3 blades

[Micanopy]

Too much bling I imagine. Probably spook them. I made one with a propeller up front instead of an in line spinner design. It was just OK. First attempt - so there were design issues. Scraped it.

I wanted to learn about blades and no one seems to know much other than try different shapes and sizes and see what the fish want. So I shall. The reason being is for my local fish they seem to like a spinning blade. The waters are stained and dark so vision is probably not an issue. I want to get that perfect sound. The sound attracts them and then the vibration clues them in on location. So sound is more important to get right. But what sound ?

Obviously speed of the blade spinning matters. I adjust my boat speed until I see the rod tip jiggle. Not all 8 rods, but until one does this. Then I have to assume all the others are also spinning wildly. Maybe they do maybe they don’t, but if I ever match up all my designs and blade sizes and shapes and such they will.

Totally sold on the under spin design I came up with. The modification to the mold was slick. Got lucky I guess. I like it because I can add any type of plastic bait I wish and not have interference one with the other. I bought some Hot Rods and these seem to match up very well with with the under spin design. The profile of a minnow, sleek and able to glide through the water as I troll. I know there will be days when they want curly tails, but the Hot Rods are doing pretty good.

Anyways just wanted to explore what is possible in order to determine what I will end up doing. Some folks have finalized a jig design and are sold on that particular design. I too wish that for myself.

[DockShootinJack]

Interseting. Great looking work.

[BobC]

Neat! Please let us know of your results on the water.
Bob

[Micanopy]

Can do four blades, too.

Outside stretch five.



I will let it at least swim. It might…..I said might….be useful if I get the length to match the baitfish. Right now it is way too long. Also, it will be interesting to see it swimming next to the boat. It may spin wildly. It may take an unusual posture. It will probably spin is my guess and in order for it to work the boat will have to go slow. There is a lot of resistance in those blades. Each trying to shove the axis one way or the other. Still fun to experiment and see what all can be attached to a lowly jig.

[DockShootinJack]

Counter rotation may solve any problems that would cause the jig to spin. May also give off a unique vibration

[skiptomylu]

For me the blades I use depends on the water conditions and grass/Hydrilla. If fishing around Hydrilla or heave grass I like the Willow Leaf blade as it come through grass better than others. My favorite blade especially back in my bass fishing days was the Colorado as it gives off more vibrations. I love both and I also use Gold if water is stained and Silver if clear. The other blades like the Indiana also are good, but less vibration than the Colorado, Blakemore uses the Indiana style blade and has a huge proven catching history. Blakemore's Indiana blade is a little heavier than the other brands of blades and that may also have some impact that helps the Roadrunner in some way?

I know there are also a lot of painted blades, but I never really got into them all that much, I just know when you see flashes in the water from fish and the light hitting them it's usually Silver to a Gold color flash you get from fish.

Skip

[Micanopy]

Thank you Skip

I understand the willows leafs passing through weeds better, and that you like to fish hydrilla. Do you know anything about the sounds produced. One blade company produces videos where you can see the blades spin in a tank and actually listen to a recording. However they all sound the same to me and no way they could in reality. Each would have it’s signature sound. Sound waves underwater are distorted, but to a fish would be different. I want to ring the dinner bell.

[DockShootinJack]

Surely they would have to have a different vibration

[skiptomylu]

Thank you Skip

I understand the willows leafs passing through weeds better, and that you like to fish hydrilla. Do you know anything about the sounds produced. One blade company produces videos where you can see the blades spin in a tank and actually listen to a recording. However they all sound the same to me and no way they could in reality. Each would have it’s signature sound. Sound waves underwater are distorted, but to a fish would be different. I want to ring the dinner bell.

I have not heard that recording, but know the thump thump of a Colorado blade maybe a slower deeper thump? I know that is my favorite blade to fish because you can feel it thumping through the rod and that also makes it easier to feel a light bite. I imagine the sounds and vibrations change with the shape of the blade. Other than some of the more strange looking blades they make think the Willow Leaf and the Colorado are at the opposite ends of the ranges.

Skip

[GrumpyLoomis]

Yep and when I fished bass and a colorado was thumping it would stop vibrating a moment before a bass sucked it in. That is where focus is a must. We mostly fish painted blades in crystal clear water. I think that ties in with what they see compared to us. Chrome or silver blades still worked the best for me in that situation. Copper or gold is my go to blade anytime I am in search of walleye or stained water.