Catch Panfish with A Beetle Spin

In this video, we'll review the Beetle Spin and use it to do some ultralight fishing for panfish. The Beetle Spin is a fun, retro lure to use for catching bluegill, crappie, Shellcracker, bass, and more. Thank you for watching!
The Beetle Spin lures used in this video can be purchased at Walmart, Amazon, Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods, and other retailers.
The Trout SOS Fishing Line, Trout Magnet Hat, and Trout Magnet Fishing Line Cutters can be purchased at TroutMagnet.com
Here’s a list of gear I use for those who are interested.
Fishing Rods:
Daiwa Presso Ultralight 5’6
Daiwa Presso Ultralight 6’
Daiwa Presso Ultralight 7’
Bass Pro Shops Micro Light 5’6
Fishing Reels:
Daiwa Revros LT 1000
Daiwa Regal LT 1000
Fishing Line:
Trout Magnet SOS 2lb Test
Boat:
Bass Pro Shops Pond Prowler 8
2HP Honda BFD2 Outboard Motor
Minn Kota Endura Trolling Motor
Kayak:
Perception Outlaw 11.5
Film Equipment:
GoPro Hero 9 Black
iPhone 14 Plus
iMovie
Sony ECM-LV1 Lavalier Microphone
Shure MV-7 Microphone

[@Poor.and.Bruised.of.Spirit]

I never considered watching a youtube channel about catching Bluegills. These videos make me so happy and my children love them also. Keep up the good work.

[@pistolcreek]

That’s so nice to hear! Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment. If you have a place to do so, take them out to catch some panfish! They will have a ball. Stay safe.

[@The_Next_Cast]

Oh yeah!!! Another great Panfishing video brother! The ever effective Beetle Spin! You hit the nail on the head by covering ease of use and affordability! Those were some beautiful catches! Thanks for sharing Chris!

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much, Jim! It’s a time-tested fish catcher!

[@FishingNOutdoorFun]

thanks for sharing

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@FitnessOutdoors]

Excellent video and explanation and history of the Beetle Spin. I guess I need to add these to my arsenal too. Love the serenity and no weekend crowds. Those were some gorgeous Gills and White Bass. Panfishing is so amazing as we get into Summer. The colors on that Gill at 6:50 are stunning. Looks like it was a muggy and hot day but you got your Glimmet...(limit of Gills)! The trolling ending was perfect.

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much, Ron! Yessir…it sure was hot and humid that day and has been staying that way, as of late. Hard to stay away from those bluegill and white bass when they are calling, though!😀🐟 I think the Beetle Spin would work well in the river near you, for sure.

[@bogolyskeepingitreel]

I have a beetle spin I picked up finally. I'm wading a small river after work today. I hope I have it with my stuff in the truck to test it out! Excellent coverage of the Beetle Spin Chris! the best part you have the results to show how effective it is! Some beautiful big 'ol Bluegills 💪 7:40 fight on that white bass was awesome and the other as well. They put up a great fight! Heck yeah man, troll it going back to ramp, waste no time on the water!! Ended it on the LM. great video as always brother!

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much, Chris! Those lucky catches on the way back home are a nice bonus! Appreciate you watching.🙏🐟

[@k62g58]

Perfect trolling example. I love Beetle Spins. I've also had some success with yellow.

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much! It’s so much fun catching fish by trolling the Beetle Spin behind you. I will have to try the yellow next time.

[@DrDitchpickle]

Hell yes. Old school lures ftw. Beetle spins are outstanding. For like 2 bux it's money well spent!

[@pistolcreek]

Yessir! Inexpensive and effective. Two things I appreciate about the Beetle Spin. Thanks for watching, Doc!

[@swoodhaus]

Used beetle spin for years and still have some in my panfish tackle. They will catch all kinds of fish. Thanks for sharing.

[@pistolcreek]

Absolutely! They’re a solid option to keep on hand in any panfish angler’s arsenal. Thanks so much for watching!

[@msmascare]

One of my hall of fame lures! Very versatile since you can use various soft plastics like Bobby Garlands, curly tail grubs, and micro swim baits on the jig head.

[@pistolcreek]

Being able to customize them by swapping out the grub with other plastics is definitely another thing to appreciate about the Beetle Spin. Thanks so much for watching!

[@msmascare]

@@pistolcreekgotta thank you again for introducing me to the Arkie 220 crankbaits. Just caught the most LM bass in one night at my local lake using a Shad design Arkie. 👍🎣

[@pistolcreek]

@msmascare Thanks for sharing that! Awesome! They sure are good little crankbaits. They work so well in Summer, especially.

