Split rings on Countdowns

[nathanha]

Can somone tell me why the new countdowns all have split rings on the nose and the older lures dont? It also looks like the older lures have more of the nose loop exposed so one could bend it to change the action. I tend to purchase older Ireland countdowns when at my stores but have seen the newer ones with the split ring. Do people leave them on or do they take them off when fishing?

[roeroeyerboat]

All my countdowns have the split ring on them, I've never removed them. How old are these countdowns your buying I don't think I've ever seen a countdown without its split ring & that's including plenty of the Irish models that can still be found here.

[jmcfish10101973]

i do not like them at all

john

[nathanha]

I guess I'm not sure how to date them they just dont have split rings on the nose. I noticed a newer countdown at a big box store and wondered what the deal was. I get all my countdowns from 2 shops all are old Ireland and they have all the old colors which is nice. As its fun to pick up the older colors since many seem better then the new colors.

[fishohio614]

I don't think I have one countdown without split rings on its nose. This is one of the ways that would help me identify between my countdowns and originals because I keep them in one tackle box. Anyway, I think that the split rings can give it a little more action in the wobble, so personally I would leave them one. However, you have intrigued me to try them without split rings because it is possible that the fish could like that action more.

Ben

[nathanha]

Dont get me wrong countdowns work great right out of the box. But sometimes its nice to bend the nose ring down and out gives it a strong side to side thump. Infisherman had a write up on how to do it. Slow and steady when bending that nose

[fishohio614]

Jun 24, 2011 16:01:34 GMT -4 nathanha said:

Dont get me wrong countdowns work great right out of the box. But sometimes its nice to bend the nose ring down and out gives it a strong side to side thump. Infisherman had a write up on how to do it. Slow and steady when bending that nose

I just subscribed to infisherman a couple days ago. I never feel comfortable bending parts on lures unless I am certain of what I am doing. Do you know what issue that was in?

[jaketomberlin]

I also buy from the stores that have older Ireland/Finland Countdowns as well. And yes... every Finland or Ireland Countdown I've ever bought came without a split ring on front. I rarely fish countdowns, but when I do, I will use a split ring on front. Like FishOhio said..... a split ring allows better movement of the lure.

[nathanha]

In response to the infisherman question I think it was with in the last two issues they may have it on their website. As far as split ring movement I use a inter lock snap so that should allow for just as much movement as a split ring. That being said they must do something or Rapala wouldnt spend the extra money to put them on. It seems they like to cut any corner they can with their new lurers. Love the old stuff

[omigosh]

The article about countdowns is in the May issue of In-Fisherman. It was curious that the images of the countdowns in the article did not show the lures with any split rings.

[rhydrap]

Hi all,

I have also purchased cds some with split ring some without, but i allways remove the split ring and use the proper rapala knot as it fishes much better this way( better side to side movement) that my input tho

[007fishfingers]

i always remove the split ring from the nose and replace it with a small oval ring, works fantastic and has great knot strengh, i also replace the rear treble with a long shank treble, this set up has done me proud over the last 30yrs, as much as i love rapala's i would never use the rapala knot as i have had many breaks and trebles hooking in the loop