The almighty Beetle Spin! - questions

[Spoonminnow]

I have photos of many fish I caught on the B.Spin that I plan on using again. Here are a few examples of lures used and short vs long arm:


What I like about the lure are the species of fish that attack it and the various trailer that can be rigged.

This took this photo today of wire frames I made:

Note: all three frames were hand made. The middle one was the easiest to make using coated floral-arrangement, easily formed wire, a bead and ball bearing swivel.

All the soft plastic lure below were hand poured:
The lure on the left had the curl tail removed
The middle lure has a flat straight tail
The one on the right is similar in tail design but smaller

Questions:
1. what lures do you use with the B.Spin? (i.e. curl tail, no tail, small plastic worm, etc.)
2. do you have a preference when it comes to lure length?
3. do you like a smaller vs larger blade?
4. do you prefer a longer or shorter arm coming from the lure?
5. what weight jig(s) do use?

The short-arm B Spin I use on the drop and hopping on the bottom.
A longer arm I use for horizontal swims like that of a spinnerbait.

Opinions and history welcome.

[CrappiePappy]

I probably haven't fished a BeetleSpin more than a couple of times. Biggest reason for not continuing to use it was getting the line wrapped on the "arm". I much prefer using a Road Runner.

I have fished with (against?) a fishing partner that used a BeetleSpin, while I used a Road Runner, fishing shallow water spawning areas. I don't remember the exact tally, but would venture to say it was at least 5:1 in favor of the Road Runner.

I get enough "by-catch" species when using a Road Runner, but my main quarry is Crappie, so I have little to no interest in those other species.

[Spoonminnow]

The nice thing about the b. spin is the number of different lures that can be used with it, as the photos show. If I hadn't recorded them, I would have never remembered catching fish using those lures. Now I'll have to stock some of them to add to the spin.

Does anyone remember the Submarine Shad by Bagley - a tail spinner behind a painted lead body?


I don't remember catching fish on the S S. They've been in storage (like 1000 other lures) for decades. Guess I'll have to give them a try and also the Road Runner (if I can find them...)

[Tradbow]

I’ve caught a lot of fish on beetle spins. I’ve caught a lot on a roadrunner lure also. Fish them both as they work

[skeetbum]

My start with spinners began with the Evans Shyster, an in line spinner. One of the next was the Little George, a cousin of similar to the submarine Shad. Along this way I was using bigger spinnerbaits for bass so I knew the concept was sound. I don’t remember exactly when I began using a BS but I can’t remember when there wasn’t one in my box. Different sizes and blade colors and styles of grubs make them extremely versatile and riding hook up they’re very weedless. Nowadays I use the smallest two sizes made and use whatever jig suits me that day. Some days a curl tail gets the nod while other days a hand tie with less activity does better. Casting or trolling I’ve done well with them and they’re one of my favorite search baits. I will locate fish and then switch to one of my hand ties for a smaller, less active bait. They’re also one of the best confidence builders for a young and excited new fisher. One of the best for keeping them focused and busy and the fish usually cooperate to some extent. The BS and the Rooster Tail both get a lot of use in my boat. I find my arms pre made and prefer the shorter arms for what I do. I still carry some of the bigger blades, dime size or maybe a touch bigger. I like throwing those around downed trees in shallow water when crappie are spawning. The thump on those is big. And much like our jigs, everything eats them.

[Spoonminnow]

Ah yes, the Little George. Got some of those hanging around somewhere.
Great reply Skeetbum!

[SpeckledSlab]

Road Runners and B-spins have long been staples of my tackle box. The Road Runners have been getting the nod more often in recent years. Versatility is great in being able to locate fish.

[Spoonminnow]

Versatility is great in being able to locate fish.

No better words spoken!!!!!!

[gillchaser999]

My start with spinners began with the Evans Shyster, an in line spinner. One of the next was the Little George, a cousin of similar to the submarine Shad. Along this way I was using bigger spinnerbaits for bass so I knew the concept was sound. I don’t remember exactly when I began using a BS but I can’t remember when there wasn’t one in my box. Different sizes and blade colors and styles of grubs make them extremely versatile and riding hook up they’re very weedless. Nowadays I use the smallest two sizes made and use whatever jig suits me that day. Some days a curl tail gets the nod while other days a hand tie with less activity does better. Casting or trolling I’ve done well with them and they’re one of my favorite search baits. I will locate fish and then switch to one of my hand ties for a smaller, less active bait. They’re also one of the best confidence builders for a young and excited new fisher. One of the best for keeping them focused and busy and the fish usually cooperate to some extent. The BS and the Rooster Tail both get a lot of use in my boat. I find my arms pre made and prefer the shorter arms for what I do. I still carry some of the bigger blades, dime size or maybe a touch bigger. I like throwing those around downed trees in shallow water when crappie are spawning. The thump on those is big. And much like our jigs, everything eats them.

I caught my first trout , a rainbow of about three pounds , on a black with white spots Shyster .
I was an early teen at the time .

[dbowling]

Beetle spin and a purple plastic worm were pretty much the only 2 lures my Grandpa fished when we went fishing..usually a purple beetle spin to.
He caught everything on the beetle spin, crappie, bluegill, channel cats and bass.
I always fished with one when fishing with him also, they were the popular bait back then, late 60s to early 70s was 9-13 yrs old. We would go camp and fish for a week at a time.