1. Understanding the Basics of Inline Spinners
Inline spinners are a go-to lure for many anglers across North America, especially when targeting popular game fish like trout, bass, and pike. Their simple design, combined with flashy movement and vibration in the water, makes them incredibly effective in both still and moving waters.
What is an Inline Spinner?
An inline spinner consists of a few key components aligned along a central wire shaft. When retrieved through the water, the blade spins around the shaft, creating flash and vibration that mimics a small baitfish or insect — exactly what predatory fish love to chase.
Core Components of an Inline Spinner
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Blade | The spinning part that creates flash and vibration. Blade shape affects how it spins and at what speed. |
| Body | Adds weight for casting distance and helps balance the spinner’s movement in the water. |
| Shaft | A metal wire that holds all parts together in alignment; often stainless steel for durability. |
| Beads/Bushings | Placed between blade and body to reduce friction and enhance spin action. |
| Hook | Usually a treble or single hook located at the rear; can be dressed (with feathers or hair) to increase appeal. |
Why Use Inline Spinners for Trout, Bass, and Pike?
Each of these species responds well to the unique presentation of an inline spinner. Heres how:
| Fish Species | Why Inline Spinners Work |
|---|---|
| Trout | The flash mimics small insects or fry. Trout are visual feeders and react quickly to bright, spinning blades in clear streams. |
| Bass | Bass are aggressive predators. The spinners vibration triggers reaction strikes, especially in stained or weedy water. |
| Pike | Pike love fast-moving lures with lots of flash. Larger spinners with big blades can provoke explosive strikes. |
Different Blade Types and Their Action
The blade style you choose affects how your inline spinner performs. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Blade Type | Action | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Blade | Wide blade with slow, wide rotation; lots of vibration. | Muddy water or low-light conditions; great for bass and pike. |
| Willow Blade | Narrow blade with tight, fast spin; less drag. | Clear water or fast retrieves; good for trout and active bass. |
| Indiana Blade | A blend between Colorado and Willow; moderate spin and vibration. | All-purpose use in mixed water conditions; works well across species. |
The Advantage of Going Custom
Building your own inline spinners gives you full control over size, color, weight, and blade type — allowing you to tailor each lure to specific fishing conditions or target species. Whether youre looking to match local forage or just want something unique that fish haven’t seen before, custom spinners give you the edge on the water.
Up Next: Choosing Materials for Your Custom Inline Spinners
Now that you understand the basics of how inline spinners work, well dive into selecting the right materials in Part 2 — from blades to beads — so you can start crafting spinners that catch more fish.
2. Selecting the Right Components
When building custom inline spinners for trout, bass, and pike, choosing the right components is key to matching the behavior and feeding habits of each species. Each part of your spinner—blades, bodies, hooks, clevises, and shafts—plays a role in how the lure performs in the water. Heres a breakdown of what to consider for each target fish.
Blades
The blade is what gives your spinner its flash and vibration, attracting fish from a distance. The shape and size of the blade affect how it spins and moves through the water.
| Blade Type | Best For | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Trout | Slow, wide thump; great for cold or murky water |
| Willow | Bass, Pike | Fast, tight spin; good for clear water and aggressive retrieves |
| Indiana | All species | Balanced spin; a versatile choice for mixed conditions |
Bodies
The body adds weight and helps keep the spinner stable. Use lighter bodies for shallow streams with trout and heavier ones for deeper water where bass or pike may be lurking.
Tips:
- Trout: Go small and subtle—use brass or painted bodies that mimic local forage.
- Bass: Medium-sized bodies with bright colors like chartreuse or fire tiger work well.
- Pike: Choose large bodies with flashy finishes to grab attention in deeper waters.
Hooks
Your hook choice should match both the size of your target fish and local regulations (some areas require single barbless hooks).
| Species | Recommended Hook Size | Hook Type |
|---|---|---|
| Trout | #10 to #6 | Single or treble (check local rules) |
| Bass | #6 to #2 | Trebles preferred for better hookup ratio |
| Pike | #4 to 1/0 | Strong trebles with heavy wire to handle big strikes |
Clevises and Shafts
Clevises:
This tiny piece connects your blade to the shaft and allows it to spin freely. Use folded clevises for better durability when targeting larger fish like bass and pike. For trout spinners, stirrup-style clevises offer smoother rotation on light tackle.
