash, a sinker, and a reel with an internal diameter of fifteen centimeters. The weight should be 2.5 times more massive than the live bait.
Made with your own hands, the girder will be more catchy than a store-bought one. Moreover, you will also save money. Usually a pike rig is made from scrap materials. The tactics for catching pike on girders depends on the reservoir. On large rivers it is more difficult to catch this predator.
Usually more than ten holes are drilled. They are drilled in different parts of the reservoir at a distance of ten to thirty meters from each other. Some of the girders must be placed at depth, another - in shallow water, and a third - in underwater thickets of algae.
Catching pike with a zherlitsa is the most common type; you can make zherlitsa with your own hands
The bait fish needs to be pierced with a hook without touching the back. This way the fish will stay alive longer. A pike will most likely not look at a dead fish swimming with its belly up. Live bait should be lowered into the hole, the weight should touch the bottom. Then they raise it ten centimeters and fix the coil in position so that the bite alarm plate is elastic.
Many fishermen are simultaneously engaged in catching predators with girders and fishing for peaceful species of fish with a fishing rod with a nod and a jig. This is the wrong tactic, because as they say, if you chase two birds with one stone, you won’t catch either.
After all, even on a fishing rod it can bite strongly, and at the same time you need to have time to look after all the numerous rods placed far from each other. The choice of location plays a big role. If there is no bite at all within an hour, you should move to another part of the reservoir. Even if your neighbors don’t have any bites, then you definitely need to leave there.
Winter pike fishing on girders should not be combined with fishing for other fish
Choice for pike fishing
Properly selected bait is the key to success. In this matter, you should first of all focus on experience, and in its absence, make efforts to acquire it. It is useful to understand that pike preferences can vary depending on conditions and differ in different bodies of water.
It should be understood that this characteristic of the spinner, especially in winter, is one of the most important. Weight and size parameters are chosen based on ideas about the size of the future trophy, as well as conditions in its habitat, such as current and depth.
Small spoons are used if:
- Hunting for small fish is carried out.
- The fisherman is not afraid that in the intervals between pike bites, perch will be caught.
- A larger spoon does not bring results.
- It is known that pike is sluggish, capricious and cautious.
For example, during the so-called deaf winter, oxygen starvation makes itself felt. It makes the fish more passive and, when going out to hunt, the predator pursues a very small prey, which takes much less effort to catch.
Therefore, in such cases, the use of bait that imitates fry suggests itself and brings, albeit modest, but still trophies.
It makes sense to use large spoons when:
- You are only interested in large pike.
- Fish is active and not picky in its desire to fill its stomach.
Pike prefers wide baits. Their play in water is characterized by gliding with a large amplitude and the creation of a large number of vibrations. Narrow spoons cannot boast of this. And although they create the appearance of a wounded fish when waddling from side to side, they are primarily suitable for fishing for perch and pike perch.
Traditionally, spoons are made of metals and alloys. The most common ones are:
Silver and gold-plated baits occupy a special place. Their special attractiveness to fish is a controversial issue. But fishermen treat such spoons with special reverence - as if they were relics. They emphasize the status of the owner and cause considerable disappointment if broken or lost.
Sometimes baits are made from various types of metals. This has practical implications
The oscillations created as a result of the difference in electrochemical potentials will draw additional attention to your tackle
An integral part of almost every spinner is lead solder. It serves not only to impart the necessary load, but also creates a streamlined hydrodynamic shape.
This is perhaps the most controversial and ambiguous parameter
On the one hand, the attention of a predator should be attracted by spinners colored in the colors of the fish included in its diet. Therefore, some lure lovers buy or make baits that resemble roach and ruff
At the same time, bright lures of “flashy” colors have a good reputation. Other anglers only recognize spinners with metallic colors.
But there are still some universal tips:
- In muddy water the bait should be bright.
- At great depths and in cloudy weather it is better to use spinners of light colors, in sunny and shallow water - vice versa.
- Red spots representing a bleeding wound can bring success.
- It is useful to complement lures of metallic colors with a notch in the form of scales - in some cases this will make them more seductive.
- Holographic stickers add extra shine to baits and increase their visibility in clear water.
Spinners
This lure consists of two main elements – the base and the petal, which differ in different shapes and designs. When retrieved, the petal rotates around the base, thereby attracting the attention of the predator.
- Petal spinners are made from a metal blank in the form of round, oval or narrow elongated petals. The edges of the workpiece are carefully cleaned and processed. The petal is given the desired shape - concave, curved, twisting. When assembling the spoon, the hook is located at the bottom, weights (lead beads or disks) are placed immediately above it to shift the center of gravity and ensure good rotation of the petal, then bright beads, then the petal itself. The shape of the petal is elongated and pointed at the ends and is considered universal; it ensures fast retrieve and play in the water.
- Spoons with turbines. Quite a numerous and varied type of bait. There are spinners with 2, 4 and 8 bladed turbines that provide rotational movement of the bait. Turbines are made from soft metal by making radial cuts and bending the resulting blades in one direction.
Pike killer wobblers - rating of the most catchy surface and deep-sea baits for fishing in the most difficult places.
How to choose a spinnerbait for pike and tips on retrieving technique.
Guide to choosing pike lures for winter and summer fishing.