Spinner Fishing for Steelhead:  More than Just Pitch and Retrieve

Hebo Sporting Goods steelhead spinnersFlat french-type blades cut through the currents
Hebo Sporting Goods steelhead spinnersFlat french-type blades cut through the currents


“What gear should I use?  What's the most effective steelhead spinner technique?  What type of water conditions are best for steelhead spinner fishing?"  With over 30 years of experience...

We'll answer your questions (and more)... information you'll need to be a successful steelhead spinner fisherman without all the fluff.  You'll get facts that have proven successful to us for over thirty years.  No copied or AI generated content.  

And yes... we'll answer your question:  “What's The most productive steelhead spinner?” 


My Condensed Guide to Proper Steelhead Spinner Fishing

We'll cover fishing spinners for steelhead in freshwater, not tidal portions of your favorite steelhead spinner stream.  There's a lot of similarities.  However... there are differences as well.  We'll dig in deeper later.


Rod

A fast or medium action spinner rod is my choice... sensitivity is not really an issue here.  Length should be about 8-9' or maybe a bit more... depending on how big and/or brushy your steelhead stream is.


Spinning or Casting Rod?

Use whatever you prefer.  I've always used salmon and steelhead casting rods...

But spinning rods shine when it comes to stealth...

...and casting small, light steelhead spinners greater distances, including close quarters.


Proper Reel for Lure Fishing

Your steelhead reel should have a good drag system while holding plenty of line.  You can probably use your drift or bobber steelhead fishing reel.  Make sure you use a spinning reel with a spinning rod... likewise with your casting gear.

Casting and spinning steelhead fishing reels will both do the job.  Just use whatever you feel most comfortable with.  Here's more...


Spinning or Casting Reel?

I've always been a casting rod/reel steelhead and salmon fishing guy... just my choice.  It seems I can feel the lure pulsating more (a direct pull) with a bait casting reel.

However, during Summer Steelhead low water conditions (or other low water spells)... at times my casting distance was compromised while using lighter Summer Steelhead spinners.


What's the Best Line to Use When Fishing Spinners for Steelhead?

Anywhere from 30 to 6 lb test.  It depends on how big your prey is and casting efficiency relative to the weight of your spinner and added weight if any.


Monofilament Fishing Line Has Been Around Forever

While not casting as far as fluorocarbon or braided fishing line... monofilament is known for its stretch, abrasion resistance and buoyancy.  Line stretch may hinder hook sets and it is more buoyant than other fishing lines.  Stretch is not a concern... I point my rod tip right at my steelhead spinner while fishing my blade and set the hook hard.

I've always used monofilament spinner fishing for Winter and Summer Steelhead.  Maxima fishing line has been my choice for over 30 years.  However... Hebo Sporting Goods carries lots of reputable brands you can rely on.


Fluorocarbon

Nearly invisible, sinks fast, abrasion resistant and has high sensitivity while being stiffer than other steelhead and salmon fishing lines.  When spinner fishing for salmon or steelhead, I feel sensitivity and fishing line visibility are not a big factor.


These well-known brands work fine...

Fishing lines for spinner fishing for steelheadWe carry many reputable salmon and steelhead fishing lines
Fishing lines for spinner fishing for steelheadWe carry many reputable salmon and steelhead fishing lines


Braided Fishing Line for Lure Fishing

Zero stretch, small diameter and great sensitivity.  You'll need a monofilament or fluorocarbon leader although I've often wondered...

...if steelhead (and salmon) really care when they're keyed in on your lure...

Especially if the steelhead river is not clear.


Knots for Steelhead Spinner Fishing

Here's a link to a well illustrated fishing knot guide.  Here's another that covers the basics.  I've always used the clinch knot without complaints.  I double-up my Maxima steelhead fishing line while tying this reliable salmon and steelhead knot.


Swivels

Just use a barrel swivel with about 2' of leader attached directly to your steelhead lure that's not quite as strong as your main line...

...so your leader breaks when you hang up (instead of your main line).

Your swivel should be rated stronger than your steelhead fishing leader and main line.


Extra Weight

I frequently add extra weight by simply crimping lead split shot to my leader about 18”-2' above my steelhead spinner.  Split shot will pull through the rocks, unlike pencil lead or another type of steelhead weighted dropper set up.  I also re-use the lead fishing weights.

When my steelhead river is running low... added weight is usually not required as much.


Your spinner will "swim" above your split shot and tackle-grabbing snags while spinning effortlessly if...

Your steelhead lure is a bit on the light side.  This is just my preference.


Proper Steelhead Spinner

What's the most effective steelhead spinner?

  • One that puts a fish right on the threshold of almost being spooked and not too subtle
  • A steelhead spinner that starts spinning as soon as it hits the water without any manipulation on my part

How will you know?  I can't cover it all here, but I plan on writing another Page about this steelhead lure topic in more detail.  I'll include a link to it here and at the bottom of this page.  Please check back later.


Spinner Functionality

Your spinner needs to perform properly in all types of current flow and water levels.


