Inline spinners - trout or bass or both? 2024
Fish the Mitt reply :
So at my local bait shop, they have all of the inline spinners (Mepps, BlueFox, etc..) under the trout section. I've never paid much attention to the section labeling. If it catches bass, I wouldn't care if if it was in the Dolphin section. However, I started gearing up for some trout fishing plans I have and it appears a lot of the inline spinners are geared toward trout. Couple that with the fact that very rarely have I seen Mepps mentioned at all on this site.
Again, I'm going to continue using them as they produce numbers and quality (my PB was on an orange BlueFox Vibrax) but is it in fact a trout-oriented lure? Or just a true multi-specie?
Curious 
EllisJuan reply :
I have caught MANY bass with a Mepps. When I was young, on lazy days I would toss one behind my trolling motor equipped Jon Boat and troll the lake we lived on. It was shockingly effective.
Wprich reply :
I've caught plenty of bass on panther Martin's, they're the main inline spinner I throw other than blue foxes. I was reading a article last night on spinners since I'm trying to get into trout fishing more. One point in the article was that most small and hairless spinners are geared towards trout, while larger spinners or the ones with hair are more favored toward bass, pike, etc.
Fish the Mitt reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 9:54 AM, EllisJuan said:I have caught MANY bass with a Mepps. When I was young, on lazy days I would toss one behind my trolling motor equipped Jon Boat and troll the lake we lived on. It was shockingly effective.
Very effective. My top 5 have been caught on the BlueFox Vibrax series or a Mepps #5 Red/White Aglia. Just thought it odd that I rarely hear of Mepps on here and I've never heard anyone mention BlueFox (albeit I've only been a member for less than a month). Started thinking I was the only one in the world bass fishing with spinners! lol
Scott F reply :
In-line spinners will catch everything that swims. I use bigger spinners for bass, but pike, perch rock bass and walleyes will all hit them. Your local tackle store is trying to catch trout fishermen by marketing spinners to them.
IndianaFinesse reply :
The inline spinner is definitely the most effective multi species lure, I have personally caught nine different species of fish on it. I doubt it was created specifically for trout, I think it was probably just made to catch fish. It's not often mentioned on this site because it's somewhat considered a beginner's lure, even though there are a number of people that use it, they usually don't talk about it for fear of ridicule.
Fish the Mitt reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 9:57 AM, Wprich said:I've caught plenty of bass on panther Martin's, they're the main inline spinner I throw other than blue foxes. I was reading a article last night on spinners since I'm trying to get into trout fishing more. One point in the article was that most small and hairless spinners are geared towards trout, while larger spinners or the ones with hair are more favored toward bass, pike, etc.
That actually makes a lot of sense!
On 4/8/2016 at 9:59 AM, IndianaFinesse said:The inline spinner is definitely the most effective multi species lure, I have personally caught nine different species of fish on it. I doubt it was created specifically for trout, I think it was probably just made to catch fish. It's not often mentioned on this site because it's somewhat considered a beginner's lure, even though there are a number of people that use it, they usually don't talk about it for fear of ridicule.
Oh... well, now I'm off to delete this thread!
Raul reply :
I caught my first trout 43 years ago with a Mepps Aglia, gold blade dressed squirrel hair hook, I caught my first bass 33 years ago with ...... the exact same in-line spinner.
Master Bait'r reply :
Inlines are great!
Check out the Snagless Sally and the Super Sally. Both great baits and yes they seem to catch everything
papajoe222 reply :
I have a number of them in my 'Skunk Repellent' box. I also will let youngsters use them when they become fairly proficient at casting, until then it's the good old Beetle Spin.
IndianaFinesse reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 9:59 AM, SemperBass said:
Oh... well, now I'm off to delete this thread!
I have been pleasantly surprised by all of the positive replies, where I live if you mention that your using a spinner people will just roll there eyes and mark you as a beginner.
Fish the Mitt reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 10:12 AM, IndianaFinesse said:I have been pleasantly surprised by all of the positive replies, where I live if you mention that your using a spinner people will just roll there eyes and mark you as a beginner.
I'm a self-proclaimed beginner so comments regarding such wouldn't phase me.
What I don't understand is why they are viewed as a beginner lure? I mean, yes, I can see that they're a little easier to use but nothing we throw in the water is automatic. Unless theres a bobber tied on, control of the lure is still needed. Retrieve speed, water column depth, etc.. are all things an angler still has to take into account. No different than fishing a spinnerbait.
In the end, if it produces, I can't see myself directly or indirectly labeling someone for using it.
