S

scientific method in contrast to fishing by "luck," fishing based on the observation of the environment

setting the hook using the rod to drive the hook through the mouth of the fish

shallow-water zone the area of a lake from shore to the first major drop-off

shank section of hook between the eye and the point

sinkers lead weights of various designs and sizes used to sink baits and lures

skirt usually a rubber or vinyl addition to a lure that gives it action and texture

slip-sinker a sinker threaded on the line which slides, preventing the fish from feeling resistance

smolt a salmonid or trout ready to migrate to sea

snake trolling a system of boat control in which a lure or bait is trolled in a weaving manner in order to impart erratic action to a lure or to avoid spooking shallow fish; sometimes called zigzagging

snelled hook a hook with leader material attached

speed trolling a system of boat control in which a lure is trolled behind a boat moving at fast speed

spincasting reel a closed-faced, push button-operated reel which sits on top of a casting rod; ideally suited for beginners

spinner a lure that consists of one or more blades attached to a central wire shaft with a clevis; the blades spin

spinner bait differs from an ordinary spinner in that the blade is attached to one end of the bent safety pin wire and the other end of the wire is moulded into the head of a Jig

spinning this method uses a reel with a fixed spool hung below a rod fitted with oversized guides; when the angler turns the handle of the reel, a metal bail engages the line and deposits it on the spool

splitshot a type of weight used for light tackle angling that is pinched directly onto the line

spooking frightening a fish

spool the section of a reel that holds the coiled fishing line

spoons lures that are stamped from flat metal, varying in size, weight, and thickness

spreader an ice-fishing minnow rig consisting of a lead weight and two or more single hooks

stacking lures placing more than one lure at different depth intervals, using one rod, usually with the aid of a downrigger

stick baits cigar-shaped plugs with no built-in action

stink baits baits with added scents

streamers wet flies made of feathers usually imitating baitfish

strike the instant a fish contacts a bait

stripping line pulling line off the reel by hand

structure any natural or man-made physical feature in a body of water; e.g., boulders, docks, weeds

stunted fish fish whose growth is severely hampered by environmental factors such as overpopulation

submandibular pores pores found in some species that are located on the underside of the lower jaw

subsurface lures lures designed to run at shallow depths

suspended fish fish holding in an area anywhere off bottom to the surface

swivel device attached to line which prevents line twist

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