Best 11 Spinnerbaits – Top Baits from a Florida pro!
This post will list the best 11 spinnerbaits. Spinnerbaits are versatile lures that will fool just about every species in both fresh and salt water. Capt Jim Klopfer has been a fishing guide in Florida since 1991. Here is the list of Capt Jim’s favorite spinnerbaits!
The best 11 spinnerbaits are:
- Johnson Beetle Spin
- Mister Twister spinnerbait
- Strike King Mini spinnerbait
- Booyah Pond Magic spinnerbait
- Strike King Premier spinerbait
- Terminator Spinnerbaits
- Booyah Super Shad spinnerbaits
- Booyah Pikee spinnerbait
- Z-Man spinnerbaits
- Molix spinnerbaits
- Strike King Redfish Magic spinnerbait
Spinnerbait descriptions and characteristics
Spinnerbaits are odd looking lures in some ways. They consist of a wire arm that looks a bit like a safety pin. Many old-timers still refer to these lures as “safety pin lures”. A spinner blade or blades rides on the top arm. Most spinnerbaits use two blades; these are termed “tandem bladed spinnerbaits”.
A large single blade, usually a Colorado blade, works well in murky conditions. It puts out a steady vibration which attracts fish to the sound. Most tandem spinnerbaits use a combination of blades, usually a Colorado or Indiana blade and a willow leaf blade. However, the blade color, size, and style combinations are endless. In clearer water, this puts out a ton of flash with some vibration as well.
The hook rides on the lower arm. It is usually a molded in jig head, which provides weight for the spinnerbait to ride correctly. Rubber skirts are often used on the jig head. These undulate very naturally in the water. A grub body can be used as well. Some anglers even use both, adding a soft plastic “trailer” to the skirt.
Spinnerbait fishing tips
For the most part, spinnerbaits are used in fairly shallow water. Due to their design, spinnerbaits are fairly weedless. The wire arm tends to bounce of timber and rocks. Spinnerbaits also work through and over grass quite well without hanging up.
There are situations where smaller spinnerbaits are extremely effective. Anglers fishing for bluegill, crappie, and panfish use them often. Smaller bass and trout will certainly take them as well. Even large fish will hit a smaller spinnerbait when they are feeding on smaller bait fish.
Spinnerbaits can be worked in several ways. They can be “burned” on top, similar to a buzz bait. This will draw some ferocious strikes. In most cases, a steady retrieve with the bait working just above submerged vegetation or cover works best. Stopping the lure and allowing it to fall can be an effective tactic as well.
Anglers can also work spinnerbaits deeper in the water column. This is known as “slow rolling”. It basically means simply reeling the spinnerbait, often a heavier model, slowly so that it works near the bottom. Bouncing it off the bottom can be very effective. This technique works well in cold water when game fish are deeper and less active.
Click to read more about spinnerbait fishing
Small or finesse spinnerbaits
There are situations where smaller spinnerbaits are extremely effective. Anglers fishing for bluegill, crappie, and panfish use them often. Smaller bass and trout will certainly take them as well. Even large fish will hit a smaller spinnerbait when they are feeding on smaller bait fish.
1) Johnson Beetlespin
The Johnson Beetlespin is an unassuming looking little spinnerbait. It is first on the list of best 11 spinnerbait fishing lures. However, it is an extremely effective lure, especially for bluegill and panfish. The 1/16 ounce size works very well in most situations for panfish. Anglers chasing larger bluegill as well as crappie can bump it up to the 1/8 ounce size. Finally, the 1/4 ounce size is extremely effective for bass and ponds and streams.
Beetle spin spinnerbaits come in a wide variety of color patterns. Capt. Jim’s favorite Bettle spin is the simple silver blade with a black grub body with either a white or yellow stripe. Green would be his second favorite, followed by white. These lures look very simple in the package, but they really are incredibly effective fishing lures.
The beetle Spin bait Is as simple as they come. It has a single Colorado blade and a little grub body. As mentioned about, it works very well on panfish as well as bass. Anglers use them in small streams as well to fool smallmouth bass and rock bass. In most situation, a slow, steady presentation works best. Slower is almost always better. As long as the blade is rotating, it is moving fast enough.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Beetlespin lures
2) Mister Twister spinnerbait
The Mister Twister spinnerbait is a terrific fishing lure for panfish, bass, walleye, and other species. The flash of the blade and the incredible action of the curly tail are irresistible to many fish. Like most spinner baits, especially when chasing panfish, the slower the retrieve the better. Chartreuse is by far Capt. Jim’s favorite color. It is second on the list of best 11 spinnerbait fishing lures.
