Spinner rigs:
Generally 10lb XT
I might go heavier, up to 14 or even 17, purely for line “stiffness” if I’m fishing rock reefs, where both line fraying is a concern as well as keeping the spinner rig fairly “stout”, so it isn’t “waving” all over the place, dragging rocks or even falling between the rocks and not in the fish zone.
Hook sizes: Same theory as lindy rig hooks.
Leader length.
General rule of thumb is 6′ in my book. Most of my spinner rigs are pre-tied at 6′. I can shorten if needed, if fishing rocks or timber.
Fishing open water or clear water (Mille Lacs is a good example, those spinner rigs might stretch out to 10 or even 12′, if the fish want it that way. (NOTE: IF the fish want it that way) If you are fishing sand or mud flats and the fish seem to prefer a longer leader because the sinker is spooking them, then give the fish what they want.
At other times, a bottom bouncer or even the bell sinker “banging” bottom is what the fish demand. (No different than a crank digging the bottom). So, a bottom bouncer and 3-4 foot spinner rig can be more deadly than a 10′ spinner rig.
(Give the fish what they are asking for, not what you want to force feed them).
Bead/blade size depend on the mood of the fish. Also time of the year, for “text-book” eye fishing. Typically 3,4, & 5mm beads. Sometimes on average 5 beads are enough, but other times, if you want to beef up the presentation, go with 10 beads and mix up the color pattern a bit.
Typically 1-5 size blades in both Colorado and Indiana. I mostly prefer Colorado as a “go to”, because I like the thump they give and that blade also make the bait “wiggle” more in the water. However, don’t be hesitant on the Indiana blade. Lots of flash there!!! More flash than a Colorado. I doubt I’ll use a #5 blade on opener and I doubt I’ll use a #1 blade in August. You still have to match the hatch to a degree.
My opinion of the more important factor in running spinner rigs is this: If you are running a longer spinner rig, know how deep it is going to run from your sinker.
Typically, a spinner rig is going to drop “1 foot for every 5 feet of line” on a typical 1.5mph run.
So, if you are running an 8′ spinner rig, with a bottom bouncer, you just might be dragging that spinner rig.
If you are pulling a 10′ spinner rig with a 1′ dropper sinker on a 3-way and are only keeping the dropper 1′ off the bottom, again, you probably are dragging that spinner. OR that spinner is about 2″ from the bottom and the active fish are hanging out 1-2 feet off the bottom to “feed”. You are running your bait underneath them. I’m not saying you won’t catch fish, but you are not helping yourself, if the fish don’t want it that way.
IF the fish are spooky (seem spooky anyways) of that dropper on the 3-way. Then hook the bell sinker direct to the line via an x-large quick change clevis. On a 10′ spinner rig, run that sinker 3-4 feet off the bottom! The sinker is high and out of the way, not spooking the fish.
