Polished or Tarnished blades?

[Tinned Fish]

This is probably like asking a fellow if he likes staying up late or sleeping in more, but...

Do you think spinners/flashers work better polished to a bright shine, or tarnished and mellowed?

Having never sucessfully caught a fish other than kokanee on a spinner, I have no real experience to share. But I've spent several hundred hours dragging the things around in the rivers. Up on the Oly Peninsula, an old timer showed me how to put candle-black on a spinner blade. I figured he was teasing, but I caught him streamside the next day fishing such a rig.

Then I've been reading some lure maintenance books from the library, and they all discuss polishing the spinners to a bright shine. But I've got the feeling these are all-bass people, and not out hunting real fish.

So stop harranging the salespeople, they've got a rough job as it is. Let's talk fishing!

TinnedFish

[RichH]

Depends on the conditions. Low clear water and a bright day can be prime for a tarnished blade. Like wise a bit of color in the river can be primetime for some flashy and bright. Thats the cool part about spinner fishing is that you can adapt them for nearly all conditions. Read Jed Davis' book about spinner fishing and you'll learn tons. Good luck and tight lines.

[Jooky]

shine that metal

[Lured In]

All my spinners, flashers,dodgers, christmas trees, alvins and clancy's are sponsored by Brasso. :grin:

[WheresMyBobber]

Here's what I've seen and experienced regarding Chinook. When the water is cool and the weather is cloudy/clear like it is now, use polished brass.

When the water warms up to above 60 degrees, clears up, and the weather is predominantly sunny, use a tarnished brass or copper blade.

But this is only my observation, others may differ - good luck!

[proguide]

I use neverdull to polish my alvins and spinners.

[blacktail]

Simichrome works good for me!

Mike

[Dan Christopher]

i have never been fond of cleaners on my gear. I think the smells stick around to long.I have never caught a fish on freshly polished gear.It takes a while for the scent to go away then it will catch fish but by that time it needs cleaned again.I clean mine with some egg scent and lots of elbow greese.I use a dull finish on sunny days and a strong flash finish on cloudy days.
just my 2 cents but it works for me.what else do you have to do all day in the boat catch fish ya right we all know there are no fish out there.

[RichH]

If scent is a cnocern you could use some Crest. Works great.

[Tinned Fish]

Allright,

I will test all of your theories. I picked up a full tackle box at a garage sale this weekend. All the blades are tarnished. I'll shine half of em, and leave the rest aged. The first one to catch a fish wins! <grin>

TinnedFish