Rainbow Tricks, Tactics and Presentation

Hey

Im looking at all my tackle for bows and im realizing my#1 mepps spinners and small spoons are hardly used. When in the rivers I tend to put roe on, a single egg or a pink worm, get comfortable in a spot and stick to that as it seems to produce the most fish for me.

Are guys typically using the spoons and spinners without a bobber on? I ask because the few times I did put a mepps on I used a bobber and it worked nicely to keep me away from snags on bottom. Is this the correct technique?

Ive seen a few guys using crank baits in pools with some success. Anyone have any success with these baits that would like to share?

Also ive got a nice fleuger spinning reel that ive been using for float fishing and id like to switch to a center pin. Any suggestions on a great center pin that wont set me back $250.

In my experience I have caught the most fish with roe. That is always the first thing I put on when I get to a pool and only start playing with artificials once all my roe has run out. I have caught some fish drifting artificials but roe gets them 10 to 1 IMO.

There are some nice centrepins for under $200. I have been looking at a few but have never bought. But serious pinners will probably say, $300 and up if you want something with higher end bearings.

I have looked at the Okuma Aventa, apparently it's an entry level centrepin that can do the job. But, I'm old school and just contiue to use a spinning reel.. Stubborn Italian thing..

Okuma Aventa is a nice centre pin reel . I know Nick @ TCO has them for the cheapest price that I saw them at . He even has the new sheffields which is Okuma's newest one .


Jerry is correct for a high end centre pin your looking over $ 300 dollars and up . You can also find them used on-line . Just be careful and make sure everything is fine with the bearings and brake system on the high end reels if you purchase them used .

I fish mainly roe, beads as well lately...not much luck this winter on pink worms or anything else..

Did however catch a few on the berkley trout nuggets...

As for center pin.....I have a Raven Matrix and now an Okuma Sheffeild as well. So far it seems the Okuma is the better reel but it is brand new, hard to compare yet...


I have heard bad things about the Aventa, you get what you pay for...The new Okuma Raw is about the best entry level out there now...one on Kijiji for 175, spooled and ready to fish...good deal.

Once you learn to pin you wont go back....so much control around snags and you can direct your bait into the seams very nicely and keep your line off the water....

Having said that, Jerry seems to catch more fish than all of us with the spin reel so it obviously is preference.

Dont go to cheap with the reel, but if you do....go to BOCA bearings and buy some quality bushings for it....30 bucks a set, so add it to the price of the reel and see if it isnt just worth buying a decent reel anyway. I got my raven for 189 3 years ago.....the Sheffield was a steal at 219.....

Good luck.

DR

I've heard good things about the new rapala reels. I don't know what fishsniffer paid for his but I think they are a good mid class reel.
If you search I think a gently used Islander is a good buy and you should be able to find one with out too much trouble in your price range.
Sorry, I can't help with the rigging part of your question because, and I'll quote my 4 year old talking to his grandpa, "My dad never catches fish, not even one, ever".

Got a pretty sweet deal for my set up I think .


I paid $ 350 for the rod and reel combo . Don't think you can find that deal anywhere . loll


Rapala shift float reel . Rapala R type 13ft rod. (2013)


The best part of it all its lifetime warranty and manufatured here in Oshawa . If it break I can send it back to Oshawa here in Ontario and they will send me another A.s.a.p .

Something to look into .... Great deal especially on the warranty. You might pay more for the rod and reel combo ...I had a friend help me out who is sponsored by Rapala.

I have never heard of hanging a spoon or spinner under a float...A spoon or a spinner is used for casting and retrieving.

Spinners and Spoons I cast and retrieve, never heard of anyone using a bobber with them. sure it will keep you from the snags but does it also stop you from being where the fish are. I do get hung up and lose some tackle but that is fishing.
my go to bait is roe from fall to spring, if I find not much is hitting then I will change to a worm - pink (in coloured water) or brown/natural (in clear water) then trying a spoon or spinner then switching that up to a fly (stone fly, prince nymph or hare's ear) usually moving the the next pool if nothing. from here try the same again.
I have tried beads with no success this year, after watching other guys crush fish around a bunch of other anglers. Will try to perfect this in the coming season.
I have used crank baits with success (my go to is a small crayfish in green) the green shows a softer shell and the trout smash it.

