Oscillators for pike. The most catchy pike shooters: rating

In recent years, the variety of spinning lures has grown so much that sometimes, when going fishing, you don't even know what to take with you. offer the angler a variety of spinners, wobblers, twisters, vibro-tails, jig attachments, spinnerbaits, etc. Understanding all these names, and even choosing the right bait from them, is not an easy task. Whether it was 20-30 years ago, when, besides the spoon, we had no other spinning attachments. And they caught it, and even very well.

A bit of history

The lure is a classic spinning lure that has been around since the middle of the 19th century. The first such attachments were used by American amateur anglers. They had and often were made of it. Over time, the bait has been modernized and spread around the world as the best artificial bait for catching a predator. Various modifications have appeared, adapted for a specific type of fish, season and different fishing conditions.

Today, spinners have not lost their relevance at all and continue to be successfully used for catching predatory fish. So what is the secret of such popularity?

The main types of spinners

The pike is the most widespread large aquatic predator in our area. It was for fishing on it that most of the spinning lures were invented, among which spinners take the first place. These baits are always made of metal and are designed to mimic the natural movement of peaceful fish in the water.

If you do not delve into various modern fishing theories, then there are only two main oscillating (oscillators) and rotating (turntables). Each of them has a number of modifications that have arisen in the process of improvements, taking into account one or another type of fish, season, features of the reservoir, tackle, etc.

Benefits of Oscillating Lures

Oscillating lure has a number of advantages over other types of spinning lures:

Low price and the possibility of self-production.
Versatility of application. Any predatory fish can be caught in open water at any time of the year and on any body of water.
The ability to adjust the immersion depth by changing the intensity of the drive.
Reliability. The design of the oscillator is so simple that the probability of its failure (excluding the breakage of the tackle) is reduced to zero.
Long throw. The weight of the oscillating lures allows you to cast the tackle at a distance of up to 70 m.
Efficiency. In terms of catching power, even home-made spoons are in no way inferior to the most expensive wobblers.

Spoon lures for pike

For pike fishing, they mainly use oscillating spoons of medium or large sizes, depending on the activity of the predator. They are a solid metal plate with one or more hooks, curved in a certain way. In most cases, a classic spoon-spoon has a coloring for a peaceful fish, and sometimes a texture that imitates fish scales. For greater similarity, sometimes various additions in the form of plastic multi-colored plates resembling fins or bright "flies" can be attached to it.

When trolling steeply from a boat or for winter fishing, "trehgranki" are often used - weighted oscillators for pike. They do not look too much like fish, but this does not in the least affect their catchability.

How do oscillating spoons behave in water

Depending on the shape of the lures, their behavior when navigating in the water is different. By the type of movement, they are usually divided into three groups:

Rotating. When driving, the spoon rotates around its longitudinal axis, which perfectly attracts a predator in the spring on areas clean from vegetation.
Swaying. When moving, the spoon swings evenly from side to side. These are the most catchy shooters for pike. In autumn, even in difficult conditions, this way you can get yourself a very good catch.
Combined. Depending on the type and speed of retrieving, the lure can rotate and wobble. Not recommended for beginner anglers, as their behavior in the water is unpredictable if not guided correctly.

Fishing for pike on a spoiler in the fall is carried out mainly with the use of lures of the second group, but on hot summer days it is recommended to use rotation or generally the primitive behavior of the triangular. The latter, by the way, does not differ in any special game. Its main purpose is vertical movement from the bottom to the surface. Also, triangular pike vibrators have proved to be excellent for winter hole fishing.

If fishing is carried out in areas that are encircled or overgrown with bottom vegetation, it is very important to avoid hooks. Otherwise, you can be left not only without a catch, but also without baits. Because of this, some spoons for pike have a special side rib, which does not allow them to quickly sink to the bottom, but rather glide in the water column. Such lures are most often used for slow retrieving during periods of low predator activity. For fishing in difficult conditions, the so-called "no hooks" can also be used. This type of lure is equipped with additional protective threads on the hook, which protect it from accidental hooks.

How to choose the color of the spoon

In addition to the shape, color is very important for the spoon. Its coloring is selected based on several criteria:

season;
Times of Day;
features of the reservoir (type of bottom, transparency of water, presence of vegetation, speed of current, etc.)

The color of the spoon should match the activity of the pike. In spring and early autumn, when this predator is most hungry, the spoon should be as bright as possible. In hot summer and after the first frost, it is better to use lures of discreet natural colors: white and yellow without additional patterns.

