strong spinnerbaits

[jimmyjoe]

    Sometimes I like to use smaller spinnerbaits for bass. Li'l Mr. Money and War Eagle finesse are my favorites. But one good sized pike or bowfin on these smaller spinnerbaits, and they're toast. Anyone know of a good, strong smaller spinnerbait, one that's robust enough to be re-bent after a big toothy critter tries to kill it? I have good spinnerbaits that are 1/4 oz. and larger that are fine; they're made for fish like pike. And they're good for bass .... usually. I just need something smaller sometimes, and that's when I run into trouble.     Thnx.   jj

[A-Jay]

The Terminator T1 Spinnerbait features something called a SnapBack Titanium wire frame. 

Though not indestructible it usually 'lasts' a little loger than many other brands I've used.  

 

Additionally, the Megastrike Strikeback spinnerbait seems to last almost as long.

The hook or tail section moves freely.  This seems to reduce some on the damage sustained during a fight, especially the wildly vicious head shakes almost any size pike can dish out. 

Coincidentally (I just git an e-mail from @Bobby Uhrig ) they're on sale - use promo code:  Spring18 for 20% off.

 

http://www.megastrike.com/strikeback

 

 

A-Jay

 

[jimmyjoe]

    Well, I looked at those two. They're standard-size spinnerbaits. I've got plenty that size. I'm looking for a smaller profile spinnerbait, which unfortunately usually means lighter. The lil' Mr. Money and the finesse War Eagle are 3/16 oz. weight rating; about 3/8 oz. total, or a hair more maybe. Just the right size to get crushed by a pike or dogfish. (Push come to shove, I'd go with the War Eagle; it's more productive. But it sure is fragile!) I've even tried to take a regular 1/4 oz. spinnerbait, cut the top arm shorter and change the blade to something smaller in order to get a smaller lure that is still robust. Works fine as long as you don't want to catch any fish.     jj

[Turtle135]

Stanley offers the Wedge Plus in 1/8th and 1/4th ounce. These are smaller profile spinnerbaits with their traditional strong wire frame. I keep a few of the 1/8th ounce for when the largemouth are chasing smaller baitfish (or when the bite is difficult). It feels like the 1/8th casts more like a quarter ounce spinnerbait to me (bigger than Booyah Pond Magic but a little smaller than the War Eagle Finesse). I have always had to order these from direct from Stanley as the usual stores do not carry the little ones.

 

http://fishstanley.com/product/stanley-wedge-plus/

 

 

 

 

[WRB]

The original titanium wire T-1 spinnerbaits I believe are now Rapala and availble in 1/4 oz. I don't like the stiff TI wire but they are durable. You might want to try a bladed jig to eliminate the wire altogether.

Tom

[jimmyjoe]

1 hour ago, Turtle135 said:

Stanley offers the Wedge Plus in 1/8th and 1/4th ounce.

   Hmmmm .... interesting. That might (or might not) be my baby. Are the 1/8th size stable, or do they upset and turn over easily?

[Turtle135]

1 minute ago, jimmyjoe said:

   Hmmmm .... interesting. That might (or might not) be my baby. Are the 1/8th size stable, or do they upset and turn over easily?

Stanley's are stable. I always order the 1/8th single bladed cause I do not feel I need two blades on a spinnerbait that size. 

[DINK WHISPERER]

A-Jay beat me to it with the Terminator suggestion. Love those things!

[Brett's_daddy]

 

These are incredibly strong, always snap back into form, always run true. The guy who makes these has a video of him tying one of these to the bumper of his truck and pulling it out almost flat and the darn thing went right back to shape after he unhooked it. I did inquire to just how strong they were too as I am thinking about using them for Northern Pike and he said they stand up to Peacock Bass and if they stand up to them they should be able to handle pike!

[fishwizzard]

I use a lot of the Booyah Pond Magic spinner baits for pickerel, they do get damaged but if you hunt around ebay it's pretty easy to find them for pretty cheap if you buy like a half dozen.  Those Stanley's look great though,  I am going to give them a try when my Pond Magic stash starts running low. 

[Deleted account]

On 1/19/2018 at 1:04 PM, jimmyjoe said:

   Hmmmm .... interesting. That might (or might not) be my baby. Are the 1/8th size stable, or do they upset and turn over easily?

They are fairly stable, but will roll if you jerk them too hard or pull them too fast. I mod them by shortening the wire about 1/4-3/8" and going single blade. You can also wrap some solder on the hook shank, if you want to run it faster or deeper.

[jimmyjoe]

On 1/19/2018 at 12:09 PM, Turtle135 said:

Stanley's are stable. I always order the 1/8th single bladed cause I do not feel I need two blades on a spinnerbait that size. 

