THINKING ABOUT TRYING IN-LINE SPINNERS FOR GILLS, CRAPPIES, ETC. COULD USE SOME ADVICE ON BRAND, SIZE, COLORS, ETC. I'VE NEVER USED THEM FOR ANY KIND OF FISH, SO ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
I love rooster tails. I always have. They catch tons of 'gills, but there's one problem. They will twist the living daylights out of your line. If you're willing to change your line out more frequently, like I do, you can catch lots of gills using 1/12, 1/8 ounce rooster tails. There are lots of colors that work, but I have a special preference for white, yellow and black.
Anthony- I think Bruce and Chris are right on with their suggestions. In addition to the Mepps and Roostertails I might also suggest Panther Martins. I like the size 0 or 00. My favorite color is the model that has a gold blade and a black body with green spots. I have been able to find PMs with single hooks rather than the trebels and use them quite a bit. Not sure about the other two brands, all the Mepps and RTs I have, I cut the trebel hooks off and replaced them with tiny splt rings and singles. I don't really know if they are better for the fish but they DO seem to get hung up less. The trebels are generaly really light wire and bend easy. I can put a short, stout, single barb hook on and not change the weight or action.
Bruce is also right about the spinners being a disaster on your line. I use Power Pro line on all my spinning gear. It is a "braided" type line (actually fused may be more acurate) with a heat bonded sheath. It has high strength and a small diameter. I think the 10lbs test is 2lbs diameter. It's also kinda expensive so I hate to have to change it all the time when spinners make it ball up. I use a small Spro swivel and an eighteen to twenty inch leader of fluorocarbon line. The Flouro line is spendy as well but a pony spool lasts a long time when used as leaders. The leader is invisible in the water, the swivel prevents twist and the super line allows for 300 plus yards of line on an ultra light spool.