[@michaelArrigo1986]

You absolutely wore them out!!

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much for watching, Mike!

[@Arrigo_Outdoor_Adventures]

Very professional!!

[@pistolcreek]

@@Arrigo_Outdoor_Adventures Thank you so much! I really appreciate you watching.

[@bobbreves9436]

Hey Chris, love your channel.. love the content as well as all explanations of lures and gear..

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much, Bob! I really appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment.

[@andrewmoore8635]

Outstanding

[@pistolcreek]

@@andrewmoore8635 Thank you so much!

[@swampstalkeroutdoors]

Yes sir it’s tuff to beat a true classic bait like the beetle spin, this has been one of my absolute favorite go to lures no matter what I’m fishing for! Awesome video brother!

[@pistolcreek]

It’s so much fun and it catches fish! Thanks so much for watching and your continued support, brother.🙏🐟

[@richardlambert8328]

Used them 50 years ago and worked great.still does nothings changed

[@pistolcreek]

That’s awesome! I’ll bet you’ve caught a BUNCH of fish over that length of time. Hard to beat a classic like the Beetle Spin.

[@colejfishingadventures]

Another awesome video man!! Keep it going!

[@pistolcreek]

@@colejfishingadventures Thank you so much!

[@rockyraab8290]

One tip: On lures with a double wire loop like Beetle spins or split rings, do not use a clinch knot. The gap between wire loops can allow the tag end to slip out. Use a uni knot or a non-slip loop knot.

[@pistolcreek]

@@rockyraab8290 Thanks so much for sharing that. Great tip!

[@ronbennettoutdoorswildlife1514]

Been using them for many years. My number one go to for panfish. If I went bream fishing using something else & did not take a few of these little lures with me, then I may as well stay home.

[@pistolcreek]

Yessir! It’s certainly caught its share of panfish over the years. Thanks so much for watching, Ron.

[@dafishmantn]

Very good video and some nice white bass! Always enjoy your content and seeing you fishing with every man’s tackle. Ultra light doesn’t have to be expensive. The Beetle Spin has been putting fish in my boat for more years than I can remember and they’re there now. A better search bait hasn’t been invented. And mostly weedless too. Looking forward to your next one……..Tim

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much, Tim! I really appreciate that. There are definitely plenty of options out there that will catch fish without breaking the bank. 👍🐟

[@trezmobley3375]

Tight lines 😁👍🏾

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much for watching!

[@ronmayo8591]

Hey Chris, I had never used a beetle spin up until a couple of weeks ago. First time using it I caught a little green sunfish. That was the morning after some heavy rain. Several roads were closed due to high water. Needless to say I have since bought more as well as a panfish magnet kit. Sure enjoy your videos. Catch you later.🎣

[@pistolcreek]

That’s awesome, Ron! After a lot of rain, and when the water is muddy, is actually one of my favorite times to try the Beetle Spin or one of my favorite underspin jig head, the Fin Spin. Having the flash and vibration of the blade seems to help the fish locate your bait in low visibility…at least in my opinion. The Panfish Magnet Kit is unbeatable for panfish. So good!

[@wmatt17]

Another great video🎉. Thanks for sharing.

[@pistolcreek]

@@wmatt17 Thank you so much! I really appreciate you watching.

[@paulkipps9392]

Great video! The bettle spin is my # go to bait. You may want to try the trout magnet bodies on them, the Crappie 12:30 and bluegill love them! I just keep being different bodies until I find the one that is most consistent!

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much! I have definitely fished them by swapping the grub body out with a Crappie Magnet and a Trout Magnet. It works great. I thought about covering some ways to customize the lure in this video.. but then decided to keep it simple for this one and pay due respect to the original classic by itself. Do you like fishing with underspins? The Fin Spin and Crappie Magnet are dynamite.

[@paulkipps9392]

@pistolcreek yes I fish the crappie magnet underspins. They work well also

[@Boldo75]

I carry two poles in my truck during the summer ready to go and one of those always has a beetle spin tied on. Hard to beat that and a rooster tail. I do cut the end off where the jig head goes on and bend it in a circle around the eye. It runs straighter that way.

[@pistolcreek]

That’s awesome. Thank you for sharing the tip. I need to try that.

[@monzsterman]

Actually caught me a Sunfish as big as my hand and 2 nice bass a couple weeks ago in Beetle Spins. It kind of blew me away because I had never fished this river with them before but had never had much luck with anything else so thought I would give them a try. Will be using them again next trip.

[@pistolcreek]

@@monzsterman Sounds like they did the trick for you. That’s awesome! Those hand-sized panfish will sure put a grin on your face, won’t they? Thanks so much for watching!

