I realize this is quite old but....

I think it wouldn't hurt for you to make some real nice ones!  I want bullet heads, Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp or Trokar long shank hook, sampo swivel and Hildebrandt or Lakeland .018 plated brass blades (no steel).  If you're gonna build, let me know and I'll be your first customer  .  I just have to decide on wire diameter.  Likely would be interested in mostly 1/2 and 3/4 oz, maybe some 3/8 oz too.  If you still have my email address, we can discuss if you'd like.

Jeff

What do you need to get started?  I've been thinking about these for a few weeks and I'd like some with a short drop arm too.  What I mean by that is the arm length from the R bend to the head.   So, with different frames, weights and blade configurations, I think first order would probably be 12-15, maybe more?? 

Do you want to go through all this here, or by email?  I anticipate there will be a bit of discussion before I lock in on exactly what I want.

I think you ought to discuss it here on the board.  I make my own and would like to see what you guys come up with.

+1. I may want to learn something here also .

I'll get some of mine out that I use and get some specs off them and figure how I want them changed.  One thing I want is 1 size larger than normal on the swivels.  Not sure exactly what the sizes are, might have to look at some to determine that.  Just want a bigger bearing surface there.

If we are gonna do it here, then I would like to hear from you guys what you think too.  Most lakes I fish are very clear or lightly stained so that will be the target for most.  Will need some for darker water too, of course.

Some of my better producers in the past have been Stanley.  I don't know how keen I am on that tapered wire though, some have broke on me.

Jeff,  That is the most waters I fish.  My favorites are Chart/white, white, and bluegill.

When I make spinnerbaits I throw a double willow.  I use a the same size as Nichols spinnerbaits.  I think a 1/2 is 4 and 4.5

I'll try to remember to get mine out and go through them.  I have a bunch, but I know I've lost most of the ones that worked best for me.  I need some really good ones now!

I like the Nichols head, thats what I want.  Don't like the glitter blades though.

Getfished,  when you say short arm, which arm do you mean?  The drop arm or the blade arm?

Jeff, I mean the arm the blades are attached to.
 
 

No, most will be tandems.  The drop arm will not be shortened a lot, just a little bit.  This is something I'm looking into because of the long shank hooks.  That is where my concern is mostly with the shorter drop arm.  I don't want to deal with trailer hooks anymore, the models I've used with long shanks have been good on hooking percentages.  Some baits just have entirely too much wire and they get to lookin' a little big because of it.  I want a little more compact look, just a little compared to some. 

Oh, for those who do use trailer hooks....I don't use the tubing with them.  I put a glob of silicone over the hook eye instead (and let it dry of course) and that works good.

Stanley has been pretty darn good to me also.  Just a little touch up on the hooks was needed, maybe some blade changes here and there.  The ones that broke on me (vibrashaft w/tapered wire) I'd had for many years before that happened.  No gripes about Stanley from me.  They typically had that slightly shorter drop arm too.  Not sure about the tapered blades (Wedge) being anything special but I'd fish Stanley with confidence in most cases.  I had one 1/2 oz tandem willow model that I'd replaced the rear blade with a #3.5 Hildebrandt ( I think both were this size) willow and that bait was killer hot for me for quite awhile.  It was one of those that eventually broke a couple years ago.

I know Mike can build exactly what any of us need, my concern is at $8-$9 I have to get the frame specs right the first time    I'm digging around the net right now when I get a chance, just to see whats out there in high end models and what the components are.  I've heard rumors that since Hildebrandt sold to Yakima the blades are not quite the same quality they once were.  I'm going to order some and judge that for myself.  Some guys are saying the Lakelands are better?

Somebody mentioned Indiana blades.  Those got popular when Hank Parker won the Classic with a Manns that he used indiana blade on.  It's weird how that works.  Blue Fox had that "Roland Martin Big Bass Spinnerbait" that used a #7 willow (and I think came with a trailer?) and those were hugely popular for awhile too.  I just think it's weird that a guy wins an event with a certain blade type and all of a sudden it's all the rage to the general public.   It's like it never existed before that??   My standard application is the tandem willow because I'm usually fishing it fast to cover water.  With clear water I'm more concerned with flash than vibration so I down size the willows just a bit with heavier weights to get that speed.  If I want to slow it down and/or run it higher in the water column I switch the front blade to a colorado and upsize the rear willow.  You can fish a tandem colorado really slow and it'll run really high and thump like mad if the blades are sized up a bit.  You'll get something between the 2 with Indiana's, I've tried them but never stuck with them. 

So, I'm curious how the rest of you set yours up and what changes you make to meet specific conditions.   Most of my spinnerbait fishin' is done in the month of June, after that not as much but always have one tied on and ready.  Seems the popularity of this bait has taken a dive from "back in the day".  Kind of a shame really because on the right days nothing will touch them.

Mike, would you be willing to build,paint and sell just the frames too?   Then I can have some of those on hand to setup/change how I want on any given day.

Sorry for delays here, been kinda busy with holiday chaos, work etc....you know the drill.  I'll try to get back on this after the New Year arrives.

I got my spinnerbaits out and did some checking.   Drop arm lengths vary from 1.3" to 2.2" from bait head to top of bend.  These are all R bend type wire, no closed loop.  So, I'm thinking drop arm lengths of (approx) 1.5" and 2".  Most will be the shorter length as I don't use the longer very often.

Wire diameters have measured .039-.040 on average.  The Stanley VibraShafts measured .038 at the head and tapered to .030.  I think I'd be fine  with .040 and willing to try some .035.

According to my Eagle Claw catalog the hook I'm looking for is the Lazer Sharp 608.

So, it should read something like this....

Nichols style bullet head white w/silver glitter if possible
 .035/.040 wire w/ approx length 1.5" or 2" from head to top of R bend
Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp 608 hooks  (I was thinking 3/0 on 3/8 and 1/2 oz and 4/0 on 3/4oz??)

If you can do this, I can do the rest, which allows me to set them up how I want.