I have good success with the Johnson Beetle Spin river fishing for Smallmouth. Are there any higher quality style Spinnerbaits you'd suggest that are similar to the Beetle Spin? I think the small size is why it produces so well for me. 

 

I like beetle spins for river smallies too. You can always assemble custom lures any way you like. I use DOA jig heads and shad bodies with a beetle Spin arm.

On 7/20/2025 at 2:48 PM, scaleface said:

I like beetle spins for river smallies too. You can always assemble custom lures any way you like. I use DOA jig heads and shad bodies with a beetle Spin arm.

I use these...

 

https://www.amazon.com/Mimilure-Spinner-Spinners-Spinnerbait-Accessories/dp/B01N9OKJKT?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=A3DWBSNIJU0QPR&th=1

 

When my oldest boy was about 6 or 7, he absolutely had to have one of those little tiny orange Beetle Spins (looks like a candy corn on a Jighead) - I lost count of how many yellow bass he put in the boat with that goofy looking thing. 

I use the Beetle Spin saltwater 3" size or Strike King Redfish Magic.

Mulefishing.com has some nice ones.  If you look for "panfish spinners" you'll find loads.  It's been about a year, but I bought a few from fishandsave.com that were $0.25 each.  The jig and grub that came on the spinner arm were absolute crap but I just wanted the spinner arms anyway.  

 

Northland tackle has mimic minnows on spinner arms that are a little bigger.  

 

Another thing to look into would be underspins.  There are a few smaller light hook underspins that are sold as crappie baits but catch a ton of SMB.  Look at the Northland Thumper jig and the Crappie Magnet Finspin.  

 

 

I bumped into this today and thought about you.  I don't have any experience with it.  

 

https://bassdope.com/products/wings-jig-head-attachement

A little different than the Beatle Spin but Ive caught several fish on the Flasback Mini. Everything from crappie to bass to catfish have hit this thing.

have a look at the strike king rocket shad.  They make them down to 1/4 oz which might be a little faster sinking that you're looking for but they are small and would be great for fishing river smallies.

H&H Lure Company Pro Cajun Spin Single Spin 

Small Beetle Spins, 1/32 oz with a 1/2" piece of green pumkin worm if what I use in FL rivers for bream.  Occasionally a bass or mudfish will bite.

I dont use the little panfish sized lures for bass. I use the larger size with bait casting gear. The size I like are no longer available but  they make a 1/2 oz salt water version.

Northland Tackle Mimic Minnow Spin

1/16oz, 1/8oz, 1/4oz and 3/8oz

 

Bass Pro Shops Crappie Maxx Paddle Tail Minnow Spin

1/16oz, 1/8oz, 1/4oz and 3/8oz.

Arkie Rigged Curl Tail Spinners

1/16oz and 1/8oz.

Good Fishing

I'm with @casts_by_fly, the rocket shad has caught me a lot of fish once it got on my radar.  To me,  a split ring and your own hook is a must, factory set up is garbage.

 

scott

Creme: 3" Spoiler Spin - Black Back

21 hours ago, softwateronly said:

To me,  a split ring and your own hook is a must, factory set up is garbage.

 

Yes. I lost two large hybrids because they some how wrestled that stupid hook off. 

BPS: Uncle Buck's Panfish Creatures Crawfish with Spinner 

YAKIMA BAIT MICROLITE ™ SPINNERBAIT W/COLORADO BLADE & VINYL SKIRT

Spin Dandy 1/8oz. 1/6oz.

 

Mule Bronco Blade

Gilmore Tackle Co.

H & H sells a three pack of just the spinner. I prefer it due to the fact it doesn't have that line pinching 360° rolled line tie. If the bait helicopters on you at all then your line gets damaged in the loop for the line tie. Strike King Redfish magic also has the 180° bend for the line tie.

FM