One-Lure Challenge – Fish #3 on the Loch Haven Spinner

One-Lure Challenge – Fish #3

Loch Haven Inline Spinner at a Local Pond 🎣 | Average Angler Life

Fish number 3 is in the books for the one-lure challenge. I’m still fishing the same Loch Haven inline spinner and working a local pond for bass.

No switching. No backup baits. Just putting in the time with one lure and paying attention to what works. The steady retrieve continues to produce, and each fish teaches me a little more about how this spinner wants to be fished.

One lure. Fish #3. Still learning with every cast.

These limited-lure sessions strip away the extra choices and force better focus. It’s been a good reminder that you don’t always need a full tackle box to have a solid day on the water.

On to the next cast — and hopefully fish number 4.

Tight lines,
— Glenn
Average Angler Life 🎣

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Average Angler Life • Real Fishing, No Gimmicks

Bass on a Vintage Abu Spinner – Simple Steady Retrieve

Bass on a Vintage Abu Spinner

One-Lure Challenge Highlight – Steady Retrieve 🎣 | Average Angler Life

Here’s a quick highlight from my one vintage lure challenge. This bass came on the old-school Abu inline spinner with nothing fancy — just a steady retrieve, dialed in so the blade kept spinning consistently.

That’s the beauty of these classic Swedish spinners. When you get the speed right, the vibration and flash do the rest. No need for constant rod work or bait changes. Keep it moving just enough and let the lure fish.

Steady retrieve. Blade spinning. Fish on. Classic tackle still delivers.

These moments remind me why I still reach for the older stuff. There’s something honest and satisfying about catching fish the way anglers did decades ago.

If you’ve got a vintage spinner or inline that still produces for you, I’d love to hear about it.

Tight lines,
— Glenn
Average Angler Life 🎣

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Average Angler Life • Real Fishing, No Gimmicks

Ultralight Baitcasting for Bass – Rooster Tail on BFS Gear + Got a Jumper!

Ultralight Baitcasting for Bass

Rooster Tail on BFS Gear + Got a Jumper! 🎣 | Average Angler Life

Ultralight baitcasting for bass with inline spinners! In this session I was throwing a Rooster Tail on BFS gear and connected with a solid bass that went airborne — got a jumper!

The light setup made the fight fun and the classic spinner once again proved why it remains a go-to for pond and shoreline bass. Simple lure, sensitive gear, and exciting surface action.

Light gear + classic spinners = exciting jumper bass!

There’s something special about watching a bass clear the water on ultralight tackle.

What’s your favorite Rooster Tail color or size when targeting bass? Share it in the comments!

Tight lines,
— Average Angler Life 🎣

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BFS reels, light rods & Rooster Tail / inline spinners

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Average Angler Life • Real Fishing Adventures

Pond BFS Fishing with Fire Tiger Rooster Tail – Multiple Bass Landed!

Pond BFS Fishing with Fire Tiger Rooster Tail

Multiple Bass on Ultralight Gear 🎣 | Average Angler Life

Back at the pond with my BFS setup — KastKing Zephyr reel paired with the Shakespeare Microcast rod — throwing a Fire Tiger Rooster Tail inline spinner. The bass were actively feeding and I managed several nice ones this round, including a solid Bass #4!

There’s something really fun about feeling those strikes on light gear and watching the spinner blade work. Inline spinners like the Rooster Tail are such a reliable choice for ponds, especially when the fish are in a chasing mood.

Ultralight BFS fishing never gets old — every bite feels exciting!

If you haven’t tried BFS or inline spinners for pond bass, I highly recommend giving it a go. It’s simple, effective, and a blast on the water.

What’s your favorite Rooster Tail color or inline spinner for bass? Let me know in the comments!

Tight lines,
— Average Angler Life 🎣

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BFS reels, ultralight rods & Rooster Tail spinners

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Average Angler Life • Real Fishing Adventures

New Pond First Trip: Fish #5 Was a Beauty on Inline Spinner + Ultralight Baitcasting

Average Angler Life • Pond Fishing • June 2026

Hey friends! Live highlight from a brand new pond I’ve never fished before — fish number 5 turned out to be a beautiful little one! 🎣

There’s nothing like that first trip to fresh water. I was throwing an inline spinner on ultralight baitcasting gear and it worked perfectly. Light tackle makes every bite exciting, and this pretty fish made the whole session memorable.