Steelhead Fishing with the Proper Size/Shape Spinner


Hebo Sporting Goods steelhead lure selectionColored weighted lure bodies provide contrast
Hebo Sporting Goods steelhead lure selectionColored weighted lure bodies provide contrast


  • Heavier current:  Smaller and/or narrower, fairly flat spinner blade.  Your lure will turn slower with a slower retrieve while sinking easily.  Use a heavier steelhead spinner. There's exceptions
  • Slower current:  A larger (and cupped) blade catches more water, enabling a slow retrieve while not sinking too much in low, clear water conditions.  Again, there are exceptions.  Use a lighter spinner.  If it's too heavy, it'll snag up and impede blade rotation

    My steelhead spinner blades are not cupped... hardly necessary due to mostly stronger flows.  Actually, I've never used cupped blades up in freshwater... Winter or Summer Steelhead spinner fishing.

    Might be a good idea while fishing slow and/or low water.  However, while spinner fishing for Fall Chinook Salmon in tidewater...

    A cupped blade is an asset during a slower tidal flow while using a slow retrieve and large blade simultaneously.


A SLOW RETRIEVE IS IMPERATIVE WHEN FISHING SPINNERS FOR STEELHEAD IN COLD WATER.  When the water is warmer... mix in some faster retrieves as well (Summer and Winter Steelhead).


Let's Hear What You Have to Say!

What are your thoughts about this?  Do you prefer a different type of retrieve?  Or... what steelhead lure component is most important to you?  Anything else you'd like to add?  Please let us know... we'll include it as a Page on our Hebo Tackle and Bait Shop Website!


What Color/Finish/Size is Best?

Knowing the correct steelhead lure color, finish and size for the current steelhead fishing conditions is critical. This beats going through your fishing tackle box until you find the “hot” steelhead lure for the day.  Then what about the next day?


Key factors:

  • Water temperature.  Carry a stream thermometer
  • Water color    
  • Flow (to some extent)
  • Sunny weather (including angle of the sun)
  • Cloudy conditions
  • Rainy day?  Need some raingear?  Did you leave it at home?
  • Low light:  Use black and glow white.  Period.  It's cut and dry so I covered this now


As I've mentioned above...

I'll break this down thoroughly on another Page I'm building to keep this Page from getting too lengthy.

Be sure to check back here later for the link to “Selecting the Proper Steelhead Spinner" as well as the bottom of this page.


Color Tip:  Why Use It if the Fish Can't See It and Lure Finishes

USING THE PRINCIPLES OF COLOR TECHNOLOGY IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT DURING HIGHER, OFF-COLOR FLOWS.


If the water is turbid, use colors the fish can see.  No, not red.  Use black, fluorescent chartreuse and a gold blade (If you're fishing a spinner/spoon).

Don't pay the extra for fluorescent black since it's hardly fluorescent.  Also, non-fluorescent chartreuse (or other "brighter" colors)  will shift to gray, then black sooner than fluorescent over a given distance!

Fluorescent red (pink, orange) will work but the fish needs to be really close (for instance... places like Three Rivers Hatchery salmon and steelhead fishing environment) to see it before shifting to gray, then black.  This is especially important if your Steelhead spinner stream is not clear.

Adding scent might help your success.  I never have... lazy?  


About fluorescent:

If the packaging says "Fluorescent"... is it really?  Shine a black light on the item and...

...if it doesn't glow... it's not fluorescent.  I get my bucktail from Nature's Spirit for tying steelhead, trout and salmon streamer flies.  They're known for top of the line deer hair.  I've had to send back their product numerous times because it wasn't really fluorescent even though the packaging said otherwise.

Most red, orange, pink and chartreuse drift bobbers and yarns are fluorescent even if it's not stated on the packaging.


Water cold-cool and green?  Is it cloudy or rainy?  Use fluorescent chartreuse, orange and green.  Spinner blade:  Matte silver.

Sunny and cold-cool/clear water?  You might try a black weighted spinner body with or without blue or green.  Spinner blade:  Small matte silver early in the day and maybe use less bright gold or brass later in the day.

Chartreuse, green (bright) and orange might work, just less of it.

Water all temperatures?  Turbid?  Sunny or cloudy?  Go with black and chartreuse.  Hardware finish should be gold.  Our local Three Rivers Hatchery near Hebo fishes well in turbid, high water.

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Matte silver is the brightest finish on this planet and won't reflect the background like shiny silver (take this for what it's worth).  Scaling down from silver... gold, brass, nickle, copper, tarnished brass, coffee, and finally black in order of brightness.

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Use colors that contrast against the background which is viewed by the fish.  You can apply this principle within your salmon or steelhead lure as well.  For example... a chartreuse-backed metallic spinner blade or pink lure tape lines or other shapes on front (or back) of your spinner blade or body.


