Favorite spinner bait!? 2024

Kyle S reply :

Spring time is here, and the spinnerbait bite is hot on my local pond. While out fishing this morning, I spent most of my time fishing three Nichols spinnerbaits in various colors paired with a 2.8" strike king rage tail paddle tail swim bait as a trailer. Throughout the morning, I kept noticing the blades 'fowling' up, and not working properly. Perhaps the trailer I was using was too heavy? I'm not sure...I do know I should've done some more experimenting while I was on the water though! What's your favorite spinner bait? What's your favorite trailer? Do you even use a trailer? I'm truly curious!!

NittyGrittyBoy reply :

1/2oz War Eagle River Rat. Throw sucker tight in the cover and every eddy you can find! I like a baby fluke split tail trailer

Any War Eagle product for that matter. Love the 5/16 Finesse spinnerbait

A-Jay reply :

I have two (same trailer though)

Megastrike Strikeback spinnerbait and the Biovex Stagun with a Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Blade Minnow trailer

A-Jay

greentrout reply :

Humdinger ... great spring sb ...

ww2farmer reply :

War Eagles for me.

The 5/16 oz finesse has re-ignited my spinnerbait fishing game that I let fall by the wayside a while back in favor of swimjigs and chatterbaits. Sometimes there's just nothing better than a good spinnerbait bite.

Ksam1234 reply :

War eagle spinnerbaits! With a keitech trailer !

LonnieP reply :

War Eagle

jimmyjoe reply :

In the river, it's a 1/2 oz. Northland Reed Runner, single Colorado. Chartreuse and white.

This early in the lakes, it's either a 1/4 oz. black Worden's Super Roostertail, or a 3/16 oz. War Eagle Finesse in Mouse. Later on in the lakes, it'll be a 3/8 J-Mac double Colorado with color to match the sky conditions. jj

Chowderhead reply :

For the little ponds I fish, love using a Boo-Yah Pond Magic spinnerbait. Do very well with it.

pauldconyers reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 4:46 AM, A-Jay said:

I have two (same trailer though)

Megastrike Strikeback spinnerbait and the Biovex Stagun with a Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Blade Minnow trailer

A-Jay

Hey A-Jay, I bought a pack of these blade minnows on your recommendation as a spinner bait trailer. I like the look of them but I was kind of put off by the "feel" of it. Without it on the retrieve I can really feel the blades moving in the water and get a lot of feedback. With it on as a trailer the feedback is really "muffled" and not but response. Do these have much tail action to speak of? I have used it on some 1/2 oz spinner baits and I was wondering if a trailer this big/thick is over powering it or something?

A-Jay reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 8:16 AM, pauldconyers said:

Hey A-Jay, I bought a pack of these blade minnows on your recommendation as a spinner bait trailer. I like the look of them but I was kind of put off by the "feel" of it. Without it on the retrieve I can really feel the blades moving in the water and get a lot of feedback. With it on as a trailer the feedback is really "muffled" and not but response. Do these have much tail action to speak of? I have used it on some 1/2 oz spinner baits and I was wondering if a trailer this big/thick is over powering it or something?

While there is certainly some 'action' with the trailer - most of it comes as a result of the blades spinning causing the wire to vibrate, I am using this trailer more for it's profile than the action.

Seems to give the bass 'a target', which reduces their tendency to hit 'the blades' which they so often do.

Eating the trailer with the hook get's me more solid hook ups and less 'missed strikes'.

I've caught a ton of great fish with these combinations including my PB Smallie.

A-Jay

KDW96 reply :

I have been using older Stanley Vibrashafts, and older Picasso spinnerbaits for many years.

pauldconyers reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 8:27 AM, A-Jay said:

While there is certainly some 'action' with the trailer - most of it comes as a result of the blades spinning causing the wire to vibrate, I am using this trailer more for it's profile than the action.

Seems to give the bass 'a target', which reduces their tendency to hit 'the blades' which they so often do.

Eating the trailer with the hook get's me more solid hook ups and less 'missed strikes'.

I've caught a ton of great fish with these combinations including my PB Smallie.

A-Jay

Oh I am not saying you gave me a bad recommendation. I agree with the profile of the bait and how it looks. One of the main points of a spinner bait is obviously the flash of the blades. I was asking if you think if I cannot "feel" them as much as without the trailer for some reason if they indeed are spinning as much and if not if that defeats the purpose and I should go for something lighter or not as beefy?

