Inline Spinners, SMB, and equipment.

[Scott F]

8 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Waders on a warm summer day??? Yuk! Although I'm guessing wet legs aren't possible where you are talking about 

Rivers around where I live often have runoff from farms or have cows that enter the river. We also have a lot of geese that hang around the river. E-coli is often present as well as other types of nasty bacteria. While getting to the river, we often have to bush wack our way through the brush where poison ivy and ticks are waiting. Few of our serious river guys ever get into the water without wearing waders

[TnRiver46]

21 hours ago, Preytorien said:

They're pretty breathable, but yet they do tend to get warm. Orvis Silver Sonic Guide waders. 

I have the same pair 

[Mbirdsley]

When I got back into fishing after college all I pretty much did was work and fish the Shiawassee( one of the best small mouth rivers in Michigan) river, as I lived two blocks away from it in town.  I quickly learned that small mouth and other fish love inline spinners.  Inline spinners are also easy to fish. The only real problem is that mepps( the gold standard) spinners eventhough, they work. Are imho very expensive for what they are at $5-$6 dollars a pop.  So I have started making my own from kits.  If you are serious about fishing in lines I would look into making your own.  Both Janns netcraft, mudhole, and others sell inline kits.  I think for 20 bucks you can make almost 20 spinners.  My go to blade size is a number # 4 French blade. French blades IMHO are guaranteed to spin every time whether they are fished fast or slow unlike the other types of blades .  Certain Colorado's will work and are good switch up but, the blade needs to be deep cupped and made of metal.  I have never been a fan of Rooster tails even though, they are cheaper than Mepps.  I have  issues getting them to spin all the time.

 

I am currently looking for either a light fast action rod or medium light fast action rod.  Currently, until this year I was using my Berkeley Tactix MH fast action rod( I think it is lighter weight than what they say it is). What ever you decide on, I would definitely go with a fast action tip.  I like longer rods but, I am a tall guy.  My go to lbs test for river smallies  is 8lbs.  8 lbs is a good compromise between strength and diameter.  Like I said other fish like inline spinners like Northerns and big ol Mr Whiskers. Most rivers are also full of snags and rocks.

 

I made this spinner ( this ones actually a duplicate the original is beat up) last year and I absolutely killed the small mouth with it.  I was just messing around one day, throwing stuff together and came up with this spinner.  The #4 orange blade is from lureparts online, the black dots I put on it with a black sharpie.  I tied the orange maribou on the treble hook.  The body is from mudhole and I think the beads came from janns. You Just put it all on the wire shat and bend the wire with round bend pliers to finish it.  I would cast it around where I though a bass would be and than burned it just below the surface as fast a my spinning real would go.  the Small mouth would blow it up with vengeance.  My theory is they don't know what it is so they are trying to eat it before the strange thing eats them

[soflabasser]

On 4/16/2018 at 9:59 PM, greentrout said:

Own a couple of these from Blue Fox...use in ultra clear water...they catch fish...

 

 

Good choice

[Turkey sandwich]

@Preytorien is totally spot on.  I don't throw inline spinners all that often these days, but they're a good tool to have.  They're one of those baits (like a 4" grub) that tend to catch great numbers and can be effective in most conditions, even when they aren't taking much else.  If I were to throw them more, I'd likely use a ML Fast rod in the 6'6 - 7' range depending upon the water I'm fishing.  

 

Also, understand their limitations.  Certain sizes and blade styles do not present well in faster water.  They also shouldn't be your first choice around weed beds or if you need to present near/on the bottom.  Also, it's not uncommon to get catch almost entirely short fish, rock bass, perch etc while throwing them.  If you were to only have a handful of baits for fishing river smallmouth, you should also include grubs, senkos/Ned rigs, tubes, and your popper of choice to cover more ground without breaking the bank.  All of those can be fished on a Med Fast of ML Fast rod pretty well and will cover a lot of common conditions.  

 

I also own a pair of Orvis waders that I really like.  Whatever your brand preference, most fly fishhing companies make quality waders that are breathable (cannot stress the importance of breathability versus neoprenr, etc enough). Also, a comfortable pair of felt soled boots are super important in rocky streams and can literally be life savers in cold water. 

 

 

[WI_Angler1989]

I'm a huge fan of the Mepps Aglias. Same as a lot of other anglers on here. As for sizes, that's up for debate. I fish the #3 mainly, but have caught Smallies on literally every size from a #1 to #5. color doesn't seem too important: brown/gold, brown/silver, white/silver get the job done for me.

I fish mine on a medium power 6 foot 6 St Croix Avid or a MH Avid, depending on the size of the Aglia.

[Preytorien]

46 minutes ago, WI_Angler1989 said:

I'm a huge fan of the Mepps Aglias. Same as a lot of other anglers on here. As for sizes, that's up for debate. I fish the #3 mainly, but have caught Smallies on literally every size from a #1 to #5. color doesn't seem too important: brown/gold, brown/silver, white/silver get the job done for me.

I fish mine on a medium power 6 foot 6 St Croix Avid or a MH Avid, depending on the size of the Aglia.

I agree, Mepps is hard to beat. Similarly the Blue Fox Vibrax work well. I just simply don't prefer the Rooster Tails as they're not as easy to "feel" the blade engage and thus know you're working it the right speed. It just feels dead on the end of the line. That's not to say I've never caught fish with them, I just like that solid vibration at the end of my line knowing that I'm adequately engaging the blade.

[WI_Angler1989]

2 hours ago, Preytorien said:

I agree, Mepps is hard to beat. Similarly the Blue Fox Vibrax work well. I just simply don't prefer the Rooster Tails as they're not as easy to "feel" the blade engage and thus know you're working it the right speed. It just feels dead on the end of the line. That's not to say I've never caught fish with them, I just like that solid vibration at the end of my line knowing that I'm adequately engaging the blade.

 

My feelings exactly, It just feels right and you know when it's spinning. I've had that same issue with the lighter Aglias when going at slow speeds, but it kicks on with a pop of the rod tip.

[NYWayfarer]

Rooster Tails, Johnson Min-O-Spins and the Thomas EP Spinners all have a place in my heart and my tackle box. SMB and Trout love them.