Necessary Steelhead Lure Components

  • Blade:  Cupped and/or wide spinner blade catches more water (slower current).  Flat and/or narrow cuts through the current (faster water)
  • Adornments:  Lure tape works great... simply add it to the steelhead spinner blade or body yourself
  • Beads:  Bead under clevice should be metal.   Other beads are usually plastic
  • Hooks:  Treble or single.  Some prefer single hooks for steelhead... less snagging bottom and maybe increases landing rate.  In many cases, you can change out the hooks
  • Weighted body:  There's all different sizes and shapes.  Too much weight when not needed impairs your steelhead spinner from functioning properly (do not increase retrieve to compensate)
  • Clevice:  Attaches steelhead spinner blade to wire shaft.  You must check this regularly.  If it gets bent, fix with a pair of needle-nosed pliers


Although not a steelhead lure component... our swivels work great for attaching your leader to mainline...

Hebo Tackle Shop reliable barrel fishing swivelsA reliable barrel swivel works great when lure fishing for steelhead
Hebo Tackle Shop reliable barrel fishing swivelsA reliable barrel swivel works great when lure fishing for steelhead


Fishing Your Steelhead Lure for Success


“How Close to the Bottom Do I Need to Be?"

Your spinner needs to be close to the bottom while steelhead fishing in cold and/or colored water.  You don't need to be on the bottom.  A couple of feet more or less is best. 

An occasional "tick" of the steelhead stream bottom is ok.  As the water warms, fish will move farther to eat your spinner blade.


Steelhead Water Type/Conditions

You can catch fish in all types of water and conditions on steelhead spinners.  However...

I feel that they really shine and sometimes out fish other methods in clear, lower water flows.  Furthermore... warmer (not too warm) steelhead spinner water produced some really hot steelhead fishing for me!


“What is the Preferred Steelhead River?”

You can fish your steelhead lures in any type of river although... I've always preferred smaller Pacific Northwest Steelhead rivers because:


  • I can use less weight which enables me to feel the steelhead spinner blade throbbing clearly (thump, thump)
  • I can use a smaller blade with less weight to cut through the currents.  This means less “pulling” resulting from large flows of steelhead spinner water


Bigger steelhead rivers, while running low and clear... are favored as well.  This is just my preference.


Fishing a new area?  Unsure where to fish?  Shorten up the learning curve and steelhead fish with one of our local, experienced guides.


Proper Steelhead Spinner Fishing Technique

Most of the time I cast upstream slightly and work the spinner cross-current.  You can also drift your steelhead lure or swing it downstream from you.


The slower the retrieve, the better (especially if your steelhead spinner river is cold).  Sometimes there's enough current to do most of the work.  If your spinner swings below you, just reel it in so you can cast again immediately when your steelhead river water is cold.  If it's on the warm side...

Steehead will chase it down while retrieving your spinner.

Again... it's important to keep the blade spinning with the slowest possible retrieve if the water is cold.  As it warms, mix in faster retrieves as well.


What to Expect When Your Steelhead Eats that Lure!

Most of the time, my spinner just stops... like I was snagged on the bottom during cold water steelhead fishing conditions.

Warm water?  You'll get a mixture.  Sometimes the steelhead will try to yank your spinner fishing rod right out of your hand!

Occasionally, I'll get a "slacker”... the steelhead grabs the spinner blade and swims towards me.  This hardly ever happens during cold water steelheading conditions.


Speaking of eating... stop by Hebo Sporting Goods and Deli on your way home and warm up with some delicious, hot homemade soup!  Need a little convincing?  Hear what our customers had to say!


Hopefully Now You're Prepared to Fish Spinners for Steelhead

Single or treble hooks ar both preferredMake sure you keep those steelhead spinner hooks sharp!


When you arrive on your favorite steelhead river, be prepared and ready to go.  Remember, you won't have success if your line is not in the water. 

Going through your tackle box until you find the "hot" lure is a waste of time.

Using the steelhead lure fishing information we've provided here will work... it's up to you to make sure you're effectively fishing.  Study other reliable sources to help you succeed as well.  Over time... you'll add twists here and there to suit your own needs!


Coming Soon:  There's More!

Making the proper selecion when spinner fishing for steelhead:  Functionality, lure color, finish and more.  We'll break down much of the steelhead lure information on this page in more depth...

While keeping it simple (I'll try).  Check back here for the link.

Maybe even build a Page about making your own Winter or Summer Steelhead and salmon spinners?  Hebo Sporting Goods carries a bunch of productive spinners to do the job.  I know some of you (like me) prefer building your own mostly because of self-satisfaction.  We'll see  :-)









Let's hear from you... share your story here!

Let's Hear about Your Spinner Fishing for Steelhead Story or Know-How


Copper? Brass? Silver? What's your favorite steelhead spinner finish?

Do you enjoy fishing spinners other times of the year as well?

We would be thankful if you shared your thoughts here on our Fishing Spinners for Steelhead Page.

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Don't forget to include your photos... we'll publish your story as a page on our site!

It might be easier to just email your photos to scottswebmail@aol.com if you're required to re-size them here (no re-sizing them this way). We want the process to be easy-peasy!

Better yet...

Try this Photo Editor and re-size to about 600 px wide, thanks!