A-Jay reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 8:35 AM, pauldconyers said:

Oh I am not saying you gave me a bad recommendation. I agree with the profile of the bait and how it looks. One of the main points of a spinner bait is obviously the flash of the blades. I was asking if you think if I cannot "feel" them as much as without the trailer for some reason if they indeed are spinning as much and if not if that defeats the purpose and I should go for something lighter or not as beefy?

Again - I am not concerned with what the 'trailer' feels like as I retrieve the bait.

The properties I need in an effective spinnerbait trailer are as follows _

Must have the right profile. (size, shape, color)

Must never change the action of the spinnerbait; meaning the spinnerbait still need to run true, track straight up & down and not have it's angle altered in any way as the bait comes through the water.

I will often "Burn" my spinnerbaits and if the trailer is not dead nutz straight - the spinnerbait will run 'funny' which almost always results in Less Strikes.

As for you using a different trailer, I can not answer that - only you can.

If whatever you chose does not do what you want it to do - change it.

This one works well for me.

A-Jay

Sam reply :

1. Hank Parker's spinnerbait collection.

2. War Eagles.

Munkin reply :

Roll my own and use different baits depending on the situation.

Please elaborate on how the blades didn't spin right? I have made a lot of spinnerbaits in my life and understand how they work. Post what happened and myself or one of the other senior members can give you advice on correcting the problem.

Allen

bagofdonuts reply :

I like bouya double colorado in the spring and war eagles in the fall. For trailer i usually use the zoom split tail spinnerbait trailer.

papajoe222 reply :

Adding an action style trailer can change the flow of water behind the blades thereby impeding their ability to spin freely. The easiest solution is to bend the bait's arm up. The trailer is then lower and farther back from the blades.

My favorite trailer in the spring is a Kalin's Lunker grub. The addition of the trailer allows me to retrieve a willow bladed spinnerbait at the same speed as an Indiana bladed one without a trailer. As the season progresses, I downsize to a smaller grub eventually eliminating their use in the summer.

I have two brands of baits that share duties; Stanley VibraWedge and the Megastrike StrikeBack.

Glaucus reply :

I've never really spent good money on spinnerbaits. I've always just picked out Strike King or Booyah in a size and color I needed.

However recently I decided to spend some money on nice spinnerbaits and got a few of the Z-Man SlingBladeZ to try. Can't wait.

My PB LMB came off a Strike King Lil Mr Money. Imagine that. I think those are 3/16oz.

pauldconyers reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 10:50 AM, papajoe222 said:

Adding an action style trailer can change the flow of water behind the blades thereby impeding their ability to spin freely. The easiest solution is to bend the bait's arm up. The trailer is then lower and farther back from the blades.

My favorite trailer in the spring is a Kalin's Lunker grub. The addition of the trailer allows me to retrieve a willow bladed spinnerbait at the same speed as an Indiana bladed one without a trailer. As the season progresses, I downsize to a smaller grub eventually eliminating their use in the summer.

I have two brands of baits that share duties; Stanley VibraWedge and the Megastrike StrikeBack.

This may be more of what I was talking about. I was throwing a 1/2 ox Booyah with twin willow braids on a 7' rod with 832 sufix braid on it. I could really feel the vibrations, almost like you could feel each "wobble" of the willow blades. When I added this trailer the feedback was quite "muffled" and did not put off near the vibration. I was saying I really liked the look and profile of the bait with it but I was asking if it was somehow "interferring" with the blade action and the vibration put off was I actually doing myself a disservice? I was wondering if I should mess with the bend of it or if the size or weight of the trailer could be the culprit.

bowhunter63 reply :

3/8 War Eagle mouse double willow leaf

Bluebasser86 reply :

War Eagle and Booyah if I'm buying them.

Recently started making my own big, ugly spinnerbaits for fishing dirty water or when I want a lot of thump and they've been doing really well and it's not even prime spinnerbait time yet.

matbellon3 reply :

My favorite spinnerbaits are

1. Greenfish Tackle HD Ballistic Blade Colorado/Willow Sungill 1/2 oz

2. Strike King KVD Fines Colorado/Willow 3/8 oz

3. War Eagle Screamin Eagle

NittyGrittyBoy reply :

@Bluebasser86 I'm digging that spinner bait.

I bet it's got plenty of thump, and I like copper blades. Nice work

fin reply :

What is that at the base of the skirt @Bluebasser86? It looks like something that makes the skirt fluff out?