[@monzsterman]

@@pistolcreek they sure do!!

[@NaturalStateFishing]

Another awesome video using a timeless classic! That beetle spin will work just about any time! Great video!

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much, Matthew. They are solid little lures. Appreciate you watching and your continued support, my friend.

[@chipseiler1766]

Great video! Timeless classic = fish! I have to admit I haven't actually used a "Bettle" Spin in over 40 years. Ever since I found some other tiny plastics that worked a little better for me on a spinner than the "beetle." I use small 1.75" crawfish on either a 1/32 or 1/64 oz. jig heads mostly, but also have used the Trout magnet 1/64 with a Trout Magnet plastic. You can purchase the spinners separately. I usually use a #0 size on the 1/32, and a #1 or #2 size on the 1/16. I even have used a size #3 on a 1/8, but not for 35 - 40 years. When the bite is tough, I usually let the lure fall on a tight line on the initial cast, and then again 2 or 3 times during the rest of the retrieve on the way back. That's where I found the slower fall of the crawfish seemed to really pay off. Gold spinners seem to get me a few more bites in off colored / muddy water as well. That black striped bettle is also similar to the colors I use in muddier water or later in the evening. Love the white red dotted option and other lighter colors during the bright times of the day. Those safety pin spinners and the Crappie Magnet Fin Spins have caught me a lot of fish! Thanks for sharing those options in your video and comments!

[@pistolcreek]

Thanks so much, Chip! Excellent and helpful information. Appreciate you sharing. I sometime use the Beetle Spin on days when it’s too windy or there is too much water current to effectively cast and retrieve the lighter lures. It can be helpful in a situation like that, I think. On calm days… I’m fishing the Trout Magnet!😁🐟 It’s my absolute favorite lure. But, I will say that I am falling in love with the Trout Slayer Crawdad and the Tiny Dancer Paddle Tail, too. Both of those have produced a bunch of fish for me this Summer.

[@chipseiler1766]

@@pistolcreek Yes sir! So many lures, so little time. The soft plastic that is quickly becoming a favorite for me this summer is the ZMan LarvaZ. Still love and use Trout Magnets, but those LarvaZ's have caught me a whole lot of Bluegill and small bass (even a couple of Crappie!) this summer.

[@Southernkayakfishing1]

Good video, I seen those lures before wasnt sure if they would work.

[@pistolcreek]

Thank you so much! They sure do work for panfish and bass. Give them a shot sometime and try casting it around the bank and bear shady spots. Thank you so much for watching!

[@Southernkayakfishing1]

@@pistolcreek will do!

[@fsupoutdoors]

I would like to call Bluegill "bream" but I don't have the accent for it lol. Great vid as always man!

[@pistolcreek]

Come spend a few days down here in Appalachia and you’ll pick up the drawl in no time.😂 Thanks so much for watching!

[@fsupoutdoors]

@@pistolcreek Haha I might have to do that!

[@FishingWithChris_Tv]

How would you compare the bass pro rod to a TFO in the same powe/action? Kinda been eyeballing them.

[@pistolcreek]

@@FishingWithChris_Tv I have seen the TFO, but haven’t got to try one yet. I will say the Bass Pro Micro Lite is phenomenal. For around $50 on sale, it would be hard to beat in that range, I think.

[@bryanleslie6242]

How do you like that micro elite rod? Need a new one lol

[@pistolcreek]

They are excellent rods, in my opinion. Now keep in mind… I am not the most experienced angler,m and there are a ton of rods and reels out there that I have yet to try. But out of the ones I have been able to fish with, the Micro Lite is fantastic. For its price I put it right there next to the Daiwa Presso, which is another great ultralight rod. The 5’6 Micro Lite pairs perfectly with a size 1000 reel like the Daiwa Regal. It has the perfect amount of balance and feels almost weightless in your hand. A joy to fish with. Thanks so much for watching!

[@bryanleslie6242]

@@pistolcreek thanks for the reply. Really dig your content

[@pistolcreek]

@bryanleslie6242 Thank you. I really appreciate that.

[@MrGimpy]

What knot would you suggest for the beetle spin?

[@bryanleslie6242]

I always use simple clinch knot

[@pistolcreek]

I am a creature of habit and usually use a palomar knot for most of my lures. The exception being that sometimes I go with a loop knot for vertical jigging or fishing under a float. Thanks so much for watching!

[@pistolcreek]

Great option, as well!

[@brunobormann-ultralightfish]

🔥🔥🔥 Yeew!!! excellent vidio Bud! I'm use a lot #Foconoultralight

[@pistolcreek]

@@brunobormann-ultralightfish Thank you so much!