1st year pinning I'm running an Okuma Aventa (got it for a sweet deal) had to start some where.

one last thing I cast a lot in the fall off the big lake walls / piers when the trout are coming to the rivers and have hammered then using 1/2 and 3/4 ounce spoons the ones with orange on them seem to do the most damage.

tight lines

I have never heard of hanging a spoon or spinner under a float...A spoon or a spinner is used for casting and retrieving.

Hey BB; That's what I used to think until I watched fishermen on two occasions using a float with a spinner or lure below it ..They out fished everyone...

They felt the float kept the lure in the zone and with a pause and retrieve action enticed more strikes..with the falling and quick starts... anyway I'm a believer now ..It does work ...

Great replies guys!! and thanks for not making fun of my rookie Q's

Admin - Do you find that your bail gets loose or in some cases falls out from opening and closing it so much??

Fishsnffer - I will check out the Okuma Aventa know anyone that is selling one gently used How do you find the rapala your using now in comparison to something lower end?

DR - thanks for the insight very helpful.

BB - thanks for the reply. I asked the Q about the spoons and mepps as its the only way ive been successful using them and wanted to know if it was common. Obviously not common, we will call it the experimental stage lol

OTM - Thanks for the reply how was the switch from spinner to centerpin for ya?

Steelheader - That is what I was thinking. Crank baits, however I would not use the float as you can purchase them at the correct diving depths. Would you say this to be true?

Again thanks for the help/ replies I am pumped about the river this year and want to make the most of my trips out!

I use a good spinning reel with very good drag. Shimano Sedona, not high end since it gets banged around alot in the mud and rocks. Mid level.

I never use the auto closing bail systems, I am trained to do it manually. In my experience your bail spring lasts longer if done manually and gently. I am also very strange when I use my spinning reel for steelheading.. Trust me when I say I get strange looks. I use it like a float reel.. Cast, leave bail open, feather the line out and let it drift.. If I see the bobber move funny, I close the bail and set the hook, and begin reeling like crazy.. I'm nuts..
But that's how I do it..

I can drift just as far as a float reel, and I have other tricks up my sleeve.. LOL Usually when I arrive at a pool with a pile of floaters, they ignore me, blah... spinning reel, if I start catching fish, they either scowl and scoff or come talk to me.. Depends who it is..

Actually no matter what the situation there can be alot of scowling and scoffing on a river. Sometimes no matter what you do, some guy is kicking your A... Just the way it is.. He has the angle on the run, the right bait, just damn lucky or your GF did voodoo on you the night before...

Jerry I also use a spinning reel for noodling a Shimano Stradic older model with the double paddle handle. It funny you mentioned it but depending on the flow I am fishing I also leave the bail open and let line feed through my fingers to present a natural drift. You do have to be quick in slamming the bail closed and setting the hook. I have found myself pinching the line with my fingers and lifting the rod to set the hook. Then closing the bail and another lift to drive the hook home for sure.

Hey Hooker, lures like the kwikfish also work well at times. They are best used by dropping them slowly back into head of a pool in front of the fish. Their wiggle causes a reaction bite on stubborn fish.

spinners work good! never seen them used under a bobber tho.
as far as float reels, stay away from the okumas. i have a couple and use them as paperweights. all the non drag, bearing okumas (aventa 1002, sheff, raw) are on the same platform. the difference in price is looks and finish. i dont have experience with them, but word on the street the rapala "Classic Drifter" for 150 at lebarons is the best entry level deal going.

$150 is a steal for a Rapala Classic Drifter! These are quality reels priced at what many would consider to be "entry level" pricing. All of the Rapala reels feature 2x ABEC-5 or 2x ABEC-7 bearings.
Spool diameters are either 4.75" or 5" depending on the model. You can see pictures and more specs on the Rapala Canada website using their 2013 Canada Listings Catalogue: www.rapala.ca


Many of the center pin guys are saying they are way better then some of the high end reels and can't believe you can pick up a reel for that price.

They are machined very well . I have the shift and absolutely love fishing with the off set. Good bearings abec 7 very smooth with a nice size and look to it. They only down fall I find about the reel is when you have a hot fish running your fingers might get caught up with the handles if its not position right . After a few fish now there's no problems ......

I dont know if anyone has mentioned it, but I have had success with micro jigs under a float. Use in faster and stained water.