Using an inline spinner

[BuffaloBass716]

So recently I've been using inline spinners a lot because they catch just about everything and they are pretty versatile.  I was wondering if you guys can give some tips on how to run them at different depths without increasing the size of them? I'm having trouble knowing how deep it is running because I don't want it running to high and I don't want it hitting the bottom.  Also, what are some of your favorite ones? size and color? 

[Gundog]

I use Terminator inline spinners for smallmouth bass. As far as getting them deeper the only way is to buy heavier ones. The trick is to run it as slowly as possible while still having the blade turn. 

[Subaqua Adinterim]

If you are talking something like a Panther Martin, mepps or rooster tail, there are many variables involved, even more so when fishing rivers and streams with running current.  Hard to explain, you just need to get a feel for it. 

If fishing rivers, I like to cast upstream and let the current take my spinner before I begin reeling, so that the lure actually comes close to or tumbles along the bottom before I start reeling.  

My favorites are as follows: 

Panther Martin - silver blade with yellow body and red dots, gold blade with black body yellow dots (Those are the old standards).  The blue holographic is a newer design that has provided great luck for me recently.

Rooster Tail  - black body with black dressing and silver blade and the white body and white dressing are the standards.  I also have good luck with the watermelon body with the green and pink dressing.

I have used Mepps, but that was a long time ago, for northerns in the St. Lawrence River and used the #4 size in Red and white blade or the longer silver blade.

Some also swear by the Blue Fox Vibrax type, however, I don't have any of experience wth these.

You will most likely need to get various sizes/weights if you want to have the best chance for getting your spinner in front of the fish in different water levels and current speeds.

 

[Senko lover]

Can't go wrong with the old spinna! They rock

[papajoe222]

Unlike safety pin type spinnerbaits, you can't change the blade on an in-line for a deeper presentation. Lighter line isn't the answer either.  Your only options are to either go bigger, or add weight ahead of the bait.  Using one on a Booyah Bo Rig might be an option, but I haven't heard of anyone trying it. 

[ClackerBuzz]

agreed inline spinners get the skunk off real fast.  i also wanted something for deeper hunting.  try Road Runner Pro's w/ a willow blade. 1/16 oz is a slower fall but they catch more fish than the 1/8 oz.  but you can slow down the 1/8 oz significantly by adding a larger piece of soft plastic.  

 

http://www.basspro.com/Road-Runner-Pro-Series-Jigheads/product/89987/?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL

[fishwizzard]

I fish a lot of 1/16oz spinners for perch and will add a small split shot maybe 12" up the line if I want it to sink faster and stay deeper. 

[Oklahoma Mike]

Your line (type and size) and your retrieval speed will have some impact, but if you're talking about trying to get down several more feet you're just going to have to add some weight. 

[Wprich]

23 hours ago, Oklahoma Mike said:

Your line (type and size) and your retrieval speed will have some impact, but if you're talking about trying to get down several more feet you're just going to have to add some weight. 

I think this is the best answer to question right here.   Be sure to use a line that sinks like a fluoro or copoly and if need be add some split shots a foot or so above.  Also I feel panther Martin's spin better at lower speeds which allows me to keep them deeper, they're my personal favorite inline.

[buzzed bait]

you can add a split shot ahead of the spinner too and get it a little deeper down.  I'll do this sometimes in swifter water on the river to keep the spinner down.

[Choporoz]

No clue if this would work for you, but I've spent the last few weeks slaying shad with a spinner at the end of the line....and a shad dart about 12-14 inches above.  Not sure why you couldn't put a crappie jig a foot above your spinner.  May even get real lucky -- I've had a couple doubles and that's a blast.

[Bankbeater]

You're going to have to add weight. I like to fish inlines like a jerkbait. I take up some of the slack and give the rod a quick snap to move the bait.

[ibobpeb]

On 4/27/2016 at 10:53 AM, buzzed bait said:

you can add a split shot ahead of the spinner too and get it a little deeper down.  I'll do this sometimes in swifter water on the river to keep the spinner down.

x2. I do that often with 1/8 oz rooster tails, I'll add a size 5 water gremlin split shot.

[primetime]

The only Inline I use consistently is the Mepps Black Fury and the Snagless Sally. I use a split shot or a swivel for extra weight on the Mepps, The Snagless Sally comes in bigger sizes so 1/2 ounce usually does the job and I like it close to the surface.

I used to catch Trout using smaller 1/24 rooster tails etc. and adding split shots. Split shots work on everything for most part.

[wisconsin heat]

You can pinch a split shot above the lure, I go 18" ish a lot of the times. It is a quick fix and there is nothing broken about it. Be careful casting it though as the split shot will make it do funny things on the back cast. Had an inline spinner treble go in the back of my head last year because of this.

[je1946]

When fishing for smallies in the clear lakes we have here, I like a Mepps #4 in firetiger retrieved just fast enough to turn the blade.

 

[BaitMonkey1984]

This was my first bass fishing lure when I was a kid. I got a couple south bend inline spinners that flat out caught anything in the water. Have not tied one on in 10+ years. However, at a recent boat show their was lot of homemade spinners for musky and big bass that I couldn't pass up. Heres to getting back to your roots and simple times, definitely going to see how those lures still work this summer. 

 

I would practice in clear water to see how slow you can reek and still ensure that you are imparting the action of the bait. Then make a cast with freespool to the desired depth, rod tip down, and slowly reel that bait along. If this doesn't work, then you simply need to get a heavier lure.

[Silas]

The only inline spinner we use down in the swamps is a SNAGLESS SALLY!

  Caught hundreds of bass on the yellow/black plastic skirt. 

Those Rooster tails, Panther Martins, Mepps you guys are using are what we call a "One Cast Lure" in the swamp: if it ever gets near the bottom it hangs up and you lose the bait. 

[Master Bait'r]

OP check out Snagless Sallies and Super Sallies!!  

[Cgolf]

On April 25, 2016 at 9:02 PM, papajoe222 said:

Unlike safety pin type spinnerbaits, you can't change the blade on an in-line for a deeper presentation. Lighter line isn't the answer either.  Your only options are to either go bigger, or add weight ahead of the bait.  Using one on a Booyah Bo Rig might be an option, but I haven't heard of anyone trying it. 

If you make your own you can. I recently made a couple to try next weekend and I used some plastic walleye clevises that let you change out the blades without taking them apart.