Hey fellas I’m a snakehead angler on the Potomac river and one of my favorite ways to target them is using spinnerbait. My problem is that when snakeheads start to get big they will absolutely destroy all spinnerbaits. I’ve been experimenting with brands and models and none have worked well for me yet. Does anybody where I can get bass sized spinnerbaits with extremely heavy gauge wire? I also need to be able to get it in ordinary bass sized like 1/2oz. And no I do not want to throw bladed jigs so nobody recommend that.

You might look here. Page 30

25 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

You might look here. Page 30

The highest he goes up to is 0.40 wire diameter which hasn’t worked for me.

Jigman's link isn't working right now, but my suggestion would be to go to lureparts online and look at their spinnerbait bodies. They list the wire gauge for most, if not all of their bodies. Then just make them up how you want.

Also, if you're using R-bend spinnerbaits, make sure you're using a braid or wire tie at the base of the bend. That will keep the bait from flaying out on a fish and preserve just how much you have to bend them back around.

5 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

Jigman's link isn't working right now, but my suggestion would be to go to lureparts online and look at their spinnerbait bodies. They list the wire gauge for most, if not all of their bodies. Then just make them up how you want.

Also, if you're using R-bend spinnerbaits, make sure you're using a braid or wire tie at the base of the bend. That will keep the bait from flaying out on a fish and preserve just how much you have to bend them back around.

Can you elaborate what you mean by base or wire tie? Thanks.

I would look into some musky spinnerbaits, they are a bit bigger, but much stronger and may still come in the weight and size that would work.

Check out Picasso's Titanium Pro. I can't guarantee that it won't get bent up but for most bass fishing it holds up really well.

They are not cheap but they are really well made.

I can't say I've ever come across someone who considers themselves a snakehead fishermen, so welcome.

As someone who builds his own jigs and spinnerbaits, I would suggest you look into doing the same if you want a bass sized spinnerbait with super heavy gauge wire. Nothing on the market is going to satisfy what you are looking for.

For reference, a typical bass spinnerbait wire gauge is 0.028 to 0.040 inches in diameter. You are probably going to want something at least 0.050 to 0.070 in diameter. You are also going to notice a lot less action in the water with a very heavy gauge wire.

I had a minute so I checked LPO. None of the musky heads come in 1/2 oz which makes sense given the size of blades musky guys use. If you're set on a 1/2 oz then the heaviest wire is going to be an 0.040". But if you can bump up to 3/4 you can get that in an 0.045". Going a little heavier would allow you to put a bigger blade on for more thump in the water if that helps get them to bite. A #6 colorado on the back with a #2-3 up front with give a TON of lift to keep it shallow and give a ton of thump.

3 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I had a minute so I checked LPO. None of the musky heads come in 1/2 oz which makes sense given the size of blades musky guys use. If you're set on a 1/2 oz then the heaviest wire is going to be an 0.040". But if you can bump up to 3/4 you can get that in an 0.045". Going a little heavier would allow you to put a bigger blade on for more thump in the water if that helps get them to bite. A #6 colorado on the back with a #2-3 up front with give a TON of lift to keep it shallow and give a ton of thump.

Thank you!

3 hours ago, Larg said:

Can you elaborate what you mean by base or wire tie? Thanks.

I missed this question earlier. If you're using an R-bend lure (spinnerbait or buzzbait) as opposed to a twisted line tie, then you can take heavy braid (I use 50 lb) and tie it at the base of the R-bend to close the loop. You only need a half dozen wraps. It prevents the bend from opening. I have done it with thin skirt tying wire on buzzbaits also. Others will use a very small split ring (so if you have a couple sizes

then try that first).

On the very bottom buzzbait in this picture you can see what I mean. That one looks like braid.

14 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I missed this question earlier. If you're using an R-bend lure (spinnerbait or buzzbait) as opposed to a twisted line tie, then you can take heavy braid (I use 50 lb) and tie it at the base of the R-bend to close the loop. You only need a half dozen wraps. It prevents the bend from opening. I have done it with thin skirt tying wire on buzzbaits also. Others will use a very small split ring (so if you have a couple sizes

then try that first).

On the very bottom buzzbait in this picture you can see what I mean. That one looks like braid.

I have not seen this before thank you! I have almost every size of split ring aswell as braid of course. What do you think works better?

Here you go.

43 minutes ago, Larg said:

I have not seen this before thank you! I have almost every size of split ring aswell as braid of course. What do you think works better?

