Spinning

The most important game species for spinning enthusiasts in Finland are pike, perch, zander, grayling and trout. In order for fishing to be a pleasant experience, recommended tackle includes a sturdy and responsive rod of about 1.8 to 2.4 metres, a lightweight size 1,000–2,500 spinning reel and a relatively fine, 0.25–0.33 mm line or, alternatively, a braided 0.15 mm line.

In addition to ease of fishing, the benefits of using lightweight tackle include good responsiveness; you can instantly feel a fish bite and launch your counterattack in a flash.

Photo: Jari Tuiskunen 

The fishing season stretches throughout the winter on the Kapeenkoski Rapids, Laukaa.

Small lures for river sites

Small, lightweight 4–6 cm plugs work well on Finnish rapids. These are easy to swim around to reach behind the rocks of the rapids, the deeps of streams and other spots where fish like to hide. Let the whirls of the stream create an attractive swimming pattern for the plug and reel it in slowly. In many cases, a fish will strike a lure kicking around almost in place.

Anglers also use relatively small spoons and spinners on flowing waters. Both have the benefit of giving excellent spinning lengths. In addition, these lures are easy to sink deep, which makes it possible to scour even the deepest of holes.

At present, people use plenty of leeches when fishing in streams. A quick-swimming marabou dressing tied to a hook equipped with a lead head is one of the most reliable lures in many conditions. Leeches are particularly popular for fishing different types of trout. They also work with perch and zander.

On limpid streams, anglers use lures in blue, grey and brown shades. It's also worth trying brighter colours. If the water is darker, you should dig yellow, orange and red colours out of your lure box.

Photo: Jari Tuiskunen 

Lake Kuorevesi, Jämsä. September is a good fishing season on lakes.

On lakes and coastal waters

All Finland's lakes and the Baltic Sea coast are suitable playing fields for spinning anglers. When going after pike, anglers stock up with an array of various plugs, spoons and big spinners. If you are going to pursue pike at the edges of deeps, you should definitely bring large fish jigs with you.

Perch are eager to bite plugs and spinners as well as jigs.

Spinning enthusiasts in pursuit of zander most commonly resort to jigs. The most effective lures are various grub and fish jigs, but it's a good idea also to pack some deep-diving plugs, just to be on the safe side.

The most efficient way to deceive grayling is to use small spinners. Tried and tested models include, in particular, Bete Lotto and small Mepps models.

Photo: Jari Tuiskunen 

Spinners are the spinning angler’s perch lures.

Jerkbaits are for big pike

When going after big pike, anglers currently favour jerkbaits. These large plugs do not have a swim plate, which means that the lure movement is created completely by rod action and reeling in.

Different situations require different jerkbaits. A suspending jerkbait that sinks or floats slowly is an excellent choice for cold water, whereas a quickly sinking lure works well in warm waters. In cold waters, stops may even be in the range of 5 to 10 seconds, as you need to give stiff fish enough time to bite.

Poppers splash on the surface

One of the most interesting forms of spinning is fishing with poppers, which offers staggering bites. Poppers are floating plugs that swim on the surface of the water. When a fish strikes a popper violently from below, the bite is impressive.

Popper anglers seek their game pike right at the edges of rushes and at depths of 1 to 2 metres.