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- Spinner Blade Finishes
What Are the Best Steelhead
Spinner Blade Finishes?
Let's re-phrase that: “What steelhead spinner blade finish will produce the best results for me TODAY?” Water, weather, and time of day will determine your proper steelhead spinner selection. Also...
Technique, fishing pressure and more are all important factors as well.
Jr (owner, Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods and Little Nestucca Deli in Hebo)...
Caught this chrome Summer Steelhead, on a copper blade/blue body steelhead spinner...
By Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods
Summer Steelhead, because of usually warmer water temperatures, are aggressive spinner biters!
Summer Steelhead, because of usually warmer water temperatures, are aggressive spinner biters!If you disagree because there seems to be a “Steelhead lure finish that works best for me”...
- ...its because you like using this spinner blade finish most of the time or...
- ...it just happens to
be a steelhead blade finish that is suited for the fishing conditions
that are most common on your river or...
- ...you fish it with more confidence than the other steelhead spinner blade finishes (and colors).
“Ok... so what are the best steelhead spinner blade finishes for today?”
Steelhead
Spinner Blade Metallic and Painted Finishes (in order of preference)
Clear
and Cold Water: Sunny
- Gold plate
- Polished brass
- Polished aluminum
- Polished copper
Clear, cold water winter steelhead fishing conditions: The headwaters of our local Hebo salmon and steelhead stream, Three Rivers.
Clear
and Cold Water: Overcast
- Silver plate
- Gold plate
- Polished brass
Our guide's limits of fresh-run Nestucca River system Winter Steelhead. It doesn't hurt to bring your steelhead drift or bobber rod along just in case...
"What are the best steelhead spinner blade finishes today?" Silver, gold or brass?
"What are the best steelhead spinner blade finishes today?" Silver, gold or brass?
Clear
and Warm Water: Sunny
The Big Nestucca River is just a couple minutes from our Hebo Sporting Goods and Deli. It becomes low, warm, and clear during the late summer months.
- Black (painted finish)
- Coffee
- Tarnished brass
- Nickel plate
Clear
and Warm Water: Overcast
- Tarnished brass
- Nickel plate
- Chrome plate
- Polished copper
Green
and Cold Water: Sunny
- Silver plate (matte)
- Gold plate
- Polished brass
- Polished aluminum
Green
and Cold Water: Overcast
Green and cold water is common to rivers near our Hebo Sporting Goods tackle shop throughout the Winter.
- Silver plate (matte)
- Gold plate
- Polished brass
- Polished aluminum
Green
and Warm Water: Sunny
- Silver plate (matte)
- Gold plate
- Polished brass
Green
and Warm Water: Overcast
- Silver plate (matte)
- Gold plate
- Polished brass
Stained
Water
- Gold
- Polished brass
Low
Light
- Silver plate (matte)
"Should I Speed Up the Retrieve if My Spinner Blade isn't Rotating Properly?"
No.
Do this instead...
Use your fingers to slightly crease your steelhead spinner blade length-wise.
Also... some salmon and steelhead blades are made from really thick metal.
A lure blade that's thin ($cheaper... that's ok) with a wider profile and cupped will catch more water... enhancing spinner blade rotation. Most steelhead spinner blades are not cupped... that's ok.
What Are the Best Steelhead Spinner Blade Painted Finishes?
All steelhead lure colors listed below are not in order of preference...
Clear
and Cold Water: Sunny
- Pink
- Orange
- Red
- Green
- Blue
- Chartreuse
Use more green and less of the brighter colors.
I use this Crystal Flash with my streamer flies. I also add it to some of my steelhead spinner hook shanks...
These non-metallic flash fly tying materials are not as bright as the metallic stuff (but good enough).
These non-metallic flash fly tying materials are not as bright as the metallic stuff (but good enough).
Clear
and Cold Water: Overcast
- Pink
- Orange
- Red
- Green
- Blue
- Chartreuse
Use less green and more of the brighter colors.
Clear
and Warm Water: Sunny
- Black
- Green
- Blue
- Purple
Use more black and
less of the green and blue.
Clear
and Warm Water: Overcast
- Black
- Green
- Blue
- Purple
Maybe use less black and more of the brighter colors.
Green
and Cold Water: Sunny
- Red
- Orange
- Pink
- Black
- Purple
Use some of the darker colors to contrast against the other colors and green water (more on this below).
Green
and Cold Water: Overcast
- Red
- Orange
- Pink
- Black
- Purple
Green
and Warm Water
Usually, if the water is green, it's usually cold or possibly cool.
Stained
Water
Our Hebo area steelhead and salmon rivers... the Big and Little Nestucca and Three Rivers...
...are subject to heavy rainfall during the Winter Steelhead season.
- Black
- Chartreuse
Low
Light
- Black
- Glo white
What Are the Background Colors of Your Steelhead River Water?
Your spinner blade (and body) finish must contrast against the background color which is viewed by the fish. For example... if the water is green and its sunny outside...
A painted green spinner blade would be invisible against a very bright green underwater background.
As the steelhead river becomes deeper, it also becomes darker. And... the steelhead spinner blade finish color green shifts to gray, then black.
Are Florescent
Steelhead Lure Colors More Effective?
In most steelhead and salmon fishing conditions... yes. I always use florescent colors. Don't worry about the darker colors... they don't floresce.
Matte Silver vs Polished Silver Steelhead Spinner Blade
I always use matte silver.
