I Can’t Believe I’m Giving Away My 50-Year Old Beetle Spin Secret..

[@andybales7318]

For someone that wants to go out & just catch fish of any species, throw a beetle spin and/or rooster tails on a spinning combo with 6lb. Mono & have a great time

[@myriammorrison9840]

Truth

[@Funwithhighnotes]

In any body of water from a roadside culvert to Lake Michigan to lake fork to the streams of Colorado, it’s never let me down.

[@captrockh2055]

When I was a kid growing up- he would wade and use a beetle spin,or panther martins- all summer- fun times

[@bruceesterline3170]

You are correct I use a roster tail mepps inline along rip raf along the dam to catch rock bass.

[@moseskongi4746]

*They work in saltwater?*

[@JTFishing95]

I have a box full of Megabass and other expensive lures, but a beetle spin has never let me down... Got me hooked when I was a kid catching crappie and bass back to back on them. Still throw them to this day over 25 years later.

[@williamwhite1997]

They work great in Florida. I caught a 10.4 on a Beetle Spin. I consider it my greatest angling feat of my lifetime, and I've caught bigger bass, giant Snook, and tarpon. The Beetle Spin was mangled inoperable when I took it from the bass' mouth.

[@loganwright8943]

You got very lucky! Congrats on that

[@williamwhite1997]

@@loganwright8943 I was lucky in that I had it tied on the perfect rod for the application and a lot of room to work with. The fish "luckily" ran away from the cover and into open water. I was also "lucky" in that she showed herself right off and I was able to identify what I was dealing with to not apply too much pressure. When opportunity meets preparation it can turnout pretty lucky.

[@moseskongi4746]

@@williamwhite1997 *Do beetles catch specks and flounders too? They about the only two I fish for*

[@williamwhite1997]

@moseskongi4746 I'm not sure I never used them in saltwater

[@moseskongi4746]

@@williamwhite1997 *I always thought Snook and Tarpon were saltwater fish.*

[@jefffeywilbur1059]

I fished these as a kid 50 years ago after seeing Virgil Ward use them on tv. They still work today

[@joefrey9076]

From the lakes of Northern Canada... to the Gulf of Mexico...wherever fish are biting... that's where we're going to go...

[@timburton9514]

Love this!! But damn, you’re giving away my secret too!! Not only bass, but crappie, bream, etc

[@playingwithmytrains5440]

The Beetle spin is one of my favorite secret baits. Been using them since I was a kid (50+ years). I have tried to tell people how great it is but they just give me the "oh sure it is" look. Oh well more fish for me to catch. lol. Thanks for sharing Randy....

[@BenHolliday1]

Three things in my tackle box when I was a kid. Roostertails, Rapala minnows and beetlespins. I mowed lawns to make money to buy fishing stuff so I didn’t have a lot to spin but I always had those.

[@cmchatton1680]

If you change out the plastic with a Marabou jig you will like the results! John McHatton

[@cliffordhutt143]

Best fishing lure ever made. It's the first thing I recommend to a new angler. They catch everything. I caught a 19" red drum on one this weekend while fishing for perch.

[@Slowboatfishing]

Finally a bait you talk about that I already have! Yellow has been the best color for me.

[@patrickfreeman2034]

Them beetle spins and the old squirrel tail mepps spinner, some of my favorite panfish lures. Gold blades are my favorite on them.

[@Old-School-Bassin]

❤Virgil Ward’s BassBuster Beetle Spin! I caught my PB on it Sept. 6TH, Black with Yellow Stripes. I added an Uncle Josh Ripple Rind (Red). I also love the Twin Spin with the Beetle bodies….. Great tips! Thanks Randy!

[@jkeverline1]

I love the Beetle Spin. When I was a kid I caught a lot of bass on them in farm ponds. I’m definitely going to have one tied on this fall. They stopped making the 3” model for a while but now they make it in a salt water version.

[@Bluejspey]

I love the beetle spin, it's the lure that got me into bass fishing!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

Not just Beetle spin but those tiny little trout magic grubs with the little tiny head catches bass like a champ in the dog days of summer. As well as crappie and perch to keep the day fun and exciting

[@patrickmcandrew9976]

I first saw the beetle spin on the Virgil Ward fishing show a long time ago. I sent away to somewhere and got a couple. I caught tons of smallies on them in the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania.

