I started using a beetle spin this year and have done OK with it, mostly in small creeks, smallies and rock bass. But the body doesn’t really seem to have much action. I know this is a time tested, proven fish catcher, but does anyone use anything else for the “beetle”? I’m thinking like a little 2-3” grub or a Bobby Garland baby shad on an 1/8th or 1/16th oz. Anyone doing this, if so, what works for you?  

I've used a classic crappie marabou jig before, and countless other plastics like tubes or twisters.

I use a 3" grub or paddletail to add a little tail action to the beetle spin. It works really well.

   I've experimented with grub bodies and even cut-off parts of Senkos. Although they caught fish, they never proved to be more productive than the original, which surprised me. This was in dirty water, though, so that might have had something to do with it.      jj

I've put Mr. Twisters on them, 3" Paddletails and even used Gammy Finnese jig-heads with offset hook in 3/32oz and Berkley 4" Power-worms and Rib-worms.

For the smaller ones (1/16 and 1/32) I love to put a Berkley Gulp minnow on, or a Trout Magnet to target mainly giant panfish and smaller bass.  

Grubs, tubes, small plastic worms can all work. A paddletail swimbait is good also.

The smallest size fluke works great.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zoom_Tiny_Fluke_20pk/descpage-ZTF.html

I don't use the actual Beetle Spin, but I buy separate jig spinner arms (#0 or #1), and put them on a 1/16 or 1/32 ounce ball head with a 2" crappie tube. Fished on an ultralight and 4lb test, it'll catch about anything that swims.

On 9/22/2020 at 8:05 PM, waymont said:

The smallest size fluke works great.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zoom_Tiny_Fluke_20pk/descpage-ZTF.html

This ^
 

 

You can use anything but soft baits will not last long .It doesnt matter to me if a Beetle has no action , it doesnt need it .  Older Beetles are harder and last a long time. I have some of those .Todays Beetles  are softer and only last a few fish .If you really want to improve the beetle spin , try a ball bearing swivel , it makes a noticeable difference , spins much faster .  

The old 3" beetle body works best, but yeah obviously small paddle tails can work, they are even sold by Strike King as "Red Fish Magic".

Tail end of a torn up fluke or the end of a trick worm. 

edit: mostly out of need, vs trying to fiddle with it. I like having them around as I've started to catch some bluegill to get a good look at what they look like. In particular sometimes I'll find myself at a place with (I think) coppernose that don't have the orange belly, and I'll do much better with a more washed-out presentation for the bass.

On 9/23/2020 at 12:31 AM, Dorado said:

This ^
 

 

*Great Idea to use a Zoom Tiny Fluke - perfect match !

The Baby Rage Menace rigged vertically works well.

 

 

anything and everything - I make the wire frames and tied jigs myself.  Plastics I buy or friends who make what I like I buy from them.