ARTIFICIAL BAITS 103 



mcnts were added and now the spoon or the spinner is 

 a marvel of efficiency. Few fishermen realize the 

 amount of study that has been devoted to this type of 

 lure. 



The first requisite of a spinner or spoon is that it 

 spins freely and easily. This result can be obtained 

 only by correct design of blade and its attachment to 

 the shank. Spinning is often aided by beads of glass 

 or metal which act as bearings. A valuable feature 

 from the caster's standpoint, which is lacking in many 

 trolling spoons, is a system of attaching the blade so 

 that it swings back and travels, when cast, "belly up," 

 so it offers little resistance to the air. This reversible, 

 hinged lug construction is valuable when a fish is 

 hooked, as the blade remains strictly neutral in the 

 ensuing battle by not catching on the weeds and grass. 

 An easy spinner does away with the necessity of using 

 swivels, which is of value to the caster as every joint 

 adds to the liability of tangling up while in the air. 



The terms "spinner" and "spoon" are generally used 

 to signify the same thing although strictly speaking 

 the spoon is used mostly for trolling while the spinner 

 is of lighter construction and is designed especially 

 for casting. 



Every conceivable shape or design is used in making 

 spinners or spoons, but the approved patterns are the 

 willow leaf, the kidney, and the standard spoon-shaped 

 type. 



The willow leaf is long and slender and spins very 

 close to the shank and is a good imitation of a 



