Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
- Hogsticker2
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Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
Never thrown much, but I recently discovered how beneficial a bladed bait can be under certain circumstances. I'd like to grab a few different spinnerbaits for chasing smallmouth, preferably a quarter ounce - no heavier. Looking for some compact options, can be single or double bladed. Can be USDM or JDM, but bonus points for the latter.
Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
I've been throwing Booyah Pond Spinnerbaits for a finesse profile. They're 3/16oz.
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Booyah_ ... YPMBB.html
https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Booyah_ ... YPMBB.html
- Hogsticker2
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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
Looks good. Gonna grab a few of these, Jackall Dera Spins, and OSP High Pitchers. Any additional recommendations still welcome.Finnz922 wrote: ↑Wed Jun 29, 2022 1:21 pmLove these! the are 5/16 though.
https://www.lurenet.com/war-eagle-nicke ... pinnerbait
Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
Spot sticker Mini-me
Hildebrandt Tin Roller
Don't overlook Beetle Spin type lures...you can also pick your own quality jig heads/hooks and replace them on the Beetle Spin jig arm, or order the spin jig forms and complete them yourself by adding the swivel and blade.
BTW, old Mepps French blades with the real silver, polished and cut off and replaced on a compatible sized Beetle Spin is killer...add your favorite 3" single tail grub and 1/8-1/4 oz jig head.
Hildebrandt Tin Roller
Don't overlook Beetle Spin type lures...you can also pick your own quality jig heads/hooks and replace them on the Beetle Spin jig arm, or order the spin jig forms and complete them yourself by adding the swivel and blade.
BTW, old Mepps French blades with the real silver, polished and cut off and replaced on a compatible sized Beetle Spin is killer...add your favorite 3" single tail grub and 1/8-1/4 oz jig head.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."
- Jason Penn
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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
the bassman compact spinnerbait is a really small profile, but 3/8 & 1/2oz. they're so small that they have to use a colorado as a front blade.
Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
SOB Mini Me spinnerbait, by Spotsticker, they come in 3/8 and 1/2 but also have a heavier 3/4 for a small presentation deep.
Nichols 33 Mini, they are only available in 1/4.
There are a few others, I kept a few of the Booyah Pond Magics, just yardsaled a whole collection of them for $35 with the spinnerbait box, they were decent but just never caught fish for me.
Nichols 33 Mini, they are only available in 1/4.
There are a few others, I kept a few of the Booyah Pond Magics, just yardsaled a whole collection of them for $35 with the spinnerbait box, they were decent but just never caught fish for me.
- Jason Penn
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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
i just got in a couple of the zman power finesse spinnerbaits, and they look good. i got the 3/8oz indiana/colorado combination, but just ordered 3 of the double willows. these baits are available in 1/4oz also.
i've been trying to get a nice compact bait, that has the super stainless wire. i had thought about trying to pour my own (and still may) but for $6 a pop, i'll probably just buy up a few more of these. i have some of the bassman baits, but they're $12 each and they don't have really highly polished blades. the baits do take abuse well though.
i've been trying to get a nice compact bait, that has the super stainless wire. i had thought about trying to pour my own (and still may) but for $6 a pop, i'll probably just buy up a few more of these. i have some of the bassman baits, but they're $12 each and they don't have really highly polished blades. the baits do take abuse well though.
Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
That's the main reason I haven't picked up any bassman spinnerbaits, the blades seem very ordinary for the price.Jason Penn wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:45 ami just got in a couple of the zman power finesse spinnerbaits, and they look good. i got the 3/8oz indiana/colorado combination, but just ordered 3 of the double willows. these baits are available in 1/4oz also.
i've been trying to get a nice compact bait, that has the super stainless wire. i had thought about trying to pour my own (and still may) but for $6 a pop, i'll probably just buy up a few more of these. i have some of the bassman baits, but they're $12 each and they don't have really highly polished blades. the baits do take abuse well though.
FWIW, I see that Nichols has a Mini 33 model now in 1/4.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."
- Jason Penn
- Elite Angler
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- Joined: Fri Dec 30, 2005 4:22 pm
- Location: Blytheville, AR
Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
no they're not really high quality blades. i will say the super stainless/camo frame is very durable though. my part of the country doesn't have smallmouth, but what i've seen (only caught a couple in my life) that durable frame would really be needed for them.dragon1 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 6:35 pmThat's the main reason I haven't picked up any bassman spinnerbaits, the blades seem very ordinary for the price.Jason Penn wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:45 ami just got in a couple of the zman power finesse spinnerbaits, and they look good. i got the 3/8oz indiana/colorado combination, but just ordered 3 of the double willows. these baits are available in 1/4oz also.
i've been trying to get a nice compact bait, that has the super stainless wire. i had thought about trying to pour my own (and still may) but for $6 a pop, i'll probably just buy up a few more of these. i have some of the bassman baits, but they're $12 each and they don't have really highly polished blades. the baits do take abuse well though.
FWIW, I see that Nichols has a Mini 33 model now in 1/4.
Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
I would try some and then have to swap out the blades to Hildebrandts...seems a shame to do so on a $12 + bait.Jason Penn wrote: ↑Sun Jul 17, 2022 7:31 amno they're not really high quality blades. i will say the super stainless/camo frame is very durable though. my part of the country doesn't have smallmouth, but what i've seen (only caught a couple in my life) that durable frame would really be needed for them.dragon1 wrote: ↑Sat Jul 16, 2022 6:35 pmThat's the main reason I haven't picked up any bassman spinnerbaits, the blades seem very ordinary for the price.Jason Penn wrote: ↑Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:45 ami just got in a couple of the zman power finesse spinnerbaits, and they look good. i got the 3/8oz indiana/colorado combination, but just ordered 3 of the double willows. these baits are available in 1/4oz also.
i've been trying to get a nice compact bait, that has the super stainless wire. i had thought about trying to pour my own (and still may) but for $6 a pop, i'll probably just buy up a few more of these. i have some of the bassman baits, but they're $12 each and they don't have really highly polished blades. the baits do take abuse well though.
FWIW, I see that Nichols has a Mini 33 model now in 1/4.
"It is like a finger pointing away to the Moon...don't concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all of that heavenly glory."
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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
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Building & Fishing Custom Jigs
Madera Ca.
Since 1977
Madera Ca.
Since 1977
- Hogsticker2
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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
What ya got there, custom made?
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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
Yes I build them custom
Building & Fishing Custom Jigs
Madera Ca.
Since 1977
Madera Ca.
Since 1977
Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies
Since the OP asked about compact spinnerbaits as opposed to finesse spinnerbaits, I’m going to go away from the lightweights and instead focus on a compact profile. The already oft-mentioned Spotsticker Mini-Me is a good one, as is the War Eagle Screaming Eagle. Honestly, the Nichols Pulsator series has a very small frame, at least through the 1/2 ounce size, and they are among the most effective spinnerbaits I’ve ever thrown. The Strike King Tour Grade Compact Spinnerbait is another. Often, speed is key with spinnerbaits, and even more so with smallies. For many years, from the Great Lakes to Lake Winnipesaukee and all kinds of clear water lakes, guys used to take full-sized 3/4oz baits, chartreuse with painted chartreuse willow leaf blades, and burn them as fast as they could be reeled and stay in the water (and if that wasn’t fast enough, they’d crimp a 1/2oz rubber core sinker to the hook shank), and smallies would come out of 30’ of water to kill them. But baits with compact frames are generally better for burning, just not the little ones.