Using worm weight for lure bodies?

[Cannibul]

I do a lot of fishing for White bass and Hybrids using spinners.  If you're fishing them the way I do it's not uncommon to lose 4-5 spinners a day fishing.  I fish 3-4 days a week and that's a lot of lost lures.  Trying to save a bit of money and wondering about using the WR-10-M2 mold to make some bodies for the spinners.

I plan on painting the bodies but since I've never seen the actual size of the sinkers that this mold casts I'm not sure if they would work for spinner bodies.

[Fatman]

They can be used for bodies but a question to ask is what weight spinner are you using?? 

Here's what the heads and mold look like http://store.do-itmolds.com/Worm-Rig-SinkerbrSz-14-316_p_680.html

[Cannibul]

Usually using a #4 french blade.  A little heavier is not a problem as we're fishing the bottom in anywhere from 10-20 feet of water and many times casting into the wind.

Way we fish the spinners is to cast them out, let them free spool to the bottom, then reel them about 4-5 turns and let them free spool to the bottom again.  Do this all the way back to the boat.

It's a killer technique for White bass and hybrids.  Got three hybrids in three casts yesterday afternoon.  5-8 lbs each.  Also hammered the White's.  Buddy and I got over 40 White's in less than half an hour.

[Fatman]

Weight isn't so much important here as size - you don't want the blade to over power the size of your body which can cause your whole spinner to twist instead of just your blade. 

The lure on the right is an actual 1/16th Rooster tail with a #0 blade - mine is on the right and the body is from the Do-It spinner body mold and has a #1 Swing blade.  Notice that the blades aren't much bigger than the size of the body.  This helps balance the spinner. 

[andrewlamberson]

I bit the bullet (pun intended) and bought the Do-it Spinner body mold for making both Inline spinners and to use the weights for Carolina rigs.
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/lure-molds/025724032250.aspx

I powder coat the bodies and they really turn out nice! The smallmouth and the white bass have been loving them! I liked using in line spinners...but was losing so many of them on the wing dams. Now it doesn't matter!

The French blades put out the most vibration...but I'm also really liking the in line spinner blades. No need for a bead or clevis. The work great rotating off the top of the body.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/inline-spinner-blades/

Tip: Buy an extra bag of core shafts ($6 for 100 of them).
http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/do-it-mold-parts/025724019244.aspx

 I powder paint them right on the core shaft. I push the body up to the tip of the shaft leaving a tiny bit of shaft out the top. After painting I rotate the body (breaking the paint from the head to the shaft and give it a quick clean with my finger nails or cutters. I then stick the core shafts in my jig clamps (from TJ's bait) in my toaster oven for the 20 minute cure at 350 degrees.

http://www.tjstackle.com/

Andy

[ctom]

I bought up a bag of 100 1/2 ounce bullet-type worm weights with hollowed bases and make a lot of my spinners for Lake Superior. On these I use a gold plate #4 French blade. I like a compact spinner with a lot of flash and the gold plating meets that need while the size 4 blade produces plenty of thump in the water. The weight gets a flame red bath of powder paint. I don't mess with curing. Lake Trout, Kings, Cohos, Steelhead, Loopers, Herring...they all love these.

Andrew mentions getting the extra shafts for casting the lure bodies....I get an extra 100 spinner shafts and when a spinner gets bent or the blade wants to bind I clip the shaft and use a new one for a re-build. If the weight needs touching up, it gets that then too.

[Cannibul]

Thanks everyone.

Picked up the worm weight mold today.  I'll get out tomorrow and do some casting and some painting.  Might even get motivated enough to post some pictures.

[Muskygary]

Wondering if anybody uses a single hook on them instead of a treble hook and what hook number and size? It would need to have a big eye.

[BareKnuckleJigs]

A single hook (Gamakatsu or Mustad Beak/Octopus, Owner SSW or Owner Mosquito) is my style.  Other than for the heavier stuff, I use Owner Mosquito for the majority of my Spoons, Hardbaits, non-EWG DropShot, etc....dig the Pro Packs!

[Fatman]

That's the nice part about making your own - Use whatever you want!  I use the wires and bend them into an L shape - got one batch in a trade and the wires had been pulled so I keep the wires and reuse them.  After you pour them let them cool pull the wires and put them on the ones you cured others on - any powder left from a cure I scrape off with a razor blade knife.

I stick the wire through the side of an aluminum bread pan and cure them inside of it.

[Muskygary]

I think I found a hook for what I need. Do-it has a crappie spinner hook (455) in size #4, #6. It should fit the wire on the spinner OK and I'll be able to tie a fly pattern on the hook! (That's why I need a single instead of a treble hook)

[Cannibul]

If you want a single hook for spinners look for some siwash hooks.

[Fatman]

I tie a lot of flies and you can use regular fly hooks on .024 wire in many of the most used brands, but some fly hook makers do offer a large eye hook.  Only other hooks I use are trebles and jig hooks, so I look forward to the other style hook suggestions.   

[ctom]

If you want a single hook for spinners look for some siwash hooks.

The Siwash hooks have a very long barb end and might be an issue when the hits come. I'd use a spinnerbait hook instead if a single hook is needed. The eye can be opened slightly and easily closed again to change sizes or to replace a hook that's been cut off the closed eye of the spinner shaft.

[Fatman]

Those Siwash aren't cheap!  and they don't come in 6 or 4.