Northwest Fishing Reports

I am primarily a bait fisherman, but I want to try out lures. I see mostly Spinners such as Mepps, Rooster Tails, Blue Fox vibrax and Panther Martines. Also Wedding rings by Macks. I plan to cast from shore or piers. Which brands, wieghts or designs of spinners have worked best for you? Do I also need to put on a couple of split shots on the line to add weight to cast far? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

It all depends on the reel,rod and spinner. But in general I would use a bigger split shot with a smaller spinner. My pick for a trout spinner would be a 1/4 ounce rainbow rooster tail. WISH YA LUCK

The wedding rings in Double whammies green and red. Also a little advise silver blades clear condition brass on cloudy:cheers:

I would say dark colored rooster tails are best for numbers and for casting from shore. But don't overlook spoons they can also work very well.

panther martin

a Vibrex or a Blue Fox.

wedding rings:best for trolling since they light weight and do not cast well even if you use splitshot

panther martins:never seriously fished them

rooster tails:good spinner they are heavier and cast better but in order for the blade to work you have to real faster. I don't like them but they work

mepps: these work great

blue fox(vibrax): my favorite unlike the mepps these have many color choices for the body of the spinner.

I like to use the silver and yellow blue fox spinners. for stockers use #1s or #2s.
if you have trouble casting its probably you line, 4 or 6lb lets you cast much further.

don't forget to use a high quality swivel

big fish lite line wrote:wedding rings:best for trolling since they light weight and do not cast well even if you use splitshot

I cast them with a 1/4 oz slip weight swivel and 18 inches leader

returnofthefish wrote:I am primarily a bait fisherman, but I want to try out lures. I see mostly Spinners such as Mepps, Rooster Tails, Blue Fox vibrax and Panther Martines. Also Wedding rings by Macks. I plan to cast from shore or piers. Which brands, wieghts or designs of spinners have worked best for you? Do I also need to put on a couple of split shots on the line to add weight to cast far? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

I CAUGHT A RESPECTABLE TROUT TODAY ON A 1/2 OZ TWO BLADED SPINERBAIT THAT I WAS FISHING FOR BASS. SURPRIZING TO ME I THOUGHT IT WAS A BIG BASS CUZ IT LOADED UP HARD!

[/quote]I cast them with a 1/4 oz slip weight swivel and 18 inches leader[quote]
it seems like that would hang up on bottom unless you reeled in fast or it was a really deep lake.

I love using if you can find them good old Colorado spinner. Light so a split shot or two and seems to work well for me.

big fish lite line wrote:

I cast them with a 1/4 oz slip weight swivel and 18 inches leader

it seems like that would hang up on bottom unless you reeled in fast or it was a really deep lake.

Or use a 1/8 if the water is shallow I have never had problems I cast them here and the deep spots are 10 feet#-o

I have been having a little luck with the Fishcreek spinners 1/8th oz Armidillio:-"

I have been following this thread for a while, and I guess I want to add my own opinions.

First, spinners are tools, nothing more, nothing less. I think any spinner will work if you use it in the right conditions. Still, there are better spinners for most cases.

I like the Panther Martins, or any other in-line blade, but I like the ones with the feathered tails a lot more. I actually tie my own tails on all of my spinners, so take that as one thing "I" believe makes all of the difference in the world. Panther Martins spin well, spin even on moderately bent wire shafts, and generally the sound they make in the water is excellent.

Rooster Tails are a pain. First, it takes more speed to turn them (modified willow leaf blade), and if the wire shaft gets any bend then they won't work. Try to be especially careful not to bend the wire while releasing fish. Still, they have excellent colors, and the come with the feathered hook already. Tip, I buy new wire shafts from catalogs and re-use the components when the Rooster tail is too bent to spin. I do need to re-tie the "rooster" tail, but better then tossing good components. Note, Rooster Tails are not noted for sound, but they are noted for flash.