The Mister Twister spinnerbait is a very versatile bait. Anglers can change the color and size to match the quarry and conditions. 1/8 ounce is a good all round size for large panfish, small bass, trout, and smallmouth bass. Anglers can go up in size to catch larger fish including walleye and northern pike.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for spinnerbait/grub lures
3) Strike King Mini spinnerbait
The Strike King Mini spinnerbait is next on the list of best 11 spinnerbait fishing lures. It is an excellent choice when fishing smaller bodies of water such as ponds, streams, and smaller rivers. it works on saltwater species as well when fish are feeding on smaller bait fish. They really shine in situations where larger spinner baits land too loudly or are too large and flashy. Strike King Mini spinnerbaits work very well right after the shad spawn as well.
Anglers can choose from a variety of colors when using this bait. However, keeping it simple is a great approach. The hammered single Colorado blade puts out excellent flash and vibration. Capt Jim’s two favorite color patters are all black and chartreuse and white.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Strike King Mini Spinnerbaits
4) Booyah Pond Magic spinnerbait
The Booyah Pond Magic is another medium sized spinnerbait designed to fish smaller bodies of water. This bait also works well when fish are finicky, such as post cold front conditions. It is a tandem bladed bait and is a bit larger than the lures listed above. While a tandem spinnerbait, it does put out less commotion, due to the smaller blades. It is fourth on the list of best 11 spinnerbait fishing lures.
The thing that sets these spinnerbaits apart from others is that they come in some very enticing and unique color combinations that were specifically designed for fishing in small ponds and rivers. The crayfish pattern pictured below is particularly unique. It is extremely effective when fished in slower moving streams and small rivers. Smallmouth bass with hit it with gusto!
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Booyah Pond Magic spinnerbaits
Full sized spinnerbaits
There are many companies that manufacture quality spinnerbaits. It would be impossible to list them all and no slight is meant for those that are omitted. Most of these larger spinner baits are tandem bladed baits. They are offered and combinations of willow leaf, Colorado, and Indiana blades. The following is a list of larger spinnerbaits that are available in multiple sizes and colors for anglers to use.
5) Strike King Premier Plus Spinnerbait
Strike King is a leader in the industry when it comes to spinnerbaits. The Strike King Mini spinnerbait has already been mentioned in the smaller spinnerbait section. There are several other Strike King spinner baits that anglers should consider using on a variety of species. The Premier Plus spinner bait by Strike King is an outstanding fishing lure. It is a tandem bladed spinner bait. The baits are available in many blade size, style, and color combinations.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Strike King Premier spinnerbaits
The Strike King Finesse KVD Spinnerbait is a bit smaller in size and profile. This is an excellent spinnerbait choice in very clear water, especially in the cooler months when bait tends to be smaller. It is a tandem bladed spinnerbait and also has a smaller profile skirt. Like all Strike King spinner baits, it is a stout lure made with quality components.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for KVD spinnerbaits
6) Terminator spinnerbaits
The Terminator line of spinnerbaits is well-known in the fishing world to be an incredibly tough and durable fishing lure. It is made from quality components and has a frame that bounces back into shape. Terminator spinnerbaits use quality ball bearings swivels on the blades. The head of the jig was specifically designed to be especially weedless. Terminator spinner baits come in a variety of color combinations.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Terminator spinnerbaits
7) Booyah Super Shad spinnerbait
Booyah spinnerbaits have taken the market by storm in a relatively short amount of time. They offer several different spinnerbait models that are both durable and effective. These super shad spinner bait is unique in that it comes with four willow leaf blades. This results in the lure mimicking a small school of fish, similar to the Alabama rigs, but much easier to cast.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Booyah Super Shad spinnerbaits
8) Booyah Pikee spinnerbait
Booyah offers a complete line of spinnerbait options for anglers. The choice is endless, single and tandem bladed baits with combinations of Colorado, Indiana, and willow leaf blades are available in a variety of sizes. The Booyah Pikee spinner bait is the best lure on the market for anglers who want to cast a spinner bait for pike or musky. It is next on the list of best 11 spinnerbait fishing lures.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Booyah Pikee spinnerbaits
9) Z-Man spinnerbaits
Z-Man is another company that offers quality spinnerbaits to anglers. They are all tandem bladed baits that are available in a combination of blades along with skirt color options. These baits are constructed with quality components and are both durable and effective.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Z-Man spinnerbaits
10) Molix spinnerbaits
Molix spinnerbaits are premium lures that use high quality components. They are Kayla’s personal favorite baits. Discerning anglers who want to use the best may choose to use these lures. Like most manufacturers, Molix offers anglers a variety of color combinations in both skirts and blades.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Molix spinnerbaits
11) Redfish Magic Spinnerbait
The Redfish Magic is one of the the first spinnerbaits designed for saltwater anglers. It is an excellent search bait that can cover a lot of water when fishing expansive flats. While primarily designed for redfish in the shallows, it will catch spotted sea trout, snook, jacks, and other species as well. It comes with a large, single gold blade with a paddle tail grub body.
Anglers can click this link to shop Amazon for Redfish Magic spinnerbaits
In conclusion, this article on the best 11 spinnerbaits and techniques should encourage anglers to take advantage of these very effective lures which are easy to use!