[@jeffabbey1057]

Me ,too!! The Virgil Ward Show was what got me interested in bass fishing back when I was around 10 years old. It was on Sunday mornings here in southern Iowa and northern Missouri. I watched it every week. Seems like Virgil was always throwing Beetle Spins. Good memories!

[@gregphillips1998]

I’m 60 now and I can’t tell you how many fish I’ve caught on a beetle spin. My favorite color was the black/w yellow stripes. I was using that when I was a young teenager walking the banks of canals and ponds in S. Fl. You can catch everything from bream up to some of the largest large mouth bass. That’s one definitely for someone’s survival box.

[@donovanjackson7241]

Since getting back into fishing, I started out with a lot of these old school, inexpensive lures that I could find at walmart. I have caught so many fish on Beetlespins, Wee craws, Crickhoppers, Topedoes and inline spinners. Sometimes I feel like because these lures aren't used by "serious fisherman" that I'm actually giving the fish something different and unique.

[@moseskongi4746]

*I like to use charlie brewer slider grubs fishing saltwater and it has caught me a variety of species i.e., speckled trout, sand trout, croaker, spanish mackeral and even flounder. You should give em a try. I use the white ones on a 1/8oz jighead. You will be amazed at the size of some of the fish that you catch on that little thing.*

[@snakelvffvv5440]

My Beetle spin story. When I was 17, in 1990, I bought my first beetle spin for $0.99 at a local gas station in Ladonia Tx. Later that afternoon I caught my first largemouth bass on an artificial bait. I was hooked. Over the last 33 years I’ve tinkered and tried several different jig heads and trailers, and I’ve had varying levels of success. I haven’t used them much in the last few years, favoring bigger jigs and chatterbaits. After watching this video, that reminded me how good the beetle spins work when the bite is tough, Today I poured some 1/4 oz jig heads with weed guards and 4/0 Mustad hooks. I truly do believe that I’ve made the perfect beetle spin for catching largemouth bass. Time will tell.

[@ericadventuresafieldafloat513]

I was out on a jet ski on a small lake I'd never fished before a few years back. In fact hadn't fished in quite some time. Threw a green beetle spin in deep water and started catching immediately. Later, went up into a shallow area with that noisy 2 cycle ski, up behind a stealthy kayak angler and started catching there too. The dude came back, passing my way and I asked if he'd caught any on his pass and he was like "Nope." Grinned and said "I did, on a beetle spin" LOL!

[@tommoorehouse]

Same setup with a 4" Mr Twister grub works great for me!

[@bucknuts8824]

Weve been using beetle spins bass fishing for years. The work really well in our sucky lakes in SE Ohio. And i caught a 4 pounder on one this spring

[@jasongreeley7391]

Randy i throw this almost exclusively for smallmouth in the upper Allegheny in western NY during the summer months. We call it "The Money Rig", because it flat out works. Like you said, its mainly low water and warmer water. Good stuff.

[@johnmcdaniel2536]

I have had Beetle Spins in my tackle box for decades too. I still catch fish on them. Love 'em.

[@SpookyRedz]

I use that rig but I upsize it , bigger jig head , bigger clip on wire 3.5 to 4 size Colorado , with a zoom fat Albert , it smokes em here

[@chucklutter7399]

Thank you for sharing your experience knowledge and passion. I started using them in the mid to late 70s in a clear water lake. Only threw yellow with black stripes, targeting walleye. Though I've used other colors I've not seriously fished black and white. Thanks to your tip I will be starting late summer. TIGHT LINES

[@ogjmcnutt9756]

You're totally right about the beetle spin I brought it back out last month. But what i caught my PB on this year was a rooster tail people forget about them as well too another slept on bait too

[@louishermansen7737]

My favorite multi species lure of all time. Caught some of my biggest walleyes and crappies on the white body with the red dot.

[@harveyschindler9554]

Southeast Louisiana, it’s a go to bait for redfish. Although we a rig that allows jig head to swivel. I’ve caught reds, speckled trout, flounder and of course those little green fish.

[@TimmyJimmy-nz4xl]

Yes sir they catch fish big bass sometimes too! And yes the white with red dot works good and the black with green stripe works best for me. I also use different jig heads in pink head with white fuzzy body. Catch a boat load of any pan fish bass jackfish small strippers even caught a channel catfish and many bullheads from small creeks.

