Spinners, Spoons, Jigs and Spinnerbaits Explained

When you’re building a tackle box, it helps to understand the basic tools of the trade. Lures like spinners, spoons, jigs, and spinnerbaits are foundational because they reliably produce fish in a wide range of situations. They don’t look like much in the package, but in the water, they come alive with flash, vibration, and movement that predators can’t resist. In this guide, we’ll break down how each of these lure types works, the fish they attract, and the simple techniques to get them working. A great place to start is our overview on fishing lures for beginners.

How Inline Spinners Work

An inline spinner is a simple, effective lure built around a straight wire. A metal blade spins freely around this central shaft, creating flash and vibration as you reel it in. Behind the blade is a weighted body, often decorated with beads and a dressed treble hook. The beauty of inline spinners is in their simplicity: the faster you retrieve, the faster the blade spins, sending out intense vibrations that fish like trout, bass, and panfish home in on, especially in stained water or low light.

Retrieves and Preventing Line Twist

The most common retrieve for an inline spinner is a steady, medium-speed crank. This gets the blade spinning consistently, creating a thumping pulse fish can feel. You can also add pauses or slight speed changes to trigger reaction strikes. Because the blade spins in one direction, it can cause your fishing line to twist over time. To prevent this, many anglers use a small ball-bearing swivel between their main line and the lure’s leader. This allows the lure to spin independently without twisting your line.

Spinnerbaits and Buzzbaits: The Offline Spinners

While inline spinners have everything on a single wire, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits have a different, “offline” design. They feature a wire frame bent into a “V” or “L” shape. The blade(s) are attached to one arm, and a weighted head with a single hook is on the other. This design makes them incredibly snag-resistant, perfect for fishing through weeds, brush, and timber.

Spinnerbaits: Vibration and Flash

A spinnerbait is a versatile search lure. You can reel it steadily just under the surface, “slow-roll” it deep along the bottom, or “yo-yo” it by lifting and dropping your rod tip. The blades flash and vibrate, while the skirt on the jig head pulsates. This combination mimics a small school of baitfish. They are excellent for covering water and finding active bass.

Buzzbaits: Topwater Commotion

A buzzbait is a topwater spinnerbait. Its blade is designed to churn across the surface, creating a loud gurgling or buzzing sound and a visible wake. You retrieve a buzzbait steadily and without stopping—the moment it stops, it sinks. This surface commotion triggers explosive strikes from bass and pike in warm water, especially at dawn and dusk.

The Simple Flash of Spoons

Spoons are among the oldest artificial lures. They are simply a curved, polished piece of metal. Their action is a fluttering, side-to-side wobble as they fall or are retrieved. This wobble mimics the flash of a wounded baitfish. Spoons come in two main styles: casting and trolling.

Casting Spoons

These are thicker and heavier, designed to be cast long distances. You can fish them in many ways. A straight retrieve creates a consistent wobble. Letting them sink and then jerking them up (a “jigging” motion) imitates a dying fish. They are fantastic for predatory species like bass, walleye, and pike. For more on lures with a wobbling action, see our comparison of crankbaits vs jerkbaits.

Jigs: The Ultimate Bottom Bait

A jig is a lead head with a hook molded into it, paired with some form of soft plastic or natural bait trailer. It’s a minimalist lure that gets right to the bottom and stays there. The angler provides all the action by lifting, hopping, dragging, or shaking the rod tip. This makes jigs incredibly versatile but also technique-sensitive.

Jig Heads and Trailers

Jig heads come in many weights (described by manufacturer sizes like 1/4 oz., 3/8 oz., 1/2 oz.) and shapes (round, football, flipping). The weight determines how fast it sinks and how well it holds in current. The trailer—which could be a craw, creature, or swimbait—adds size, color, and action. The trailer’s movement on the fall and when hopped is often what triggers the bite. Learn more about trailer options in our guide to soft plastic fishing lures.

Basic Jig Retrieves

The “hop and fall” is a fundamental jig retrieve. Lift your rod tip to hop the jig off the bottom, then let it fall back on a slack line. Watch your line for any ticks or jumps, as fish often strike on the fall. You can also drag it slowly along the bottom, or shake it in place to make the trailer quiver.

FAQ: Spinners, Spoons, Jigs and Spinnerbaits

What’s the difference between an inline spinner and a spinnerbait?

The main difference is in the design. An inline spinner has its blade, weight, and hook all on a single straight wire. A spinnerbait has a wire frame with the blade(s) on one arm and a weighted jig head with a single hook on the other. This makes spinnerbaits more snag-resistant for fishing in heavy cover.

When should I use a spoon instead of a spinner?

Consider a spoon when you need long casts, want to fish vertically (jigging), or are targeting species like walleye or pike that are attracted to a tight wobbling flash. Use a spinner when you want more vibration and a “thumping” pulse in the water, which can be more effective in stained water or for fish like trout in current.

Do I need a trailer on every jig?

Nearly always. The jig head provides the weight and hook, but the trailer provides the bulk, profile, and most of the enticing action. A jig without a trailer is often too small and lacks the lifelike movement that triggers strikes. The trailer is a critical part of the presentation.

How do I choose the right weight for these lures?

Match the lure weight to your rod’s recommended lure weight range for efficient casting. Then, let the fishing depth dictate your choice. Heavier weights (3/8 oz. and up) get down faster in deep water or wind. Lighter weights (1/8 oz., 1/4 oz.) are better for shallow water or a slower fall. Start with a mid-range weight like 1/4 oz. or 3/8 oz. for versatility.

Can I use the same rod for all these lures?

A medium-power, fast-action spinning or casting rod is a great all-around choice that can handle a wide range of these lures, from lighter inline spinners to 1/2 oz. jigs. For more specialized presentations like heavy spinnerbaits in thick cover or finesse jigs, anglers often use dedicated rods. Explore our fishing lures category for more information on matching gear.