Rigging The Redfin

[kjackson]

So I modified a Redfin or two by heating and bending lips down and changing both the split rings and hooks to lighter ones. When I fished the Fin in Beaver the other day in the wind, it worked well--at least the fish liked it.

Yesterday out of Holiday Island with no wind, I noticed that the thing kept rolling if moved too fast but didn't wake very well if reeled slowly--it did catch bass, but it wasn't as productive as at Beaver. I'm guessing that it isn't tuned quite right. Is it a matter of experimenting until I get the right weight on the hooks? I could add a feathered trailer, but I'm guessing that will inhibit the action when I fish it slow.

What do the experts do to get the Redfin to run the way it should?

[Dewayne French]

I have had a terrible time with the Fin, but when the bite gets on it you had better be tossing it. I have ones that have feathers and those without. I haven't bent the lips much, but have changed hooks and bent the tie and put on better rings. Like the others have said and I agree. We all proably have more that don't run right than ones that do!! This seems to be a lure that you have to "adjust" to make it perform. I have not had any luck right out of the package. These guys on here have way more experience with them then I do. I have several that only work well in slick water and some that as you say work better in a slight chop. Another thing to make matters even worse is Line, Reel, and Rod. I'm still learning, but this also can improve the action or dull it. You can also look back to some older topics on this.

[rps]

If you read back through my posts, you will discover I am a picky son of a gun. I make or have rods made. I fiddle with lures. I have systems I use. I test and experiment with reels. I read Tackle Tour. I am opinionated about lines.

Fins defy me.

I can't find a reason to buy 100 lures, modify them, and wind up with 20 that work. (Those number come from Babler's experiments) 100 X $6 + $2 additional hardware + labor = $800 plus labor. 20 baits that work => cost per effective lure = $40 + labor?

[Quillback]

I brought a couple of fins with me today that I had swapped out hooks and rings. One ran either right or left, I could not get it to track straight, I'll take the hooks and rings off and smash it with a hammer. 2nd one seemed to be sort of OK, but had a heck of a time trying to get it to stay on top. The fish did not seem to like it either, but the TW bite had stopped by the time I started wasting time with the fins, so the 2nd one will get another chance.

[Jerry Rapp]

it sounds like a company would jump all over this opportunity?

[Feathers and Fins]

If you read back through my posts, you will discover I am a picky son of a gun. I make or have rods made. I fiddle with lures. I have systems I use. I test and experiment with reels. I read Tackle Tour. I am opinionated about lines.

But you catch fish! Show me one guy who catches fish or kills game that is not all of what you said. And when they find things that work they find more ways it will work and become experts with it. cept womens on their breast no man can find sign!

[Bill Babler]

If you read back through my posts, you will discover I am a picky son of a gun. I make or have rods made. I fiddle with lures. I have systems I use. I test and experiment with reels. I read Tackle Tour. I am opinionated about lines.

Fins defy me.

I can't find a reason to buy 100 lures, modify them, and wind up with 20 that work. (Those number come from Babler's experiments) 100 X $6 + $2 additional hardware + labor = $800 plus labor. 20 baits that work => cost per effective lure = $40 + labor?

And Worth Every Penny.

[snakem]

Guys I posted a while back on the red fin,don't know if you read or tried this, but it works very well for me. Take off the split ring on the nose and just put a small clip with no swivel, it works wonderful for me. Have not had no problems.

[Jacob W]

I took your advice on adding the clip to the redfin snakem, and it does work and I have no issues with my redfins.

[Champ188]

I brought a couple of fins with me today that I had swapped out hooks and rings. One ran either right or left, I could not get it to track straight, I'll take the hooks and rings off and smash it with a hammer. 2nd one seemed to be sort of OK, but had a heck of a time trying to get it to stay on top. The fish did not seem to like it either, but the TW bite had stopped by the time I started wasting time with the fins, so the 2nd one will get another chance.

That's one way to make sure those nonworking ones don't weasel their way back into the rotation.