I've never used a split ring myself, only braid and wire. If you can tie a decent knot then the braid works well. Put a drop of superglue on the knot and that wire isn't going to bend out. If you can't tie the braid for whatever reason, then wire works also. You just have to be mindful of where you twist it and where the sharp ends of the wire end up so that it doesn't cut your line. I use needle nose pliers to tuck the cut end of the wire inside the wraps.

Here is a picture of what usually happens after a snakehead for reference

19 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

I've never used a split ring myself, only braid and wire. If you can tie a decent knot then the braid works well. Put a drop of superglue on the knot and that wire isn't going to bend out. If you can't tie the braid for whatever reason, then wire works also. You just have to be mindful of where you twist it and where the sharp ends of the wire end up so that it doesn't cut your line. I use needle nose pliers to tuck the cut end of the wire inside the wraps.

Perfect thank you!

The issue is what the frame is made of.

Steel bends. It kinks. And it's tough to "bend back."

Go with titanium and you will not be disappointed in the durability.

An alternative would be to use an inline spinner such as a Hildebrandt Snagless Sally. Any reason you do not want to use an inline spinner?

46 minutes ago, BASS302 said:

An alternative would be to use an inline spinner such as a Hildebrandt Snagless Sally. Any reason you do not want to use an inline spinner?

I’ve found that inline spinners and blades jugs just don’t have as much drawing power for bringing snakeheads deep out of pads

Isn't Terminator spinnerbaits made of titanium ❓

Side note :

My biggest Snakehead from the Potomac came on a white bladed jig burning it.

Whopper ploppers and frogs caught some as well.

2 minutes ago, Bird said:

Isn't Terminator spinnerbaits made of titanium ❓

Side note :

My biggest Snakehead from the Potomac came on a white bladed jig burning it.

Whopper ploppers and frogs caught some as well.

Yeah I’ve heard about the terminator but they stopped making them. I might have to hop on eBay for some. And for the second part yeah frogs and bladed jigs are great baits but it’s a different application. That’s like saying I’m looking for swim jigs and someone suggests a square bill because they catch fish- yeah it’s a good bait but it’s for different stuff.

8 minutes ago, Bird said:

Isn't Terminator spinnerbaits made of titanium

Only the original T1 and T2 versions. Which have been discontinued for years now.

Their current offerings are steel

10 hours ago, Larg said:

Hey fellas I’m a snakehead angler on the Potomac river and one of my favorite ways to target them is using spinnerbait. My problem is that when snakeheads start to get big they will absolutely destroy all spinnerbaits. I’ve been experimenting with brands and models and none have worked well for me yet. Does anybody where I can get bass sized spinnerbaits with extremely heavy gauge wire?

First off @Larg

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource.

As for actual size, I don't fish for them, so I can't say what a 'big' snakehead is.

But I also really enjoy catching big fish on spinnerbaits, but they are bass.

A big smallmouth for me is usually over 6 lbs, and a big largemouth would be over, I guess, 8 lbs.

But let's face it, most any plus-sized game fish is going to wreck a regular spinnerbait.

When I tried to max out the baits & components, in an effort to make the baits 'last' longer. I stopped getting the bites I was getting before.

So I needed to reevaluate my priorities. Is it to catch giants or save 5 bucks on a bait?

I want the fish.

Went to work by narrowing down which baits possessed the qualities I thought would get me that bite from fish of a lifetime and were still just stout enough to hook & land her. If they never caught another bass, I could live with that.

The plan now is to have a collection of 'The Baits' on hand and ready to go into service when needed.

I'll watch for sales and keep a good supply on hand.

That works for me rather than trying to solve a problem that not a single tackle maker wants me to solve.

Good Luck.

A-Jay

10 hours ago, Larg said:

Hey fellas I’m a snakehead angler on the Potomac river and one of my favorite ways to target them is using spinnerbait. My problem is that when snakeheads start to get big they will absolutely destroy all spinnerbaits. I’ve been experimenting with brands and models and none have worked well for me yet. Does anybody where I can get bass sized spinnerbaits with extremely heavy gauge wire? I also need to be able to get it in ordinary bass sized like 1/2oz. And no I do not want to throw bladed jigs so nobody recommend that.

Megabass SV-3

Also I just started buy Covert Series Spinnerbaits and they almost never get out of tune.

24 minutes ago, gim said:

Only the original T1 and T2 versions. Which have been discontinued for years now.

Their current offerings are steel

Showing my age, sorry.

Remember throwing them and they were indestructible, assuming the originals....... thanks.

AI says that Rapala bought them way back in 2007, which is when they were discontinued.

Didn't realize it was that long ago