Being as spinnerbaits have a pretty short lifespan, I try to keep a cap on costs. I’ve become really partial to the Shimano Swagy (3 bucks at TW currently) lately, and the Googan Zinger is remarkably good for a sub-$6 bait. Bass Pro XPS are pretty solid, and don’t rule out the $1.99 Strike Kings from Wally World - when you’re fishing in really nasty brush, your wallet will thank you.
 

 

I forgot to add, with winter coming it’s a good time to get a couple McCoy V Twins in the lineup. 

Even an inexpensive Booyah double willow from Walmart can be a fish catching machine. And don't be shy casting them into and around weeds and other cover. Sometimes they get hammered as soon as they hit the water. 

 

One of the first times I ventured to Lake Fork about 30 years ago, there was a restaurant called East Fork, and in a space to one side there was a guy in there that would make you a custom spinnerbait while you ate a hearty meal and listened to live music. I think his name was Lockhart IIRC. I still have a black one with black blades. Steak dinner, live country music, and custom spinnerbaits all under one roof at the same time.

I know you said you’ve already tried the SK TG spinnerbait. 
 

That is the only one I throw. I’ve caught hundreds of fish, thousands of casts, and I’ve only had one break. I emailed SK and had two new ones in my mailbox. For whatever that’s worth. 

8 hours ago, Big Hands said:

Even an inexpensive Booyah double willow from Walmart can be a fish catching machine. And don't be shy casting them into and around weeds and other cover. Sometimes they get hammered as soon as they hit the water. 

 

One of the first times I ventured to Lake Fork about 30 years ago, there was a restaurant called East Fork, and in a space to one side there was a guy in there that would make you a custom spinnerbait while you ate a hearty meal and listened to live music. I think his name was Lockhart IIRC. I still have a black one with black blades. Steak dinner, live country music, and custom spinnerbaits all under one roof at the same time.

Humdinger spinnerbaits catch bass and are priced right.  If you are scared to loose or break your spinnerbait you need to buy a less expensive bait.  Humdinger baits are awesome right out of the package, but  you can swap out the original blades with Hildebrandt, Stanley or any other higher end blade, as well as upgrade to a ball bearing swivel and still be under $10 per bait.  I like the old school rubber skirt, but add a new skirt, and you are still paying far less than Megabass.  

 

 

10 hours ago, ElGuapo928 said:

Being as spinnerbaits have a pretty short lifespan, I try to keep a cap on costs.

 

This doesn't make any sense.

 

If you're going with el cheapo, the natural result is going to be a short lifespan.

 

Durability costs more, and therefore, as a result, the lifespan will last longer.

 

Most individuals commenting here don't have to deal with a constant assault by northern pike.  They are a relentless attack on my spinnerbaits.  One vicious strike and the frame is bent beyond use if you are using el cheapo.  That's what was so great about the original titanium framed terminator.  They lasted for years even after the barrage of teeth, season after season.  The only thing I replaced was the skirt.

14 hours ago, king fisher said:

Humdinger spinnerbaits catch bass and are priced right.  If you are scared to loose or break your spinnerbait you need to buy a less expensive bait.  Humdinger baits are awesome right out of the package, but  you can swap out the original blades with Hildebrandt, Stanley or any other higher end blade, as well as upgrade to a ball bearing swivel and still be under $10 per bait.  I like the old school rubber skirt, but add a new skirt, and you are still paying far less than Megabass.  

 

 

I use Humdingers as they are right out of the package. Very good spinnerbaits for marsh fishing -- Reds, Specks and the feisty bass annihilate them.

Good Fishing

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Humdinger_Colorado_Indiana_Spinnerbaits/descpage-HMCIS.html

1 hour ago, Rockhopper said:

 

18 hours ago, MassYak85 said:

Forgot about this one...

 

After looking at the new price on TW, I think I'd like to forget again. Yikes I remember trying these when they were 14.99 and gritted my teeth.... now 22.99??!! 

 

On the topic of prohibitively expensive Japanese baits, I also want to shout out the Jackal DoooN. My only gripe is the hook, it's very light wire, which does not lend well to how I fish spinnerbaits. But for someone that likes lighter line, more open water, and softer rods these could be very good. I like the 3.8 keitech EZ shiners as a trailer because these are one of the few spinnerbaits that have a good trailer keeper. 

 

Ya, I can't believe the price on them now. I just ordered a few from Japan, $9 each. Those will be the last until things change. 

 

The Jackall Dooon is another good one. I only have one but I have caught fish on it. They also had one called the Eruption Jr. This was a really good one for me but I haven't seen it available lately.  

Another one I forgot about.... Picasso. If you order from their website they have ton of options, including wire type. 

