Spinnerbait to Buzzbait conversion

[Fishwhittler]

I had a spinnerbait without any blades, so I made this.  The propellor is 1/16" lexan sheet bent to shape.

Let me know what you think.

Ben

[brushhoggin]

nice man, really nice. all you need now is a small fluke or even a 3" swimbait to add to the hook.

[B-Dozer]

Very neat job. Did you use a heat gun to bend the lexan? Might not make a squeak, maybe try holes in the blade for added attraction.

[backwater4]

8-) Very nice job.

[Fishwhittler]

Thanks guys.

Brushhoggin, that's exactly what I'm planning to do with this bait.  I did pretty well the other day with spinnerbaits rigged the same way, so I'm looking forward to trying this one out.

B-Dozer, I didn't heat the lexan; I just took a pair of pliers and bent the blade to the shape I wanted.  You don't need to heat lexan in order to bend it freehand, and it actually bends with fewer creases if you don't.

That's a good idea about the holes.  I think I may make some more props to test how they compare, and I'll try some with holes.

[SkilletSizeBass.]

Cool idea and nice job  Keep us posted on any updates and how it works.

[Jigfishn10]

Nice!

I had similar idea using the spinnerbait and reshaping it to a buzzbait like you did, only I want to put 2 Colorado blades on the arm with 2 interlocking clevises instead of the delta buzz blade. Kind of like a hybrid musky bait.

Good luck and be sure to post on the performance of it.

[Fishwhittler]

Well, I tried it the other day and it doesn't work very well.  It looks like the prop is generating too much friction on the shaft so the bait keeps turning and running on its side.  So, I'm going to increase the diameter of the prop holes and see if I can find a way to add weight to the head.  I'm not sure yet just how I'll add weight to the head, but I'll give it a try. :-/

[Jigfishn10]

Maybe a smaller blade? Looks like it the current blade is rubbing against the wire.

[Fishwhittler]

Maybe a smaller blade? Looks like it the current blade is rubbing against the wire.

The prop doesn't rub against the front wire, although it does look like it in the pic. But you're right, a smaller blade would probably do the trick.

Or, I may put two counter-rotating props on. I think that's what I'll try first, and if that doesn't work I'll go to a smaller blade.

[Randall]

The blade is too far up being above the head causing the bait to roll on the spinnnerbait wire since the head is so far forward. If you lower the blade closer to the head and bend the wire to make the front of the blade point upward some it will lessen the roll over but don't know if it will be a complete fix just because it is on the spinnerbait wire.

[Jigfishn10]

The blade is too far up being above the head causing the bait to roll on the spinnnerbait wire since the head is so far forward. If you lower the blade closer to the head and bend the wire to make the front of the blade point upward some it will lessen the roll over but don't know if it will be a complete fix just because it is on the spinnerbait wire.

Agree.

I'm not sure how much that Lexan blade weighs in comparison to an aluminum blade, but if it is heavier than a standard delta blade, then the torque generated along the lure's axis will be way too much causing the lure to roll.

Generally speaking you don't want the blade weighing more than a 1/3 of the lures head. You could do a few different things:

Smaller blade

Bringing the blade arm closer to the body arm as Randall mentioned

Lighter blade (maybe drill some holes in the blade you got)

Adding weight to the head (you can get spools of lead you could wrap around the head and part of the hook - Jannsnetcraft fly tying material)

Maybe add a grub trailer? It would increase the head weight.

I know there are more solutions, but I hope these suggestions help.

[Fishwhittler]

Thanks!  I'll certainly give your suggestions a try.  Drilling holes in the blade would be the easiest, so I'll probably try that first and see if it works.

I tested it with a 4" plastic shad as a trailer (no skirt).  It might have worked better with a different trailer, but the shad is what I intend to use as a trailer most of the time.

[Terry_]

  I've been watching this thread with interest. That bait looks like it would be a killer with the Basstrix Spintrix(I think that's right). Its a 5 inch version designed for use on an underspin head. I'm wondering if you had any luck with the fine tuning today?