First Time on New Water

Exploring a pond for the first time is always exciting. You don’t know what’s there, and every cast feels full of possibility. This little fish was a great sign that the pond has potential — and the ultralight setup made it a ton of fun.

Why Ultralight + Inline Spinner Shines

Ultralight baitcasting gear paired with an inline spinner is perfect for ponds. It gives you great casting distance with light lures, excellent sensitivity, and a fun fight on smaller fish. Highly recommend trying this combo on your next new spot!

Drop a 👍 if You Love New Ponds!

Have you ever had a great first trip to a new pond? What’s your favorite light tackle setup for exploring fresh water? Share your stories in the comments — I read every single one!

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Tight lines and see you on the water! 🎣

— Zeke (aka Glenn)
Average Angler Life

Only One Inline Spinner To Choose? Try This One!

Choose This Lure...! 

Given only one inline spinner to choose from, I would go with the Rooster Tail in the Fire Tiger variant. This seems to be a consistent fish producer over the years!

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• Rooster Tails https://amzn.to/3YHivhT

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DIY Inline Spinner for BFS Fishing

Forgot I had the inline spinner lure making kit. It was gathering dust in the closet.

Luckily, I remembered it was there after ordering another Kastking Zephyr BFS Reel… this one has a reel clicker like the Shimano Scorpion 17 Reel.

In short order, made two inline spinners using 1/16oz worm weights for the body.

Tried them at a couple of ponds and had one Bass strike but did not land it. Need to use a bigger treble hook.

Made the modification, now just got a catch a fish… who knows, maybe with the new Kastking Zephyr BFS with reel clicker. Supposed to deliver tomorrow!

bfsfishing #baitfinesse #inlinespinner

Inline Spinner Does Well, then Bread Gets a Catfish!

Fished Bethany this morning before the rain arrived.  Caught Bass and a Sunfish using inline spinners.  No Bruisers but was good to see the Bass were active.  Then, noticed something feeding on the surface on Bread.  Switched to Bread and freelined it.  Ended up catching a 20" Catfish! This one makes the Fishing Bulletin Board. Fun stuff!

Click-on Fish Bulletin Board to checkout fish caught by our readers.

Inline Spinner Did Well This Round

Checked out previous blog posts for September and noticed Inline Spinners and Spinnerbaits seemed to work well for the month.  Decided on using an Inline Spinner this round; caught six Bass, one Sunfish, and one Catfish.  The Catfish went 16" in length!  This one gets posted on the Fishing Bulletin Board.  Fun stuff... posted a video but for some reason could not keep track of the number of Bass caught.  Rechecked the videos; it's six Bass.

Click-on Fish Bulletin Board to checkout fish caught by our readers.

One Bluegill and Two Bass This Round

Fished Auburn Springs this evening.  Cold front rolled in the other day and dropped temps.  Was having fun catching Bass on Senkos.  Decided to try an inline spinner this time.  Managed to catch a Bluegill and two Bass fishing a Rooster Tail.  Largest fish was a Bass that went almost 14" in size.  Fun stuff!

Click-on Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

More Inline Spinners But... Bass On Their Beds!

Returned to Bethany with inline spinners.  But, could see Bass on their beds.  Had to adjust the retrieve and drag the spinner slow across the bed to get the first one to strike.  Then, switched back to a steady retrieve and caught some little scrappy ones.  Going to switch lures to adjust to the pattern change!

Click-on Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Five Bass on Inline Spinners This Round!

Fished Bethany this evening.  Gotta like the extra daylight now that we "sprung our clocks forward"!  Action started out slow; used Red/White Tube Jigs for about 45" without a bite.

Switched to the Purple Wooley Rooster Martin and got a bite soon after.  But, it was another 30" before the next fish struck - Bass #2.  Bass #3 and #4 were caught one right after the other, and then another 15" passed before Bass #5 struck.

Fun stuff!

