Spinner Atom: photos, reviews of use, popular models

Advantages of fishing with spinner spoons

Oscillators have a lot of advantages. Among them:

Versatility.
All-weather.
Wide choose.
Relatively low price when compared with wobblers and other baits.
Due to their shape and weight they can be cast far, even without adding weights. You can fish both from a boat and from the shore.

In theory, having a set of oscillators, you can do without other gear altogether. Although, according to experts, there are periods when fish prefer other baits. Buyers are also attracted by the fact that the oscillating Atom spinners can be bent to achieve a similar game. This can be done with pliers, preferably near water. With each change, wiring is done without deep penetration in order to see the resulting game.

Read: Spinner spinner

What are Atom spinners?

“Atom” is a spinner that was first released more than 60 years ago, and it has been repeatedly tested by spinners of various levels. The action of the bait is stable and does not go beyond its axis, which is similar to the movement of living objects. With the right skill, the atom spinner imitates the behavior of a frightened or injured fish, which is trying its best not to become prey to predatory fish. With this, the Atom pike lures provoke the predator to attack better than other lures.

Form

There are several variations of the Atom spinner from different companies. Their essence is that they all retain the main features of the original Soviet models.

Model "Atom"

The first model, the production of which began in the Soviet years. It has a pear-shaped shape, which is now used in spinners. The average weight is about 15−20 grams, and the colors are different. It is characterized by a relatively calm game in its amplitude, which is universal.

Model "Atom 2"

The model has minor external changes, due to which the game itself has changed a little. Initially, the spoon was created for catching pike in still water and was reduced to 2.5 cm in length, due to which it became more wide-profile than the first model. The look, bend and geometry were taken from the first model. By playing with the speed of the retrieve, you can select attractive vibrations for each type of predatory fish.

Mister cro atom

A modern spinner “Mister Cro Atom”, which has retained the features of the original models, such as the spinner “Atom” and “Atom 2”, but has been improved by craftsmen. It stands alongside the most catchy pike spinners, such as the Abu Garcia, and is available to almost every professional spinning angler.

Effective use is achieved when fishing by casting and on the track, on rivers and lakes that have a slow or medium current. Fast wiring sets the activation of the game, and slow wiring sets a smooth and harmonious movement.

"Aqua atom"

A relatively inexpensive model that has a sharper and more streamlined shape than the standard pear-shaped one. Its main feature is its tail, which, as the creators believe, provokes the fish to attack. Pike and perch bite especially well on it. Can be cast over long distances.

Dimensions

Atom oscillators are produced in standard sizes and shapes, usually 20−70 mm. Thickness from 1 to 2.5 mm. For example, the Aqua Atom spinner has a size of 4 cm, and the Atom 1 spinner has a size of 48 mm. And if we take “Atom 2”, then the Lithuanian manufacturer has different options for metal thickness, which allows you to select the desired thickness depending on the flow.

Color

You can find the right color in almost any design. If the classic one was more of a silver color, then the new models mean almost any color. There are both bright colors and more neutral ones, which are considered the most catchy.

At first, experienced fishermen use classic colors such as white, and if there is no success, then the tackle changes to aggressive colors. What color is best to choose a vibrator for specific weather is described below.

Legendary spinners Atom and Atom 2. What is the secret of success?

Nowadays, the shelves of fishing stores are filled mainly with imported goods. But there are catchable baits that were invented back in the USSR and only then did foreign companies master the production of analogues.

The Atom spinner is a legend of domestic amateur fishing , with which our fishermen have been successfully catching predatory fish with a spinning rod for more than 60 years.

What is the Atom spinner

The Atom spinner is an oscillating spinner that has a pear shape. There is a rounded depression in the back of the spoon, and the center of gravity of the bait is located precisely in the rear part. The spoon is equipped with a winding ring at its front end, and at the back there is a treble hook. Atom spinners are made of copper, brass and stainless steel and ferrous metal.

The first models were 70 millimeters long and weighed 14, 18 and 22 grams. The mass of the spoon depended on the thickness of the metal plate from which it was made. Later, the Atom 2 modification appeared, the length of which was 25 millimeters shorter, and the back of the bait was decorated with notches in the form of fish scales.

