Trout Fishing With Spinners

What is a spinner?

A spinner is a type of lure that has a metal blade that spins and flashes when being retrieved. Spinners are meant to mimic small fish, and are therefore a great choice for trout fishing. The most common type of spinner used in trout fishing is an in-line spinner. In-line spinners have a small blade that rotates around a central axis when being retrieved.

When to use a spinner?

For trout fishing, spinners can be used in many different situations. From small streams and rivers, to ponds and lakes, spinners should be part of every trout fisherman’s repertoire. Spinners do work best in the warmers months, as fish are more active and more likely to go after bait. In most situations, a well-presented spinner is irresistible to a trout.

What types of spinners are available?

There are a variety of in-line spinners available for trout fishing. Worden Rooster Tails, Mepps Aglia spinners, and Panther Martin spinners are the most popular choices for most trout fishermen.

Spinner Tips for Trout Fishing

Size: The size of your spinner is very important. Generally, you want to use a 1/16 or 1/8 ounce spinner when fishing for trout, especially if you are fishing a small stream or river. Remember, the size of the spinner needs to resemble the size of type of fish the trout feed on.

Color: With spinners, as with other lures and bait, presentation is key. The color of the material and the blade is important. Natural colors like black, brown, and dark green work best, but other colors like yellow and white work well too. However, don’t be afraid to experiment. In low-light conditions or when the water is muddy, lighter colors may work better, as they are more visible to the trout.

Swivel: When you are retrieving a spinner, the spinning motion of the lure can cause your line to twist and tangle. To avoid this, use a swivel.
               -Barrel swivel: Tie on a small barrel swivel to the end of your line, and then attach another piece of line (about 12-18 inches in length) to the other end of the swivel to make a leader. Then, just tie the spinner to the end of the leader.
               -Snap swivel: Snap swivels offer a more convenient choice for many trout fishermen. Tie on a snap swivel to the end of your line and then just snap on your spinner. Snap swivels make it easy to change lures quickly.

Line: Make sure you are using a light line when trout fishing with a spinner. You shouldn’t use anything heavier than a 6 pound test.

Casting: Don’t drop the lure right on top of the trout-instead, cast upstream from where you suspect the trout, and slowly reel in your spinner. Be careful not to reel too slow, as the spinner will stop spinning. If you reel too fast, it will look unnatural to the trout. When you are retrieving your spinner, keep your rod low to the ground or water to keep your spinner deeper in the water. As you reel, you should almost feel your line pulsing a bit as the spinner spins under the water. If you want to fish the surface, try holding your rod above your head, keeping the spinner on the surface and your line off of the water.

Another thing to keep in mind when using a spinner is the type of hook. Many spinners contain a treble hook, which in some streams is illegal. Just make sure you check your local DNR’s website to check the fishing regulations.

Make sure you occasionally check your spinner for performance. Before or after fishing, watch your spinner in the water to make sure it is spinning correctly. If it is not, inspect it for weeds, sand, gravel, or other particles.

As with most types of trout lures and bait, having a variety of spinners to experiment with is key. Pay attention to what works under what conditions. This is where using snap-swivels can come in handy, as changing lures will not take as much time.

For more great trout fishing tips, visit troutfishingtipshq.com.