Inline spinner doesn't spin: I've had amazing success with roostertail style inline spinners. However, many of the cheaper ones I bought don't really work. What is it that makes an...

FS Digest

I've had amazing success with roostertail style inline spinners. However, many of the cheaper ones I bought don't really work. What is it that makes an inline spinner spin well? Can I repair the cheap ones that I bought, by replacing the blade for example?

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by musicofsound

FS Digest

Couple different things... usually the clevis (the little thing the blade is attached to) is the culprit if it's not spinning. Could be that the body of the spinner is too close to the eye, so the clevis is jammed in the middle and can't spin... could be rusted...

Could also be that the blade type/ size isn't conducive to the type of water you're fishing.

Could be you're not reeling quite fast enough, but that's probably not the case tbh.

Simple answer: cheap lures are gonna fish like cheap lures... in my opinion, it's worth it to spend a couple dollars extra for good tackle.

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by Dex_Maddock

FS Digest

I'm starting to agree. Any favorite brands? Joe's flies work well for me. Mepps work about 75% of the time.

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by musicofsound

FS Digest

Panther Martin.

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by pmassare

FS Digest

Depends what sort of water you're fishing...

For shallower waters I like blue fox a lot, and panther martins would be a close second.

For deeper water, you need a heavier (not necessarily bigger) spinner. Most off the shelf lures aren't heavy enough to fish deep very well. First Strike Lures makes awesome salmon and steelhead spinners, but they do custom stuff as well if you need smaller ones (like trout spinners).

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by Dex_Maddock

fishrmans Loc: Waushara Cnty Wisconsin and Port Charlotte Fl

FS Digest wrote:

Depends what sort of water you're fishing...

For shallower waters I like blue fox a lot, and panther martins would be a close second.

For deeper water, you need a heavier (not necessarily bigger) spinner. Most off the shelf lures aren't heavy enough to fish deep very well. First Strike Lures makes awesome salmon and steelhead spinners, but they do custom stuff as well if you need smaller ones (like trout spinners).

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by Dex_Maddock

I have had very good luck with the vibrax blue fox spinners. The panther martins are pretty good and usually the rooster tails work well. Don’t waste your money on cheap spinners. Just not worth it.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

Any of the good brand names will serve you well. They all work, just depends on what you like and what the fish want on a particular day. Buy several brands and take care of them, they all work real well as long as they're not damaged. Don't waste your money on the cheap stuff - it's gonna fish like cheap stuff. You wouldn't buy a bunch of dead worms at a discount would you?

Old Hickory

FS Digest wrote:

Panther Martin.

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by pmassare

Have a nice selection of Panther Martins and feel they are the best made in line spinner’s. As my Dad would say “ for a few cents more you can go first class.”

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

Agree with the choices of Mepps(the Anglia was the first lure I ever bought...1961 !)Rooster Tails and Panther Martin, best I have found.
You might be able to salvage the cheapies by "tweaking" (slightly twisting) the blade, if the clevis is spinning freely. Depending on the blade stiffness, might have to use two pliers. I have done this with both the cheap ones, as well as a couple of Rooster Tails that wouldn't spin... usually works, gotta play with it some, in moving water or a moving boat best.
Good luck, been there.... when trying to save $, ....hope springs eternal !

jfbanzai Loc: Menomonie, Wisconsin

Get some materials and make your own. Cheaper and better than anything in the store.

fishunter Loc: Allyn, WA (Kitsap Peninsula)

Check to see if the wire body of the lure is bent. I've often had this happen either from a good fighting fish or a snag I was able to free up. The bend will either pinch the spinner or change its orientation so it won't spin well, or at all.

bozokarl Loc: south central Pa

I think Panther Martins spin better than Rooster Tails or Mepps. When I was a broke kid back in the 80's I used to get cheap ones called Chicken Tails that worked pretty good. They were 75 cents for a pack of two when 1 Rooster Tail was $1.50. I haven't seen them in years in fact the only place I ever saw them was the PX on the army base my old man was stationed at.

DeeJay Loc: Southwest Virginia

Most cheaper inline spinners have a thinner wire and bends very easily. You can change them, remake with heavier wire. They are easy to make with just a few materials that you can purchase at a tackle shop. DeeJay

Cubsfan Loc: Destin Florida

Try a jig . If that works forget the spinner . Or just a flashy spoon may be better.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

jfbanzai wrote:

Get some materials and make your own. Cheaper and better than anything in the store.

Like jf said, you can make your own. If you're interested, all the components are available at Jann's Netcraft. They carry everything to make all types of lures. Spinners, Crankbaits, Buzzbaits, Jigs, Sinkers, and plastics. Check them out.