Spinnerbaits

[DUMAN]

I want to start making my own spinnerbaits. Anyone have a rule of thumb as to what size blades for different size baits? Want to make 1/2 oz. with tandem willow.

Thanks all. Tight lines.

[Marty]

I don't think there's one correct answer, because you could use different size blades on the same bait if you wanted more or less lift. But for an average size, I'd start with a trip to the tackle shop and just take a look at what the manufacturers are putting on their lures.

[smalljaw67]

There isn't a rule of thumb and places like lure making * or lure parts online have charts that give you a general idea of what size you should use. I'll try to give you some help with this and cover the basics. First, if you want to make what I call an "all purpose" bait and the spinnerbait head you are using is a normal head, not a hidden weight, then for double willows you want a size #5 blade on top on the swivel and a size #4.5 or a #4 on the clevis. If you are using a hidden weight head I would go with a #4 or #4.5 on top and a # 3.5 or #4 on the bottom. Here is some terminology that will make it easy to convey what you want in a spinnerbait, what you want to make is called a double willow, a tandem willow is a willow on top and a Colorado on bottom, a tandem Indiana is an Indiana on top and Colorado on bottom, and then you have double Colorado and double Indiana. I know it is tick tacky but I know for a fact that if you order a tandem willow from Nichols bait company you will get the willow and Colorado, it happened to a friend of mine and when he told them they messed up his order they sent him a copy of the invoice along with the terminology explanation. BTW, if you want the 1/2oz bait for burning, they you will want to drop the blade size down a full size or better depending on which you go with, the reason is the blades cause drag and create torque, if you burn a bait with normal size blades it is going to up  to the top super fast and it will roll over, smaller blades means less drag and torque so that will stop the roll and the bait will also have a lot less lift.

[einscodek]

Yea theres just a few basic guidelines I'm sure you already know of and all else is customizable based on conditions..

The beauty of spinnerbaits is you can customize it to your fishing conditions.. on the fly if you want as well.

The size of blades I use really depends on the weight of SB I am using and the speed of retrieve and presentation style I am targeting on that day.

[eatlessfish]

For a beggining basic size or for a standard 1/2 oz. spinnerbait I'd go with two #4's, and if you want a smaller bottom blade or bigger top I'd suggest going up or down about half a size. Mess around and find what you like. But for a general size range thats it..

[Comfortably Numb]

Like eatlessfish says a combo of 3.5, 4, or 4.5 will work well on a 1/2 oz

[Insanity]

Agree with the above two posters. I like smaller then #5. 5 makes to much lift for my likening And it's like dragging a helicopter threw the water.

I've toyed with the idea for years my self. Even ordered catalogs. I want the harder to find fat wide lead heads ( no paint even) and the thinner wire as I think I'm on to something with the vibration from such set up. Stuck on bottom Colorado gold and chrome 4 to 4.5 willow. Just seems to work best all around then i only mess with two colors. White. And yellow/ blue.

After $1000 dollars worth of spinner baits I've caught the biggest most fish on some cheap one dollar baits walmart used to sell. They would crush them and pass on the same in every way other brands.

Someone said maybe the cheap swivel squeaked when it turned. I swear it was something. After the white paint got knocked off the head they hit it even more. Grey dark head against white body/skirt aw sum.

I don't no why someone hasn't Made one to slide swim bait onto. Two willows over a larger plastic minnow.

Wooa. Hold on to that rod tight. Plastics make lift also so 3/4 to 1 oz would be nice.

Il give away my secrete bait as i don't have enough money to profit from it.

Stuck a Yumm craw fish on one one day no skirt. And thought dang that looks good. Ran perfect looked like minnows chasing a craw fish across the bottom.

Yes it catches fish like crazy.

Can't be leave no one makes one yet. Guess they will now. Lol

Just my two cents.