As for the time of day, here the color also significantly affects the reaction of the predator. In the early morning, when hungry pike are walking in search of food, it is better to use bright colors, after lunch and in the evening - neutral colors.

Abundant vegetation at the bottom significantly reduces visual contact between predator and prey. It is not for nothing that most of the peaceful fish prefer to stay in the thickets. They are not only food, but also reliably hide from the eyes of the aggressor. In such a situation, the vibrators for pike, regardless of the time of day, should be as noticeable as possible, that is, bright.

For spinning fishing, there is another axiom - the lighter and more transparent the water in the reservoir, the more ordinary-looking and darker the spoons should be.

Does size matter

The size of the spoon is one of the most important criteria for choosing the right one. An active pike is inherently gluttonous and greedy, therefore it will lead to a small bait only during the summer heat or autumn cold.

To catch spring pike, most often use spoons ranging in size from 8 to 17 cm. During this period, the predator is the most hungry, and she will like such a bait. Fishing for pike in September and the first half of October can also be carried out with such spoons. In summer and late autumn, it is better to use vibrators no longer than 7 cm.

Hook

Any spinning lure, including an oscillating lure, allows you to choose the required hook size. Most often it is attached to the winding ring. Its size is selected based on the size of the spoon and the type of fish that is being hunted. It is important that the hook does not exceed the width of the spoon, otherwise the predator will suspect this is a trick.

Usually, pike vibrators are equipped with one tee in the tail. But some models may have additional hooks in front or on the side of the "abdomen". Sometimes anglers will modify their own spinners by changing the type, size or number of hooks.

The best domestic spinners

Among the variety of oscillating lures, domestic models, which were successfully used by amateur fishermen back in the 60s and 70s of the last century, and today occupy a leading position. The Soviet spoons that have passed through the decades have become the prototype of modern spinners used for pike fishing. The most popular domestic models were and remain:

Of course, not all of the most catchy pike shooters of domestic production are presented here. It is simply impossible to describe them all, but old fishermen remember very well such models as "Crocodile", "Norvega", "Karelia", "Murena", "Dnepr", "Gnome" and others. Some of them were forgotten over time, while others are still being produced under different names.

The best imported spinners

It turns out that foreign countries are also interested in fishing for pike, which is why most of the good lures are produced in Western Europe. Asia does not lag behind it, and sometimes even ahead. Today's fishing lure market is overflowing with Chinese goods. In most cases, these are unsuccessful fakes of well-known models. As for real imported branded pike lures, their rating looks something like this:

"Syclops" is a very successful lure from the French company Mepps. Known and popular all over the world. It has a double bend, a complex profile and a multifaceted body, which allows it to conduct excellent hydrodynamic and light play. "Syclops" is the best imported pike swinging machine for pike in autumn during the zhora season.
The Effzett is a very efficient model from the German company DAM. It was first used about 100 years ago. The prototype of our "Storling". Produced by various manufacturers around the world. Works well in stagnant water and low current, producing
"Rasanen" is a universal vibrator from the legendary Japanese company Kuusamo. This model is included in the permanent list of lures recommended by experts for hunting large predators. It can be of various colors and sizes.
"Kastmaster" is a unique American long-range spoon. It has proven itself well for summer pike fishing during periods of low activity.
"Minnow Spoon" is a good "open-loop" from the Finnish company Rapala. Allows you to catch a bottom predator in conditions of abundant vegetation.
"Eira" is an excellent pike swing in the fall from the French company Rublex. Has a classic shape. Equipped with an additional tee at the head. It is characterized by smooth, wide-amplitude play. Available in two sizes: 55 and 76 mm.
"Mr.Cro" is a universal lure from the Swedish company ABU. An analogue of our "Crocodile". Suitable for pike fishing in spring and early autumn.

Homemade shaker

Despite the wide range of different lures on sale, some amateur anglers prefer homemade ones to purchased ones. The simplest pike shaker with their own hands has been made from an ordinary spoon for a long time. Aluminum, due to its low weight, of course, will not work, but stainless steel will be just right.

For fishing for small pike, a dessert spoon will do. It has a weight approximately equal to the mass of medium and medium-heavy spoons. For a trophy specimen, it is better to take a tablespoon. As for the tools, you will need a hacksaw for metal, a file, sandpaper and a drill with a thin drill (1-2 mm).

