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Winter pike, bass fishing with streamers and spinning rod, testing streamer in shallow water

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Fishing with streamers is a popular technique, particularly in fly fishing. Streamers are larger flies designed to imitate baitfish or other aquatic creatures, making them effective for attracting predatory fish.

Fishing with streamers using a spinning rod is a versatile technique that can be quite effective for targeting various species of fish.

  1. Equipment:
    • Rod and reel: Use a medium to medium-heavy spinning rod, typically around 6 to 7 feet in length. Pair it with a spinning reel that has a good drag system.
    • Line: A braided line (10-20 lb test) provides better sensitivity and control.
    • A pike wire trace is crucial for targeting pike, known for their sharp teeth that can easily cut through regular fishing lines. Use a wire gauge between 15 to 30 lb test.
  2. Casting Technique:
    • Cast and retrieve: Cast the streamer out and allow it to sink for a few seconds. This is especially important if you’re fishing in deeper water.
    • Retrieve: Use a steady retrieve with occasional pauses and twitches to create an erratic motion that simulates a distressed baitfish. Vary your speed and style to see what triggers bites.
  3. Water Conditions:
    • Streamers can be particularly effective in moving water, such as rivers and streams, as well as still waters like lakes. Look for areas with structure, such as rocks, fallen trees, or weed beds where predatory fish may be hiding.
  4. Target Species:
    • Trout: Use smaller streamers in rivers and streams, especially in the early morning or late evening.
    • Bass: Larger streamers can be effective for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, especially around cover.
    • Pike and Musky: Use larger, more robust streamers, and target areas with weeds or submerged structures.
  5. Techniques:
    • Jigging: Occasionally jig the streamer by lifting the rod tip and allowing it to fall, which can entice strikes from fish that are following.
    • Twitching: Use short, quick jerks of the rod to create movement in the streamer, mimicking the action of an injured fish.

Additional Tips

  • Time of Day:
    • Fish are often more active during the warmest parts of the day, so plan your fishing trips accordingly.
  • Patience:
    • Winter fishing can require patience, as fish may be less aggressive. Be prepared for longer periods between bites.

Wishing you a great time on the water. May your fishing trips be full of fun and successful catches.

Happy fishing!

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Disclosure 

Some of the links in this blog and in our videos may be affiliate links, and pay us a small commission if you use them. We really appreciate the support. Thank you for your support.

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay I may be compensated if you make a purchase. 

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Step by step

How to rigging soft plastic lures on a jig head

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Soft plastic lures on a jig head

Any beginner who started fishing for predators probably decided to buy soft plastic lures where jig head hooks had already been installed. Because lakes and rivers have different depth, visibility, flow … so here come in handy silicone baits where we choose the weight of the jig head hook. When fishing in deep water we use a heavier jig head hook and vice versa when fishing in shallower ones.

When rigging the jig head hook itself, the advantage is that we can choose the color and shape of the silicone bait. What we can see in fishing shops with ″ ready to fish ″ soft plastic silicones is not that much of a color choice.

I like to fish with heavier jig heads because with them I get longer distances and consequently a greater opportunity to catch fish farther from the shore.

The big advantage with these baits is that they can be used in bottom fishing, mid layer or shallow water fishing.

Below, with photos and description, I have presented a step by step an easy way to rigging soft plastic lures on a jig head hook. There are many different shapes and colors of jig heads available. I chose the ball jig head shape which is also the most commonly used for jig fishing method.

It may seem complicated at first, but with some practice you can do it easily.

  • All you need is the jig head and soft plastic lures you have chosen for jig fishing.
  • For step by step presentation I used Savage Gear Cannibal soft plastic lure (long 15cm and weight 33gr) and ball jig head (weight 25gr and hook size 8/0). You can choose any bait and jig that suits your target fish (perch, zander, pike, walley, trout, bass, catfish, chub, …), the rigging technique is always the same.
  • Lay the jig head on the bait to see where the hook will come through the bait and visualize how the bait will finally look.
  • Place finger on where the hook will come out of the bait (see picture above).
  • Pierce this spot with the tip of the hook (about 2-5 mm, depending on the size of the soft lure and hook). Make sure the hook is in the middle of the lure body.
  • The hook is first pierced through the front of the soft lure (“fish mouth”).
  • Then slowly move the bait forward until I reach the previously marked point.
  • When the hook is in place, slowly move the bait to the final position towards the jig head.
  • Just a little bit.
  • Now the soft lure is ready for fishing.
  • These color combinations are great for winter fishing.

Till next time …

… tight lines and wet landing nets!

If you would like to use content from the Fishing Religion website (in whole or in part), please add a link to the contribution on our site in your post.

Disclosure 

Some of the links in this blog and in our videos may be affiliate links, and pay us a small commission if you use them. We really appreciate the support. Thank you for your support.

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. As an Amazon UK Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.

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Fly Tying

Catch more fish – Fly dressed treble hook (spinner)

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Very simple and with a little imagination we can add some more sparkle and action to the spinner lures.

We do not need professional tying equipment and material, beginner equipment is just fine. Fly tying on treble hook does not have to be as precise as tying trout flies, salmon, etc.

For fly dressed treble hook in this blog we need: fly tying vise, scissors, bobbin, thread, flashes, glue and of course spinner lure. Cheap and great material is tinsel and angel hair for Christmas tree decoration.

Fly dressed treble

  • Prepare your hook in vise.
  • Attach a thread a few times around.
  • Add material to hook.
  • With scissors we cut the length that suits us best.
  • Turn the hook around and repeat the process.
  • different sparkle materials can be used
  • we repeat the process again
  • I finish the thread with a hand whip finish or with whip finish fly tying tool
  • add some glue to finish

And you are ready for fishing.

Till next time …

… tight lines and wet landing nets!

If you would like to use content from the Fishing Religion website (in whole or in part), please add a link to the contribution on our site in your post.

Disclosure 

Some of the links in this blog and in our videos may be affiliate links, and pay us a small commission if you use them. We really appreciate the support. Thank you for your support.

This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase. As an Amazon UK Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.

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