Simple spinner rig

Simple spinner rig

Here we show you how to set up a simple spinner fishing rig.

You will need:

  1. A simple fishing rod and reel
  2. Fishing line for the reel (16lbs strength is ok for most fish)
  3. A selection of spinners from small to medium
  4. Pair of pliers for clamping down the barbs

Flick the bar of the reel so the line can come off freely and thread the line through the eyelets.

Bring the line so it comes back to the reel and put the rod down somewhere where it is safe and won’t get stepped on.

Flick the bar back over so now more line will be released.

Tie the fishing line into the hook. This knot is called the half blood knot and here is a guide showing you how to tie a half blood knot.

Once you have your spinner on your line use a pair of pliers to clamp the barbs down. This makes the hook much safer when you are fishing with children.

Take the rod and reel the line back in so the spinner is hanging about half a metre from the tip of the rod. Bring the rod out to the side of you, grip the line with your finger to hold it in place, flick the bar on the reel so the line is free to run and flick the spinner as far as you can into the water.

Flick the bar back and start reeling in the spinner at a medium speed.

The slower the retrieve, the deeper in the water the spinner will swim. The faster the retrieve the shallower it will swim. If you go too slow the spinner may get stuck in weeds. If you do get it stuck try and pull it free from different angles – if you can go 90 degrees from the direction you were originally pulling it may come free. If the worst happens and it is completely stuck, don’t fret about it. Pull the line very firmly with your hands, not the rod. This way if it suddenly comes free you will not have a hook flying back at you at great speed! Pull hard until either it comes loose, the line snaps or the hook bends. If it is bent, use your pliers to bend it back into shape.

If you have not caught anything, cast again in a slightly different direction.

If you notice a tap-tap-tap when you are retrieving, raise the rod upwards firmly (this is called setting the hook). If you feel a wobbling on the line you have caught a fish!

Keep the rod tip up and start reeling in at a steady speed. If the fish makes a dart for it, try and steer it back to you by moving the rod from left to right. To land the fish try and guide it head up into a net or onto the bank.

Don’t handle the fish too much, unless you are fishing for food, in which case whack it firmly a on the top of the head. Why not try one of our Mighty Eagle fish recipes!

If you are releasing the fish, remove the hook using the pliers. Take a picture and place gently back in the water. You may have to hold the fish to let it get some water back through its gills, and then it should start to move and swim off.

If you want to learn more about foraging you may be interested in this item:

Foraging Kit

Foraging Kit

Foraging Kit

The Mighty Eagle Foraging Kit, is the best way to get you started finding for your own food.

Simple chores like taking the dog out for a walk, can become fine food expeditions. You and your kids can get to chew your way through, blackberries, wild strawberries or Porcine mushrooms. The kit has a fully researched and full colour instruction leaflet, which will get you on your way, and tell you what is in season and when. More Info