In article .com,
wrote:

Thanks for the info. I have a couple of follow-up questions:

1) Spoons: mine are the "weedless" type. Is that also ok in the surf
(I realize there is not much weed there, but it could save me the cost
of getting another one).

The weedless spoon is fine. I have seen no missed hook ups due to the
weed guard. In fact, it can be an indicator of a missed hit. If you
think the spoon got bumped by a fish and upon looking at the spoon the
weed guard is bent down, you had a hit. That means there is/was an
interested fish out there where you last cast and you should try another
cast quickly in that same area.

If weeds are not an issue, there are many other spoons, sometimes at a
lower cost that will work as well. Some, with a trailing hook rather
than an integrated hook, maybe with a rattle or a skirt. These will have
a slightly different action and I have used these also when weeds are
not a problem.

2) Spoons & weight: which size spoon should I choose? I mean - the
heavier, the further I can cast it, in particular in a windy day, but
heavier is also bigger, which might end up being too big for the fish.
Can I add weight to the leader by adding a couple of splint shot
sinkers or is the entire beach going to choke to death while laughing
at me :-)

As noted above, there are many different 'spoons' and they have
different actions and benefits. The Johnson Minnow spoon comes in sizes
as much as an ounce (I have not seen them in many stores) which is a
large spoon. It is always surprising how small a fish can actually go
after even large lures. It will probably limit smaller fish though. The
Johnson Minnow spoon is light for the size and the wind will effect the
distance.

There is one 'spoon' as I recall, the 'KastMaster' which has high mass
for the size and can be cast a mile. Not sure how much action it has and
it would need to be retrieved at a speed to keep it from going too deep
in shallower water. Along with the weight is how much area the spoon has
which could impart more action or more lift to keep the spoon riding
higher in the water column.

There is a consideration with a spoon or any lure actually of how fast
it may need to be worked. For sinking lures this is important as shallow
water will find the lure on the bottom which works for some but not for
all. I don't often add weight but you can do this. It could allow you to
fish a light, wobbly spoon at a deeper depth if needed.

3) a little off-topic here, but I still want to ask you. Is is really
that bad to fish with a swivel/snap when using a lure? I use Yo-Zuri
and Rapala Original Floating lures and while I do notice a difference
in behavior (it takes less pull to have them go deeper) it is slight.
I was under the impression that the problem with a swivel/snap is that
it is too *visible* for the fish, but my (maybe mistaken) commen sense
tells me that a fish seeing a lure with a lure on leader with a
swivel/snap will think that the lure is "chasing" the rest of the
hardware, I mean - this is a fish, not a PhD student from MIT, I am
trying to catch - I am really mistaken here?

On sal****er fish, with a lure, it is less likely to be a visibility
issue with a lure. I am just not sure that if I am already throwing a
piece of plastic or metal, potentially with three treble hooks hanging
off of it that a small swivel at the eyelet will visually turn off a
fish. But, in some cases it could. Really more likely though in the
potentially un-natural action it may add to a lure that otherwise is
designed to be imitate a wonded or scared bait fish.

When the water is low, the area is open, the temps are cold and fish are
less aggressive they may look more closely at the lure and who knows
what could turn them off.

Ultimately I would do what you are comfortable with if you are catching
fish. If you are not catching fish you may want to try something
different. It really is not too difficult or time consuming to tie on a
lure. My biggest concern usually that I am whacking away at my leader
which if fluorocarbon can be expensive. I suggest using fluoro as it is
less visible to fish reportedly along with being less stiff allowing
great lure action. Since you are using a heavier line than your running
line, a less sucure knot, even 70 percent break strength is still
greater than your running line.

For swimming lures I use the Homer Rhodes knot. Very easy to tie, simply
two overhand knots that jam together. It is a weak knot but when tied in
20 - 40 pound leader material for light tackle angling it has caught
many fish for me without fail.

This is a great animated display of how to tie this simple knot:

http://www.noreast.com/knots/knotspage3.cfm

Here is a link to a forum that mentions knots; of course every angler
you talk to will have a different suggestion it seems.

http://pierandsurf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3571&goto=nextoldest


On one hand, my only fishing book (-: unsurprizingly and adequately
called "Fishing for Dummies" :-) says that "some anglers use snaps for
changing lures or baits as well. This technique is a lazy person's way
out, and is definitely NOT the way to get the best action out of your
lure" while, on the other hand, local fishermen had told me that this
is simply "techno-snobism from purists" (and quote here). What do you
think?

You will always find someone who has an opinion on something. Me
included. However, if you are having a good time and not hurting anyone
you should do what you enjoy. If it means more to you to 'fit in' then
you may compromise and play along if you want. If you go out and catch
fish, your 'peculiar' method may suddenly be the 'in thing' to do.

I have caught fish in some strange ways, a spoon sitting on the bottom
while I undo a wind knot and immediately when I begin to reel in a fish
is on. The fish would have had to be right on top of it all that time
waiting it seems.

Personally i would probably not use the snap swivel in everything as I
think it may effect my catch. Nothing to do with a snobbish view really.
If you are are not missing any fish due to the snap I would use it if it
worked for you and provided the simplicity you are looking for.

Hope that answers your questions.

Good Fishin'

atljoe
--
"Atlanta Joe" aka Joe Webb
Flats fishing is Flat Fun!
Visit my site at http://flatsfisher.com