Saltwater Spinner Bait

[barresi]

Hi..my name is Vito. I've been thinking about making a saltwater spinner bait for Striped Bass. My idea is big...I want it to be as big as a bunker spoon and weigh between 3 to 5 oz. Keep in mind adult Bunker (menhaden) are about 10-15 inches, so this has to be big. I cant find a mold, spinner wire or blades that would be big enough. I'm going to go with flashaboo for the skirt. Any help? Here's is what i had in mind...not set on the colors, colors are going to be bunker color. Also I used MS Paint, dont have fancy software to create the lure.

[PaJNS]

Wonder if this would give the look of a bigger bait..

[barresi]

It probably does, but I want something big. Looking at maybe 10 inches in length, and 3 to 5 oz in weight. Thanks for the reply.

[JoeW]

OK-- coat hanger wire- drill a hole through a 5 oz pyramid sinker, gaff for the hook, small pie pan for the blade, whole deer tail for the dressing! Shows you what I know-- sorry. You gonna cast those or troll them? Hope you get the help and I'd like to see the pics of the finished product! Man- what a project! Best----- JoeW

[bass or bass?]

Now here is a REAL challenge for Toadfrog! :eek:

[repair]

Look at some of the big Musky baits.
They should be easy to find.
Also check out JANNSNETCRAFT.COM for all the parts you need.

[dugger]

Yea da toad man can whup dat right up anybody wanna bet he can't <I got an Idea if Joe"s lures were super sized they work too!! You gonna jig deep water huh!

[barresi]

Yes!...deep water...In the spring time, the bass here, are feeding in the back of the bay, feeding on Bunker, water depth is so between 20-30 ft. It has to be able to with stand a blue fish strike as well. The coat hanger wire is on track..I thought of that as well. Keep the ideas coming fellas...Thanks for the reply!!

[barresi]

Ok...this morning Mo65 sent me a message via NAFC...Re: Really big musky spinner baits..Check these beauties out fellas.. www.bigwoodmuskylures.com It's just what I was looking for...look at how big these lures are...just what i was thinking. They should be able to with stand a blue fish as well. after the holidays, I'm going to pick up couple...There not cheap. Test them out in the spring...Can't wait to see what happens. I also still want to experiment with making my own...Maybe I'll break it down, to see how it's made, maybe i'll be able to create a mold for making my own?

[mo65]

Hey Barresi, did you see where if you order 5 lures you get a free T-shirt? :eek:

[cwd]

You could possably find the wire your looking for at a hobby shop.
you can make your own mold out of plaster a paris. google how to make molds.
so you should be able to get the design of the jig head you want.
pour it in lead, then powder paint it.
Jannsnettscrafts should have the hooks and blades you are looking for.
If non of this will work for you. then you need to contact
Sir Toadie. If you can think it he sure can build it. You would be surprised and amazed at his work.
there are also other members who make lures. Just ask around good luck with your project.

[toadfrog]

Vito , Thinking on it . Need to know the maximum weight of the target fish . That determines wire , weight , hook size and if It is built twin spin style closed eye or open eye . Off hand I suggest closed eye wire . Haven't been keeping up with posts as much as I like . Dugger put a bug in my ear so I jumped over to check . I can pick up a P.m. faster seems like .

[barresi]

Hey guys, thanks for all the replys...The more I looked around on the internet, I didnt really find anything that my mind was picturing..Mo had sent me this website www.bigwoodmuskylures.com I think for now, thats in the ballpark. They make really big spinnerbaits, some in the 3.5 -5 oz., 11 inches long. Thats kinda what I had in mind. If it can stand up to a giant Musky, it should be able to stand a bluefish hit at well.

[barresi]

I figure for now I'll buy one or two and test it out this spring. Stripers feed on bunker in the back of the bay in the spring time, water depth ranges from 20-30 ft in most places and the current is moderately strong. This way I actually have something to modify or to create my own...Thanks again for everyone's help and input!

[toadfrog]

This is only a 1.5 oz . Just a little something to resemble a menhaden bait fish . One of my friends requested it .

[barresi]

Looks good toadfrog, what is the total length on that spinner? I'm looking for something in the 3-5 oz range and about 10 inches in length. I'm interested if u can build something like that. Do u know if your friend had any luck with the one you built .