[@JamesBondDZero7Mi6]

That was the number one bait for us while fishing Houghton Lake in upper Michigan. They caught all species, especially walleye and rock bass. Our best color was black with yellow stripes. Who knew we were throwing a spinner bait back then in the 70s?

[@bassngal3314]

Lunkerhunt came out with the pond pack…a similar item to the beetle spin but with different lure options ,check that out it’s a fish catching machine!

[@MikeB-1965]

No joke on the beetle spin. Years ago I had a GREAT day using a beetle spin. If I remember correctly, it was in the fall and temps were dropping. I was fishing a small pocket with a small creek coming in. I caught several bass 3-6lbs. My best 5 were probably 20-25 lbs.

[@dennisstolte1103]

Makes perfect sense. Will give it a try. Thanks!

[@lannyseals2084]

You can't deny the power of this simple rig has and since I was a a kid to this day, the have a spot in my fishing and I still make homemade ones and have been for around 23-25 year's now

[@clay7514]

The green with black stripe was always my favorite

[@RyanWynn-io3fq]

My Grandfather turned me on to these in the 80’s. We used to catch bass and sunfish all day

[@patrickwall8517]

The shop I go to sells just the spinner portion and i keep some on hand and often fish them with my favorite jigs.

[@at_tro_sizematters]

My grandfather use to rig a 4" to 6" Fluke or even a ribbon tail worm on the beetle spin, back home they call it a "Gypsy rig" it's put DONKS in my boat more than once.

[@terrytresemer2864]

Yeah I always carry three or four with me on every outing. Yellow in off colored water also works, for what ever reason. I don't think twice when the bite is really tough.

[@darrellgrant7615]

I’ve caught tons of bass and some big ones using a beetle spin. I usually used the black one with the yellow stripes on the back or the yellow one with the black stripes on the back. It’s what I used as a teenager until I discovered what a spinnerbait was. I’ve always thought of building a “pro” version for myself.

[@dprob1985]

Love the beatle spin. Its my go to when theres some wind or current and i just need to catch fish. Ive caught 3-4 lbers on it. I even caught 6 lb drum on one

[@mikewalt8642]

i have 1/4 oz beatle spins with weed guards. Great bait caught a ton of fish on them. they are old and you can't get them any more. Rick Clunn found some for me in the late 70's at small tackle shop. Great bait.

[@jamesledbetter2888]

BEETLE SPIN FOR THE WIN! My son and I happened on this lure three years ago by accident. It is our #1 lure here in SW Ohio. We’ve caught, LMB, SMB, white bass, rock bass, Saugeye, drum, catfish, crappie, Carp(yes), gar…. Anytime we can’t get a bite, we go to the beetle spin… last night-20+ smallies in the GMR!

[@laffilmfest3759]

Until I ran into Intuitive Angling beetle spin was all I was throwing late spring early summer, loaded it with 3" water melon pearl minnow by yum, I caught catfish, bluegills, crappie...but no bass...now I'm catching bass with Randy's guidance but none of the others...thanks to this video I'm putting the minnow back in my arsenal :)

[@randyblaukatintuitive]

Thx man

[@patrickmahoney3479]

Great video. I have a lot of success fishing these in the small streams we have here in Tennessee. Spots and smallmouth will annihilate a Beetle Spin.

[@rodneystewart7334]

A beetle spin can help you get a limit when you are struggling to do so. A lot of the fish are small that you catch but sometimes a 12 or 14 inch fish can make or break you in a tournament. Although most will be smaller there are times when a decent 3 or 4 pounder will be caught so be sure to use a light enough rod or have your drag set so a big one won't straighten out the small wire hook. Anyway my 2cents. Good video Randy👍

[@RussChiodo]

My kid caught about a 3 pounder on a white beetlespin in Lake Champlain last year when we were out on the paddle board drifting over some vegetation and casting for perch--it was wild.

[@af4od02]

Virgil Ward’s Championship Fishing. I never missed episode.

[@scottmcmasters8005]

Those who know know! Talk about versatile. Landed a 6lb largemouth and a 71/2 lb channel cat the same day back in the 70s. The black and white ones are super but let's not forget the green with black stripes . Catalpa I believe. If they're not biting it they're not biting period.

