Spinner Baits?

[DDSBYDAY]

     What do you look for in a spinner bait?   Size-color-single or double blade?  The reason I ask is because I have not fished bass since I was a kid.  I entered to 2010 challenge and unfortunately team "Catch and release into the grease" is in first place.  My team "Dream Crushers" is in second place at the moment and we need  to pick up a trophy bass.  I started making a few spinnerbaits because I find myself in a position where I have to target them.  I am not only excited now but also unhappy with the spinner baits I see on the market.  What do you look for.   ( I know $ is huge but these things are costly to make).   Feel free to toss out suggestions or thoughts.  I will reward feedback with spinnerbaits to field test next spring.  To be eligble I need only your suggestions on changes you would make on the commercial ones available.  Colors- blade size- weight-hooks size- hook color.   I am looking forward to your suggestions.  If you are new to this site log in and participate.  We are all here to learn and your input will be greatly appreciated.

[tmjhamann]

1st the loop need's to be closed that's the thing I hate about the cheep and not so cheep one's also it is my main northern bait

[MTCOMMER]

I agree, closed loop, the open ones are a pain and get messed up sometime when casting.  I also like 1 blade - that is my preference, and a large red hook.
I have mostly only used green, that my main color - White also.  I havent had much luck with my red/black spinner.
-- but depending on water clarity and conditions the color will change, I think you have a pretty good idea about colors anyways - same as your other jigs. 

[Fawkinnae]

The thing I have noticed is that it's hard to find heavier weight spinner baits. Seems like up to 1/2 ounce is often the limit when I am shopping. I have had some good luck with 3/4 ounce.

The 3/4 ounce baits seem to easily stay as high in the water column as needed - especially with a single blade. I used to be more of a single blade user (colorado) but now seem to use double blades more often - maybe because I can't find heavier single bladed baits.

White seems to be my best color possible followed by chartreuse or a combination of the two. Actually come to think of it I had a red one that I used a lot this year and had good success with - until it got bit off.

[Bobby Bass]

I often find myself customizing my spinner baits. Having a closed loop to tie on is a must. I like large willow blades even on my ¼ oz baits which I use a lot. I prefer white blades and will often double up on my skirts putting the first one on backwards and then the second one opposite of it. This gives the lure a lot of bulk. I prefer the chartreuse and blue skirts but will also throw green and chartreuse. I always add a big 3 to 4 inch white grub for a trailer. If I am looking for Northerns I will change out the white blade for a copper or orange. As fall comes and the water cools this setup works well just slow rolling 4 inch grubs are then the norm, rarely do I add a trailer hook

[dakids]

closed loop
3/4 ounce or larger
single colorado blade
HAMMERED BRASS BLADE with color on the back of the blade matching the skirt
A rubber skirt that stays in place
Add a soft plastic body that has a swim tail instead of a cheap twister tail.

I had 3 of these made for muskies and the big bass and pike on tonka ate this lure all day long.
Unfortunately all 3 are gone.
How much to have you make me a few?

[DDSBYDAY]

     Great tips guys.  Especially the universal closed loop suggestion.  I expect a shipment of open eye wire forms today.    I have a couple of design ideas to keep the blade from fouling the line.  I will post some pics as I get them going.  I also will stick to the heavier heads as per your suggestions.  I will be making some tandom spinners too.   Most double bladed spinnerbaits have a falling blade on a clevis and do not actually spin on a retrieve.  They flutter on the drop.   This is going to be fun.  I will practice on the open eyes and the next set will all be closed.   For Trailers I make my own soft plastics so the sky is the limit there.   I appreciate the tips.  Keep them coming.   

[HD]

Do they make a little bigger wire frame?

The reason I'm asking is cause, I have never found size in between the giant muskie size and the standard size spinner bait.

I fish mostly for pike, and would like some in a little larger size. And the closed loop is a must for pike.

[DDSBYDAY]

     The standard wire frame is .035.  The heavier frame I use is .040.  The .040 is plenty sturdy.  The .035 is a little weak for pike.  Making closed eyes is easy.  I have always bent my own wire forms and I tie directly on the frame with no leader so when I ordered the pre bent forms I just went with the ones I like for bass.  If any type of leader or clip is used then the closed loop is manditory.  I plan on making both types in the .035 and .040 wire sizes.   The Musky wires are probably .050.  You need special attachments on commercial wire benders for these.

[HD]

I guess I didn't word it right.... overall size.

The whole lure, do they make them bigger, but not as huge as a muskie lure?