[toadfrog]

I'm working on a big model for him now . It will be ten to 12 '' long . He has been jumping up and down like a kid at a candy store . Says the thing caught everything swimming . Going to have to epoxy coat them . Toothy critters play heck with the paint . I also worry about the ball bearing swivels giving out on a shark or something .

[barresi]

Cool toadfrog, that's the length I'm looking at...maybe an ounce or 2 heavier.

[toadfrog]

It's big it's bad . Needed larger Blades and larger clevice . The thing has a 9/o hook and weighs 6.6 oz.

[PaJNS]

Now that's a Spinner! Another FINE Job by Mr. Toadfrog.

[barresi]

Nice job Toadfrog!!! Ok, so we have to talk...I want one or two! If you can, I'd like mine to resemble Menhaden..AKA Bunker. Here is a pic of what Bunker looks like.

[barresi]

I like the weight and size..just what I've been looking for. Let me know!

[AZAllen]

I one of Larry Dahlbergs shows (hunt for big fish) he showed how he made safety pin type spinners out of bicycle spokes. He used them on the huge jigs they use for Halibut up in Alaska.
Pretty simple really. the spinner and swivel wint on the bent, knobe end of the spoke- he made a 90 degree bend and then at the bottom he slid on "keeper", looked like a wire leader crimp thing and then bent the attachment part at 90 degrees to the upper bend

[toadfrog]

AZ I don't have a bender as of yet that can take that much torque . A spoke is pretty tough . The crimp sleeve is usually stainless steel and you can use them to close an R eye wire frame so the line won,t slide up the shaft . Doing these is opening a whole new can of worms for me . Bet I wind up making wire clevises , Thanks for the in put . I'm going to snoop around Dahlbergs site .
barresi This may take a while to collect up the stuff . I'll try to come up with something cool .

[barresi]

Cool Toadfrog thanks for the reply. I can't wait to see your creation! Don't worry about the time, we have all winter and some of the spring..lol. Stripers don't come in until the end of April, early May. BTW When I mentioned I wanted a spinner to resemble Bunker, I mean I'd like the colors of the skirt to resemble those colors. I just wanted to clarify, looking at my past post, it sounded like I wanted a bunker spinner bait. Anyways, looking toward to your creation. Take care.

[AZAllen]

Nice Looking spinners Toadfrog. Also, Larry D. used a couple of nails driven into a wall stud as a bending jig. I also enjoyed his other "how to" shows, the one where he did the molds for "mister wiggly" (a large fluke type) and the "whopper plopper", which he is now selling.

[toadfrog]

ONE More until after New years . Salt water guys jump in tell me right from wrong .

[barresi]

wow toadfrog, that looks great! what the weight on that?

[toadfrog]

Its 3 oz finished weight . The fly is on a 6/0 circle hook . I do believe a .035 wire is to light for really big fish . Something that weighs 100 lb might just break it . Researching as we speak .

[barresi]

Looks good toadfrog , if I may add...I would go with a bigger hook size. We normally use 8/0. That's the only change I would recommend. 8/0 is a good size for stripers and blue fish.

[toadfrog]

Will do . I'll get this down yet .

[barresi]

LOL, Take your time bud...it's going to be along winter...but I can't wait to see the final product! So, now the big question, what is your creation going for? I'm probably going to want 2 for starters!

[JoeW]

LOL! Whatever toad "wants" for those lures #1:may be surprising , and #2: won't be enough! I guarantee that! Toad and I have done "business" before.;) You should look around and find the Helgramite lures he made for me this Fall- and the price was certainly right! Have fun both of you. Best---- JoeW

[toadfrog]

Joe is right . I usually barter for stuff I can use to build more tackle . As far as I know Toad Frog baits is the only tackle builder that barters before they sell . But If you just want to buy . It is a sure bet that thirty dollars a piece WON'T be the Price . I checked out some prices on them . Had to put my hands in the air cause I sure felt like I was in a robbery .

[barresi]

Thanks Toadfrog...I dont know If I have anything useful to you to barter with, as far as stuff you can use to build more tackle...give me an idea of what your looking for and I'll see if I have it. If not, I'm will to pay plus alittle more for time and work, and shipping of course! Let me know..thanks, Vito

[bass or bass?]

