05-30-2006, 12:58 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Sorry I took so long to find your post. I share your appreciation of spinner-adorned jigs. I have been making Roadrunners and other types of blade-enhanced jigs for many years. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have attached some pics to show that I make them up to 2 oz. size. These have been proven effective not only for big freshwater species, like macks, but also for quite a few salt water species.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Like yourself, I have caught a lot of cats on small roadrunners. Down in Arizona we caught channel cats up to 15 pounds and flatheads over 30 pounds on six pound line and small Roadrunners on size 4 and six hooks, while fishing for crappies or yellow bass (small cousins of white bass).[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I seldom fish Roadrunners larger than about 1/8 oz. for most species, but I do make and use them up to about 3/8 oz. for some fresh water applications...usually deep water and/or large fish. In most cases, the lighter the head you can get by with, the better the action and the results. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Because I make my own, however, I can custom make my Roadrunners with any size hooks on any size heads. I usually make small heads on larger hooks, rather than small hooks on larger heads. A slow fall, after a long cast, keeps the blade twirling and presents the lure more naturally than a heavy head plummeting to the bottom. You can also retrieve more slowly, at the desired depth, if the head is light enough to keep from diving into the rocks.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Since I also make spinners and other wire setups, I have played around with quite a few different ways to add spinner blades to a jig. One of my favorites is the "Jingle Jig". It is just a short straight piece of wire, with a loop on each end and a bead and blade of different sizes and shapes. They are quick to make up and with a split ring they can attach to any jig. You mainly fish them vertically, jiggling them up and down to get the blade flashing and vibrating. Big cats and bass love them. So do walleyes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I also customize some of my jig molds to allow me to pour in a piece of wire, attached to the jig hook. When the jig cools, I cut off the jig hook head and make a spinner out of the jig. These are great for long casts or for trolling. They can also be fished vertically.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There is also a "spinner butt" jig that includes a spinner blade on the end of a piece of wire or mono, tied onto the jig hook before dressing with fur or feathers. You can make your own quickly by using a spinner on a swivel and running the hook through the swivel eye.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Choice of blades is a personal matter, based upon personal preference and budget. I buy the cheap Cabelas Colorado blades in 100 packs for less than 5 cents apiece. They come in several finishes. I use mainly the hammered nickle and hammered brass. I seldom use willowleaf. Colorado blades spin faster at slower speeds and create more vibration.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We have had some jig making parties, but we have never had a get together on working with wire. That might be something that a lot of BFTers would benefit from. It is simple to fashion your own spinners and to add blades to lures if you have the basic materials and know how to bend the wire...without losing too much blood.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have attached some pics to show that I make them up to 2 oz. size. These have been proven effective not only for big freshwater species, like macks, but also for quite a few salt water species.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Like yourself, I have caught a lot of cats on small roadrunners. Down in Arizona we caught channel cats up to 15 pounds and flatheads over 30 pounds on six pound line and small Roadrunners on size 4 and six hooks, while fishing for crappies or yellow bass (small cousins of white bass).[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I seldom fish Roadrunners larger than about 1/8 oz. for most species, but I do make and use them up to about 3/8 oz. for some fresh water applications...usually deep water and/or large fish. In most cases, the lighter the head you can get by with, the better the action and the results. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Because I make my own, however, I can custom make my Roadrunners with any size hooks on any size heads. I usually make small heads on larger hooks, rather than small hooks on larger heads. A slow fall, after a long cast, keeps the blade twirling and presents the lure more naturally than a heavy head plummeting to the bottom. You can also retrieve more slowly, at the desired depth, if the head is light enough to keep from diving into the rocks.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Since I also make spinners and other wire setups, I have played around with quite a few different ways to add spinner blades to a jig. One of my favorites is the "Jingle Jig". It is just a short straight piece of wire, with a loop on each end and a bead and blade of different sizes and shapes. They are quick to make up and with a split ring they can attach to any jig. You mainly fish them vertically, jiggling them up and down to get the blade flashing and vibrating. Big cats and bass love them. So do walleyes.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I also customize some of my jig molds to allow me to pour in a piece of wire, attached to the jig hook. When the jig cools, I cut off the jig hook head and make a spinner out of the jig. These are great for long casts or for trolling. They can also be fished vertically.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]There is also a "spinner butt" jig that includes a spinner blade on the end of a piece of wire or mono, tied onto the jig hook before dressing with fur or feathers. You can make your own quickly by using a spinner on a swivel and running the hook through the swivel eye.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Choice of blades is a personal matter, based upon personal preference and budget. I buy the cheap Cabelas Colorado blades in 100 packs for less than 5 cents apiece. They come in several finishes. I use mainly the hammered nickle and hammered brass. I seldom use willowleaf. Colorado blades spin faster at slower speeds and create more vibration.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]We have had some jig making parties, but we have never had a get together on working with wire. That might be something that a lot of BFTers would benefit from. It is simple to fashion your own spinners and to add blades to lures if you have the basic materials and know how to bend the wire...without losing too much blood.[/#0000ff]
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