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 8:31 PM, fin said:

What is that at the base of the skirt @Bluebasser86? It looks like something that makes the skirt fluff out?

I wire tied that skirt onto the bait after I poured and painted it. It's a mix of silicone and rubber skirt material that I tied upside down so it flares out when tied and creates more bulk, but it also makes the bottom end flare out too.

On 4/1/2019 at 8:31 PM, fin said:

What is that at the base of the skirt @Bluebasser86? It looks like something that makes the skirt fluff out?

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 8:31 PM, fin said:

What is that at the base of the skirt @Bluebasser86? It looks like something that makes the skirt fluff out?

fin reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 9:43 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I wire tied that skirt onto the bait after I poured and painted it. It's a mix of silicone and rubber skirt material that I tied upside down so it flares out when tied and creates more bulk, but it also makes the bottom end flare out too.

Maybe I don't understand your answer because I've never wire tied a skirt, or maybe you don't understand what I'm asking about. Or maybe I'm seeing something that isn't there. I've traced the part in red in this picture.

Jig Man reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 11:55 PM, fin said:

Maybe I don't understand your answer because I've never wire tied a skirt, or maybe you don't understand what I'm asking about. Or maybe I'm seeing something that isn't there. I've traced the part in red in this picture.

I think you are seeing part of the living rubber that he has trimmed very short. It looks to be about 1/2" long with the wire tied next to it.

HoosierFisher reply :

The Siebert Cosmic spinnerbaits are great quality and the price is good. Another quality brand is Pepper Custom baits.

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 11:55 PM, fin said:

Maybe I don't understand your answer because I've never wire tied a skirt, or maybe you don't understand what I'm asking about. Or maybe I'm seeing something that isn't there. I've traced the part in red in this picture.

I tie the skirt tabs and strip at the very end with the material extending past the top of the wire arm, and nothing below the lead. After it's tied and and material is cut so the individual strands are released, they all hang down to whatever length I cut the skirt and flare out. The part you're seeing is just the flared out bit of the very end of the skirt that I didn't bother trimming after I tied it.

MIbassyaker reply :

Favorite? Wow. Not sure I have one. I have and use Strike King, Booyah, War Eagle, Stanley, Pepper, Revenge, Nichols, River2Sea, Zorro, Megastrike, Siebert, Dobyns....although I probably have more War Eagle than anything else.

Anybody else wish War Eagles had a longer hook?

Kyle S reply :

Wow!! Thanks everyone! War eagle seems to have quite a few peoples attention, I'll have to give them a shot! The custom spinner bait also was awesome @Bluebasser86!! I watched that @A-Jay's smallmouth video, HOLY SMOKES is right!! Good on you brother. Congrats!

ChrisD46 reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 9:40 AM, bagofdonuts said:

I like bouya double colorado in the spring and war eagles in the fall. For trailer i usually use the zoom split tail spinnerbait trailer.

^^This^^ or same in willow leaf blades ...While there may be better spinner baits , you can find Booyah spinner baits just about any where in a multitude of sizes , colors and blade type to suit your needs . Spending $5 for a more than decent Booyah versus $8 or $9 for other brands means I'm less concerned where I throw it - which is usually where the good bass live . The only thing I do is reinforce the skirt with a small wire tie to the hook or bend back the wire frame if it gets bent with a pair of needle nose ... Once it's ready for the "spinner bait burial grounds" - I save the blades or skirts for a future use . Conversely , if I see a Terminator , Nichols , Stanley , War Eagle , etc. on sale or in a color combo I just have to have (low IQ / shiny objects are my downfall) then I will buy with no hesitation.

Lunker Addict reply :

I like War Eagle but have mostly been fishing spinnerbaits from Advantage Bait Company the last few years and love them. They are stupid expensive though for spinnerbaits.

BassWhole! reply :

Maybe it's just me, but I rank War Eagle low on my Spinnerbait roster, and that was before the Rapala take over. I'll take a Stanley, Booyah, SK, and many others over it. Humdinger and Mann's HP original getting it done right now.

NittyGrittyBoy reply :

On 4/3/2019 at 8:20 PM, BassWhole! said:

Maybe it's just me, but I rank War Eagle low on my Spinnerbait roster

Care to elaborate as to why?

All I practically throw is War Eagle and they do exceptionally well. But If there is something better out there, I really don't mind giving it a Shot!

