In-line Spinners

[KSRonH]

IMHO I believe these lures to be under used by most bass fishermen even though they get great results. Do you use them and what is your favorite.

[Chaz Hickcox]

When bass are chasing shad or minnows just under the surface I like to burn a 1/2 oz white Roostertail just under the surface. 

[KYntucky Warmouth]

They'll all catch bass but I'll guarantee a Double Cowgirl will catch the biggest. 

[Bass Junkie]

    Roostertails, easy. Cast better, runs truer, and has better color selection. Also priced great, widely available, and most importantly it catches fish. Caught my first and only trout on one, as well as one of my 3 way tie smallies on these, and cannot find a color that won't catch fish. Other than that, their nothing really special.......LOL.

[Bass Junkie]

They'll all catch bass but I'll guarantee a Double Cowgirl will catch the biggest.

LOL, I'll back you on that one!!!!!

[Jake.]

Panther Martins are the best quality and spin easiest IMO. Roostertails seem to foul the most often. They can be fun on an UL rod, surprisingly big bass will hit them every now and then.

[Goose52]

I voted for Roostertail based on availability, sizes/weights, and color selections. However, I actually think that the Shyster is a superior design.

I always modify Roostertails to somewhat emulate the Shyster design by bending over the attach eyelet, and putting a small outward bend in the tip of the blade. The angled eyelet minimizes the entire bait spinning thus reducing line twist. The bent blade reduces the "stall" speed of the blade so you can fish the bait slower and still keep the blade active.

As a multi-species angler, I often throw Roostertails in the little lakes that I fish here. While I usually end up with small to moderate size bass, I also get hits by catfish, crappie, perch, and brim.

While not an ideal "big-fish" bait, my two biggest catches this year were on Roostertails. The 7.75lb bass in my avatar on a 3/8oz in firetiger, and a 20lb cat on a white 1/4oz.

I usually only use 4 colors - white, black, chartreuse, and firetiger. For sizes, I use 1/16, 1/8, 1/6, 1/4, and 3/8oz.

I sure would like to find some of the 1/2oz Roostertails mentioned by suicidenemesis...

[The Rooster]

You can order any size you want on their website.  I have seen for sale locally here though, the sizes of 1/2 and even all the way up to 1 full ounce!!

I'm going to try what you also said about reducing line twist by modifying the line tie cause this is my primary complaint with these lures.  I have nearly 100 roostertails and have lost that many more over the years for sure so I obviously like them a lot but the twisting makes them a hassle to use without changing line often or using a swivel which I do not like doing.  Some seem to twist worse than others also.  Not sure why but I've just noticed it while using them.  Two identical lures and one will spin sometimes where the other one won't.  If bending the line tie will help with this then I'm all for it. 

Also I'll be trying out your bending the blade technique as well.  I've been experimenting some with this by cupping the blade more but not actually bending the tip out or anything.  I was trying to get more thump from it. 

I voted Roostertails as my favorite though, mostly cause they have so many colors available in them and I own so many. ;D

[Goose52]

You can order any size you want on their website. I have seen for sale locally here though, the sizes of 1/2 and even all the way up to 1 full ounce!!

...

I've been on the Worden web site - they're a bit pricey there! I've been spoiled by getting them at Walmart for $2.36 - same price for the 1/16 up to 3/8. However, Wally doesn't carry anything heavier than the 3/8oz and the tackle shop in town doesn't carry anything bigger than 1/4oz. I may end up having to foot the bill on the Worden web site...

I've attached a photo of the bent eye & blade. Doesn't take much of a bend to get the desired effect. You can tweak the blade bend to get more or less motion/drag from the blade.

BTW - I saw your Roostertail collection on the tackle thread that you started - very impressive and thanks for posting that photo. I had my wife look at it and said "see, I only get 1 or 2 Roostertails when we go to Walmart - I haven't got anywhere near what some people have ;D ;D

[Goose52]

FWIW - for those that haven't seen a Shyster, here's a photo I recently posted on another thread - check out the line tie - not much line twist on these babies. I didn't even know they were still being made until I did a web search the other day. Too bad they don't have better availability and size/color selection ...

[sockey]

I have more Roostertails, but I bought a pack of those Blue Fox ones when I was on a trip once to use on a pond. There's one in sexy shad that absolutely tore up everything: catfish, bream, bass, you name it.

[Chaz Hickcox]

I sure would like to find some of the 1/2oz Roostertails mentioned by suicidenemesis...

Try Cabela's Online, they're maybe 2in long and look huge for roostertails, but are great for all kinds of bass.  Caught my first white bass in '91 with a yellow one.

[Goose52]

Thanks for the tip. I just checked out their web site and they do have 1/2oz for $3.99 - I've been spoiled by only having to pay $2.36 at Walmart for all weights up to 3/8oz.

BPS for some reason doesn't carry the 1/2oz ... but they DO carry 3/4oz and 1oz for striper fishing - for $3.99 either size. I might try a 3/4oz sometime.

[CWB]

Strike King Timber Spin.

I'm starting to run out.

Anyone have any they would be willing to part with or swap, P.M. me.

[Sherlock 60]

Have had success with both Roostertails and Mepps, but gravitated to Mepps spinners because of their quality. Probably have 40 or so Mepps lures ranging from ultra lite to Musky Killers.

[SirSnookalot]

Mepps with a siwash hook.

[Blue Streak]

I agree that Mepps is better quality and they always seem to catch bass. I am also a big fan of Shyster, but they are getting hard to find.

[shuddyssoup]

Down here in Mississippi we use the Snagless Sally's when we can find them. Bruiser and Black/Yellow seem to be favorites.

[MALTESE FALCON]

I only use in-line spinners for muskies, but every now and then, I'll get a bass while muskie fishing. For the record, I use Buchertails.

Falcon

[CRFisher]

I've found that Roostertails are the worst inlines made.  They don't spin well at slow speeds and have other issues.   I've found that Mepps, Blue Fox and Panther Martins are all better quality.   

[RoLo]

It's a toss-up between the Vibrax Blue Fox, ABU Reflex, CP Swing and Shyster.

Just kidding, I only said that because none of those four in-line spinners are on the list.

Years back, I used the "panther martin" for stream trout, and used the "Mepps Anglia"

for bass, pickerel, pike & muskies (aka French spinners) but have since migrated to spoons.

In spite of their rich price, Mepps spinners in my opinion suffer from poor workmanship.

In one case, the label on my Mepps Black Fury peeled away, and I was able to read the word "Comet".

Until that time I never realized that a Black Fury is simply a Mepps Comet painted black.

Today I use in-line spinners only for crappies and bluegills, and my favorite in-line spinner

for panfishing is by far Worden's Roostertail.

Roger

[Goose52]

...Abu Reflex - my last one shown below. I bought a set of 5 of them in the mid-60s and this is the sole survivor. Another great design - the corrugated blade promotes spin at lower speeds, and attach point for the treble hook forces the hook to run a bit off-center, reducing spin of the entire bait. Another bait I wish you could still get...

[Dwight Hottle]

My favorite inline spinner is hands down the blue fox vibrax in firetiger. After the hook gets dull cut it off & add a splitring to the wire loop with your favorite hook. Very versatile lure for lots of species of fish. Almost as versatile as a jig.

[bilgerat]

Everything you need to make your own, including the rippled blades, is here:

http://www.luremaking.com/catalogue/catalogue-index/catalogue-items/ripple_blades.htm

[Goose52]

Everything you need to make your own, including the rippled blades, is here:

http://www.luremaking.com/catalogue/catalogue-index/catalogue-items/ripple_blades.htm

Thanks!  I'll check it out.