The Blue Fox Vibrax series is a great option. This option uses a standard style of spinner blade (Indiana Style), which means only moderate vibration from the blade, but it also has moderate flash, and the bell and rattle style of the body adds additional noise. In many cases, noise is the difference between catching fish, or just casting.

Meps are the old standard. They come with hair hooks, or without (you can guess which ones I like). They have several different blade styles, so you can buy several to cover different conditions. Still, as far as noise is concerned, they are less then the Vibrax series, but generally more then the Rooster Tails.

A general rule of thumb follows:

Willow Leaf blade - fast spin, high flash, low noise, fast speed retrieve - Works best in Clear to slightly stained Water, often fishing better in warmer water temperatures. This spinner often runs a little deeper then the other styles.

Indiana blade - moderate spin, moderate flash, moderate noise, moderate retrieve - Works best in Clear to stained Water, often a good choice when the water is cool, but this is a good all around choice. This spinner often is a mid depth runner.

Colorado blade - slower spin, less flash, high vibration/noise, slow retrieve - Works best in stained to muddy water or cold water. This is the blade to use in cold water, or low light conditions. Unless you fish this really slow, it is a shallow depth spinner.

In-Line (Panther Martin style) - slow to moderate spin, moderate to excellent flash, excellent noise, slow to moderate retrieve. Works well in all water conditions. This is a mid to shallow depth spinner in most conditions.

Larger spinners will cast easier, run deeper, etc., then smaller spinners.

Of course, match the color to the water conditions, and don't be afraid to experiment.

I like to use 1/8 oz and larger spinners. I have black blades, nickle blades, gold blades, brass blades, silver blades, painted blades, and holographic blades. I pick and choose what I find I need for each condition.

One final note, Fish Creek Spinners, this forum sponsor, appears to make some excellent spinners. As you can guess, I prefer a little more weight, but their Angle Iron should do the trick quite well. On the other hand, they have probably the best overall noise for any given blade design, due to their unique body combinations. I will admit, I have not had the opportunity to try them yet, but, given the information I gave above, I'll bet you can find just want you need in your water from their selection.

Wow that is some valuable spinner info Anglinarcher!
Thats the type of stuff I had already been searching the web for and trust me there is nothing as good as your post right there!

After getting the mind to work better I remember throwing Krocodile spoons alot in the 1/2 size.Also in the lake and salt water we used the Bolo Spinners.Like AA said in his informative writing its about being there when the fish are there and cooperating.One more is the Kastmasters.

Number 2 or 3 rainbow colors, Vibrax:-$ single pink Gama:-$ and Tip it with Brined Racefish Mutten:cheers: :chef: a falt out KO, trolled, casted fish on Combo plate:cyclopsan :chef:

Anglinarcher wrote:One final note, Fish Creek Spinners, this forum sponsor, appears to make some excellent spinners. .

i have recently picked up a 8 pack of the Fishincreek spinners via the people who advertise on this site. these are the best made spinners I've purchased in some time. Just the quality of the wiring, and beads is very nice.
Admittedly I haven't fished them yet. However I will be out at Duck lake by the ocean this weekend,, and if you read the reports for this lake, 'Coastfish' is slaying 4-5 lb trout with these very spinners. i will be sure and report back something upon my return. Check them out under the tackle section of walakes.com

Thanks to everyone for responding. The information is valuable and appreciated. I guess I will pick up a couple from each brand in various colors and weights. Good luck to everyone fishing the trout opener tommorow.

I personally like spoons better. Such as kastmasters. Easier to cover more distance. I like using 4lb test and 1/8oz size lures. So far, my line of choice is Trilene 100% FC. Strong and casts very well. Relatively limp too.


Same setup for when I use spinner. I've tried a few of the mepps and panthers, but I havent had a single bite with them yet. I've had better luck with my rooster tails that have the feather hooks. I've had excellent success with the 1/8oz green/yellow with feathers at Rufus and Banks.

For some reason, I cant seem to catch any local planters though with my spinners, but they do hit the kastmasters for me.