I recently picked up a few war eagle finness spinnerbaits. They are the gold frame 5/16oz, actual weight. 56oz, in spot remover and white and chartreuse. No fish catches yet, but was out throwing them yesterday and they looked great in the water. Water is still super cold here, so didn't expect much action. 

 

Just curious of other anglers opinions on these spinnerbaits. I like the compact design and the quality seems to be there. 

I use em, great little baits

Yes, they're great -- I think i have them in Mouse, Sun Perch, and some greenish, bluegill-y color.

   I used the 3/16 size, in Spot Remover and Mouse. They were wonderful for catching fish; they got fish to bite like magic. Unfortunately, they didn't last. They bent easily, and the wire broke easily. I sure hope that the 5/16 size is more durable.

   They're now owned by Pradco, so I have no idea which direction that's gonna go.             jj

1 hour ago, jimmyjoe said:

   I used the 3/16 size, in Spot Remover and Mouse. They were wonderful for catching fish; they got fish to bite like magic. Unfortunately, they didn't last. They bent easily, and the wire broke easily. I sure hope that the 5/16 size is more durable.

 

Yep, 100% my experience as well, I even use the same size and colors.  I try to only buy them on sale and will rip one out of the water if I see a little pickerel chasing one of mine.  

 

They are good enough to be worth it imho, I would pay a good little bit for the same lure but with a titanium wire.  

My favorite spinnerbait for ponds/small lakes. I'm actually gonna throw one tomorrow when I go fishing after work. My favorite colors are Mouse and sungill. Great little search bait and the mouse color looks like my bluegill/shiners perfectly. I would recommend pairing these guys with a size one trailer hook I use gamakatsu. 

Great spinnerbaits!!

The thin wire used in War Eagle spinnerbaits has always been a blessing and a curse.

7 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

   I used the 3/16 size, in Spot Remover and Mouse. They were wonderful for catching fish; they got fish to bite like magic. Unfortunately, they didn't last. They bent easily, and the wire broke easily. I sure hope that the 5/16 size is more durable.

   They're now owned by Pradco, so I have no idea which direction that's gonna go.             jj

That sucks. I know that eventually all spinnerbait lures will get to the point that they need to be thrown out, but sounds like these are faster to be retired than other brands. 

 

Any suggestions on a good spinnerbait that is compact but durable? 

If you want them to last longer, take some old braid and wrap it around the R bend and tie it off.  It won’t have any effect on the way the bait works and will greatly increase the life time of the bait.  I do that to all of my R wire spinnerbaits.  They will normally outlast a couple of skirt changes.  I also put shrink tubing over the braid to make it hold better.

19 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

If you want them to last longer, take some old braid and wrap it around the R bend and tie it off.  It won’t have any effect on the way the bait works and will greatly increase the life time of the bait.  I do that to all of my R wire spinnerbaits.  They will normally outlast a couple of skirt changes.  I also put shrink tubing over the braid to make it hold better.

*Thanks for sharing the tip - curious how exactly your method helps the spinner bait to last longer ?

War Eagle are my go to confidence spinner baits.   

Spinnerbaits are finesse now? 

I really gotta get up with the times.

2 hours ago, ChrisD46 said:

*Thanks for sharing the tip - curious how exactly your method helps the spinner bait to last longer ?

It keeps the R from spreading apart which is where they break for me.

3 hours ago, LCG said:

 

Any suggestions on a good spinnerbait that is compact but durable? 

 

   Depends on what you mean by "compact".

   For a miniature spinnerbait, like 1/4 oz. TOTAL weight, I still use the Booyah Micro Pond Magic. For normal equipment, the Strike King Li'l Mr. Money is great for me. TOTAL weight is 1/2 oz. I think they advertise it as 3/16 head weight, but I'm not sure.

   I've also heard of other compact profile spinnerbaits, but I didn't pay attention at the time. They're out there. You just need to search.

 

   Good Luck! ?      jj

Me likes.