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Terminator Spinnerbaits
#13946962
04/04/21 04:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697
J.P. Greeson
OP
the janitor
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OP
the janitor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697 |
I was freshening up my spinnerbaits this morning with a little Reel Magic and came across this one Jimmy Houston gave me about 20 years ago when I fished with him on Lake Texoma. He gave me the spinnerbait and a piece of bubblegum. I think the color was called bubblegum. Terminator was started by an Oklahoma dentist. They were one of the early sponsors of the TFF. Pretty cool origin story: https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2...lic%20fails%20to%20properly%20appreciate. Alan McGuckin was a good guy to work with! As long as we're talking spinnerbaits, here's one KVD gave me that's on the bulletin board by my desk. He clipped it right off one of the rods on his deck and it still has the little bit of line tied to the wire. I asked him to sign the blade.
The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13946996
04/04/21 05:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 23,305
lconn4
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 23,305 |
I knew nothing about the company. ![cheers cheers](/forums/images/graemlins/default/cheers.gif) Only thing I knew was that Terminator made the best salt water inline spinner bait I've ever used for over 20 years. Just looked and can't find them but Bass Pro used to carry them at all their stores near the coast. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-76913-91327-rptsi_05378gnew01.jpg) Best redfish bait I've ever thrown.. came in several different colors of bodies.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13947029
04/04/21 06:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697
J.P. Greeson
OP
the janitor
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OP
the janitor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697 |
I still have a few of those inline spinners. Unfortunately, not enough to part with. ![grin grin](/forums/images/graemlins/default/grin.gif)
The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13947067
04/04/21 06:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19,966
Donald Harper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 19,966 |
Excellent Mr. Greeson. Thanks for sharing your Spinner Bait knowledge.
Each person you work with holds some promise to your future success. Websiite Sponsors: www.eletewater.com - Staying Hydrated www.lakeoviachic.com - Booking Mexico Trips 20 Hot Spot Mapping - GPS Contour Chips - Custom Spinner Baits - Jigs -Spooks Pure Extracts - Minnow-Night Crawler-Crayfish-Craylic
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13947134
04/04/21 08:02 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 23,303
Hard Rain
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 23,303 |
Terminator makes some good spinnerbaits but certainly on the pricey side.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13947141
04/04/21 08:10 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 23,305
lconn4
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 23,305 |
I still have a few of those inline spinners. Unfortunately, not enough to part with. ![grin grin](/forums/images/graemlins/default/grin.gif) Hell, you only need one because they last forever even in the salt, unless something bit you off. The design of that bait was awesome. I think more of dentist's now that I know the story. ![roflmao roflmao](/forums/images/graemlins/default/roflmao.gif) Most weedless spinner known to mankind! True story... I'm a spinner bait guy and when I first came back to Texas was having a hard time on Murvaul getting a bite throwing spinner baits that day. Decided to throw the inline Terminator and caught one on first cast. Never used it again freshwater, but got me to thinking how those type spinner baits reminded me of the meps freshwater baits and why I quit using them when they worked like magic as a kid. Bought a couple of big meps the other day that I still haven't used and noticed Terminator was being sold at Academy in Tyler for the first time I've ever seen them there.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13947145
04/04/21 08:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697
J.P. Greeson
OP
the janitor
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OP
the janitor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697 |
I still throw a Rooster Tail pretty often.
The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13947177
04/04/21 08:43 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,264
SC-001
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,264 |
You put reel magic on your spinnerbaits?!
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: SC-001]
#13947319
04/04/21 10:46 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39,897
Dan90210 ☮
Jr Deputy Dan
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Jr Deputy Dan
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 39,897 |
You put reel magic on your spinnerbaits?! Keeps the skirts and other plastic accessories from becoming brittle and falling apart or sticking together and becoming garbage
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13947748
04/05/21 12:02 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,890
Coolarrow
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,890 |
Cool story. The old terminator titanium spinner baits were awesome. I still have a couple. I’ll fish them till the head breaks off the wire and I never had a wire break! They were fish catch baits! I bought a few of the newer stainless ones and they aren’t the same. The Titanium were expensive but worth every penny!
