I began this series of columns by detailing how various Mack’s Lure products could be used for casting as well as trolling.  I started out by talking about using Smile Blades for crappie.

While I told how Smile Blades could be used effectively for that purpose, I didn’t talk about the sinker set up I like to use to get the job done.  It’s one that has worked particularly well for me for many years.

Note the illustrations that accompany this column.  The sinker set up you see is a bead chain keel sinker and snap.  This is what I attach to the end of my main line.

These bead chain keel sinkers provide an easy way to handle your lures for lightweight lake fishing.  Pictured are weights from 1/4 to 1/16th-ounce.

As the illustration show, these sinkers are available in a variety of sizes.  I have them all the way down to l/32nd of an ounce.  They make it extremely easy to change lures.  The way the weight itself is designed helps reduce line twist and that’s always an asset.

I usually throw the lures I’ve mentioned in this column series with a spinning outfit.  When I say spinning I’m talking about an open face spinning reel and a lightweight spinning rod.  If you want the specifics they are a Shimano Symetre reel,
8-pound Power Pro Line and a G.Loomis rod.

There are times, like that I detailed in the beginning of this four part series, when I have used a casting rod.  When I do it requires me to use a heavier sinker.  That, in turn, makes it more difficult to maintain a very slow lure speed.

I swear nobody on the planet loves the level wind reel and a casting rod more than I do.  Few have used one as much.  Be that as it may, when it comes to lightweight work nothing beats a lightweight spinning outfit.  Spinning was designed for lightweight fishing in the first place.  It will still do that job better than anything else you can lay your hands on.

The primary reason I emphasize spinning gear for use with Smile Blade panfish rigs or Wedding Ring set ups for trout is that I often want to use a slow retrieve in shallow water.  I’ll usually turn to trolling for the deep stuff.

On a lake I may be flipping a panfish rig into less than three or four feet of water.  A heavier sinker, often a necessity with a casting rod, drops down much too fast.  It also won’t permit the extremely slow retrieve that’s by far the best when, for example, we’re talking about panfish like crappie.

Someone is sure to ask how long a leader should be used along with a bead chain keel sinker.  It depends on what you’re up against.  The longer I’m around---and as I’ve said before, I was throwing a spinnerbait just around the corner when they dug Moses out of the bulrushes---the more I’m convinced that modern day fishing is so much like the game of golf.

Why do I say that?  Because a golfer’s problems are forever changing.  He’s not certain what condition he’ll face from one shot to the next.  Once he gets a look on what he’s up against he selects the tool (club) that best help him solve the problem.

That’s exactly how it is with fishing.  Remember me telling in the first column of this series about finding the crappie after getting a backlash and having my lure drop all the way to the bottom?  On that occasion the best way for me to use my bead chain sinker was to attach it directly ahead of my spinner fly and pork rind combination.  I used a ¼-ounce keel sinker because the fish were congregated about 25-feet deep. 

You can change your lures in second with this type of set up.  Attach the bead chain keel sinker to your main line.  A Mack's Lure Smile Blade rigged ahead of this fly can be an effective lure for panfish as well as smallmouth bass.  Don't hesitate to attach a tiny piece of pork rind or a small plastic grub to the fly.

There’s no way I’d tie on a sinker that heavy for shallow water crappie fishing.  Chances are I’ll go with the 1/32nd-ounce weight and use 10 to 12-inches of leader between the sinker and my lure.

Sometimes it’s best to use your Smile Blade right down in front of your lure.  On other occasions you’ll find it more effective to have your Smile Blade a foot or two ahead.  Try both methods until the fish start telling you what they want at that particular time.  Then give ‘em both barrels!

It has been fun to share these thoughts on lure selection and rigging in these last four columns.  Do you have your own comments or suggestions?  If you do I’ll be pleased to hear from you.

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