It is enough to saw off the handle from the spoon, grind the place where the saw was cut, drill two holes along the longitudinal axis for attaching the leash and the hook, and the elementary oscillator is ready. It remains to bring the rings into the holes and attach the tee. For greater persuasiveness, you can apply notches that imitate scales on the outside of the spoon, as well as bright plastic flags in the tail. In times of total shortage, these were the best pike shooters in autumn and spring.

Do not throw away the handle from the spoon. From it you can easily make a small "jig" for perch or asp.

Having more or less "straight" arms and a piece of sheet metal, you can easily make an excellent spoon. For this, copper, brass, stainless steel, etc. are suitable. Having marked, cut and polished the workpiece, it is given the desired shape using a metal ball, a hammer and a soft wood stand. In order for the future lure to behave predictably in the water, a ready-made, purchased nozzle is taken as a sample and its shape is transferred to the workpiece.

Copper and galvanized homemade products can be easily painted with nitro paint.

Fishing tackle

Fishing on a pike with a pike will be effective only with the right tackle. Here it is important to choose the right test of the rod, and its action, and the reel with line.

For pike fishing, use blanks of medium or medium-fast action. Its length is selected based on the fishing conditions. If fishing from a boat is planned, 2-2.5 m will be enough. For fishing from the shore, you will need a blank with a length of at least 3 meters.

Considering that spoons generally carry significant weight, the rod test should be appropriate for the weight of the bait. To avoid the trouble of a broken tip, it is better if the test value is one third more than the mass of the vibrator.

For pike fishing, it is not recommended to use cheap reels of unknown origin. A large predator will easily cut off the tackle if it is not protected by a reliable friction clutch. It is great if the friction brake has a rear adjustment. When playing a large pike, this option is much more convenient. The approximate coil size is 2500-4000.

As for the fishing line, you can use both braided and monofilament. The first option, of course, will be more reliable than a monofilament, especially when it comes to large production. The minimum thickness for the cord is 0.2 mm, for monofilament - 0.25 mm.

The use of a leash for a pike is mandatory. She can easily bite into any braid, not to mention the usual line. Usually they use steel or tungsten leashes 15-30 cm long.

When using small lures, the rig can be weighted down with an additional weight, which is placed on top of the leash. This option is used for strong currents, as well as for increasing the casting distance.

Wiring features

But good tackle and a set of catchy lures are not enough to return home from fishing with a decent catch. The correct positioning of the spoiler for the pike is the most important factor influencing the reaction of the predator. There are dozens of ways to guide the bait in the water, however, all of them are applicable for a specific type of bait. Let's consider the most popular ones.

Uniform. A classic in spinning fishing. After casting, the lure is allowed to sink to the bottom, after which the tackle is smoothly wound up using a reel with constant intensity. Works ideally in open, clear water with a clean bottom. Most often, "Atom", "Blackback", "Storling", "Effzett", "Syclops", "Eira" are used for this type of wiring. Fishing for pike in September and the first half of October will be most effective using this method.
Stepped. It is used during periods of low activity of pike on "clean" reservoirs. The essence of this wiring lies in the fact that after casting and immersion, the bait is sharply raised up with the simultaneous reeling of the fishing line. After that, the spinning rod is lowered down, stopping the rotation of the reel. Then these movements are repeated. With such a posting, the lure moves along a broken line from the bottom to the surface and back. You can fish in this way in the absence of vegetation with any spoon.
Twitching. This method does not provide for any binding rules. This jerk wiring is selected for a specific oscillator by trial and error. Most often, tackle jerks are carried out horizontally with the tip of the rod, lowered down. Although twitching is more designed for the use of wobblers, twitching is also applicable here. Syclops and Kastmaster are most suitable for this purpose.
"Trembling" wiring. Its essence lies in the fact that the bait is carried out in small jerks. The spoon at the same time, as it were, flinches, resembling a frightened fry.
Acceleration-deceleration. This is a kind of uniform wiring. The only difference is the changing pace of the tackle reeling. After submersion, the lure is made, for example, five revolutions with high intensity, and after - three revolutions with low intensity. Then this cycle is repeated.
Mixed wiring. This method is more suitable for experienced anglers, who have gotten their hands on spinning fishing and are able to feel the behavior of the lure in the water. It provides a kind of mix of different postings. Any lures can be used in this case.