In fishing, baits tend to go in cycles. What’s all the rage one year gets quickly tossed aside for the next trend. Some baits stand the test of time: the spinner is one of them. Your grandfather likely had a good stash in his tackle box and you should too. On the surface they are nothing to write home about. A piece of light gauge wire runs through a mixture of metal punchouts and beads down to a treble hook, adorned with a blade on a clevis that spins on the retrieve, it’s simple stuff. However, simplicity is sometimes best and today I’ve compiled a list of the best trout spinners.
These days, most of my trout fishing is done in the rugged southern Appalachians and normally takes a bit of hiking to reach productive areas. I like to fish, not work out. With that in mind, I try to pack as lightly as possible. Therefore I need to be sure to bring along offerings that will work in many different scenarios.
More often than not, I toss a small tackle box loaded with spinners and maybe a spoon or jerk bait to round out my arsenal. The spinner is so effective because it can be fished fast or slow, shallow or deep and is perfect for trout in a variety of moods. Through extensive time in the field and experience with many classic models and hot newcomers, I’ve come to find the following trout spinners are some of the best trout lures out there.
BEST TROUT SPINNERS
- Mepps Aglia Flashabou
- Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Spinner
- Blue Fox Vibrax Minnow Spin
- Hofmann’s Superior Spinner
- Panther Martin Classic
- Strike King Bitsy Spinner
- Mepps Aglia Dressed
- Yakima Bait Wordens Rooster Tail
- Mepps Black Fury
- Joe’s Flies Short Striker
MEPPS AGLIA FLASHABOU
A little bit of flash mixed with a good dose of vibration is a safe bet for anyone looking to put trout on the bank. As with all Mepps products, the Aglia Flashabou casts well even in windy conditions and the blade and clevis combo spins very easily even at slow speeds. In situations where I am finding trout to be especially aggressive, this bait does a great job of triggering reaction strikes and selecting towards the larger fish in the area.
BLUE FOX CLASSIC VIBRAX SPINNER
Due to a recent Alaska fishing trip, the Blue Fox Classic Vibrax Spinner will always fall under the category of confidence bait in my eyes. The spinner is constructed with a stainless steel shaft that emits a whiny sound underwater when reeled fast. Designed to be fished from 2-4 feet, the Classic Vibrax is a fine search bait and can call fish in from far distances.
BLUE FOX VIBRAX MINNOW SPIN
As a rule, I like to keep my crankbaits and spinners separate. However, the one exception happens to be the Blue Fox Vibrax Minnow Spin. When fished correctly, the minnow body tracks beautifully behind the spinner blade, forcing fish to aggressively chase and react. During my trips, this bait sees a lot of action when fishing deep pools as the dense main body can get the lure down deep.
HOFMANN’S SUPERIOR SPINNER
A no-frills fish catcher, the Hofmann’s Superior Spinner combines top-of-the-line terminal components with a deep selection of color patterns. I have always been impressed with the ability of the bait to catch fish while being held stationary in the current. Often, spinners have the tendency to pop up to the surface of the water when fished this way. However, due to the cupped blade, the Hofmann’s Superior Spinner stays low and in the strike zone.
PANTHER MARTIN CLASSIC
From coast to coast, the Panther Martin Classic spinner will catch trout. From experience, this is likely due to the erratic nature of its action on a straight retrieve. I especially like this bait in water with lots of floating debris such as leaves or weeds as the line tie and blade do not get snagged very easily. Additionally, this spinner will flutter on the way down which can cause a weary fish to commit.
STRIKE KING BITSY SPINNER
Strike King knows a thing or two about blades and reaction strikes. After putting the Bitsy Spinner through its paces, I was pleasantly surprised to find a spinner that throws off a ton of vibration and can be cast far distances with relative ease. The main body is very long and dense as well which makes the entire presentation look a bit bulkier when coming through the water.
MEPPS AGLIA DRESSED
The same body and feel as the Flashabou model but the treble hook is tied with genuine bucktail or squirrel fur. Furthermore, a turkey quill extends past the trebles for added attraction. Combined, these two natural dressings take an already beautifully built spinner to the next level. If I hand one spinner to use, the Mepps Aglia Dressed would likely be it.
YAKIMA BAIT WORDENS ROOSTER TAIL
Touted as the “world’s most versatile multi-species lure,” the Yakima Bait Wordens Rooster Tail lives up to the hype. The 100% hackle material that is used to dress the rear treble gives a pulsating action that drives trout crazy. Forged to meet the needs of anglers in the Pacific Northwest, this bait will deliver no matter the setting.
MEPPS BLACK FURY
In low-light situations such as early mornings, evenings, or overcast days, the Mepps Black Fury is tough to beat as the black blade creates contrast and looks more natural than brightly colored baits. When fished slowly, this bait can get down to almost five feet in the absence of a heavy current.
JOES FLIES SHORT STRIKER
Think of the Short Striker as a blend between a traditional spinner and a fly. While this spinner is not a mainstay in my arsenal, it excels in thin water for skittish native trout. Don’t let its meager build fool you, this bait has been responsible for many a big fish throughout the years.
