A few weeks ago while researching some BFS topic on another forum I ran across this rig I'd never heard of before. This is what happens when you pick up fishing late in life Anyhow, I figured it might be fun to try something new and see how the bluegill respond.

I received a few Johnson Beetle Spin rig kits in the mail for panfish and crappie and packed them with me on a hike to a lake in the local hills.





First I strung up my Redington Butter Stick II 6wt and tossed out some RLD's and small bluegill spiders, just to see if anyone was home.





(pic from a couple years ago)


Then I headed around to another part of the lake and got out the Graywolf Trout Smith 7' 3-piece E-glass rod I bought from Shane last year, with 6# Eurotackle braid on a small Pfleuger President.



I looked at the plastics and jig head in the Johnson pack, figured I could do better, and mounted a 1/32 oz jig head I'd powder-painted myself with a 1" EPF Swimbait from Eurotackle in green pumpkin.



Golly, it actually works ! A bass decided to get in on the act, too.





I switched to chartreuse.





The rod action was super-fun; not exactly what you would want for bass, but great for trout and panfish. To switch things up I also used a 1.5" B-Vibe and the crappie rig, but with a 1/16 oz jig head.





The Eurotackle braid was nice for spinning, though being very thin it seemed to abrade quite easily. I actually did try their 8# braid on one of my BFS reels, but didn't much care for it in that application (YMMV). I plan to try the 4# on one of my trout spinning reels.

Later I noticed that the rigs can be purchased from other sellers without the jig heads or plastics (I have plenty of those already). The rigs have swivels on the spinners, so I don't think they twist the line. I'll have to try this with a BFS rod, too. Fun !

I'm a nanofil fan myself, but again wanted to try something new ... the 6# braid Eurotackle sells is a bit thinner than 6# nanofil. I even use 14# nanofil at the beach for surf fishing.

Good to know a bit of the history behind the rig ! Now you've got me curious ...

Growing up in Eastern Oklahoma, the Beetle Spin and our local tackle manufacturer,
Okie Bug’s Mini SOB Spinnerbait were my favorite spinning lures on farm ponds and streams. My cousin had access to a large ranch with dozens of stock ponds that received almost zero fishing pressure. I think back to stepping up to the edge of one of those ponds for a first cast, and retrieving the beetle spin near the surface for a huge blowup. Lots of fun with the beetle spins.

Here’s a link to old OkieBug SOB spinnerbait:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/ ... -219311859

Great report as always.
Beetle spin is the one lure I have never scored with, though I've done great all my life with bigger bass rubber-jig spinnerbaits.
Fishing a buzzbait in a reservoir jump is beyond fun.
Striper fishermen on Lake Travis swear by beetle spin.
Even Lou caught bluegill on his when we fished upper Pedernales this spring.

Thanks again all ! I have to try some of those other lures ...