Spinners that won't spin

[farmpond1]

Gang,

I do a lot of fishing for smallmouths using Panther Martin's and Rooster tails.  The in-line Panther Martins seldom gives me any trouble (hence why I prefer them) but invariably, the blades on my Rooster tails will stop spinning.  It's enough to give me fits.  I think it's the shape (convexness?) of the blade which gets out of whack (the metal is pretty soft) but I can't figure out the best way of bending them to their proper dimensions.  Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

[.dsaavedra.]

im glad im not alone. i cant get roostertails to spin for the life of me. thats why i used bluefox

[Cajun1977]

its a sign that you shouldnt be using nasty trout baits ;Dj/k

[BassFishingMachine]

I can never get Mepps Black Furys to spin, (the ones with the painted blades). Although all other mepps, and small rooster tails work great for me.

[T-rig]

its a sign that you shouldnt be using nasty trout baits ;Dj/k

So true!

[BassFishingMachine]

Trout are delicious, thats the only reason I fish for them . They stock the rivers around here mainly in April, so I fish for them awhile, but once it hits mid May I just can't resist the spawning bass and drift away from trout. Although wading down a river in pursuit of them is fun and adds to the great taste of the trout (when you caught it yourself, makes it taste just that much better). But other then April - Mid May Im bassin. Also Ive been going to the same spot for about 6 years now every opening day of trout season, so I know majority of the guys who show up there opening day, and its like a Holiday for me, I won't miss that day for my life 8-).

[Mugs]

Have you tried the Double Loon spinners yet? I have had very good luck with these...

http://www.doublelooninc.com/

[RoLo]

Most in-line spinners are saddled with two flaws that result in less than reliable slow-speed blade-rotation.

1) They all use clevis-mount spinners (It's the only choice with in-line spinners, save the Panther Martin system)

2) They typically but not always incorporate slender blades (usually somewhere between Indiana and Willow-leaf)

All "in-line" spinners are offenders: Rooster Tail, Shyster, ABU Reflex, Blue Fox Vibrax, CP Swing and even the overpriced Mepps.

If reliable, slow-speed rotation is your main goal (a smart goal) you may be better off moving away from the in-line configuration

and choosing a spinner that employs a "Ball-Bearing Swivel" and "Colorado Blade".

Regardless who manufactures the lure, clevis-mount spinners are more prone to stalling than a spinner behind a ball-bearing swivel

Also, slender spinners create less water resistance than broad-shouldered spinners and therefore prone to stalling at slow speeds.

Nevertheless, if you're reluctant to switch from an in-line spinner to an overhead spinner, I'd personally stick with the Rooster Tail.

Some time ago, I tested the popular in-line brands and to my own satisfaction at least, the Rooster Tail exhibited the most reliable

slow-speed rotation, but I should add, by an almost imperceptible margin.

Roger

[farmpond1]

I agree that all clevis style spinners have inherent flaws in their design.  But my rooster tails usually work "ok" right out of the package and then, as if they've decided they've simply had enough, just stop spinning.  I don't know if the blade gets misshapen or not but that's my hypothesis.  Every now and again I can get them to start turning again but not always.  Maybe I'll write the company.

[katahdin]

no way you should have to bend the blade on any spinner. when made right they are engineered for maximum spin. there are clearly differences in the inline and the clevis spinner. the fact that the wire runs through the inline, with a cup in the top of the blade makes the water push the blade out from the wire, forcing the blade to spin. that makes it easier to keep it spinning at slower speeds. on the clevis spinner the blade lacks the rigidity of the wire. the clevis is slack on the wire which allows the blade to twist and turn without trapping the flow of water which would cause it to stay spinning. the inline also causes the blade to have more wobble and because of it more "sonic" vibration. why would I know? I have fished them since I was a kid. (more than a few decades.)Through my company I  have made and sold thousands and thousands of inlines. The one thing I have studied the most is the Inline/Clevis difference. Forget the data, fishermen just seem to prefer one or the other. Personally I like them both.