Bass were really keying in on double willow aspinnerbaits a few years ago, but I think others have caught on it. I can see other guys using spinnerbaits all the time now. The quality and number of fish went down on spinnerbaits last year last year. I want something compact that can take it up a notch, but won't bend and break easily.

I'm looking at the SV-3, Covert series, River2Sea Bling, and Nichols Pulsator.

 Any suggestions?

Last year wasn't a great year for spinnerbaits around here.  Maybe it was the low, clear water and typically bluebird still conditions (my theory), maybe it was regular fluctuations in what the fish see and what guys fish.  If you got a good day for them (overcast and breezy) you caught fish on them.

 

Wire bending is to be expected with wire baits.  the main thing is the wire not breaking.  If you're looking for compact, go to the Siebert compact double willow (or other blade variations).  They are well made, a bit smaller in profile than a normal spinnerbait, and a great price.  If you want full size, grab the cosmic.

 

https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/products/compact-double-willow-mustad-hook

they arent cheap but in the clear pressured waters i fish the bassman spinnerbaits have been dynamite the last few years. get some clouds and wind and let them fly.

Higher end like over $12 each?

Tom

2 minutes ago, WRB said:

Higher end like over $12 each?

Tom

10+. But components, durability and action matter more for me.

I love Nichols spinnerbaits...my favorite brand for several years

If you can find them, the original Terminator series that had the titanium frame were incredibly durable.  Mine lasted for 10+ years sometimes, and that was with repeated assaults by pike.  Eventually the frame would just completely snap, but its better than the steel versions that bent out of shape after one use.

 

I've still got about 5 or 6 in use, and several more in the original packaging.  Rapala bought out Terminator years ago and discontinued them, unfortunately.

 

A black spinnerbait has been a fish-catching machine for me the past two seasons.

2 hours ago, Tony Christian said:

 

I'm looking at the SV-3.

 

Easily my favorite compact (and overall) spinnerbait. Another good one is Z-Man Sling Bladez Power Finesse.

15 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said:

Easily my favorite compact (and overall) spinnerbait. Another good one is Z-Man Sling Bladez Power Finesse.

I do like the sling bladez. I am not a spinner bait guru though. More of a bottom bouncer. 

I'm not going to recommend a brand but once the spinnerbait bite dies down in the late spring I switch to a slightly smaller willow leaf blade and to duller bait-fish or sunfish  patterned skirts . Same weight, whatever cast the easiest, which for me is 1/2 oz.

Dobyns Beast and Stanley Vibrashaft. War Eagle has a model with the weight in the body. These are all viable. 

I am a spinner bait guru.  River2sea Bling. It ain't compact, it won't last forever, it will bend if you boat flip'em and or lock the drag down and haul'em in. The R2S delivers the best thump out there.  I give you the half ounce gold double willow Chartruese spinner bait!

 

 

One of my favorite is the jackall doon

gets it done 

 

1 hour ago, DitchPanda said:

I love Nichols spinnerbaits...my favorite brand for several years

I’ve been wanting to get a few pulsators, bluegill and bream color. It seems other brands are not painting/flaking their blades quite like Nichols so it leads me to believe fish don’t see as many so maybe more bites? JT Kenney has a YouTube video titled “ the spinnerbait every pro throws and no one talks about “ I believe that’s the title. That’s where I learned of Nichols. 

Bottom Up Beeble.   This thing is amazing.

https://thehookuptackle.com/products/beeble

12 minutes ago, webertime said:

Bottom Up Beeble.   This thing is amazing.

https://thehookuptackle.com/products/beeble

That's a pretty sweet looking bait. Basically if a spinnerbait and chatterbait had a baby...

So what's an Oklahoma blade??

 

I'm familiar with Colorado, Indiana, Willow, French, olympic/turtleback, ... but don't know what a Oklahoma is.

32 minutes ago, webertime said:

Bottom Up Beeble.   This thing is amazing.

https://thehookuptackle.com/products/beeble

That thing is sweet. That’s a bit steep $ for a spinnerbait. But I’d try it. 

I throw 2 brands and they're consistent producers here........ Zman and Terminator.

Still throwing War Eagle 

1 hour ago, FrnkNsteen said:

So what's an Oklahoma blade??

 

I'm familiar with Colorado, Indiana, Willow, French, olympic/turtleback, ... but don't know what a Oklahoma is.

Oklahoma blade is the same as a turtleback.

2 hours ago, webertime said:

Bottom Up Beeble.   This thing is amazing.

https://thehookuptackle.com/products/beeble

What are you loving about it? I've been wanting to give it a shot, but with the pike in my lakes I know they'll tear it up eventually. Tho I guess that doesn't stop me from throwing Jackhammer's and 110's. ?

War Eagle finesse SB is great 

Well now I have even more things to consider. My main issue with the Nichols is the lack of a trailer keeper, or I would have bought it a while back. I like to put Spunk Shads, and recently, a Zako on the back of my spinnerbait. I like how I won't have to put a trailer on the SV-3. For some reason in the reservoir I fish, perch patterns outfish white and chartreuse. Z-man and R2Sea also look great. 

5 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Stanley Vibrashaft.

 

Feature a precision ground tapered shaft, ground from .041 to .028, for maximum vibration. This gives you a thicker wire at the line tie & thinner at the blades for unmatched flash/vibration.

 

Stanley has an 1/8 oz double willowleaf & a double Colorado Vibra-Shaft.

 

For my "finesse" spinnerbait I prefer the Wedge Plus in 1/4 oz. It features the Vibra-Shaft along with tapered "Wedge" blade.