War Eagle River Rat is my favorite. About 8 bucks. 

My friend put on a clinic in Mexico with a Picasso.  The pivot head was great.  He would walk it slow along the bottom.  He was laughing maniacally at me.   Just boat flipping w a spinner bait. 
 

I stole one from his bag asap, and got to work myself.  

One reason I really like the Megabass SV3 is it has a decent fall on slack line. There's times when I can't get them to commit to normal retrieve or even quick handle turns or rod pumps to get a reaction bite but they're there, looking at it all the way to the boat. Sometimes mid retrieve if I kill it and let it fall for a second or two I can actually get a consistent pattern out of it. Having a bait that actually falls somewhat naturally and the blades react consistently when I do is pretty big. I wish they  made them in more colors because I literally only fish the gill one. 

 

Another I'll mention that I don't see people talk about a lot is the Bl8nkt Shiv. It's a heavier duty spinnerbait cause these guys are out of the Cali Delta so I like it for the spring or when I want a bigger profile especially with a trailer. Beefy long hook only downside is no keeper. 

 

Also does anyone know what happened to Rocky Ledge Tackle? They made some of my favorite finesse spinnerbaits and were at most of the new england fishing expos, but I don't see their website anymore? That sucks huge if they went out of business. (Edit*: They retired I guess 😭)

16 minutes ago, MassYak85 said:

Megabass SV3

 

Many have mentioned this one and I'm surprised I haven't tried it yet.

 

Do you put a trailer on it?

 

That's the only thing that's held me back as I typically like to add a trailer and they say you don't need to on it.

40 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Many have mentioned this one and I'm surprised I haven't tried it yet.

 

Do you put a trailer on it?

 

That's the only thing that's held me back as I typically like to add a trailer and they say you don't need to on it.

I typically don't. I like the compact profile and the skirt has two longer "strands" of rubber ribbon that almost act like a trailer by themselves. It does have a small wire keeper so you can definitely add one but I think the overall action might be thrown off by a 4 or 5" trailer. Something in that 3-3.5" range is probably better. 

 

I'd definitely put it more on the "finesse" side as far as spinnerbaits go but the hook holds up to big fish which is part of why I like it. 

I've got several types.

 

https://siebertoutdoors.com/products/ols/categories/spinner--blade-baits

2 hours ago, gim said:

 

This doesn't make any sense.

 

If you're going with el cheapo, the natural result is going to be a short lifespan.

 

Durability costs more, and therefore, as a result, the lifespan will last longer.

 

Most individuals commenting here don't have to deal with a constant assault by northern pike.  They are a relentless attack on my spinnerbaits.  One vicious strike and the frame is bent beyond use if you are using el cheapo.  That's what was so great about the original titanium framed terminator.  They lasted for years even after the barrage of teeth, season after season.  The only thing I replaced was the skirt.

High dollar titanium frames do absolutely nothing when it’s hung up in a submerged tree or wedged in a gap between rocks. In 40+ years of throwing spinnerbaits, I have had precisely one stick around long enough to damage a wire beyond repair, and it was/still is a Stan Sloan 

Aggravator that tangled with the trolling motor (looks good hanging on the “log of shame” with the other broken/mangled stuff). 

And you are correct, I don’t think I could identify a pike in a police lineup. 

 

I caught one of my two 8+ bass on a War Eagle Gold Shiner double willow. It's a great one for action because the wire is so thin. But the head will get loose on the wire. Then the wire will eventually just break. I like the Megastrike Roland Martin spinnerbait for being tough. It has a thicker wire and a loop line tie. It also has a swivel head-to-hook connection that supposedly cuts down on lost fish. I still have some old BPS Uncle Buck's spinnerbaits that sold for like $1.29 in the 90's. When I started fishing SBs I loaded up on all the standard combinations of colors, sizes and blades. They all catch bass.

 

I stay away from the ones that just have skirt and rubber band. You'll go out and fish will start knocking the heck out of it and the band will break.

1/2oz dbl willow war eagle... 

War eagle has been my favorite. Booyah has never treated me bad though. Biggest thing I like is a compact bait. I’m not big on the huge spinnerbaits they just don’t get bit for me.  

I'll add another vote for the SV-3...but also add the Damiki TOT if you are looking for a larger profile paired up with a CrushCity Freeloader.

I’ve got 3 Dobyn’s arriving tomorrow.

 

I fished a Booyah today with great success. Held up well.

 

Not sure the model, I think I’ve had it a while.

 

We will see how the Dobyn’s go, I’ll definitely try the Booyah’s again with no hesitation.

 

Still never buying those Strike Kings again. lol