I am looking to make some worm tail spinners. I have never made any lures, spinners etc. My question is if I use a #1 or#2 blade what size should the other components be split ring, crane swivel and hitch hiker?

 

If I was going to go to the trouble of making my own worm tail spinners, I'd go with a ball bearing swivel rather than a crane swivel.  Unless you've got the various components laying around, I wonder if you can make the tail spinners cheaper than you can buy them, but that isn't the point.

 

Sooner or later, everyone gets the bug than they can make better/cheaper than you can buy them.   This I know - this bug has bitten me several times.  When you go to buy components, bring your check book.  If you're going to to this, spend money up front and get a GOOD set of split ring pliers.  Cheap split ring pliers will make you say bad words, especially if you're going to be working with the tiny split rings found on the screw in tail spinners.  I know when this bug bit me, I should have bought in bulk, i.e. buy a whole bunch of different sizes of split rings, buy a whole bunch of different sizes of swivels, snaps, wire forms, snaps, etc.  When you need beads, go to Michaels or Hobby Lobby, they have ALOT of different sizes and colors, and be aware that you will get stared at because you don't look anything like the average bead buyer.   Look in the jewelry making section, there are all kinds of crimps and snaps and tool kits that are helpful to making your own baits.

 

One option be might be to forgo the swivel and just use the hitch hiker with a small blade clipped to it.   It would just flop rather than spin, perhaps the flash from the flop would be enough and you don't really need the spin. I don't know - just a thought.   I know I pitch stick baits into cover, or at objects quite a bit and last winter I bought an assortment of the worm tail spinners, both Colorado blades and willow leaf blades AND I made sure that they were in the boat, but it never occurred to me to use them this year.  If you make some and they work for you great - let us know.

Extra small 0/0 willow leaf blades, Google search Lure Parts Online will show you components needed.

Never tried this, can't see wasting hardware with every small bass that you may catch or worm you lose.

Tom

9 hours ago, ike8120 said:

I am looking to make some worm tail spinners. I have never made any lures, spinners etc. My question is if I use a #1 or#2 blade what size should the other components be split ring, crane swivel and hitch hiker?

 

I have some of these in willow and colorado and have never had much luck with them.  They are yours free of charge if you want them.  

1 hour ago, BoatSquirrel said:

I have some of these in willow and colorado and have never had much luck with them.  They are yours free of charge if you want them.  

Thank You PM sent

TW has pre-rigged ones for sale which are good ; Timmy Horton brought the technique to the public via a stick bait + tail spinner (although he didn't invent it - he just made it more popular) .

I have done this on worms before but I used a threading needle with thin braid through the worm and tied it to the hook.  That way when the worm does rip off you don't lose your components.