LxVE Bassin reply :

War Eagle Wake Spinnerbait (Double Colorado)

War Eagle Tamdem Spinnerbait (Indiana and Colorado)

both half ounce.

Fishingmickey reply :

I have had really good results with the River2sea Bling spinner baits. I like the head design on how the wire enters the head and it is flat on the bottom like a skid plate. I feel it allows me to get the spinner bait to climb over limbs, logs, lilly pads and brush in the water. They are made with great components, good hook and thin wire and blades.

Brad Reid reply :

I "get" we aren't specifically talking about "inline" spinner baits, but I was having so much luck catching big bass on a #2 Mepps Plain Aglia that I ordered a bunch of them in #5.

Yesterday around 6 PM, on my first cast while sitting near a dock talking to a neighbor and showing him how the new casting reel worked, I caught this one. Likely in the high 4s to 5 pounds range give or take. Very long fish!

So, I'd recommend an old reliable standby, a Mepps inline spinner in a #5. It is hefty enough to easily throw with a casting reel, a good add for anyone's tackle box. No trailer required . . . the fish seem to target the spinning blade and it is more compact than others.

Brad

SJex reply :

War Eagle and Stanley Wedge.

snake95 reply :

On 4/3/2019 at 8:20 PM, BassWhole! said:

Maybe it's just me, but I rank War Eagle low on my Spinnerbait roster, and that was before the Rapala take over

Do you mean Terminator? War Eagle is now part of Pradco.

BassWhole! reply :

On 4/3/2019 at 11:33 PM, snake95 said:

Do you mean Terminator? War Eagle is now part of Pradco.

No, I meant Pradco instead of Rapala. I like the T1, the only draw back (other than $$$) is you can't change the length of the upper arm and it's difficult to change out the front blade. My issues with the WE is that the wire is fragile, the head comes loose, the distance from tie to head is too long, and with the wired on skirts (before they changed them) were a pain to change. They catch fish, but then so do most other spinnerbaits when the bite is on, when you need to really get into the weeds, that's when it makes a difference. I will say that a modified 5/16 finesse WE is a killer bait at times for me. That being said, if a WE (or any other bait) is working, keep at it.

NittyGrittyBoy reply :

Thanks for answering, i barely have any grass where I fish so that hasn't been a problem.

Wire being fragile, yes I can agree to that, it can only bounce off so many trees haha! I haven't had a head come loose. I would like to try my hand at building my own, "Extreme River Series" editions haha!

I do modify the 5/16 Finesse and it is top producer in sloughs and backwaters off my local rivers! Thanks again for your honesty opinion @BassWhole!

the reel ess reply :

War d**n Eagle!

Mr Swim Jig reply :

My 2 favorite spinner bait companies are War Eagle and North Star Baits, North Star Baits hidden weight spinner bait is my favorite...

Topwaterdude reply :

River 2 Sea and Revenge

Big Rick reply :

War Eagle runs straight and fishes well until I catch several fish and then the wire gets loose in the cone shaped head. That doesn't stop me from fishing them, it's just a let down. One of my favorites in this brand is the Mike McClelland finesse.

My all time favorite is the Stanley Wedge Plus series. Best, longest lasting non-titanium wired spinnerbait I've ever used. Tough as nails and gives off great vibrations. Favorite color is Blue Shad...

roadwarrior reply :

https://www.siebertoutdoors.com/Cosmic-Double-Willow-Spinnerbait-405.htm

snake95 reply :

Nichols lures. Based in Georgia. Made in the USA.

Tizi reply :

War eagle finesse

rtwvumtneer6 reply :

On 4/1/2019 at 5:06 AM, ww2farmer said:

War Eagles for me.

The 5/16 oz finesse has re-ignited my spinnerbait fishing game that I let fall by the wayside a while back in favor of swimjigs and chatterbaits. Sometimes there's just nothing better than a good spinnerbait bite.

I don't think I own any spinnerbaits that aren't War Eagle. I realize this is an older post but for this time of year (fall) I have a lot of confidence in the Double Willow Screamin Eagle in 1/2 oz. Little bit smaller profile and stays down well even at faster retrieve.

I saw the finesse 5/16 and thought about trying them. Is it even smaller than the Screamin eagle? What are the biggest difference you see? I've not fished that particular blade combo. Do you change blades, or fish it stock?

6469

Favorite spinner bait!? 2024

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