In rivers, creeks and streams, the Rooster Tail is deadly on trout, steelhead, salmon, smallmouth bass, grayling and shad. In fact, any fish that will hit a moving bait will take a Rooster Tail.

For best results the Rooster Tail should be flipped If nothing hits, slowly retrieve the Rooster Tail back upstream. Work the lure into cut-aways in the bank and under overhanging brush and trees. In slightly deeper water, the Rooster Tail can also be cast upstream and retrieved quickly downstream.

In deep holes, allow the Rooster Tail to sink near the bottom, give the rod tip a jerk to start the lure's blade spinning and then retrieve the lure slowly along the bottom, across or against the current. On the retrieve, work your rod tip to get the attractive opening and closing swimming motion of the Rooster Tail's hackle.

The Rooster Tail is equally as effective when fished from the bank or boat. From shore, cast three quarters upstream into the current. Let the Rooster Tail sink until it is rolling and bumping along the bottom of the river. Many times fish will pick up the lure as it is drifting downstream, even if the blade is not spinning. Try to keep the line straight from the rod tip to the drifting Rooster Tail to detect any hesitation or stops that could indicate a fish is mouthing the lure. Don't jerk, lift the rod tip and then set the hook if you feel a fish.

As the Rooster Tail continues to drift downstream, slowly raise your rod tip and give a light tug. This starts the blade spinning. The spinner will then sweep across the lower portion of the drift, back toward the bank that you are standing on. A majority of the strikes will come as the Rooster Tail makes this swing across the current.

If you still don't get a strike, slowly retrieve the Rooster Tail back upstream working the rod tip to make the hackle tail pulsate. Try to maneuver the spinner close to holding water--rocks, logs and so on. Many times a fish will follow the lure into the current and will grab the lure as it tries to make its "escape" upstream.

When fishing a river from a drift boat or rubber raft try to stay within casting distance of one bank or the other. Pitch the Rooster Tail behind boulders, under overhanging brush or trees along the banks and into deep, fish-holding pockets. If you are drifting in the boat as you cast, throw the lure straight at the bank; the boat's momentum will pull the lure away from shore. Many times a fish will take the Rooster Tail within seconds after the lure hits the water. You can also cast out behind a drifting boat and troll the Rooster Tail behind you. Here again, it helps to give the rod a light tug to start the blade spinning.

Rooster Tails are excellent lures for lake fishing. They can be trolled or cast and retrieved with equally high success.

When trolling a Rooster Tail it is important for the lure to be down near the level of the fish. Because the Rooster Tail's body is already weighted, it will sink on its own and adding weight may not be necessary when the fish are shallow.

Make sure to troll the Rooster Tail at fast enough speeds to keep the blade spinning. When the blade is spinning correctly, you'll be able to feel the vibrations in the tip of your rod. However, at times the blade doesn't have to spin at all for the Rooster Tail to be attractive to fish. The "dead" spinner takes on the characteristics of a wobbling spoon and adds a new dimension to Rooster Tail fishing.

Also, while trolling you can create an attractive swimming action for the Rooster Tail by slightly working your rod tip to make the hackle tail open and close giving the illusion of a living, swimming baitfish or insect. In fact, when fish are taking insects from the surface, a small (1/16 or 1/24th oz.) silver or light colored Rooster Tail trolled with no weight at all can be very effective.

To avoid line twist when trolling a Rooster Tail tie a small barrel swivel or keel sinker ahead of the spinner. This is unnecessary with the Vibric Rooster Tail which is keel weighted.

Rooster Tails work well cast and retrieved from both the bank or a boat. For best results cast the Rooster Tail out and then let it sink. While it is sinking count slowly to yourself. If the lure reaches bottom on the count of ten, on the next cast begin retrieving at the count of nine. On the next cast start the retrieve on the count of eight and so on. By doing this you will cover all levels of the lake.

When you hook a fish, remember the count at which you began your retrieve. Chances are you will be able to catch several more fish at the same depth. Always give your rod a quick twitch to start the lure's blade spinning. Also be sure to work the rod tip to create the attractive, strike-enticing, pulsating action of the hackle tail.

No matter what you are after, from small panfish or trout to big, salmon, steelhead, pike and stripers, you can find the right size and color Rooster Tail to please any fish. 1/32nd, 1/24th and 1/16th ounce:

These are the smallest of the Rooster Tails, perfect for creeks and small streams. Trout, perch, crappie, sunfish and other smaller game fish really go for Rooster Tail's unique spinning action. Also try trolling these in lakes close to the surface. They work well when insects are hatching. 1/6th, 1/8th and 1/4th ounce:

These are the favorite Rooster Tail sizes of trout and bass fishermen all around the country. Productive in lakes and streams they are the perfect sized Rooster Tails for fish a half pound and up in size.

The bigger Rooster Tails really work for big fish. These are the largest of the Rooster Tail sizes and are used for salmon, steelhead, stripers, big bass, Northern pike, musky, and more. Because of their weight they can be cast great distances and often are used by surf fishermen.

Rooster Tails now come in over 70 different color combina-tions including a number of metallic finishes, several fluorescent colors plus many color patterns which mimic the natural foods of fish in both rivers and lakes.

Rooster Tails are available with brass, silver or painted blades (also with mylar inserts in the Vibric and Sonic lines). Many times the blade color will be the difference between catching fish and not. Some days a silver blade is hot. On others, only a brass or painted blade will work. As with other types of fishing it pays to be flexible; try different blade colors until you find what is working.

The same is true for body and hackle colors. There are so many different Rooster Tail body colors there is sure to be one that triggers the fish's natural striking instinct. With changes in water, weather and lighting conditions the color that is hot today might be totally different tomorrow. It is difficult to predict the color and blade combination that will work in any particular situation; however, there are some general guidelines that will help you catch fish. In dark or stained water, use brass-finish blades, fluorescent blades and brightly-colored bodies. In off-colored water, visiblity is the key. You might also try the Sonic and Vibric Rooster Tails--the additional noise made by these spinners can be important.

In clear water, silver blades are the best choice. Also try the non-fluorescent and metallic finishes. Finishes with a c hanging color pattern (such as the coachdog series) are good choices. Darker body and hackle hues are effective in clear water in low-light conditions: cloudy days and at dawn and dusk.

It pays to carry a good selection of colors and sizes. Fickle as fish can be at times, having just the right combinations of blade, color and size is often the difference between not catching fish and coming home successful.

Natural or plastic worms can be added to a Rooster Tail without affecting the spinning blade action. In fact, a night crawler attached to a Rooster Tail makes a great walleye bait.

The Rooster Tail's hackle tail is perfect for holding all types of prepared scent fish attractors.