Interesting topic none-the-less I suppose.
EllisJuan reply :
It is really kind of silly. They carry a beginner stigma because it is what you would tie on to help someone inexperienced easilly catch fish. Ironically, that is all I want to do...have an easy time catching fish.
tbone1993 reply :
They're the biggest catch all lure out there. The small ones work for panfish, medium size for trout/ bass etc, bigger for pike, bass, salmon etc. They're considered a beginner lure because they're in everyone's tackle box. Every time a kid looks into grandpa's box he'll find snelled baitholders and some form of an inline spinner. I keep them around our bass/striper section in my shop. If someone wants to catch fish I'll sell them some worms and an inline spinner. Once they're hooked on the spinners I'll bump em up to the soft plastics and actual spinnerbaits.
Jrob78 reply :
Inline spinners probably are technically a "beginners" lure, it was one of the first lures I ever threw when I was a little kid. I bet a lot of you did too.
That has nothing to do with its effectiveness though. Anyone who would ridicule someone for using an inline is either ignorant, arrogant, insecure or a combination of the 3.
Maxximus Redneckus reply :
Dont let them fool ya they catch anything.they can save the day .dont pay attention to the naysayers.i dont care what ppl see me using im already behind the times with my pistol grip and abu round reel add a #3 mepps in and white those ppl wont bother me .until they see me pullin up big girls all day
buzzed bait reply :
1/8 oz panther martin black with yellow dots and gold blade is my ultimate "secret weapon" catches mostly everything that swims around these parts. trout, bass, crappie, catfish, bluegill and i'm sure other fish that i've caught on that lure. it's my go-to for trout, but that lure just flat out catches fish, all fish.
georgeyew reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 10:20 AM, SemperBass said:What I don't understand is why they are viewed as a beginner lure?
I have a fishing buddy that laughs at me for using Mepps and Bluefox inline spinners. He thinks that they are too easy and I need to work harder for my bass. Also he does not believe any respectable large bass (5 lb +) would ever hit an inline spinner. I am dead set on proving him wrong. It's also ironic that he does that consider the senko a beginner lure considering it's effectiveness. I think that he is just out to give me crap.
Turkey sandwich reply :
They're not my go to for size, but they are a great lure to beat the skunk. If the fishing is tough, spinners and grubs are clutch. Even guys like Ike talk about a "beat the skunk box" that isn't complete without 2.5"-3" grubs and some basic inline spinners.
fishwizzard reply :
When I was stating out I received a bit of advice from an older guy I met at a local pond. He said that an inline spinner will catch anything that swims, but that I should be prepared to lose "a couple a dozen of them" while I was learning to cast and steer them back in. He recommended buying the cheapest ones I could and fishing them in a stump field until I could steer them through without snagging.
I took his advice and did loose quite a few, but I began catching a ton of sunfish once I learned how to work them slowly. I have never caught a LMB on one, but have caught a bunch of schoolie stripers on larger saltwater spinners. They are one of my favorite lures to throw and I should really get them in the rotation more often.
mrmacwvu1 reply :
I do a bunch of wet wading for smallmouths. The inline spinner is one of my go to search baits.
blckshirt98 reply :
One of the first bass I ever caught was on a Panther Martin Holographic spinner. Spinners are one of those "works on everything" lures that kind of got stuck with a "trout" tag that it's never been able to shake.
Hurricane reply :
I have caught some nice bass off rooster tails..
Zippyduck Krimm reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 10:09 PM, LastCastChris said:I have caught some nice bass off rooster tails..
I use 1/6 and 1/4 oz. roostertails for the smalies in erie and the local rivers. I have landed 5# smallies on them.
I even caught 2 steelhead and 5 smallies in elk creek in 3 hrs with them.
Edited by Zippyduck Krimmgrammar
Hurricane reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 10:21 PM, Zippyduck Krimm said:I use 1/6 and 1/4 oz. roostertails for the smalies in erie and the local rivers. I have landed 5# smallies on them.
I even caught a 2 steelhead and 5 smallies in elk creek in 3 hrs with them.
Absolutely... I use the 1/4 oz in White....
Fish the Mitt reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 12:52 PM, georgeyew said:Also he does not believe any respectable large bass (5 lb +) would ever hit an inline spinner.
That's just crazy talk! 
Raul reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 10:12 AM, IndianaFinesse said:I have been pleasantly surprised by all of the positive replies, where I live if you mention that your using a spinner people will just roll there eyes and mark you as a beginner.
That´s because you are in the company of "pros", KVD wannabes & self entitled bass "masters" , right here art BR you are not, we´re just a bunch of fellers that like to ketch fish.