   That brings up an interesting thought. I have taken all blades off some 1/4 oz. spinnerbaits, and then put only one back on. Usually, it's a colorado. But sometimes, I get a wild hair and put only a single willow back on. It tracks true, it holds a predictable depth, but it DOESN'T CATCH FISH. You're the first person I ever heard of who used only one willow. Let me guess .... you fish clear water, right?????      jj

[Turtle135]

46 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

   That brings up an interesting thought. I have taken all blades off some 1/4 oz. spinnerbaits, and then put only one back on. Usually, it's a colorado. But sometimes, I get a wild hair and put only a single willow back on. It tracks true, it holds a predictable depth, but it DOESN'T CATCH FISH. You're the first person I ever heard of who used only one willow. Let me guess .... you fish clear water, right?????      jj

If I am throwing a small spinnerbait like the Stanley 1/8th ounce then yes, I will usually have at least 24" of visibility. I do use single willow bladed spinnerbaits in a variety of sizes with a lot of success. Typically with a larger spinnerbait there will be a big paddletail soft plastic on the hook (the 22" bass in my profile pic was caught on that presentation).

 

[jimmyjoe]

    Thanks. I think Mr. Stanley and I are going to have a meet-n-greet.  :)   jj

[bigbill]

I’ve caught 29” to 32” large pickerel. These bigger toothy critters are tough on baits and tackle too. I haven’t had any bending problems with the manns classic “hank Parker” spinnerbaits as it was once called. But the cheaper spinnerbaits do get bent up.

[Fishinthefish]

When I lived in Illinois/Wisconsin I fished for Pike pretty regularly during mid day on flats in the shallows between the morning and evening bite on bass. For them specifically I had to start using Terminator T1 spinnerbaits. They're a bit pricey but they last a good bit longer than the rest of the spinnerbaits I've tried to use on those fish. Even now that I'm down south, I still use them and they still catch me bass and a variety of other fish as well. I strongly recommend them.

[fishballer06]

20 hours ago, bigbill said:

I’ve caught 29” to 32” large pickerel. These bigger toothy critters are tough on baits and tackle too. I haven’t had any bending problems with the manns classic “hank Parker” spinnerbaits as it was once called. But the cheaper spinnerbaits do get bent up.

You're catching 29-32" pickerel? Why aren't you submitting those fish to IGFA?! The record is only 62cm (24.4"). 

 

http://wrec.igfa.org/WRecordsList.aspx?lc=AllTackleLength&cn=Pickerel, chain

[gim]

I'll second the Terminator series because of its durability.  If you're in the north, pike are a problem and anything less gets ruined quickly.

[jimmyjoe]

   Terminator looks like a really good spinnerbait, but what I was specifically looking for was a smaller profile. Terminator seems to only make the standard size spinnerbaits. Someone said they used to make something  smaller, but evidently not anymore. It still looks like the best idea might be Stanley. I hope so, anyway. The only other route I could go is to have someone make me a run of custom stuff. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go there.   jj

[bowhunter63]

War Eagle finesse Spinnerbait are tough.Caught some big gar and channel cat on them.

[Bobby Uhrig]

Caught these and 6 more over 5 lbs on that same  spinner bait and dint even put a dent in it- Thats the difference between buying American Made and overseas -crap   -Megastrike -Making  American Fishing Lures  Great Again 

 

Hey thats pretty good-I think Ill keep it LOL

[burrows]

Termanators are durable but to stiff megastrike are durable but don't offer that perfectly compact size war eagle offers with their finesse spinnerbait. 

  I would just stick to the war eagles if they get bent out of shape just buy another one there not that expensive.

[deaknh03]

Ko man chi, not sure if he still makes them but I've had a bunch for years. Virtually indestructible and they flex nicely and keep their shape.

[zell_pop1]

On 1/22/2018 at 9:46 PM, jimmyjoe said:

   Terminator looks like a really good spinnerbait, but what I was specifically looking for was a smaller profile. Terminator seems to only make the standard size spinnerbaits. Someone said they used to make something  smaller, but evidently not anymore. It still looks like the best idea might be Stanley. I hope so, anyway. The only other route I could go is to have someone make me a run of custom stuff. I was hoping I wouldn't have to go there.   jj

Terminator use to make a series called Tiny T, they were discontinued when Rapala bought them out.

[jimmyjoe]

24 minutes ago, zell_pop1 said:

Terminator use to make a series called Tiny T, they were discontinued when Rapala bought them out.

     I see. Another example of "one step forward, two steps back".  jj