The range of modern spinning lures is so wide that sometimes choosing the most suitable one is not so simple. A variety of wobblers, twisters, rippers, spinnerbait just shock the average fisherman with their names. But among them there are those that for many decades remain a simple reliable tool for hunting predatory fish. This, first of all, concerns oscillating spinners, in particular, the models with the formidable name “Atom”.
A bit of history
For the first time they started talking about this little girl in the middle of the 50s of the last century in the USSR. It was then that her first factory samples appeared. Spinner "Atom" is the most successful derivative of the Shorlek oscillator, popular at that time, used by fishermen since the beginning of the 20th century, both in Russia and in Western Europe.
The first spinners did not have a name, but at the factory where they were made, the workers saw in Atom an outward resemblance to the atomic bomb portrayed in Soviet caricatures ridiculing Western aggression. So the name stuck.
The path to popularity
The unknown lure "Atom" instantly became popular among amateur anglers. Most often it was used on pike and pike perch. The fame of her high catchment spread at an unprecedented rate. After a short time, there was no longer a fisherman in the USSR who did not know how effective the Atom spinner was. A photo of the first version of the legendary bait is presented below.
The oscillator was produced in one size (70 mm), but had different weight indicators: 14, 18, 22 g. A change in mass was achieved by increasing the body thickness of the spinner.
Soviet baubles in those days were very popular abroad, but the Atoms baits were especially interested in foreigners. Reviews about the new predatory bait were the most flattering. Many foreign companies a little later seized the initiative and began to produce Atom analogues under other names.
Over time, the Atom-2 spinner appeared, positioned as a modernized version of the popular classic bait. However, she had no visible differences with the previous model. The range of weight indicators was just expanded, and notches in the form of fish scales appeared on the body of the vibrator. Today, such spinners are produced both in Russia and far beyond its borders.
Spinner "Atom" today
Nowadays, the popularity of this oscillator has not lost at all, but, on the contrary, has increased. The latest technologies and materials make it possible to produce true masterpieces of fishing art. The classic Atom has undergone a number of changes. The coloring of the working surface for real fish, the texture that imitates the scales, the additions in the form of flags similar to fish fins made it an ideal bait for a predator.
If today we ask experienced predatory fish hunters which vibrator is the most catchy, then most of them will unequivocally answer that it is the Atom lure. A photo of the modern version of the legendary spinning bait is presented below.
What is the "Atom" spinner and what is its secret
But why did this notorious bait deserve such popularity? The usual pear-shaped form, the usual geometry, and no additional devices. There are no special secrets here. Just "Atom", unlike its other "colleagues", is universal. It is used for fishing for pike, zander, large perch, asp and even salmon. With uniform wiring, this bait works true miracles of transformation. Her game most accurately copies the natural movements of peaceful fish.
The advantages of this spinner should also include:
- simple construction;
- low cost;
- high efficiency;
- the possibility of long-range casting;
- lack of overlap during casting;
- game changing depending on the speed of posting.
Modern analogues of the peaceful "Atom"
The Atom model is produced by several well-known foreign and domestic companies specializing in fishing lures. The best manufacturers of advanced analogues of the classic Atom are:
- the Swedish company Abu Garcia, rightfully called the leader in the production of oscillating spinners;
- popular Polish company Spinnex;
- the growing Russian company Russian Blesna
Of course, there are dozens of little-known companies involved in the production of Atom, but their quality raises serious doubts. This is especially true for Asian manufacturers. Among them very often are frank “incomplete” and “under-twisted” fakes that do not meet even the most basic hydrodynamic requirements.
The use of "Atom"
All Atom spinners are intended for hunting predatory fish at an average depth of 2.5-4 m. Ground or vertical spinning for such baits is contraindicated. The use of these oscillators provides for only two types of wiring: uniform and jerky. They are ideal for predator fishing in still water or in shallow water bodies. A strong water stream seriously violates the hydrodynamics of the spinner, which leads to torsion of the gear and unpredictable behavior of the bait.