For those that use Mepps or similar inline spinners, have you caught more fish on plain spinners, or those with hair, plastic skirts etc?        I've been using Mepps again for two seasons, and have had much better results with undressed plain spinners.                                    My favourites are the standard Mepps Aglia, and the Mepps Black Fury/ yellow dot.               What's been more productive for you, plain or dressed inline spinners?

Undressed 1/2 oz Panther Martin 15, gold blade, gold body, has been killing it all year for me.  

   I tried a few different Mepps with feathers, but didn't have much luck.  But, honestly, only one Mepps had the weight and hooks that I felt I needed to fish confidently, so I don't think it was a thorough comparison.  (I really didn't like the 1/4 oz and smaller models. I'm fishing these inline spinners fast and sometimes deep.)

   I am surprised at the lack of options I have found for inline spinners.  I tried a Snagless Sally a few times this year, but didn't like it.  I had a skirted Nichols years ago I really liked, but haven't seem them since mine broke a couple years back.  Maybe I just need to make my own.

For smallmouth, my most productive in-line spinners have been the Mepps with the minnow (Comet I think) and the “Combo Killer” with the single hook and grub. 

I spent 50 years on the St. Johns river, and inlines work wonders out there. I use the old rooster tail.

 

However, I have to special order the ones I use because not a single store carries them. Stores carry all the smaller weights.

 

On St. Johns river where the bass are brawlers, and I got reds out there, and stripers and sunshines, and gar and warmouth and bowfin and other...

 

I use the 3/8oz, 1/2oz, 3/4oz and sometimes a full 1oz on a 7'6" or 8 foot MH spinning rod and 20 pound line.

 

I can cast these heavy inlines from Orlando all the way to Jacksonville! Maybe not that far, but close.

 

Since that river has water like coffee I tend to go for the white and yellow and brighter colors. The more flash and noise I can make the better. I doubt if they can even see it when they hit it.

 

And if the fish aren't biting who knows an old rooster tail can accidentally snag some gator tail for a pull on the line. (kidding) I don't target them, but I have hooked into them several times.

 

No dressing for me. I’ve been making them myself for many many years.  Think of the old CP or Swiss Swing but I use solid brass beads so they’re heavier.  I typically only use Brass Blades but if the water is off color I’ll switch to a white blade.  Mine vary from .13 ounce to .19 ounce depending on the scenario I am fishing.

I have a set of Blue Fox in-line spinners that I never opened. I tried Mepps a long time ago and only caught a few dinks. It was a Black Fury and one with a white blade. I think it was a comet with a single hook.

 

Dressed.  Then again I fish with mostly Rooster Tails.  

Undressed #3 Vibrax is my favorite for bass both largemouth, and smallmouth, in lakes rivers and creeks.  Dressed work fine, but I prefer undressed.  Panther Martin catch more trout than any other spinner in streams.  I have no idea why, but they do.  Panther Martin will catch bass, but I prefer French style blades for bass.

Undressed Mepps Aglia  gold and silver size 2 blades 1/6oz using med. lite rod with spinning 6lb mono. Panther Martin Classic Undressed gold and silver size 6 blades using med. rod with spinning 8lb mono. Use barbless and single hooks on each on neighborhood ponds.

Good Fishing

19 hours ago, Craig P said:

No dressing for me. I’ve been making them myself for many many years.  Think of the old CP or Swiss Swing but I use solid brass beads so they’re heavier.  I typically only use Brass Blades but if the water is off color I’ll switch to a white blade.  Mine vary from .13 ounce to .19 ounce depending on the scenario I am fishing.

Would love to see your handiwork...

1 hour ago, RRocket said:

Would love to see your handiwork...

Just a couple I was tinkering with to dial in a new Trout BFS setup. 
 

 

4 hours ago, Craig P said:

Just a couple I was tinkering with to dial in a new Trout BFS setup. 
 

 

Very nice! Love the brass.