Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

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Hogsticker2
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Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by Hogsticker2 » Tue Jun 28, 2022 2:52 pm

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.

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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by Drakestar » Wed Jun 29, 2022 10:55 am

I've been throwing Booyah Pond Spinnerbaits for a finesse profile. They're 3/16oz.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Booyah_ ... YPMBB.html

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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by Finnz922 » Wed Jun 29, 2022 1:21 pm


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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by Hogsticker2 » Wed Jun 29, 2022 2:50 pm

Finnz922 wrote:
Wed Jun 29, 2022 1:21 pm
Love these! the are 5/16 though.



https://www.lurenet.com/war-eagle-nicke ... pinnerbait
Looks good. Gonna grab a few of these, Jackall Dera Spins, and OSP High Pitchers. Any additional recommendations still welcome.

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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by dragon1 » Wed Jun 29, 2022 8:58 pm

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.
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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by Jason Penn » Sat Jul 02, 2022 4:01 am

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.

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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by DirtyD64 » Sat Jul 02, 2022 4:55 am

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.

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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by Jason Penn » Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:45 am

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.

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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by dragon1 » Sat Jul 16, 2022 6:35 pm

Jason Penn wrote:
Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:45 am
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.
That's the main reason I haven't picked up any bassman spinnerbaits, the blades seem very ordinary for the price.

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

Post by Jason Penn » Sun Jul 17, 2022 7:31 am

dragon1 wrote:
Sat Jul 16, 2022 6:35 pm
Jason Penn wrote:
Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:45 am
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.
That's the main reason I haven't picked up any bassman spinnerbaits, the blades seem very ordinary for the price.

FWIW, I see that Nichols has a Mini 33 model now in 1/4.
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.

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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by dragon1 » Sun Jul 17, 2022 4:51 pm

Jason Penn wrote:
Sun Jul 17, 2022 7:31 am
dragon1 wrote:
Sat Jul 16, 2022 6:35 pm
Jason Penn wrote:
Fri Jul 15, 2022 8:45 am
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.
That's the main reason I haven't picked up any bassman spinnerbaits, the blades seem very ordinary for the price.

FWIW, I see that Nichols has a Mini 33 model now in 1/4.
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.
I would try some and then have to swap out the blades to Hildebrandts...seems a shame to do so on a $12 + bait.
"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

Post by Basshunter1955 » Mon Feb 20, 2023 11:36 pm

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1/4oz compact finesse Redear perch
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1/4oz compact finesse Bluegill
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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by Hogsticker2 » Tue Feb 21, 2023 1:04 pm

Basshunter1955 wrote:
Mon Feb 20, 2023 11:36 pm
Image
What ya got there, custom made?

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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by Basshunter1955 » Tue Feb 21, 2023 1:13 pm

Yes I build them custom
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Re: Compact Spinnerbaits for smallies

Post by Randingo » Tue Feb 21, 2023 8:46 pm

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.

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