Lure Tying

[sniperuk]

Hi Everyone....hope all that turkey has been eaten

As some of you know I am new to tying. I have mastered the PT Nymph over this Christmas period and have been tying some lures. My question is?

When I have used lures in the past some trout take a grab at the back of the lure and once they know its nothing to worry about they leave it. Should I tye the tails shorter than normal OR............ could I tye in a small size 18 hook on some nylon and hide it in the tail of the lure so if they take a shy grab at the tail again I stand a chance of hooking it with the hidden hook. I have not seen any lures designed like this so that is why I am asking the question.

Cheers

[sweenytodd]

Tie the lures as they should be . You can add "stinger hooks" at the back but I have messed about with that and find it was not really enough of a gain to make it worth while the extra effort tying it in and can also spoil the action of your lure . Just my opinion .
If they want it they will have it . What you can try is changing your retieve and mixing the retrieve up a bit . Also if you get a pluck but no hook up just stop the fly dead for a couple of seconds and then start the retrieve again

Edit : and the stinger would want to be somewhat bigger than a # 18

[maharg]

Dont tie the tails shorter than normal, it wastes the action. If you are just getting plucks, one solution is not to strike and keep retreiving as normal, generally this results in a solid take.
Somedays no matter what you do you will only get nips and plucks, the nature of the game!
Building a "flying hook" into the dressing might work, but an 18 would be to small. Watch out if you opt for a small treble as some fisheries dont allow multi point rigs.
Never really felt the need for the flying hook and I just put up with the nips etc.
By all means give it a try but make sure your link is well tied, you dont want it pulling out and leaving a hook in a fish.
ATB
Graham



As Danny has said above, he is quicker at the typing!

[flyfishy61]

Originally Posted by sniperuk

Hi Everyone....hope all that turkey has been eaten

As some of you know I am new to tying. I have mastered the PT Nymph over this Christmas period and have been tying some lures. My question is?

When I have used lures in the past some trout take a grab at the back of the lure and once they know its nothing to worry about they leave it. Should I tye the tails shorter than normal OR............ could I tye in a small size 18 hook on some nylon and hide it in the tail of the lure so if they take a shy grab at the tail again I stand a chance of hooking it with the hidden hook. I have not seen any lures designed like this so that is why I am asking the question.

Cheers

hello i only use long shank max size 8 most on a 10 this hides into the tail, you could see if can buy extra long shank hook, i use some you cant buy now, then depends where you fish and how big are they in that water, try keep sharp point if keeping to eat if fish in lake or res i like mostly black and lime green with short tail with gold beads a must. so keep fishing, keep tying, and enjoy regards gordon

[richardw]

Originally Posted by sniperuk

Hi Everyone....hope all that turkey has been eaten

As some of you know I am new to tying. I have mastered the PT Nymph over this Christmas period and have been tying some lures. My question is?

When I have used lures in the past some trout take a grab at the back of the lure and once they know its nothing to worry about they leave it. Should I tye the tails shorter than normal OR............ could I tye in a small size 18 hook on some nylon and hide it in the tail of the lure so if they take a shy grab at the tail again I stand a chance of hooking it with the hidden hook. I have not seen any lures designed like this so that is why I am asking the question.

Cheers

You could encourage the trout to attack the lure nearer the front by putting a hotspot or target at the front of the hook. Eyes painted onto the whip finished head are good. Jungle cock cheeks are a classic way of adding this target area. Dick Walker invented a fly called Sweeny Todd that has a neon magenta throat. I don't know if it made all that much difference but that fly has caught literally many tonnes of fish over the decades.

richard

[Scratch]

I would concur completely with Magarg. It's a bit of a 'Catch22' situation... when the fish are up for the lures, then it's often the action of the long tail that is the attraction and gets the takes in the fist place... no action in tail (short tail) = no takes. At least with longer, more mobile tails, you'll get the offers and a chance of a hook-up. As Graham said, you win some you lose some, that's fishing. If the fish are acting a little non-commital, I usually try the following: Keep the retrieve going until you lock-up, or, stop completely and count to 6 or 7, then absolutely rip the line in as fast as you can AND lift the rod!