Spy Baits

[EasyEd455]

Recently discovered this new hard bait category. Anybody used them? Anybody making them? Anybody painting them?

I thought they were Topwater baits when I first saw them, but no!, they are underwater baits.

[fish402]

I have had decent results using a few canabalized vision 110s. These are ones that I have broken the bills off of or accidently left out in the sun and the weights melted in place. I cut and sand the bills down then remove the line tie and rear hook hanger. I replace with eye screws and prop blades. They have been working good on tough jerk bait bites retrieved very slow.

[mark poulson]

I have had decent results using a few canabalized vision 110s. These are ones that I have broken the bills off of or accidently left out in the sun and the weights melted in place. I cut and sand the bills down then remove the line tie and rear hook hanger. I replace with eye screws and prop blades. They have been working good on tough jerk bait bites retrieved very slow.

 

Interesting idea!  I have a bunch of suspending jerkbaits I can modify.  Thanks.

Edited May 12, 2014 by mark poulson

[BobP]

I recently got a couple of the Duo Realis Spinbait 80's.  Very small, slender but heavy (3/8 oz), minnow baits that resemble threadfin shad with small props on the front and back.  They are cast out, counted down to the desired depth, then retrieved with a slow constant retrieve (according to a Duo Realis video).  Recommended line is 6 lb fluorocarbon.  The props rotate to give the bait a little flash and the body has a moderate rolling action as they come through the water.  This is a finesse cranking presentation that works best in clear water, including on deep suspended fish.

 

Mark, I'm not sure how a suspending JB would work without a lip to submerge the bait.  You definitely want it to sink at a controlled rate to whatever depth you need to be fishing, so extra ballast is required.  The Spinbait 80 sinks pretty quickly, maybe 2 ft per second on light line.

 

Several Japanese companies are making these now (see Tackle Warehouse) and the design varies among manufacturers.

Edited May 13, 2014 by BobP

[Jaw]

I recently purchased two of the duo's but haven't tried them out yet I have a few xraps that I broke the bills off of was going to try modifying them into spy baits if I like the technique

[mark poulson]

I recently got a couple of the Duo Realis Spinbait 80's.  Very small, slender but heavy (3/8 oz), minnow baits that resemble threadfin shad with small props on the front and back.  They are cast out, counted down to the desired depth, then retrieved with a slow constant retrieve (according to a Duo Realis video).  Recommended line is 6 lb fluorocarbon.  The props rotate to give the bait a little flash and the body has a moderate rolling action as they come through the water.  This is a finesse cranking presentation that works best in clear water, including on deep suspended fish.

 

Mark, I'm not sure how a suspending JB would work without a lip to submerge the bait.  You definitely want it to sink at a controlled rate to whatever depth you need to be fishing, so extra ballast is required.  The Spinbait 80 sinks pretty quickly, maybe 2 ft per second on light line.

 

Several Japanese companies are making these now (see Tackle Warehouse) and the design varies among manufacturers.

Bob,

I figure adding the sst screw eyes and props will add some weight.  If I can do it, I'll give it a try and see if it's enough.

Thanks for the ROF target to shoot for.

[HAWGFAN]

One potential issue with using a jerkbait is ballast location.  From what I've read, spybaits need to sink/swim very horizontally.  You may find that you need to drill a hole in the bait and glue the weight transfer balls in place.  It sounds like a worthwhile project though.  Especially if you have damaged jerkbaits.  I have one with the bill broken off myself.  This may be a good way to give new life to these baits.