Click-on Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

Headed to Plano East Senior High School's pond this morning.  Fished the Purple Wooley Rooster Martin inline spinner. 

Caught five Bass at the High School, then stopped by Bethany Lakes and caught three more Bass!

Fun stuff... most were caught near the bank; all were caught using Ultralight Gear on 4lbs test.  Largest went 15.5" in size!

Glad to have got a round in before the rain arrived; now we will have to play it by ear as the next cold front arrives.  Anticipate the pattern will changes again!

Click-on Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

More Bass at Bethany

Squeezed in a round at Bethany this evening.  Overcast and some rain and wind.  Regardless, Bass were active; hitting the Purple Wooley Rooster Martin!  Caught several, lost one, and missed some strikes as well.  Fun stuff!

Click-on Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers.

What Lures We Use....

Here is a picture of some of the lures we use for fishing the community lakes and ponds in the area with emphasis on Bethany Lakes since we fish it the more often than others. Senkos are not shown but we do use them.

Lures in the picture include:

• Rooster Tails
• Panther Martins
• Wooley Rooster Martin Inline Spinner
• Various Inline Spinners
• Burnt Orange Crawdad
• Guadalupana
• Deer Hair Critter Variant
• Purple Grasshopper Variant
• Elk Hair Caddis
• Foam Diver
• Foam Beetle
• Roadrunner Jig

Wooley Martin Field Test Goes Well

Was able to field test the Wooley Martin this evening after work.  Caught little Panfish at Celebration Park.  Went on to Bethany Lakes and caught a nice Sunfish and a little Bass.  Cool front changed the pattern but was good to see the Wooley Martin did its job - catching fish. Really like the Wooley Martin because the blade spins easily even when retrieved slooooowly!

Wooley Martin gets nine Panfish and a little Bass!

Gotta Love Those Senkos!

Made it to Auburn Springs to "field test" a Wooley Spinner.  Caught one little Bass on the inline spinner, then lost the inline spinner to a Bruiser that broke the line.


Ultralight Spinning Gear and 4-lbs test don't mix when a Bruiser takes a lure deep and chafes the line! Luckily, had the emergency pack of Gary Yamamoto Senko Worms.


So, tied on a worm hook, baited it with a Senko, and then started working the banks.  Soon after, hooked a 17" Bruiser Bass!  Moved to an open area and caught a scrappy little Bass, then went back to working the banks and managed to a hook and land a 20" Bruiser Bass  (the angle of the photo makes it look shorter but we checked it several times; it went 20").


Gotta love those Senkos,... Thank you Gary Yamamoto,... your the best!

Another Inline Spinner, then a Rooster Tail

Made another inline spinner.  This one is similar to the HL Spinner that we used yesterday.  Main difference is the single hook and the curly tail grub instead of the dressed treble hook.  Went to Bethany and fished it.  Had several light strikes, then caught a little Bass.  Afterwards, went to an Orange Rooster Tail and caught some bedding Bluegill and another little Bass!

Click-on 2012's COAF Fishing Leader Board to checkout top fish caught this year by our readers. Also, click-on One Fishing Fly Challenge to checkout the Field Team's flyfishing informal contest. Feel free to join; it's simple!

Another Inline Spinner Field Test - HL Spinner

Still having fun with inline spinners.  This time made one using parts from Hobby Lobby.  Calling this one the HL Spinner (HL for Hobby Lobby).

Field tested the HL Spinner with a go at Auburn Springs' North Pond.  Did not get a single strike!  Then, went to the South Pond and luckily started hooking up with Panfish.  Lotta fun catching them on your own lures.  Even had a few Bruiser Bass chase the spinner; just missed the hookset!

Rain Cleared, Was Able to Field Test a Homemade Inline Spinner

Stopped at Cabelas to stay out of the rain.  Noticed lure parts for making inline spinners.  Bought some and made an inline spinner after discarding two prototypes.  This one is made with Olive Antron Dubbing, Olive Hackle, and a few beads.  Calling it the "Wooley Spinner". 

Rain let up, so we used the "excuse" of field testing the lure.  Went to Bethany and after several strikes and misses, finally hooked and landed a Bass, then a Bluegill, Sunfish, and a little Bass.  Fun stuff!