[DDSBYDAY]

     The spinnerbait design is based on a triangle.  This is the way to blades spin best(according to the experts?)    The  tip of the hook to the eye tie is one leg of the triangle. The spinner arm the next.    I personally think they are made that way because it is symetrical.  Humans like symetry  (they sell better).   So really any size is available they just need to be custom made.  There is nothing to it.

[Fawkinnae]

One other tip. Many of my spinnerbaits do not have a closed loop. When I use a leader with these, I simply take a piece of mono and literally tie the leader (simple square knot) to the spinnerbait in the position I want it to stay. Works great and solves the problem.

[HD]

So.....if I sent you a diamention of the triangle....you could make me some? 

Fawk....I tried the mono thing a few times, but if ya catch a really good pike...they still straighten um out. 

[DDSBYDAY]

       Hunter-take a spinner you have on hand.  Measure from the tip of the hook to were you would want the closed loop to be.  That is the only measurement I would need.  I don't have a large skirt inventory yet.  I also am thinking of tyeing the skirts instead of banding them.  It takes longer but skirts stay in place.  The biggest blade for singles I am useing is a #5 willowleaf in nickle finish.  I have some more coming in soon.    I would be happy to put a couple together for you to try out.   Heck if it works we can name it after you.

[HD]

       Hunter-take a spinner you have on hand.  Measure from the tip of the hook to were you would want the closed loop to be.  That is the only measurement I would need.  I don't have a large skirt inventory yet.  I also am thinking of tyeing the skirts instead of banding them.  It takes longer but skirts stay in place.  The biggest blade for singles I am useing is a #5 willowleaf in nickle finish.  I have some more coming in soon.    I would be happy to put a couple together for you to try out.   Heck if it works we can name it after you.

ssswwweeeeeeetttttt! 

[thunderpout]

Always liked the closed loops,  always did pretty good with hammered blades, both colorado and willow, they toss alot of light around, that and a hammered blade with white or chartreuse combo.... red hooks would be a good touch.

[DDSBYDAY]

      One tip to close those R frames to a closed loop is take a small piece of heat shrink tubing.   Pull it over the arm and heat it.  It will hold very well. 

              Thunderpout your ice jigs will be mailed out tomorrow.  You will have them Sat by the latest.

[HD]

Here is a pic of standard, a pike size and a muskie spinner bait.....

The one on the left is about 2 1/4 inches, the one in the middle is about 3 inches and the one on the left is about 4 1/4 inches from the eye hoop.
The one in the middle is the one I have a hard time finding, and the wire diameter is a little weak.

If I were to design a pike spinner bait, it would be about 3 1/2 inches to the eye let. With a red hook in a white, yellow or perch color.

The muskie lure has a trailer of a trebele hook, but I don't think it's needed. 

Most of the ones I throw, have a willow blade.....but as you can see the middle one has a colardo blade that has also worked well.

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[DDSBYDAY]

     I will put a couple together next week.  You can start working on the name.   I will make them in 3/4 and 1/2 oz.  You decide what you want to call it.  You will have to do the field testing.   I will beef up the skirts a little too.        I would work on them this weekend but I have a 2010 challenge to win. 

[DDSBYDAY]

The one on the left is about 2 1/4 inches, the one in the middle is about 3 inches and the one on the left is about 4 1/4 inches from the eye hoop.
The one in the middle is the one I have a hard time finding, and the wire diameter is a little weak.


       I was bending a few closed eye wire forms and want to double check you measurement.  Is the 3.5 inches from the tip of the hook to the eye let? 

[HD]

It was from the tip of the eyelet to the other loop that the blade was attached to with a swivel.
When I measured the same distance on the hook side, it ended up being at the base of the head where the hook started behind the skirt.

I Think I have the name covered..... "Pike Hunter" 

[DDSBYDAY]

     I like it.  I made the wire forms last night.   

[tmjhamann]

I Think I have the name covered..... "Pike Hunter" 
[/quote] I like it!!!

[DDSBYDAY]

      After working on the PIKE HUNTER I found out why there is really no medium size spinnerbaits  out there.  The reason is they are a pain to make.  The longer the legs of the triangle the easier the imperfections are to see.  I finally got the specs on one right and realized I had the head upside down (made the wire bends backwards).  This is a learning experience for me.  I always made them like grandmas make pie.   The only problem is the pan just got bigger.  I will have thisPIKE HUNTER  ready for next spring for sure.  I would like to get a couple to Hunterdown to look over or try before the lakes freeze up but these are starting to get on my nerves.   The problem with spinnerbaits is you can screw them up so many ways.  I have a new appreciation for the mass produced cheep ones.  I figure my failure rate is about 15-1 .  This will change.  The PIKE HUNTER will be available here at this site only next spring.  These will be available to members only.   Pics will be posted as they become presentable.