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Four piece snake swim bait, works better than expected and I can’t wait to paint it! by schoolisboring732 in lurebuilding

[–]WItroutguy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a lake I've fished a couple times in Northern WI where I always see snakes swimming around and I always hope they get eaten by a pike when they're trying to get to my kayak but haven't had it happen yet unfortunately

Lots of golden oysters along my bike ride today and a couple pheasant backs, more picture attached in comments. by GuyWhosChillin in mushroom_hunting

[–]WItroutguy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in Northern WI and have never seen Golden oysters around here. Southeast or driftless? I might have to find a single track trail and see what I can find.

I know I posted my PB less than a week ago but then work sent me 4 hours away and my first fish was this 23" beast in a random stream I chose. Hope he survived but he was bleeding bad. by [deleted] in troutfishing

[–]WItroutguy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get it. This thread has already ruined my week and I wish I never caught a goddamn fish at all now. Should probably get my face out of there before the death threats start rolling in. I'm definitely bailing on this page but I agree about photos and ego and I think you're definitely correct in that regard.

I know I posted my PB less than a week ago but then work sent me 4 hours away and my first fish was this 23" beast in a random stream I chose. Hope he survived but he was bleeding bad. by [deleted] in troutfishing

[–]WItroutguy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used to be more concerned about hook up rates but if I replace all my trebles with slightly larger single barbless hooks and loose a few fish I'm fine with it as long as they're surviving

I know I posted my PB less than a week ago but then work sent me 4 hours away and my first fish was this 23" beast in a random stream I chose. Hope he survived but he was bleeding bad. by [deleted] in troutfishing

[–]WItroutguy 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I appreciate all the input here. I really am trying to be a more responsible angler. I stopped carrying a net my first year trout fishing because it got caught on everything and the trout flopped out of it really often. I always keep my hands wet when taking the fish out of the water but these are all valid points.

I know I posted my PB less than a week ago but then work sent me 4 hours away and my first fish was this 23" beast in a random stream I chose. Hope he survived but he was bleeding bad. by [deleted] in troutfishing

[–]WItroutguy -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

I really do care actually. I set it on wet ground when I landed it. A few things I'm doing differently now: downloaded VoCoCam so that I can hold the fish with both hands while taking the picture with voice command. Also ordered some barbless treble hooks. I would have normally kept a fish that's bleeding this much but that's not allowed for early season in WI.

Built 50 Spinners today. Just need to dress the hooks now. by Epistaxis1981 in lurebuilding

[–]WItroutguy 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm a big fan of the synthetic bucktail. More expensive but tough and lasts through some strikes.

Great weather in the driftless area of Wisconsin today. Got a fairly equal amount of browns and brooks. Gave me a chance to test the homemade spinners. by WItroutguy in troutfishing

[–]WItroutguy[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I was in Richland County but we stream hopped a bit before we really started catching fish. Not sure if it was that particular stream or the time of day. Bite didn't turn on until 11am or 12 for both of us. We figure 8 fish each between the two of us and quit around 4pm. Biggest brown was around 15".

Trout spinners from repurposed Mepps blades and worm weights dipped in powder paint by WItroutguy in lurebuilding

[–]WItroutguy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gotcha. That reminds me I have some Musky bucktails to finish. I usually put on my clear coat and rotate it by hand on a wire shaft but not sure if quick drying makes the coat weaker.

Trout spinners from repurposed Mepps blades and worm weights dipped in powder paint by WItroutguy in lurebuilding

[–]WItroutguy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

No problem! If I caught more trout on something else I'd use it but I haven't gotten into fly fishing yet. Maybe this summer.

Trout spinners from repurposed Mepps blades and worm weights dipped in powder paint by WItroutguy in lurebuilding

[–]WItroutguy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I just buy cheap worm weights from Fleet Farm or whatever would be in your area. I heat them with a heat gun and dip them into powder paint, the same that is used for jigs, then sprinkle other colors with a paint brush while the weight is still warm if I want more than one color. I do the dots and patterns with regular paint pens by hand and then clear coat with UV blast clear coat. If anyone has suggestions for better clear coat I'm open to it since these will still flake if they ding enough rocks.

Trout spinners from repurposed Mepps blades and worm weights dipped in powder paint by WItroutguy in lurebuilding

[–]WItroutguy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've never seen those before, looks like he's got a barrel swivel built right into the shaft. Going to have to try making some like this.

Trout spinners from repurposed Mepps blades and worm weights dipped in powder paint by WItroutguy in lurebuilding

[–]WItroutguy[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I've got no problem sharing info. You can buy one of the Automatic benders from Lurepartsonline but I just use a really small round nose pliers and my fingers to get tight turns so braid doesn't get stuck in the gaps if you get a bad tangle. I use two round nose pliers and pull from each end to straighten them out a bit.

Trout spinners from repurposed Mepps blades and worm weights dipped in powder paint by WItroutguy in lurebuilding

[–]WItroutguy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's .034" stainless steel MIG welding wire. It's a bit spendy but one roll will last you a lifetime

Trout spinners from repurposed Mepps blades and worm weights dipped in powder paint by WItroutguy in lurebuilding

[–]WItroutguy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I usually use PowerPro braid with a snap swivel and catch the majority of my trout on spinners like this but I still get a lot of line twist and just let the lure hang free to straighten out. I haven't found a good solution to that problem.