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Dick Nite Spoons

27K views 65 replies 36 participants last post by  TedR  
#1 ·
Any one using Dick Nites with any success?? Whenever I use them, I can feel the fish hit the lure, but always seem to come up empty. I think the hooks are too small. I tried to put a larger hook on and it killed the action of the spoon. I've tried them with and without a dropper. I haven't tried them below a diver as yet. If you're a success with the Dick Nite's, please share some of your tricks to get hook-ups. I have tons of'em, but am getting very frustrated with my success with them. When I use the Blue Fox spinners, there is no doubt when the fish strikes, it's fish-on, get the net!!!

Tomas
 
G
#2 ·
I'm in the same boat. I haven't really used them too much in the last two seasons seeing as I am new to river fishing in general, but from looking at them, the hooks really do seem small.

I talked to someone at Outdoor Emporium and he was telling me that even though the hooks are small, you will catch fish IF you play them nice and easy. If you try and horse the fish in with as small a hook as the #1 Dick Nite has, then you will tear the hook out of the mouth.

I do have to agree with the spinners. I had great hook ups with those puppies.
 
#5 ·
I've become a convert to the small hooks catch big fish. The strikes you are getting could be trout and smolt in which case you may not get as many hookups due to the fact the little fish may just be nibbling and not taking it in all the way.

Keep at it. The action is best when they are barely moving.
 
#6 ·
After seeing this before I went to the tackle store today I took a look. They do look small compared to the 2/0 herzog recommends with the 2/5 spoon he fishes...and I'm trying to learn.

But after going fishing on the cow and watching people pull in 15lb steelhead on #4 hooks I am a believer....the key, I assume, is getting a good hook up in a solid part and not just the skin of the lip....just my 2 cents...limited I will admit.

Slight side track...WHAT is the number one size and color pattern of the DN spoon for salmon/steelhead?

Sorry for the slight diversion but I hope it will fit into your question.

Shane
 
#9 ·
GlockDawg said:
GigHarborShane said:
Slight side track...WHAT is the number one size and color pattern of the DN spoon for salmon/steelhead?
Wee 50/50 Tup:
Thanks Guys...I want to give them a try...yet another tool to add to ther arsenal Tup:

Do you keep the standard hooks or change like Talsteen is asking???
 
#10 ·
I am a fan of a few different color patterns. Generally my buddy and I use #1 dick nites for Coho. He prefers the 50/50 and I prefer the Frog & Pearl pattern. It all depends on the water. Sometimes we switch it up and use the wee size (had chum hit those :D ). I also like the Brass Chartreuse Head or the Brass Green Head. I have caught a couple bigger silvers off of those while anchored up in the river.

We usually keep the stock hooks on there.

You need to have confidence in what you are using. Dick Nite spoons are proven fish killers. Buy a few different patterns and try em out. You will find one that you like.


:geek:



I edited for spelling...
 
#12 ·
GigHarborShane said:
GlockDawg said:
GigHarborShane said:
Slight side track...WHAT is the number one size and color pattern of the DN spoon for salmon/steelhead?
Wee 50/50 Tup:
Thanks Guys...I want to give them a try...yet another tool to add to ther arsenal Tup:

Do you keep the standard hooks or change like Talsteen is asking???
Shane ..... Stock up on as many 50/50 DN you can get..... You can never have enough...... Get all the sizes available..... They flat out work.... Do not even consider changing those hooks.... They are proven and if fished properly , will produce fish .
Bubba
 
#14 ·
I too have not had much success with a dn. I have lost about 25 of them and have only lost a handful of spinners.I havent given up on them simply due to the fact my fishin buddy has done very well with them, swears by them....oh and outfished me with them on a few occassions, they have become my last resort tho. sure it has more to with me than the spoon, so everything i just said is mute and disregard. :mrgreen:
 
#15 ·
a #1 50/50 Dick Nite is my "if I could only have one lure in my tackle box" lure. it'll catch trout, steelhead, pinks, coho and even hooked a 20# king on one while fishing for pinks last year (that was fun on 6# test and a 6' ultra-light trout pole). i had the same apprehension about the small hook size but after a few low teen coho and that king, i worry no longer. they usually whack the hell out of that lure. just make sure your hook is super sharp.
 
#18 ·
Hey
You all have good ideas & experiences, but you all forgot to mention one very important detail.
And yes I will tell you ! wink:
I cought Kings, Humpies, Chums, Trout, Blue Gill And nailed the shit out of Silvers on these little D/N babies But all you need to do to get 99.9% hook ups is put a twist in the the D/N hook.
Grab the curved part of the hook with flat nose pliers to where the straight shank of the hook is parrell with the pliers and use your finger and bend it out of alighnment while holding the D/N in the pliers. Tup: Tup: Tup: Tup:

Another part of your question is.
It's a provin fact by me :lol: when you reel the rule of thumb is one revolution of your reel handel every second.
Unless your in current where your gear is makeing a swing, then just let it free drift.
Fish On.
 
#19 ·
Fish them as slow as possible; just fast enough to keep it off the bottom. When a fish bites don't set the hook like a bassmaster, a few quick turns of the reel to tighten up is usually all you need. I caught a 15#ish king a couple weeks ago on the duwamish with one while fishing for silvers and I landed it with a stock hook. It bent after I confirmed it was a king and horsed it in to release the fish but the hook still held. Keep trying, they can be deadly.
 
#22 ·
I'm on the don't change the hook bandwagon with most others here. As for being productive, I was down on the Carbon about 6 years ago and there was a line up of guys fishing corkies and yarn. No one was hooking anything. Then this guy I'd never seen before came walking up from down by the tailout with 2 nice silvers...the only ones seen that morning. I asked him what he used and he gave me a "0" half and half DN and 4' of 10# leader and said, "try this"...don't reel much, just keep it off the bottom" I did just that, and took home 2 nice fish shortly thereafter. The guy was none other than FishguyKeith whom I haven't seen post here for quite awhile. Thanks Keith...I still use them and STILL find them very productive.
 
#23 ·
I like to drift them with a light weight just enough to get them close to the bottom of the river. Caught a 12 lb. steelhead last year on a 0 50/50 and many Pinks on the same one. When I find a store with the 50/50 I will buy at least 10 at a time. Trout and Kokanee love them to.
 
#25 ·
talsteen said:
Let's hope they work, I just bought 68 more of the things. Now I have to use them since I have so many. :lol:
That's way too many. I'm good at losing lures, so send some on up here and I'll lend you hand sacrificing them to the river gods. ;)

I have some in the frog pattern, a few copper, and a few pink that were given to me, but no 50/50. The way I'm seeing these things described I'm thinking I should just throw 'em all out and buy a gross of the 50/50's.