does anyone use panter martins to catch brown trout? i normally use rooster tails but discovered panter martins spin much better.  i have not trout fished with them yet and was wondering if they are good to use and which colors are popular.

Yes and yes, I like roostertails better, but there's a brown trout colored PM that slays the brown trout.

I have always had more luck with Panther Martins than any other lure.  I love the Gold Yellow color.  Gold orange works ok but not as consistent as the gold yellow.

Hehehe, I catch allot of 1-2lb Brown Trout on lipless crankbaits. They hit anything in my home waters...

i like roostertails in the firetiger pattern. thats all me and my buddy use when i am back home in a very small creek not more tha 10ft wide.

it depends on the flow.  If you casting upstream or quartering, Rooster Tails are not ideal.  Panther Martins are much better for this, since it takes minimal water resistance to spin the blade.  For browns moving into creeks right now, I like a bumble bee pattern.  As it get colder, rainbow trout smolt is a good pattern, as is anby of the straight up flourescent yellows, greens, and oranges.  If the flow is very fast and water is high, a Spin n' Glo rig is a better option.  If you're into flies, ESL in #6 or #4 has produced everything from 'hos and straggler kings to browns and chromes here.  Good luck

Two browns (bucks) from last year on a bumble bee PM:

John, I think I know exactly where that is. Was one of my favorites -except when the lifter's were in >. Has that changed much?

Although they are a tad more expensive, the panther martin (IMHO) is a more reliable spinner.  And although I haven't tested my theory out, I think they provide a little more water resistance and spin more revolutions (per unit of forward movemen) than a roostertail.  I think they are more durable, too.