Thread: In-Line spinners?

Just started to fish for 'gills and sunfish again and really have enjoyed getting back to the roots of what sparked my fishing passion. I have fared well this year fishing nightcrawlers and mealworms and a few artificials mainly jig head/spinner bait arm lures with a grub of some sort on it. (Beetle Spins basically, just self made w/painted jig heads and safety pin spinner blades with crappie beavers, curl tail, triple tail, tube, squirt, minnow, paddle tail etc. bodied grubs)

I used to do well in creeks with Panther Martin and Mepp's in-line spinners. (Small 0 or 00 size Aglias and Black Furies and the small PMs) These things are costly compared to above mentioned lures and wonder if anyone does well with these? Does anyone EVER seem to catch more sunfish/'gills on any artificial compared to your favorite natural bait? And if you do catch more on an artificial please let me know what you prefer to toss @ these fish.

Originally Posted by mrbasser

Just started to fish for 'gills and sunfish again and really have enjoyed getting back to the roots of what sparked my fishing passion.

Gills are all about fun!

Originally Posted by mrbasser

I used to do well in creeks with Panther Martin and Mepp's in-line spinners.... anyone does well with these?

I have never used them for gills. I think the smaller ones would work well in shallow water. As you noted, they are relatively expensive compared to other artificials. That's a big reason I don't fish with them.

Originally Posted by mrbasser

Does anyone EVER seem to catch more sunfish/'gills on any artificial compared to your favorite natural bait? And if you do catch more on an artificial please let me know what you prefer to toss @ these fish.

I just recently went through my fishing records for 2006-2009. In that period, float fishing with live maggots topped everything. No other bait or artificial was even remotely close.

For artificials, a black 1/64 oz marabou jig was #1. A distant second was the Beetle spin. Various flies came in third.

I don't worry about the cost of in-line spinners. I make my own, although it's tough sometimes tying hair and feathers on the trebles.

Fatman

Originally Posted by Fatman

it's tough sometimes tying hair and feathers on the trebles.

If you make your own, you could use a single hook. I cut off two of the trebles on all my Mepps and Blue Fox spinners. They work just as well.

Ain't no way I have the patience to make these lures! And I suspect we all agree that natural baits will generally outfish ANY artificial. I just prefer to fool them with the lure as to catching them with bait... just the basser in me I guess?

NEVER tried or even seen maggots for sale as bait. Needless to say Grubco is about to get an order from mrbasser!

Originally Posted by mrbasser

I just prefer to fool them with the lure as to catching them with bait... just the basser in me I guess?

I understand. There are definitely some days when I prefer to toss artificials. You should try the small jigs. Bass Pro sells them (in their fly shop) and several guys on here sell them. They will catch anything.

Originally Posted by mrbasser

NEVER tried or even seen maggots for sale as bait.

I'm not surprised. In the US, they're mostly used for ice fishing, but they work anywhere. I learned about maggots from an Englishman. They're the #1 bait in Europe. In England, you can walk into any tackle shop and buy a gallon of maggots for about what you'd pay for a couple of tubes of crickets here.

LOL, just started seeing crickets this year in MO. In my opinion they are so easy to lose/ too mushy compared to worms I don't see the point? ALL my Southern buds swear crickets are the ONLY bream bait to use.

I really read over every post that interested me on this site and really appreciate the Grubco find as I LOVE mealworms for their lack of mess. I plan to order some bait in the spring from them.

And some micro spoons and meat hooks too!

in-line spinners aren't nearly as good as artificial grubs. but i do however catch a 'gill or two with a chartreuse rooster tail when the going gets tough. i will catch around 8 fish on a plastic grub on a jig head to every 1 fish i catch with a spinner. but they still work. and when the "mojo" of my grub fades away i can tie on a rooster tail and catch at least a fish or two :D

bottom line is that grubs are the best, but always keep a spinner for when the going gets tough.

Originally Posted by UltralightLover

in-line spinners aren't nearly as good as artificial grubs. but i do however catch a 'gill or two with a chartreuse rooster tail when the going gets tough. i will catch around 8 fish on a plastic grub on a jig head to every 1 fish i catch with a spinner. but they still work. and when the "mojo" of my grub fades away i can tie on a rooster tail and catch at least a fish or two :D

bottom line is that grubs are the best, but always keep a spinner for when the going gets tough.

Ok, I know I'm a newbie and this thread is kind of old... but I just had to chime in!

I've caught more fish on a Roostertail than just about anything!

With the right color pattern, I would put a severe whippin' on your jig and grub!!!

I only use chartreuse for very muddy water, the white coachdog pattern will haul them in in clearish water, the yellow coachdog will get'em real good in stained water, the green coachdog will catch them when the white and yellow isn't working... the golden hopper pattern will kill them anytime... if you can find it!

I mainly use the 1/16th and 1/8th oz. sizes.