James Pondscum reply :
Used them last weekend for trout fishing. Just caught two trout . I couldn't keep the bass off of them?
Fish the Mitt reply :
Well I certainly appreciate the responses. Regardless of whether one views them as a beginner lure or not, I'm glad we can agree on one thing - they catch fish. In the end, as an angler, that's the real goal anyways. If we can use this lure to help teach and infatuate new anglers, and we can catch fish ourselves, it's definitely a lure you'll see in my box.
Cheers..and like always, tight lines gents! (Or should I say in-line) 
zeth reply :
inlines are great. catch tons of spots and smallies on them.
bowhunter63 reply :
Blue fox inline spinner with a curly tail trailer is a Smallie killer on the River.
Fish the Mitt reply :
On 4/9/2016 at 8:14 AM, bowhunter63 said:Blue fox inline spinner with a curly tail trailer is a Smallie killer on the River.
This guy knows what's up. Love throwing curly tail grubs on. They slay the bass in the creeks and rivers I fush up here.
bowhunter63 reply :
On 4/9/2016 at 8:19 AM, SemperBass said:This guy knows what's up. Love throwing curly tails on. They slay the bass in the creeks and rivers I fush up here.
I use the Rage Curly tail.Awesome combo
Fish the Mitt reply :
On 4/9/2016 at 8:20 AM, bowhunter63 said:I use the Rage Curly tail.Awesome combo
I'll have to try it. Can't be any worse than the El cheapo grubs I generally use. If anything, I'll probably have more color selection!
bowhunter63 reply :
On 4/9/2016 at 8:24 AM, SemperBass said:I'll have to try it. Can't be any worse than the El cheapo grubs I generally use. If anything, I'll probably have more color selection!
Yes Sir and i really think they make difference.
Yeajray231 reply :
Mepps all day. If I dont catch anything trying my favorite styles. Cranks / worms/ top water. I hit the spots again with a mepps. I like the black fury , and the white tail. Also the browns, oh and the chartreuse. Ha-ha. I like them all ! And seriously have caught some NICE fish on them. Bass, bluegill, crappie, pike, perch, bowfin, and a huge channel cat once. It was over ten pounds. If I could only have one lure for me to depend on, it would be the mepps in line spinner.
primetime reply :
Spinners catch fish. Light line, small Rooster tail is fun. I only use them when I am looking to have fun and just get strikes, I just don't catch big fish on them unless I upsize to a #3 size or bigger, less strikes but better fish. For Trout I used to always go small, #1 size, but you can catch big Bass on a tiny spinner you just have to go through some smaller fish usually.
I have a friend who uses 1/8 oz spinners out of the back seat of the boat as a co-angler and does well some days.
Spinners catch fish, all gamefish. Just like a Minnow bait..
blckshirt98 reply :
One of the first bass I caught using a "reel and retrieve" method was on a Panther Martin holographic rainbow spinner while at a Sierra lake that stocks trout. Was the only fish I caught that day.
MIbassyaker reply :
Some of the "beginner" stigma I think has to do with the tournament-centric view that the serious angler targets bass only and everything else is a bycatch. From this perspective, only a beginner would go fishing without caring much what they caught. In-line spinners catch everything, even fish that don't strike other lures. On the other hand, bass strike almost anything, even lures that don't catch other fish. Thus, in-line spinners are among the least efficient lures for targeting bass and only bass unless you're fishing somewhere that really has only bass.
And anyone who thinks in-lines don't catch nice-sized bass needs to go browse the largemouth and smallmouth photo galleries on the Mepps website. Oh, they certainly do.
Ratherbfishing reply :
My two primary gripes with Mepps is that they do tend to tarnish and the squirrel tail (for dressed spinners), if allowed to stay wet very long, will rust out the hooks. (So don't let them remain wet). And, broadly speaking, inline spinners are not very weedless. BUT having said this, they are very good for catching fish of almost all species. Anyone who poo poo's inline spinners is either a "purist", a novice, or a knucklehead.
Caliyak reply :
If the pros are not pushing them, not good baits. LOL
Rooster tails for me and I use them year round.
bigfruits reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 12:52 PM, georgeyew said:. Also he does not believe any respectable large bass (5 lb +) would ever hit an inline spinner.
im pretty sure this one is over.
inline spinners will catch anything. trout, bass, pike, musky, bluegill, catfish, shad...
