104 PRACTICAL BAIT CASTING 



swimming minnow. It is most valuable in fairly clear 

 waters. The kidney design or Idaho is somewhat 

 rounded, spins out from the shank and is used mostly 

 in "roily" water, while the standard shape is for nor- 

 mal conditions, all of this depending on the finish of the 

 blades. 



No complaint can be made as to the variety of fin- 

 ishes offered. While nearly all blades are made of 

 brass they are finished by plating in nickel, brass, cop- 

 per, silver, gold, white enamel, red enamel, and dif- 

 ferent combinations of these. There are also spinners 

 of pearl, and aluminum, in the natural and the black 

 finishes. Some are supplied with flutings to increase 

 the reflecting surface. 



Theoretically, the red and white enamel and nickel 

 are for water of ordinary clearness; the black, alum- 

 inum, all white enamel, and pearl for very clear water, 

 and the gold and silver for "dark" waters. 



Sizes of spoons are designated by numbers, but 

 there seems to be no established system, as different 

 styles and makes of the same number vary consider- 

 ably. In ordering by mail it is best to specify the 

 size in inches. The proper sizes to use for the dif- 

 ferent fish depends a great deal on the character and 

 condition of water, the style and finish of spoon, but 

 for average conditions those measuring under one inch 

 are for trout, crappies, rock bass, and other small fish ; 

 from one to two and one-eighth inches for bass and 

 pickerel; from two to two and one-half inches 

 for pike, and from two to three inches for muskellunge. 



