Successful guides, those with well-clothed wives and decently fed children, often have a bait or two they reserve for the toughest conditions--a lure that produces fish and income during the doggiest days of summer. The Lindy Spin Rig was such a weapon. The simplicity and productivity of the rig almost guaranteed pike for skilled and unskilled clients alike. Just hook a big minnow through the lips, cast it out, and catch pike all afternoon. While the Spin Rig is no longer made, the Gopher Bait Spin, a variety of skirtless short-arm spinnerbait, or a homemade rig of similar design still produces pike.

Tackle

Rod: 6 1/2- to 7 1/2-foot medium-heavy-power casting or spinning rod.

Reel: medium-capacity baitcasting or spinning reel.

Line: 12- or 14-pound-test mono.

Rigging

It's not unusual to tie directly to a spin rig with monofilament and fish for several days without getting bitten off, then suddenly be cut off by the next half dozen fish. Depends on the size of the fish and how they strike the bait. The problem with these lures is the open line-tie loop. The snap at the terminal end of a commercial wire leader often slides up the arm of the bait. Make your own leaders from 18- or 27-pound-test noncoated stranded wire. Cut a piece about 14 inches long. Wrap the wire twice through a small swivel, leaving a 1-inch tag. Lock a forceps on the end of the tag. Now, holding the swivel with one hand and the leader with the other, swing the forceps forward around the leader. Repeat the process to secure the bait to the wire.

Presentation

A combination casting and trolling approach allows anglers to cover more water and trigger more active fish than either method individually. The boat driver trolls a 3/8-ounce Spin Rig and medium chub or shiner, while watching the depthfinder to maintain contact with a drop-off on the edge of a weed flat. One or two additional anglers can cast 3/8- or 1/2-ounce Spin Rigs up onto the flat, retrieving the lures over and through weed clumps. When the lure loses contact with the weeds, pause to let the bait flutter down on a tight line.