Shafts:
The shaft holds everything together. Stainless steel wire shafts in .024″–.031″ diameter are ideal depending on your target species.
- .024″ – .026″: Best for trout – light and flexible enough for finesse presentations.
- .028″ – .031″: Better for bass and pike – strong enough to resist bending during hard fights.
Selecting the right combination of these components ensures your inline spinner performs effectively in different environments and appeals directly to the instincts of trout, bass, or pike.
3. Designing for Species-Specific Performance
When building custom inline spinners, its important to tailor your design based on the species youre targeting. Trout, bass, and pike each have their own habitat preferences and behavior patterns, so customizing your spinner’s components can make a huge difference in your success rate.
Trout: Cold Streams and Clear Water
Trout are often found in cold, clear streams where subtlety is key. They tend to be line-shy and selective, so your spinner should be lightweight and natural-looking. Use smaller blades (size 0–2), lighter wire shafts, and natural-colored skirts or no skirt at all. Silver or gold blades work well in clear water conditions.
Recommended Components for Trout Spinners
| Component | Suggested Option |
|---|---|
| Blade Size | #0 to #2 |
| Blade Color | Silver, Gold, Copper |
| Shaft Material | Light-gauge stainless steel wire |
| Body Weight | 1/16 oz to 1/8 oz |
| Dressing | No skirt or light marabou/tinsel |
Bass: Warmwater Lakes and Ponds
Bass are aggressive predators and respond well to flash and vibration. For lakes and ponds with warmer water, go with larger blades (size 3–5), heavier bodies for longer casts, and vibrant colors like chartreuse, white, or black. Add silicone skirts or soft plastic trailers for extra action.
Recommended Components for Bass Spinners
| Component | Suggested Option |
|---|---|
| Blade Size | #3 to #5 |
| Blade Color | Chartreuse, Firetiger, Black Nickel |
| Shaft Material | Standard stainless steel wire |
| Body Weight | 1/4 oz to 3/8 oz |
| Dressing | Silicone skirt or soft plastic trailer |
Pike: Weedy Backwaters and Sloughs
Pike are ambush hunters that lurk in weedy areas. They love big, flashy lures that move water and trigger reaction strikes. Choose large blades (size 4–6), strong wire shafts (they have sharp teeth!), and bright colors like red, orange, or fluorescent green. Add long tails or bucktail skirts for added movement.
Recommended Components for Pike Spinners
| Component | Suggested Option |
|---|---|
| Blade Size | #4 to #6 |
| Blade Color | Copper, Red, Chartreuse |
| Shaft Material | Tough stainless steel or titanium wire |
| Body Weight | 1/2 oz to 1 oz+ |
| Dressing | Bucktail skirt or long synthetic tail |
Tuning your inline spinners for specific fish species not only increases your chances of getting bites but also helps you enjoy a more effective day on the water. Matching the lure profile to the environment and the target fish’s behavior is what makes custom builds truly shine.
4. Assembly Tips and Techniques
Now that you’ve gathered your components and designed your custom inline spinner, it’s time to put everything together. This part of the process is where attention to detail really pays off. A well-assembled spinner not only looks great but also performs reliably in the water. Follow these step-by-step tips to ensure your lure spins smoothly, stays balanced, and holds up to big hits from trout, bass, or pike.
Step 1: Slide on Your Beads and Blade
Start by threading your wire shaft through the beads and blade in the correct order. The typical sequence goes like this:
| Order | Component |
|---|---|
| 1 | Clevis with Blade (or Direct-Blade if using shafted blade) |
| 2 | Main Bead(s) – helps spacing and adds flash |
| 3 | Body Weight (if using weighted body) |
| 4 | Rear Bead or Spacer (optional) |
Step 2: Add a Hook or Treble
Next, attach the hook at the bottom of the wire shaft. You can use either a single hook or a treble hook depending on your target species and local regulations. Use split rings or bend the wire loop with round-nose pliers to secure it.