Currently, Atom spinners are produced by many Russian and foreign companies. They differ from the classic sample in length, thickness, coloring, the presence of additional elements, etc. The Russian Atom should not be confused with the Swedish Abu Garsia Atom spinner, which has a different design.

The Atom spinner is an extremely catchy bait.

History of creation

The appearance of the Atom spinner dates back to the mid-50s of the last century. From a distance, it resembles the Storlek spinner, which was used to catch fish already at the beginning of the 20th century. At first, the bait produced did not have a name, but later it became known as “Atom”, because factory workers saw its resemblance to the atomic bomb produced by the enemies of the USSR, as it was depicted in cartoons in the Soviet press.

Advantages and disadvantages

Has the following advantages:

phenomenal catchability;
range;
the ability to perform wiring of various types;
no tangles in the line when casting and retrieving;
the ability to fish with budget gear;
low cost.

The disadvantage of the Atom is its low efficiency when fishing in the current , since even in a weak stream the spoon can fall into a tailspin.

Options

Among the characteristics, the most important are the following.

Size

As already mentioned, the original Atoms were 7 centimeters long . This size can be considered optimal for catching pike, pike perch and salmon in most cases. However, quite often situations arise when a predator prefers small baits. In order to successfully catch predators in various conditions, the Atom line of spinners has been expanded. Now you can find Atoms of various sizes, the smallest are 25 millimeters long and are intended, among other things, for catching perch.

Weight

The mass of the Atom spinner, in addition to its length, is determined by the thickness of the metal from which it is made. Spoons of the same length but different weights are used for fishing at different depths and for retrieving at different speeds.

Most Atom spinners are not painted, i.e. have the color of the metal from which they are made. New lures always shine, but over time they fade, and you can restore their shine with the help of special pastes. However, bright shine is not always good, and many anglers use dull spoons, smoking them over a fire. Painted lures are also popular, especially among salmon hunters.

Form

All Atom spinners are pear-shaped and have a recess in the back, but their geometry can change when the proportions change, i.e. ratio of length and width.

What kind of fishing is it suitable for?

The Atom 2 bait is suitable for catching predatory fish in still or low-flow water. You can catch the following types of fish with it:

Pike.

But the same uniform retrieve does not mean that the angler must turn the reel handle at a constant speed - you can make small accelerations and decelerations of the retrieve, while playing along with the tip of the spinning rod. In jerking, the moment of pause is important when the spoon, waddling, falls to the bottom.

Zander. With the advent of jig baits, wobblers, VIBs, etc. The relevance of spoons for catching fanged predators has decreased somewhat. However, pike perch can be successfully caught on the Atom by casting, using uniform and stepped retrieves, as well as trolling.
Perch.
For perch fishing, the Atom 2 spinner is not a priority bait. These spoons are used when the task is to catch a trophy fish, but the size of the bait should still be small.
Asp. Good range is an advantage of the Atom when hunting for a “river torpedo”, but its ability to fall into a tailspin in the current is a disadvantage of the spoon. Therefore, the Atom should be used for precise throws in the hope that the predator will react to the bait immediately after it splashes down.
Som. To catch catfish, heavy bait models are used, which should be slowly carried out in the bottom layer at a relatively constant speed.
Salmon. Since the Atom cannot fully reveal its qualities in a strong current, it recommends using it when casting into pockets behind stones or into the “return”, as well as when trolling at low speed.

How to tie to a fishing line

As a rule, the front part of the Atom is equipped with a winding ring, and sometimes a ring with a swivel, so clinch or palomar knots are used to tie the bait to the fishing line. It’s even more convenient to fasten the lure to a clasp tied to the fishing line. If there is no winding ring, then in order for the spinner to play freely, it is recommended to use a “rapala” knot.

How to make it yourself

To make an Atom spinner with your own hands, you will need the following materials:

sheet metal 1-2 millimeters thick;
winding ring or ring with swivel;
winding ring with treble hook.