[@AnAngryAngler]

I switch out the 1/8oz hook for an Owner 1/16th Blockhead & put on a Zoom Super Fluke Jr Paddle tail or Rapala Crush City The Mayor. We call it ‘The Beetle Block’

[@jimmybrooks1759]

I ACTUALLY USED ONE THIS PAST WEEKEND. THAT BAIT WILL CATCH ALOT OF BASS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BITE IS TOUGH. BUT IT IS ALSO A MULTI SPECIES BAIT SO IT IS REALLY GOOD FOR KIDS TO USE.

[@chrisboyd1408]

Works awesome in the Midwest. We catch bass, crappie, and sunfish. One of the best lures on the market and cheap compared to many others

[@jeffwillard9621]

A beetle spin was the first bait I ever fished with and I caught so many fish with them. They are great for crappie too

[@johnnystone5432]

Used the beetle spin to catch bream today and a bonus 4lb bass. Alot of fun...

[@Mark-dx8rr]

Every fisherman should have a Beetle Spin in his/her tackle box!!!

[@DwayneCook-o4i]

They are huge in Australia, a beetle swim with a small swim bait on it like a rapale crush city suspect is awesome. The thump pulls them in. Ps love your videos. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@gillgetter3004]

I’ve fished them for crappie, and caught a bunch of bass! Few crappies too. They work really well in small river near my house with lots of decent smallies and a few largemouths👍

[@tylerhughes5420]

In the south bout end of August through September October when the hay fields are cut and grasshoppers are everywhere beetlespins are great. I've caught 43 bass in 3 hours doing this, my thumb looked like I put it on a belt sander from all the bass mouths shredding it.

[@francisbombardier6490]

Randy try replacing the plastic with a small paddletail. I slam the bass up here in New York with that minor change all summer long. Started doing this with the old mister twister sassy shad. It's a KILLER.

[@KB-eg9kg]

Beetle Spins catch everything!!!😊

[@bassnbuckbillyb824]

That thing crushes smallmouth on Dale Hollow and also whirlybee that they don’t make anymore

[@mauricesmith1511]

Slider still makes them

[@remcovanvliet3018]

There's a reason stuff like the Beetle Spin and the ol' Mepps Nr2 are still sold, after more than half a century. If it ain't broke, it don't need fixing.

[@caniaccharlie]

Makes since, there are certain things that kinda get labeled as "beginner lures" because it's hard to fish them wrong and they catch fish. A beetle spin being fished by a more serioua fisherman makes sense that it would be highly effective.

[@dwightstephenson_fishing5150]

Most fish catching lure around! Has saved many fishing days for me. I’ll put all kinds of small baits on the jig head.

[@learningtofish7036]

Thank you Randy.

[@josephhillman8831]

I just bought a few today how weird that you do a episode on the beetle spin they are great crappie catchers too especially big ones when I was a kid it was the only lure we could afford so much fun fishing one

[@tracycampbell4526]

I remember the old beetle spin when I was a kid in East Texas fishing little natural lakes near the Trinity River. I only recall getting them in black or white. In that same vein, I have a question: What are your thoughts on the old H&H spinnerbait? I remember tearing them up as a kid with the black and white or yellow 75 cent H&H spinnerbaits. I haven't tried them up here yet. I took a 20 year break from bass fishing, but have recently gotten back into it since I moved to the Ozarks. Fishing is entirely different up here. I really appreciate your channel. It's informative, but not over-the-top pushy or salesy. A lot of these guys are obviously just trying to sell gear, and shaping their content around it. If you ever find yourself near Bella Vista, AR, look me up. I'll buy you lunch.

[@erichildreth7562]

I have these in my box and have been using these for years, they work great! I caught a huge largemouth with one out if a farm pond and I was using one on Rice Lake, ON and caught a 3+ lb smallie in a downpour. The color combo was a blue body with a white forked tail that I got at Walmart years ago. I still have a few as well as black and white like you mentioned and I have looked for this blue with the white forked tail color and cannot find it anywhere. I think what I will do is pick up a few white bodies and just dye these, should work just fine. Thanks for sharing and the beetle spin will always be in my box.

[@comfortablynumb9342]

You can probably find them online.

[@ericadventuresafieldafloat513]

Interesting info, thanks! Prompts me to wonder if the SK Mini-King would work the same? Or if the skirt is a bit too much. The blades are a bit flashier too.