Thanks Toadfrog...I dont know If I have anything useful to you to barter with, as far as stuff you can use to build more tackle...give me an idea of what your looking for and I'll see if I have it. If not, I'm will to pay plus alittle more for time and work, and shipping of course! Let me know..thanks, Vito


You'd be surprised by the kind of things ole' Toadie is interested in. I'm SURE you have SOMETHING he'd like!! :D

[toadfrog]

bass or bass is right . I can always use lead .Jig hooks from #8 to 9/0 . long hooks with small eye . Flat plate aluminum . Air pressure foot valve . large blades clevises . Even old salt water spinners as long as the head is intact , broken hook ,broken wire no matter . Red rod wrapping thread . Burring tools , long small dia. drill bits . Motors off barbeque pits . The scope of weird stuff I use is large . Heck I even use dry wall screws . P.M. or post it .

[cwd]

I have heard stories about the size of the rats in NY. I bet if you could catch a few of them a skin them
Sir Toadie would find a use for them.

[toadfrog]

I'm never gonna live down skin'in that minner am I . LOL

[dugger]

Nope~~~~!!!!

[tacklemake]

Hi..my name is Vito. I've been thinking about making a saltwater spinner bait for Striped Bass. My idea is big...I want it to be as big as a bunker spoon and weigh between 3 to 5 oz. Keep in mind adult Bunker (menhaden) are about 10-15 inches, so this has to be big. I cant find a mold, spinner wire or blades that would be big enough. I'm going to go with flashaboo for the skirt. Any help? Here's is what i had in mind...not set on the colors, colors are going to be bunker color. Also I used MS Paint, dont have fancy software to create the lure.

All you need to do is a wire and blade that you can clip on any big jig,like a 20oz ruby lip parachute and they are already making them.I know because I make them too...............woody

[barresi]

Happy New Year everyone! Sorry Ive been MIA the last week or so...Back to the saltwater spinner bait. Toadfrog, I'd really like for you to build me two. 1 in Bunker colors and the other in a more traditional white and chartreuse colors. Both with a size 8/0 hook and weighing in the 3oz range.. If you have pay pal I rather go that route because i really don't have anything that I can barter for that you listed. So whatever your price is let me know, I'd be happy to pay extra for you time and work, and shipping of course...so let me know your preferred method of payment. Thanks...Vito...Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!

[toadfrog]

Yep I have paypal but hang in there I got another one in the works . Finished weight will probably be around 4 oz , 8/0 hook and a .090 wire arm . Later for the rest of the story .

[barresi]

Thanks toadfrog!, Whenever your ready bud, we got all winter! lol

[barresi]

Just to keep everyone updated, yesterday I received Toads Saltwater Spinnerbait in the mail. I was like a little kid on Christmas Day! When I opened it...I was shocked! This thing is just what I had in mind. It looks right, it feels right...All I can say is WOW! To think that someone who I hardly know, went out of his way to build something like that is just amazing. It says a lot of Toads character and the kind of person he is. Thank you Toad! I can't wait to see more of your saltwater creations! Now, I made a comparison pic of the saltwater spinner, to your normal bass spinner, just so everyone gets an idea on how big this thing is. Now remember, this was made for big Stripers and needed to be able to take a Blue Fish hit or two...Take a look

[PaJNS]

Thanks for posting the update and the Picture Barresi. Sir Toad strikes again. Great Job again Toad. Hats off to you !! When you catch the First Fish with the Lure I would Love to see a picture of it. Kinda of add's to the Story.

[toadfrog]

AWH ! Shucks Your welcome . My Friends in Australia say those Shelton blades will call fish for miles . I'm pretty curious to see how much truth is in that .

[barresi]

I will absolutely be posting a follow up pic of any fish I catch with this...it's unfortunate that it will have to wait for the spring...Spring hurry and get here!

[bass or bass?]

If Toadfrog can't make it, it can't be made! ;)

[toadfrog]

Spring gives me time to create ! I have already sculpted a head . Now to make the mold . My son is an a special effects artist in his own right . If he ever gets the time I want him to do a casting for me . To bad he took the syfy road instead of the tackle making . But then he makes more off one mask than I do for a bucket full of lures . I can understand . I like the syfy shows too.