- Matte silver is
much brighter than a polished silver steelhead spinner blade finish
- Doesn't mirror the
background color on sunny days... making it harder for a steelhead or
salmon to locate it (polished silver)
- You can electroplate your polished brass blades. I do this because I can't find the matte finish I like.
What are the Best Steelhead Spinner Blade Finishes
for Cool Water Conditions?
Here's why there are no cool water conditions listed above.
Our Hebo Tackle Shop customer caught these Winter Steelhead during cold water river conditions...
That's how its done!
That's how its done!
Adding
Contrasting Colors to Your Winter and Summer Steelhead Lure
Adding contrasting colors to your steelhead spinner blade will make it more visible to the fish. This is a great idea, especially if your favorite steelhead stream is off-color.
For instance... a
black steelhead spinner blade with a chartreuse piece of lure tape,
smaller than the spinner blade... works great in stained water!
Our Oregon Coast Hebo Tackle Shop carries lots of different colored lure fishing beads.
Metal
Steelhead Lure Finishes are Brighter than Non-Metallic
Some shiny steelhead spinner blades are not metallic. They look really good I'll have to admit...
But they're not as bright (reflect less light) as they appear to be.
Color
Shift
The color you see above water may not be the same color viewed by the fish a few feet (or less) under the water surface.
What are
the Best Steelhead Spinner Blade Finishes?
Also consider the angle of the sun.
For instance... lets say your favorite steelhead spinner river is clear. During the summer, at noon, the sun is at a higher angle (brighter) than at noon in the Winter time. I might use the same steelhead spinner blade finish in both seasons but...
…preferring a smaller spinner blade in the summer and larger in the winter. Also, I may use a brighter finish during the winter time low sun angle.
Help Protect Our Steelhead
Stay informed... read all you can. Steelhead, trout, and salmon are wonderful game fish. Understanding what these fish are up against will really open your eyes.
Is Your
Steelhead and Salmon Spinner Blade Tarnishing?
Some blade finishes, like polished brass, will tarnish and need polishing to retain brightness if they are not coated with enamel. Plain gold plated steelhead spinner blades will not tarnish.
Most blades now-a-days are enameled. If you find some older salmon or steelhead lure blades, carry a reliable spinner polish that works efficiently. The only product I recommend is Simichrome.
Sometimes you'll slowly polish off the metallic plating of your steelhead spinner blade...
Exposing the base metal. Keep it... now you've got another blade finish in your steelhead fishing arsenal!
Here's How I
Tarnish My Brass Steelhead Blades...
In the Summertime... I'll start out with matte silver really early. Then, I'll switch to tarnished brass (or nickel or copper), then black (or coffee, then black).
I mix my polished brass blades with coffee grounds or dirt. Let them sit in this mixture as long as you prefer.
Summer
Steelhead vs Winter Steelhead Spinner Reaction/Behavior
A steelhead is a steelhead. The water temperature makes the difference. Period. An AI review said otherwise.
AI gets it's information from millions of websites. Unfortunately, there's lots of garbage out there. This stuff is used to train the AI Engines :-(
Steelhead Spinner Blade Finish Tip, Story or Experience? Tell Us About it!
We want our visitors to contribute their thoughts. What do you have to say about this steelhead spinner fishing topic? Your experiences and advice are welcome here at Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods and Little Nestucca Deli.
Share it here... chances are, it'll become a Page on our Website!
Is There Lots of Fishing
Pressure on Your Steelhead Stream?
Boat fishermen? Bank fishermen? Rafters? Kayackers?
You might need to tone down your steelhead spinner color/finish/size. For instance...
A couple dozen salmon spinner fishermen were fishing alongside me at the Boat Ramp Hole in tidewater at Pacific City, Oregon, on the Big Nestucca River. Everyone was using big, bright salmon spinners. I switched to a smaller, black spinner blade and body.
I caught three Fall Chinook salmon on three casts. Then, the tide changed and the fish moved out. No one else had a bite!
What
Are the Best Steelhead Blade Finishes?
After reading this Page and our other related Nestucca Valley Sports Shop Pages... you should have your answer!
This steelhead and salmon spinner routine works for me. I've done well over the years since I headed myself in the right direction. I still get skunked though... keeps me honest.
Weather conditions, water conditions, time of the day and year (angle of the sun)...
...all play a part in your steelhead spinner (blade) finish selection and success. Don't forget about fishing pressure on your preferred steelhead spinner fishing stream.
Technique and application also contribute to your steelhead spinner fishing accomplishments which are covered...
…with the following links to our other steelhead spinner pages that complement this page. Make sure you click on the content links above as well. They'll take you to the information you'll need instead of repeating it on this Page...
Nestucca Valley Sporting Goods and Little Nestucca Deli
31020 US 101 Hebo OR 97122
Phone: 503 392 4269
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We're anxious to hear what you have to say!...
What is Most Interesting to You about This Topic?
Do you have a great story, tip, or something else you'd like to share?
Is there a certain steelhead spinner blade finish that you feel most confident in?
Anything else that comes to mind?
For instance... what blade finish were you using when you caught your first steelhead?
We'd love to hear about it!
_____________________
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Better yet...
Try this Photo Editor and re-size to about 600 px wide, thanks!
What Our Visitors Have Said about Steelhead Spinner Blade finishes
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
What to Do if Your Steelhead Spinner Blade isn't Working Properly
Check the clevice. If it's bent, fix it with a pair of needle-nosed pliers. The clevice attaches the blade to the wire shaft. If the current is really …
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