Fish Arrow's J-Spinner and J-Buzz

Nearly a half of a century after the late Chuck Woods of Kansas City created the Beetle and Beetle spin, Fish Arrow of Japan is updating Woods' stellar creation with its J-Spinner. Of course Woods' Beetle and Beetle spin, as well as his jig-worm rig, created the foundation for many of today's  Midwest finesse tactics.

The J-Spinner  is graced with a ball-bearing swivel and a state-of-the-art system for attaching the .08 mm wire of the spinner to the eye of the jig. The gap in the wire loop that affixes the spinner-blade assembly is welded, which prevents it from slipping out of the wire loop. It is endowed with a safety-pin-style clasp that is opened and closed by sliding the barrel up the arm and back down, which is easier to manipulate than the traditional jig spinner of the Hildebrandt variety.

Instead of attaching a jig spinner to a Beetle-and-jig combo, Fish Arrow attach their J-spinner rig to a jig that sport one of Fish Arrow's Flash J Series baits, which are available in three styles: a straight-tail, a paddle-tail, and a split-tail.

There are two spinners in a package, but American and Canadian anglers have to purchase them via the Internet, and compared to Chuck Woods' Beetle Spin, they are expensive.

In addition to the J-Spinner, Fish Arrow has a similar jig spinner that they call the J-Buzz. It is a clip-on buzzbait, and it possess the same safety-pin-style- clasp system that the J-Spinner possesses.  Affixed to the .08mm wire are a series of  brass knockers and a bright prop blade.

The J-Buzz is available in two colors: gold and silver. American anglers can purchase a package of two for $9.19.