[@toddg.2638]

I've found that there's a time and a place for nearly everything. Lures that I've used in drought years are not producing at all this year due to different water levels and clarity.

[@frankrogers4554]

Do you remember the H&H spinner bait it had like a hollow Bodied frog dual hook on the back when I was a teenager I cut the hell out of them on that thing

[@fland49]

Yes , H&H's and Beetle Spins were fish catching things in the 1960s. So we’re Hellbenders and Bombers, and Devils Horses and Skipjacks, and Heddon Chuggers. Then Crème rubber (not called plastic then) worms.

[@cheesehami]

Old H&H is a good bait too .

[@jerryscrappielife]

Caught my first 6 plus on a black beetle spin after hammering smaller ones on it all day. Mid August.

[@mr.skeptical3071]

I put a white 2' grub on mine, sometimes switch to a small willow leaf, killer!

[@CecilDavidBurkesJr]

I caught a 6.42 largemouth last weekend on a medium beetle spin

[@bopowl4413]

It's probably a bad take but i don't find these to work better than jigs without the spinner bit, but they do cast nice with the extra weight.

[@forrhs8430]

I know crappie love this lure too! Works the best for me in current on a river..not so much in slack water

[@myriammorrison9840]

Love both the white and black. Also love the pink. I also swap the baby Colorado blade for a small willow in stained water. I learned this trying to catch crappie 🤦🏻‍♀️ always catching bass 🤷🏻‍♀️ BTW my PB hybrid came on a beetle spin, it came close to spooling me 😂

[@The_Bass_Stunters]

Hey Randy you should get with the R&D team at Megabass America and see if they will redesign there own version of the Beetle Spin. Call it the Vision 💯 Diamanté X-Spin!

[@rustyme1122]

I like putting a curly tail body on my beetle spins. 1/32 oz. black curly tail beetle spin is deadly for panfish.

[@JimNobles-gv4ky]

I make my own Johnson Beetle Spins, since 1985:)))) They Work:)))

[@maxcole3930]

Have you checked out any of the new-ish Zmans micro finness baits? The little swimbaits & stingerz are fire! I've caught about every species on them.

[@eduffey7]

My dad caught his PB on a green beetle spin. Over 8 lb bass!

[@KruiserIV]

Beetle Spin’s probably caught more fish cumulatively across all anglers than any other lure. Those things just work.

[@jeffdempsey6478]

Beetle spin is my pond magic.

[@georgemebs]

Chartreuse with a orange belly has worked well for me in new jersey 👍

[@Daniel_Callie]

Got the exact bait tied always on my ultra lite!

[@dhawk6896]

Sometime give some river Fishing tips thanks

[@ryanvarner6520]

I always like them, and my favorite color was black grape....

[@KurtPotterFishing]

Thats a pond killer right there, grew up on that

[@glensims7959]

I was fishing a derby on Lake Ozark years ago, and having a less than stellar day........A kid walks down and starts casting a Beetle Spin along the seawall, and within 10 casts had a 3 pounder and another solid keeper. Do you think I had a Beetle Spin, or any other type of tiny spinnerbait in my boat ? Hell NO! 😅

[@caniaccharlie]

I bet you did shortly after 😂

[@MattJTrim]

Caught my first bass on that, and still catch walleye after walleye on them!

[@allenfowler1794]

I've used those for years. Good lures.

[@fishingthe262]

Beetle spin and forward facing sonar is lights out!!

[@larryhayes8057]

Could only get yellow in the 202 days til Virgil Ward pushed the crawdad color. Black and white are still rare.

[@mightyarmoryprecision]

Where can I find 1/2oz? Been looking for 2 years. I’ve caught a ton with them,

[@Fishing_with_Fincher]

There’s a JDM company that makes a “full size” Beetle Spin with up to number 5 willow leaf blades. They murder it.

[@dennisgunia7694]

Could you give me information on company so I cane get some of them

[@baggzamillion6678]

The first artificial i learned to use as a kid and i still use it today

[@waynecasper5346]

Caught a lot bass on that little dude!

[@MichaelJones-rn2pq]

The original Bass Buster (Not Johnson) Beetle Spin could be purchased in ALL white with no red dot or black stripe. Yeah, I am still sore about not being able to get an all white one since the early 1980's...😡