J Francho reply :
Inline spinners only get a bay rap because they do not get through the cover that largemouth inhabit very well, if at all. The bent shaft or safety pin style protect the hook point from weed, wood, docks, etc. In places where this cover is not present, but fish are, they will get bit. Notice I said "fish." Any predatory species will eat an inline spinner. We use them for smallmouth quite a bit. I also have some huge ones for northern pike and musky. A bumble bee pattern spinner is a must have for anyone fishing pre-spawn brown trout.
fishballer06 reply :
When the bite is tough during a tournament and I need to fill out a limit, an 1/8oz or 1/4oz Rooster Tail can quickly get me a few fish to fill my limit.
Further North reply :
On 4/8/2016 at 10:12 AM, IndianaFinesse said:I have been pleasantly surprised by all of the positive replies, where I live if you mention that your using a spinner people will just roll there eyes and mark you as a beginner.
Those folks who mark you as a "beginner" need to take a trip to Canada and hand the heck on when a 35" - 40" pike or musky slams that "beginner" lure...
...they catch bass too. One of my 6+ pound smallies came on a brown trout pattern #5 Mepps. I've lost count of the number of smallies and largemouth I've caught on them.
Viper0463 reply :
Inline spinners are one of my favorite lures to use. I completely disagree that they are a beginner lure. There's definitely a few was to use them that are very easy and then some that are not. If you fish in a river you can drift fish with them, bumping it off the bottom or keep it just above the bottom and feel for the soft strike, not a beginner technique. Inline spinners will produce fish in any water type and just about everything will at some point chase them, I'm not saying it will always catch fish but, there is nowhere I personally wouldn't try one.
timsford reply :
I don't understand what makes any lure a "beginner" lure. Sure they will catch anything that swims and about all you have to do is cast them out and reel in. I have always been under the impression that catching fish is what's important. If they are biting inlines I don't care who has something to say. They are probably just jealous because you are catching fish and they arent.
j bab reply :
I just discovered the Terminator Inline Spinner and bought one recently. Genius idea really, a larger size inline spinner with a free-swinging EWG hook so you can add a trailer. I haven't been fishing since it came in, but next time I go out I'm definitely throwing it.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I have several #2 Mepp's in my grab and go bag because they catch everything. I really like them in the creeks off the big rivers when the water gets up and the wipers and white bass push up into them. They can be fished very fast and mimic any kind of silver baitfish they might want to eat.
"hamma" reply :
I look at it like this,
If im fishing a tourney, I want to target bass only, and will only use one if im currently skunked. and have exhausted all my few dozen finesse techniques
Otherwise I kinda shy away from them as the opportunity to twist up my brand new line is always there if it snags something,.and they do easily snag stuff.
With the negatives out of the way,.. the positives
They work just as all of you have stated, about 30 years ago I had gone so far as to remove the trailing treble hook and replace with worm hook to attach a grub on the end. Nowadays you can find them already weedless on the shelf, not back then though. And that weedless version used to be my go to bait anywhere i found weeds just under the surface. I think I still have it somewhere around here. I havent set up a bass rod for a inline spinner in years just because, I like my spinnerbaits, and that linetwist issue can be a PITA.
As for trout fishing? always have a rod or three setup with a snapswivel for a 1/8 oz inline, wont leave the house without them. And do I have "some"? lol ,...ohhh about a hundred or two 1/8 oz in the trout fishin tackle bag. (plus a few dozen larger versions) Mepps, panthers, blue foxes, roostertails, some 30 years old, some brandy spankin new. Im always on the lookout for 1/8 oz inlines while scanning a tackleshop. And will cast or troll them, I dont discriminate.
Stripers? Many years ago when I first started striper fishing a rather long odd looking inline spinner caught my eye. It was a long solid wire shafted version with three size 4 willowleaf bladed model with a single hook, and a short piece of 30 lb test mono with another single hook as a trailer hook. I asked the shop owner what thats for and he explained that you add seaworms on the hooks and troll it for stripers. So I bought one,.. tried it, and it worked well, but every so often I was loosing fish near the boat. I saw what was happening one day, they were shaking there heads using the leverage of that long solid shaft to dislodge the hook, So I remedied that,. I now make my own flexible version, and my hook up catch ratio is almost 100%. they work so well I had to start making them for other anglers as I was outfishing the heck out of them, and they'd get really ticked when I showed up at the bridge and drop one of them spinners in the current and bag a fish in a few minutes, when they had been there all day and caught nothing.
Do I use inlines? You could say that I do. But when you see me at a bass tourney weight in. You wont see one tied on any of my rods,... unless 90% of the anglers got skunked, and my livewell is wet.
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