Hey Al... Homemade Spinner And Buzz Baits For Idiots

[mic]

I'm going to make up some of my own spinner and buzz baits. I know Al talks about making his own and not ever going back. What makes a good one. My first focus will be on some good quality small ones that will catch large bluegill, crappie, and bass. Any advice is appreciated.

Also, it seems you have to buy the components in bulk. Anyone want to try with me and split the supplies.

Thanks In Advance,

MIC

[rps]

I have used this mold to make twin spin spinner baits. The choice of head sizes would seem to fit your description of your first focus. A 1/4 ounce head with a 1/0 hook and a light wire with a #1 or #2 Colorado blade will be a crappie killer. For bluegill, you might have to go smaller. 3/8 and 1/2 are prime bass spinner bait weights. I make mine with deer hair and tinsel tails rather than silicone skirts, but that's just me trying to recreate the old Shannon Twin Spin.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/do-it-spinnerbait-molds/025724032403.aspx

[Jerry Rapp]

don't scrimp on swivels.

[rps]

don't scrimp on swivels.

What he said.

[Al Agnew]

I don't mold mine. I'd rather not have to deal with melting lead...can't be too good for you. I buy already painted spinnerbait heads in 1/4 ounce size...hook, head, and wire. When making twin spins, I cut off the wire and bend it around to make an eye through which the wire arms for the spinner blades go. I use a bit thinner wire to form the arms, and it takes some bending and finagling to get them attached.

A couple of things on twin spins...you absolutely need a wire "leader", a section of wire about 1.5 inches long, attached to the eye of the twin spin and with a closed loop on the other end which you tie your line onto. Without this wire leader, your line will continually get wound around the arms.

The other tricky thing is how you bend the ends of the wire arms to make loops to which you attach the swivels and spinner blades. And the size of split rings you use makes a difference, too. The trick is in getting everything just right, so that the blades and swivels don't get tangled in the ends of the wire arms.

For whatever reason, bucktail seems to work better in a twin spin. I tried using them with silicone skirts and just didn't seem to do as well.

Buzz baits are simple, just buy buzz bait blanks and add skirt and prop. I adjust mine so that they have closed loop eyes by re-bending the wire, and also while I'm doing that I often shorten the arm so that it's a more compact bait. I've experimented quite a bit with trying to give them that nice squeak, but nothing seems to work really well. Some types of aluminum blades seem to automatically squeak better, and it's important to crimp the little gizmo that serves as the stop for the blade...if it's just loosely on the end of the wire it will rotate along with the blade and cut down on any possible squeaking.

I've actually about stopped making regular spinnerbaits, since I really like War Eagle spinnerbaits these days.

[mic]

Thanks Al. I was going to by the pre-made blanks also. Can you share a pic. I'm having trouble visualizing the leader connection.

[Jerry Rapp]

if you really get into buzz baits, find some thin aluminum and cut out your own blades. Basically a heart shape with a tag on the end between each side of the heart. Take one of your favorite buzzer blades and smash it flat as your first template. If you can find some of the old aluminum drinking glasses(they came in different colors) and cut them down a side and flatten them out then you are on your way with your template. 4 or 5 blades per glass. Some of the aluminum drinking glasses will work out better than others, but if you can find some, hoard them. Once you get the blade cut out, the edges filed down, bent in the semi proper shape, and holes drilled for the wire arm to slide through, you can start putting them on the blank. I used to make my own (thanks Ed Kimbrough) with piano wire and a flat head. Piano wire will rust better than standard wire. Put the blade on the wire, and then attach it with a pop rivet head instead of beads. Crimp the pop rivet and bend the wire down behind the pop rivet to keep the rivet in place. Then take a 1/2 gallon coffee can and fill it with salt water. Put the buzz baits around the coffee can and make sure the water level just covers the top of the op rivet. Let them sit 1 or 2 days(stirring occasionally) in the salt water and then set them in the sun for 1/2 day or so. When you get it perfected, the squeak of the aluminum blade on the rusted wire/rivet will be fantastic! Expect a 25% success ratio at first, and then 75% when you get good at it!

[mic]

I'll keep that in mind Jerry and try after I figure out the basics. Thanks for the info.

[Gavin]

Heres a pic of a twin spin...that I copied from Al...and a Triple Spin...You used to be able to buy Twin & Triple spins from Jerry's Tackle & Guns in Highland, IL. Jerry passed awhile ago...I'm not sure if the Twins & Triples are still available.

[mic]

Thanks Gavin.