Winter Springs Tackle
- Thread starter RogersonCrusoe
- Start date
Thanks for the all-important info RC.
If you don't mind using a Flasher, the needlefish hoochie's are probably the best. I used to use this combo in the early season on WCVI. Actually my greatest success was using a self-tied tube fly the size of a coho bucktail. Hollow tefon tubing, UV chenile for the body, white/pink/blue polar bear for the wing & a 4/0 single Octopus (mooching) hook with 50lb stiff mono leader 32" long & an eight inch flasher.
Golden bait does make a needlefish hoochie similar in color. If going the hoochie route, I always use a mylar insert in UV under the hoochie body & a single 4/0 siwash hook on a barrel swivel. The joint of the hook/swivel should line-up where the hoochie body turn from solid to tassels which make it flip around really nice. Since Nikka closed, Goldstar is the Golden bait distributor & the make the proper sized mylar inserts. I always use a heavy still leader 4 times the length of the flasher. Other leader weight/length combo's will work as well, the combo I use works well for a faster troll so you can fish a plug on the other side.
Speaking of plugs, In the US Pogue Plugs & KingKandy have needlefish plugs in case you want to ditch the inline flasher.
As far as color, the one Trotac is out of is probably the best; highly likely it is a Golden Bait NG142r
If you don't mind using a Flasher, the needlefish hoochie's are probably the best. I used to use this combo in the early season on WCVI. Actually my greatest success was using a self-tied tube fly the size of a coho bucktail. Hollow tefon tubing, UV chenile for the body, white/pink/blue polar bear for the wing & a 4/0 single Octopus (mooching) hook with 50lb stiff mono leader 32" long & an eight inch flasher.
Golden bait does make a needlefish hoochie similar in color. If going the hoochie route, I always use a mylar insert in UV under the hoochie body & a single 4/0 siwash hook on a barrel swivel. The joint of the hook/swivel should line-up where the hoochie body turn from solid to tassels which make it flip around really nice. Since Nikka closed, Goldstar is the Golden bait distributor & the make the proper sized mylar inserts. I always use a heavy still leader 4 times the length of the flasher. Other leader weight/length combo's will work as well, the combo I use works well for a faster troll so you can fish a plug on the other side.
Speaking of plugs, In the US Pogue Plugs & KingKandy have needlefish plugs in case you want to ditch the inline flasher.
As far as color, the one Trotac is out of is probably the best; highly likely it is a Golden Bait NG142r
scott craven
Well-Known Member
I find winter's like a quicker action and find a 36-42 "leader works best.
40lb test for hoochies and squirts, 25lb test for spoons
marbledmurrelet
Active Member
My favorite and go to winter setup is green flasher glow on one side, and the Kitchen Sink or Cop Car 3" TKO with a 30" - 36" leader 30lbs test. I also use the same set-up year round, I started it in a winter though.
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