How to properly tie an Atom to a fishing line

It is not recommended to tie the “Atom” to a fishing line if you plan to catch pike. This is fraught not only with the loss of the spoon, but also with the loss of fish. Pike have quite sharp teeth, and if the individual is large, it can easily swallow the bait and bite the fishing line. To prevent this from happening, you need to use a leash. If you decide to catch perch, then a fishing line will suffice.

Read: Retractable leash for spinning rod equipment and installation

Nodes

This simple knot is called a "universal" knot. A fishing line is threaded into the eye of the spinner, and its end is pulled 10 cm so that a loop is formed. The end of the fishing line wraps around the fore-end at least 5 times. The free end threads through the loop that has already been prepared. The fishing line is threaded from the inside of the eyelet. Before tightening the knot, be sure to wet it, otherwise the line will burn out due to friction.

This option is suitable for attaching braid to Mister Cro Atom spinners and other baits. It's called "Palomar". A folded fishing line is threaded through the eye of the spinner, and then a regular knot is formed. Then you need to throw the loop that comes out of the knot through the spoon and tighten it. Cut off the remaining end of the fishing line. It is recommended to do this when attaching an atom 2 spinner, since the option is simple, and there is a step-by-step process in the photo.

Read: How to properly attach a spinner to a spinning rod

Features of the bait game

If we talk about large pike, then on the “Atom” they are caught from the bottom. A slow retrieve is suitable here, which is performed at minimum speed, without moving too far from the bottom. The spoon is cast and sinks to the bottom. Often the blow awaits even while descending to the bottom. When the spoon sinks to the bottom, with sharp and short movements it is thrown to the surface and falls to the bottom again.

After each jerk, the cord is pulled out using a quick turn, after which another 2-3 turns are made, only slow ones. That is, the point is that a couple of revolutions are made, then there is a pause, if a predator is nearby, then it will take it just during the pause. This is a universal method that will work not only on rivers, but also on ponds.

They are also caught using wiring with twitching elements, for which the “Mister Cro Atom” oscillating spoon is ideal. To do this, it is enough to add three to five weak jerks at any moment you like. During this, the spinning rod must be in a horizontal position. At this moment, the spinner's play will resemble the movements of a wobbler, that is, it will move from side to side.

Sometimes monotonous jerking wiring is done. This is when the rod jerks two or three times, then pauses and jerks again. This attracts a predator. There is also a similar technique, but each jerk should be harder, have a constant amplitude and a vertical position of the spinning rod.

Then the bait will move to the sides and approach the surface. It would be a good idea to count the seconds before the vibrator falls to the bottom, so the picture of the bottom will be clear, including pits and edges. The spinner cord must always be taut; this is the only way to hook a predator in time.

If these methods do not give results, then a smooth, monotonous wiring with rare, short pauses will do. This can be either surface wiring, or approximately in the middle water column. Perch and pike actively take it, although everything depends on the reservoir, weather, time of year, type of spoon, etc.

Read: Types of spinning wiring

What kind of fishing is it suitable for?

The Atom 2 bait is suitable for catching predatory fish in still or low-flow water. You can catch the following types of fish with it:

Pike.

Zander.
With the advent of jig baits, wobblers, VIBs, etc. The relevance of spoons for catching fanged predators has decreased somewhat. However, pike perch can be successfully caught on the Atom by casting, using uniform and stepped retrieves, as well as trolling.
Perch.
For perch fishing, the Atom 2 spinner is not a priority bait. These spoons are used when the task is to catch a trophy fish, but the size of the bait should still be small.
Asp.
Good range is an advantage of the Atom when hunting for a “river torpedo”, but its ability to fall into a tailspin in the current is a disadvantage of the spoon. Therefore, the Atom should be used for precise throws in the hope that the predator will react to the bait immediately after it splashes down.
Som.
To catch catfish, heavy bait models are used, which should be slowly carried out in the bottom layer at a relatively constant speed.
Salmon.
Since the Atom cannot fully reveal its qualities in a strong current, it recommends using it when casting into pockets behind stones or into the “return”, as well as when trolling at low speed.

