River spinnerbaits?

[bowhunter63]

4 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

I agree with you, for some reason that mouse pattern is highly effective. If you like War Eagle baits you better buy all the old stock you can get.

I agree change is never good.The new company doesn't have a good track record.

[gall]

So form what you guys are saying maybe avoid war eagle? Well now since it's in New ownership? 

[smalljaw67]

21 hours ago, gall said:

So form what you guys are saying maybe avoid war eagle? Well now since it's in New ownership? 

I wouldn't say that yet. War Eagle makes a really good spinnerbait with good wire and top of the line swivels. The issue is they were purchased by Pradco and they typically move production out of the U.S. for their lures. If they do that I'm guessing they will use cheaper components, especially the swivel, but I'm just guessing. Anyway, what I would do is go to a Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, or another store that sells tackle and pick up the package and see where it is was made and if they have the brand of swivel named.

[burrows]

On 1/24/2018 at 4:00 AM, gall said:

So form what you guys are saying maybe avoid war eagle? Well now since it's in New ownership? 

I'm just going to make an order soon before any changes are made it will take a little time before they make any changes if they do make changes and I'm sure they will. The company was sold this past november I believe so their should be plenty of OG product on the shelfs I think changes will no doubt happen in about six months if they do start making reforms to the product.

[Spankey]

A lot of good info. Work a few Mepps heavier types of straight line spinners at the river. You will get results. 

[scaleface]

I also like to use the Strike King Mini Spins with a little extra weight added to the hook shank .

[Bdnoble84]

On 1/18/2018 at 3:39 PM, smalljaw67 said:

I like my own spinnerbaits for river smallies. Spinnerbaits are my favorite lure and fishing them in the river is what got me into making my own in the late 90s. I like weights in 1/4oz to 1/2oz but my best river smallmouth spinnerbait is one I make I call the SS 44. The "SS" stands for smallie slayer and the 44 is because I made the bait using 4 different wire diameters and 4 different wire lengths before finding what worked best. I made it for burning across the current so it doesn't roll over but it is also great for the areas where there are patches of water willow and eel grass, it comes through that grass exceptionally well. As you can tell from my rambling I get a little carried away with spinnerbaits, they are just so versatile and they not only catch numbers but also big fish. There is nothing like burning a spinnerbait just a few inches under the surface of the water, just deep enough that it doesn't make a wake but is still in full view. You're cranking your reel handle at a pretty fast pace keeping an eye on the spinnerbait flashing just under the surface and then it happens, the strike, and it all seems to be happening in slow motion. You see the swirl on the water and your bait disappear right at the same time and then the rod get pulled forward so hard it almost flies out of your hand. you pull back and the rod strains and the handle of your reel is hard to crank and then the massive 4+lb bronze missile leaps from the water while your heart races as you fight the fish to the side of the boat.  That has to be the best strike in all of fishing, pure violence and ferocity, yeah, I love spinnerbaits for river smallmouth!!!

So this. This epitimizes everything that embodies the beauty of creating your own lures. The passion that comes through in this post is absolutely inspiring. 

[Log Catcher]

I would try to find the colors you want in the War Eagle screaming eagle version. It is 1/2oz.  spinnerbait on 1/4 oz. frame. I have better luck with them than the full sized ones.