I fish mostly smaller streams and rivers with ultralight, 4lb test line, spinning tackle. There's a lot of spinners out there but I seem to have the best overall luck with 1/16th oz. (#2) black body with gold blade or yellow with silver Panther Martins. I've gone to single hook models; a lot easier to get out and I don't seem to miss any more strikes.

panther martins smallest ones I can get. HAve never had much luck with roostertails though

black body yellow dots gold blade.
Yellow body orange dots silver blade.

white seems to pull fish when the other 2 favorites dont. After that I just start tossin colors

Same two, yellow and black, I use. I was wrong on the weight, the #2 size I use is 1/16th oz. Never tried the white.

panther martin and rooster tail dont forget mepps

Brown/gold blade Roostertails...

Orange Flo Roosters

Black Panthers w copper or gold blades

If the black isn't working try a brown/white/orange/blk dots with a black and cream blade, black/brown skirt. (imitates a small crayfish). I've caught a many of smallies and trout in TN, AL and AR. with all of those colors.

Panther Martin Black/gold

#2PMRG for fish this size...



#4PMRG for fish this size...



#6 PMRG for fish this size...




Others are the silver/yellow PMs and Im getting to like Rainbow pattern pretty well..

For trout I like 'nymphing' half a night crawler on a #6 or #8 or #10 single hook ......

Or 1/16th or 1/8th oz Panther Martin

Or Vibrax spinner, usually all brass, sizes #0 or #1 unless the stream is 'bigger' and needs a #2 brass Vibrax.


If you can find an old 'Colorado' spinner with half a night crawler, that was damned effective on some Wyoming brookies I got into more than 30 years ago a couple really great uncles showed me. That was my first real experience catching brook trout. (also an excellent table fish! probably my favorite).

Panther Martins in Yellow or orange have worked the best for me. Occasionally black and red.

1/16th or 1/8 ounce Panther Martin, red body with black and yellow blade has been very effect on both rainbows and brooks.