Do-it-yourself oscillating spinner “atom”

For those who set out to make an atom vibrator with their own hands, you need to make a drawing according to which the bait will be created. Let's take the Atom 1 spinner model as a basis. For this, the main dimensions are taken, this is 25 × 65 × 2. There are computer programs into which the dimensions of the drawing are entered. After this, the program creates an electronic layout according to the specified parameters. The layout is scanned in full scale, and then the spoon is cut out for further action.

Materials

The following materials are suitable for the production of atom spinners for pike:

Zinc.
Steel.
Silver.
Aluminum.
Cupronickel.
Brass.
Tin.

After studying the nuances of a particular material, it will become clear what qualities future vibrators will be endowed with. This also applies to color, weight and minimum thickness, which will affect subsequent fluctuating properties.

How to make

It is better to make the template directly on metal. The design is glued onto a thin metal plate and the outline is cut out with metal scissors. To create an internal bend in the spinner, a hockey puck or a spherical hammer with a thick rubber lining is suitable.

You can use an M6 furniture bolt that has a semicircular head. The roundness is enough to give the required shape from the inside. In order for the proportions to match the original, you should check the product with the original.

Next you need to drill a hole for the hook and swivel. Both holes must be located on the longitudinal axis of the vibrator, otherwise there will be unnecessary movements during the game.

It is better to make the winding ring with a thin wire, which has a diameter of no more than 4 mm. Tees require a hook that has a distance between the other tips that is 3 mm greater than the widest part of the vibrator.

In shallow water on a sunny day, fish see colors well. Yellow metal with a polished surface is suitable. The darkened color that comes from oxidized metal also works well. The main thing is that the surface is polished.

Read: How to make a hatchet spoon

Read: How to make a spinner out of a tube at home

Spinner manufacturing process

1 - On a piece of tin, draw (or draw with an awl) the contours of the petal of the spoon according to the supplied dimensions. Cut it out. We process it with a file. The petal template is ready.

2 - Apply the template to the metal for the petal - outline it. Carefully cut out. Straighten, if necessary, with a hammer.

3 - We pierce a hole in the petal and drill it out (countersink) with a screwdriver.

4 - Use a file to remove the burrs, and use pliers to bend the “wings” at the back of the petal. It is enough to bend it 5–10°. The petal of the spinner is ready.

We make a simple head from lead - a triangle, or use a ready-made head weight. We put a petal with a collar on the wire axis, two beads - a smaller and a larger one, a piece of a spring or a hard plastic tube - we make a clasp, attach a hook... Our homemade lure is all ready.

While I was making the spinner, I came up with an even simpler spinner, “Stripe”. The only difference is that the edge of the petal bends at an angle of 30–45°.

All that remained was to check the performance of our homemade spinners, which was done. On my first fishing trip I caught a kilogram pike on the “Delta”, and a perch on the “Strip”. The funny thing is that the pike was caught in a place where, it would seem, he had caught everything tightly with wobblers. And I only caught a small perch. So our fish can be easily caught using homemade spoons from the 80s, and they often turn out to be more effective than proven modern baits.

Both spinners start well, allow for very slow retrieving, and thanks to the clasp, they can easily be equipped with a twister on an offset hook. You can experiment with coloring the petal of the spoon with waterproof markers or sticking reflective film. At minimal cost, we got spinners that are not scary to use in snags, and most importantly, that catch fish.

Dmitry Shokh

fisherman2000.mirtesen.ru

Secrets of catching pike with Atom spinners

If the hunt is for perch or pike, the fisherman must pay attention to the places where the fight takes place. This is the time when, within a certain radius, small fish jump out of the water, scared away by large predatory fish. Moreover, several fish can jump out at the same time. This is a sure sign that a predator is in charge of this place.

To begin with, it is better to make several runs using the described methods at the bottom, since production, as a rule, is there. If there is nothing, it may be a perch or small pike, so you should make several surface or half-depth retrieves. In still water, the “Mister Cro Atom” spinner is suitable, so the game of the tackle will be more realistic.

Read: How to choose a catchable lure for pike