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I got my order in yesterday.

I had a few fly-tying supplies in there, a pink deer tail, and a couple different colors of kevlar thread.  Time to tie some Clousers in a Rainbow Trout pattern, and time to finally begin tying some deer hair bass bugs, now that I have my 8wt fly rod.

However, the bulk of the items in that shipment were the tool, wire, and "stuff" I need to start assembling my own inline spinners.  Now I can make my own knockoffs for Mepps spinners, as well as some more customized stuff to reflect my color preferences and blade shapes and sizes.

I went ahead and priced out the components for the spinners, so I can easily figure out if it's cost-effective to make them myself, or just buy them.  I think it's going to depend on the blades.  Cheaper blades, cheaper to make my own.  More expensive blades, we'll see.  I've seen some Mepps spinners that are designed for Muskies, that would probably work for Stripers.  Some of those baits run over $15/each in the Mepps catalog.

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hey allen  soon as you make a few post them buddy!! always looking forward to seeing your creations!

Sounds like you have a good supply and are investing in the tools you want. You know it isn't about the cost to build you own tackle but the enjoyment of being able to build and fish with something you made yourself. As you know there isn't anything in fishing that tops catching fish on your hand made tackle. It is awesome to be able to set at your tying bench and use the craft of tying to make something you think will work. I have a few different sizes of wire and the hand tools to build some spinner frames but I found I don't enjoy working with the wire like I enjoy tying. I have a friend in Vermont that builds a great spinner and he has sent me some different things he has made for me to try here in S.C. and he does enjoy working with the wire. I look forward to seeing some of your spinners you build :) 

The spinners are fun to make and do catch fish. When you spend $ for your Mepps you will see a savings making your own at least that's the way it was 25 years ago for me. We use to plan Canadian fishing trips yearly over memorial day. The bait of choice was Mepps spinners but the cost for just one back then was at least pricey. At that time Netcraft was on Tremainsville Rd in Toledo just about a mile from the house. They had everything that I needed to make my own and I frequented the place often. The best thing was all the different bodies they offered you could get them in silver, brass, copper, and nickel and the same for the blades and every color of beads you could imagine I was like a kid in the candy store. For me it was a one stop shop walked in got what I needed went home made my creations fished them and caught plenty of fish. It was nothing to make a hundred or so different looking spinners cause 6 of us went up north together and you know if you had to buy a 100 Mepps you spent some money to say the least even back then so I enjoyed making them and they shared in the cost. Back then I fished bass a lot so I loved using spinner baits my number 1 go to bait so I started making my own. Then I started making my own inline spinner baits for bass fishing. Caught lots of fish on them and I know I saved lots in the dollar department that was way back when. Now what I use to make you can find hanging in the bait stores for a buck and today's prices its almost cheaper to buy them but if you make your own you always have the satisfaction of changing them up and there is truly nothing like catching a fish on one of your own creations. Wow you sorta brought back a senior moment for me. THANKS

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