Spinner Fishing for Steelhead, Winter Steelhead Fishing & how to catch Steelhead with spinners. This is a simple winter steelhead fishing setup that can produce a fish when all else fails. There is just something about being able to feel the fish strike when spinner fishing. Though I enjoy throwing a float rig and watching my bobber, patiently and anxiously waiting to see some sort of action, I prefer throwing hardware, and in my experience, I have hooked the biggest and most aggressive fish with spinners.
In this video we are once again going to cover the bare essentials for what is needed/recommended, as well as the best method for setting up this pretty simple rig. I will also leave you all with some tips on how to most effectively fish this rig, as well as some great tips that helped me become more successful when fishing with spinners.
I always say that throwing spinners is the easiest way to get out and start fishing, regardless of the species. Most of us know how to cast a rod, and if not, it doesn't take long to figure out, so being able to cast and retrieve a spinner can be rather simple. With a little bit of practice and experience you can use this technique and be very successful. If anything, it is another tool in that tackle box that will help you become more successful overall.
I still think that the BlueFox super Vibrax spinners are amongst the best when it comes to targeting salmon and steelhead. I have used them for years and have had a lot of success with the #4 and #5. Panther Martin is another brand that I love and swear by as well. I typically prefer a #6 when it comes to their spinners and like fishing with darker colors. Angling Addict Fishing Co now has torpedo body spinners that are perfect for targeting winter steelhead. Those are just a few of the many options out there. Different things work better in different areas. The best thing to do is get out there and spend some time on the water and learn what works and doesn't work for you.. but remember, what may have not worked in the past may be what works for you when nothing else does... the more tools the better ;)
This rig is super easy and takes very little to get going. As I mention in the video, you can simply tie a spinner on to a trout rod and go catch a fish, but proper gear may help you better land that fish.
When we are talking about casting spinners for winter steelhead, I like to go with a rod that is between 9-10' and for most of our medium to smaller rivers around here I am fishing with a 9'0" - 9'6" and something along the lines of a medium action rod. You want something with some backbone that will allow you to get a good hookset as well as enable you to fight the fish better, since winter steelhead can be very aggressive and put your rod to the test.
As almost always, I am fishing with a high-vis braided line and like having the option of between 20-40lbs.
With this setup I prefer fluorocarbon and again like having options in size so my selections vary between 8-20lb with 12-17lb being what I use most often.The length of leader length varies on conditions and size of fish around but I normally use between 3 and 5ft.
Im not one for using a swivel to connect my braid to my leader and prefer to use a line to line knot. I use the uni to uni knot quite often but at times mix up the knot depending on the size of braid and leader that I am using.
A swivel can be used but I always feel that the swivel takes away from the action on the spinner so I typically don't use them.
This goes for a swivel snap at the end of your leader as well. Though it is convenient for swapping out spinners quickly, I've always been one to use the least amount of gear as possible.
As of the time of the making of this video, we are still waiting on winter steelhead around here, but I will soon be out on the hunt, trekking up and down the Sandy River, Clackamas River, the list just goes on lol.
Sandy River Fishing Report will be back as soon as there are fish in the river as well as the Clackamas River Fishing Report.
You Can Find Our Angling Addict Fishing Co. Spinners/Lures at www.anglingaddictspnw.com
Best of luck to all of you this winter steelhead season