Step 3: Forming Loops with Pliers
You’ll need two sets of pliers for this—round-nose for forming loops and flat-nose for holding and wrapping. After all components are in place:
- Make a small loop at the bottom of the shaft to hold your hook.
- Tightly wrap any excess wire around itself about 3–5 times for security.
- Do the same at the top end to create an eyelet for tying your line.
Step 4: Check Spin Efficiency
The key to a good inline spinner is how well the blade spins. Hold your completed lure vertically by the top loop and give it a quick flick under running water or even a sink faucet. If the blade doesn’t spin freely:
- Check that the clevis isn’t too tight against beads.
- Add or remove beads to create more space around the blade.
- Ensure there’s no burr or debris on the blade or clevis.
Step 5: Test for Balance and Durability
A balanced spinner will cast farther and track straight in the water. To test:
- Suspend it from a finger by its top loop—it should hang evenly without tilting heavily to one side.
- If it leans, try rearranging bead sizes or switching to a lighter/heavier body weight.
- Gently pull on all parts to ensure nothing comes loose—especially important when targeting larger fish like pike!
Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| Issue | Possible Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bent Wire Shaft | Poor storage or bending during assembly | Straighten carefully with flat-nose pliers or replace shaft |
| No Blade Spin | Tight clevis or misaligned parts | Add space between beads/blade; check clevis fit |
| Lure Tilts During Retrieve | Poor balance or uneven weight distribution | Adjust bead sizes or swap out body piece for better balance |
| Lure Falls Apart Easily | Poor wire wrapping/loop formation | Tighten loops and make secure wraps with proper tools |
This hands-on phase is where you bring your design to life, so take your time and enjoy the process. A little patience now leads to better results on the water later.
5. Field Testing and Fine-Tuning
Once youve built your custom inline spinners, its time to hit the water and see how they perform. Field testing is where you find out if your designs truly appeal to trout, bass, or pike—and where you can make tweaks to improve strike rates and durability.
How to Test Your Spinners
Start by fishing your spinner in waters where you know fish are present. Try different retrieval speeds and techniques—slow rolling, stop-and-go, or fast retrieves—to see how the lure behaves and how fish respond. Watch for how the blade spins, how the lure tracks in the water, and whether it maintains balance during retrieve.
Key Things to Observe:
- Blade Action: Is it spinning smoothly? Does it activate quickly when you start reeling?
- Tracking: Does the spinner run straight or veer off to one side?
- Strike Response: Are fish following but not striking? Are they hitting aggressively?
Evaluating Performance
Keep track of which spinner setups attract strikes and which ones don’t. It helps to bring a small notebook or use your phone to log details like weather conditions, water clarity, target species, and lure configuration.
| Lure Setup | Conditions | Fish Species | Strike Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #2 blade, gold finish, red beads | Sunny, clear water | Bass | High | Aggressive hits near structure |
| #1 blade, silver finish, chartreuse skirt | Overcast, stained water | Trout | Medium | Short strikes; added scent helped |
| #3 blade, black nickel finish, white tail | Muddy water, low light | Pike | Low | Poor visibility; consider brighter colors |
Tweaking for Better Results
If youre not getting bites or losing fish during fights, its time for some fine-tuning. Here are a few areas you can adjust based on your test results:
Common Adjustments:
- Blade Size or Style: Try a different shape (Colorado vs. Willow) or size to change vibration and flash.
- Color Scheme: Switch bead or skirt colors based on light and water clarity.
- Shaft Length: Shorten or lengthen the shaft to improve spin or hook-up ratio.
- Trebles vs. Single Hooks: Change hook styles for better hook sets or easier catch-and-release.
- Add Weight: Add a brass body or weighted core to get deeper faster in current or wind.
The beauty of building custom inline spinners is that you can modify every part until it’s just right. With time on the water and careful observation, youll dial in designs that consistently catch fish—whether youre chasing brook trout in a mountain stream or casting for northern pike in weedy lakes.
