Non-Fly Spinners, etc for kids rod?

mcswny

mcswny

Legend
Forum Supporter
So my kid likes both fly fishing and gear fishing. She has an Echo Gecko and one of those shitty little Shakespeare rods that are like 3' long. She likes using both but she definitely catches more fish with the spinning rod. We lost her last spinner last weekend (we only had 3 🤷‍♂️) and I promised her I'd build her out a little tackle box. The thing is, I don't know ANYTHING about spinners other than as a kid I loved the old Super Dupers (which is what we had for her).

So my question is, any suggestions for type of spinner and sizes that would work for those kids rod (that would also work for a bigger rod as she gets older)?
These would be for mostly alpine-ish lakes (we do a lot of backpacking to Oregon's high lakes that really, aren't all that high) and maybe some bass on the JD.

Tim
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Size 2 Mepps or equivalent with a french blade would work well.
If the spinner comes with a treble hook but you want to catch and release, just swap the treble out for a siwash hook. Some spinners come with a siwash hook in the package.
SF
 
I've got my kids stocked up with Blue Fox vibrax spinners; size 0 (7/64 oz), size 1 (1/8 oz) and size 2 (3/16 oz). They use the size 1 the most.
all copper, all gold and all silver dominate the color selection. But they do also have a few of the 'fun' colors, and a few of the gold blades w/ colored bodies.

Like stonedfish said, I pull off the trebles and swap with siwash hooks.
 
Throw some Kastmaster's and Thomas Buoyant Spoons in their box also.
 
Last edited:
In-line spinners have gotten quite expensive in the last few years so losing them can get costly quick. That said, cheaper ones tend to be much more fragile than the better ones. Mepps, Rooster tail and Vibrax are the best in my experience although I am pretty much switched to Vibrax whenever I decide to use spin gear. The Rooster tail shaft is a little thin and tends to bend from hard hits. Once an in-line spinner shaft gets bit bent it really loses effectiveness. There are a couple of things that will help improve the effectiveness of an in-line spinner.
  1. Attaching the spinner directly to the line via a Palomar knot will maximize the rotation of the spinner (increased vibration). (A clinch knot will pull loose with braided line). Using a snap swivel dampens that rotation and thus decreases the available vibration.
  2. Avoid using monofilament line. Although cheaper, it will eventually twist and foul from extended use. Folks add swivels to mitigate this but that reduces the available effectiveness of the spinner. Plus, mono stretches and thus does not provide the sensitivity that a braided no stretch line does. A lightweight (4-6#) braided line like Berkley Fireline is zero stretch, much slicker than mono (longer casts) and resistant to twisting.
  3. In-line spinners sink like rocks, far faster than weighted flies. Starting the retrieve the moment the spinner hits the water is important. Depending on environment whether a fast or slow retrieve is warranted, a reel with a high gear ration (6:1) is the best choice. The higher gear ratio allows the angler to get (and sustain) the spinner rotation going quickly without a lot of energy on the reel handle.
https://www.fishusa.com/Blue-Fox-Classic-Vibrax-Spinners/

 
There’s a lot of ways to set up and fish spinners.
Generally: simple patterns of dark body and bright blade, line that’s as light and supple as possible (braid or mono works but use a mono bumper on braid so no braid tangle is left in the stream/lake), lures that are close in weight to the max lure rating of the rod will help a little person cast farther.
 
I know this is about spinners, but as mentioned they are now fairly expensive.
To help cut costs, you could also fish small jigs or balanced leeches under a slip bobber on a spinning rod. Add a small spit shot or two to the leader if extra weight is needed for casting.
A casting bubble which you fill up with water for weight and a Woolley Bugger is another inexpensive option for a spinning rod set-up.
SF
 
Lots of good suggestions but I'll add Thomas Cyclones.
I grew up fishing the many alpine lakes of the Beartooths, talking the 60's, and this particular color did a lot for population control.
1717461102484.png
That said, hard to beat a bubble float with a small fly a few feet behind it. Again, back in the 60's, Dad would buy a dozen assortment package of flies which at that time were made in Japan....something like this.
1717462290628.png
I would immediately grab the mosquito looking patterns and leave the other crap for my little sister. (Sis is in my Avatar)
Looking back, I always kicked her butt...I guess that was kinda shitty.:ROFLMAO:
Cast it out, let it sit a bit, reel slowly for a few feet, stop, swat the mosquitoes that are all over your body, and repeat.
 
Last edited:
Old406Kid said:
particular color did a lot for population control.
1717461102484.png
Click to expand...
Dumb question. Do you tie your leader/tippet to the hole on the far left?
 
mcswny said:
Dumb question. Do you tie your leader/tippet to the hole on the far left?
Click to expand...

You could theoretically, but most folks add a snap swivel which you would tie onto.
SF
 
@mcswny,

Most excellent that your getting your daughter outdoors. Good on you and your wife.

For those old enough to remember, Mister Twister Rigs worked on everything from Trout to Bass. Near as I can tell, they have gone out of business. Heres what I use now. Its the same as a Mr. Twister setup but you have to buy all the components seperately. IMHO Trout like the smaller size setups. Bass dig the Medium to Larger Sizes. Water Temp and Depth come into play of course.

Jig Hook. with molded Ball head or whatever style head you wish i.e. Ball, Minnow, bullet...etc. The lead head can be plain not colored or range in every color in between from Charteuse to Rainbow.

Rubber Twist Tail Grub pick your size.....

Lindy Spinner Setup pick your size.....

Black, Purple, White, Rootbeer colors all work well, for the swirly tail, rubber grub.

Bimart carries all the above componentts. Walmart does not have as good of a selection.

Three huge advantages to this setup:

Very, very, very inexpensive.

Can fish the grub and lead head jig alone, without the Lindy Spinner setup. Its basically a NED Rig at that point. Bass and Trout dig this also.

This Lure setup works all year.

Guess what Ive been tying my small "Almost Balanced" Leeches on the last year or so????? Give Charteuse and/or Fluorescent Orange Heads a try.

Have fun.

Hit me up if you have any questions on what Im trying to explain above. Im a terrible Tech Guy. Ill have my wife post some pictures if needed.

Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top