DUO Realis Spin

DUO Realis Spin is a tail spinner from the Japanese maker DUO International: a compact sinking body with a spinning blade at the tail. It can be fished from the shore or from a boat, in all kinds of conditions.

The compact body casts very well. The classic spinning blade sends out smooth, rotating pulses through the water while the body rolls slightly: this imitates a live baitfish and triggers predators to strike. You can feel the right amount of resistance on the retrieve, and the lure runs straight and is easy to control.

The lure has two hooks. According to the maker, this helps hook fish in tough conditions and on short, cautious bites in the cold season.

Key features:

• 5 g, 30 mm, #14 hooks
• 7 g, 35 mm, #14 hooks
• 11 g, 38 mm, #10 hooks
• 14 g, 40 mm, #10 hooks
• Sinking, fixed weight

What it is for and what tackle to use

• Fish: asp (11–14 g), perch (5–11 g), zander (11–14 g).
• Where to fish: river current and riffles, lake drop-offs and deeper spots, wherever fish hunt small baitfish.
• Rod: for the 5–7 g models, a light spinning rod rated for about 2–12 g; for the 11–14 g models, a 7–28 g spinning rod.
• Line: 0.08–0.14 mm braided line with a 0.20–0.28 mm fluorocarbon leader.
• Retrieve: a steady retrieve at varying speeds for asp, hopped along the bottom for zander and perch.
• In pike waters: use a wire leader: pike often strike lures like this too.

The rod and line recommendations are a guide: they help you choose, but you can also fish with similar tackle you already own.