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: lconn4]
#13948112
04/05/21 04:30 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697
J.P. Greeson
OP
the janitor
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OP
the janitor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697 |
I still have a few of those inline spinners. Unfortunately, not enough to part with. ![grin grin](/forums/images/graemlins/default/grin.gif) Hell, you only need one because they last forever even in the salt, unless something bit you off. The design of that bait was awesome. I think more of dentist's now that I know the story. ![roflmao roflmao](/forums/images/graemlins/default/roflmao.gif) Most weedless spinner known to mankind! True story... I'm a spinner bait guy and when I first came back to Texas was having a hard time on Murvaul getting a bite throwing spinner baits that day. Decided to throw the inline Terminator and caught one on first cast. Never used it again freshwater, but got me to thinking how those type spinner baits reminded me of the meps freshwater baits and why I quit using them when they worked like magic as a kid. Bought a couple of big meps the other day that I still haven't used and noticed Terminator was being sold at Academy in Tyler for the first time I've ever seen them there. Hopefully, these will last till I can't fish anymore. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-13-91444-img_1587.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-13-91445-img_1588.jpg) The open ones have seen some mileage. I probably need to replace the hooks.
The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13948134
04/05/21 04:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,097
ZeroHour
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,097 |
Roys bait and tackle cleared a pile of those inlines out this year along with a lot of other good old obscure things. I grabbed 10 and am holding em tight...shhh they dont work on reds at all lol.
Chris Dombkowski San Antonio TX Team Daiwa RMR Industries (Makers of BTS and KVD Line and Lure) Rudy Project Eyewear
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: ZeroHour]
#13948171
04/05/21 05:27 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697
J.P. Greeson
OP
the janitor
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OP
the janitor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697 |
Roys bait and tackle cleared a pile of those inlines out this year along with a lot of other good old obscure things. I grabbed 10 and am holding em tight...shhh they dont work on reds at all lol. I think we can let the cat out of the bag on reds. You just can't find these baits anymore. The few that do will probably not impact where we are fishing. I can remember when these were given to me. I was told to try them on reds like it was a state secret they were letting me in on. ![ole ole](/forums/images/graemlins/default/character0065.gif)
The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13948183
04/05/21 05:37 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697
J.P. Greeson
OP
the janitor
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OP
the janitor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697 |
My favorite bait for reds for a long time has been the Stanley Wedgetail. I think Egret Baits bought the mold from Stanley - not sure, but they are making them now. The watermelon seed on a jighead kills 'em. I was following a guide one day with a couple of outdoor writers down near Anahuac, and at the end of the day, he asked me if I wanted to fish the Redfish Tour with him. I said, "It wasn't me, it was the bait."
The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13948364
04/05/21 08:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,552
Jons3825
~Mod Alert~
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~Mod Alert~
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 9,552 |
I still throw a Rooster Tail pretty often. I throw a beetle spin from time to time still.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13948425
04/05/21 09:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5,832
Darin S.
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 5,832 |
Terminator used to be my favorite lure designer. Caught a lot of fish on their spinnerbaits and jigs. I see they’re back in business or the name is back. anyone tried the the “new” terminators?
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13948770
04/06/21 02:22 AM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,589
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,589 |
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13949024
04/06/21 12:39 PM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,728
fivebites
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,728 |
I still have about 25 or 30 of the original titanium Terminators. They were and ARE still awesome!
2019 Chevy Tahoe 2018 Basscat Eyra 250 Proxs PB Wife of 32 years! PB Largemouth 9.56 Ray Roberts
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: fivebites]
#13949040
04/06/21 12:52 PM
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697
J.P. Greeson
OP
the janitor
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OP
the janitor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 23,697 |
I still have about 25 or 30 of the original titanium Terminators. They were and ARE still awesome! I think I may have lost one or two Terminator spinnerbaits to the lake. They pretty much last forever. Never lost one of the inline spinners.
The solution to any problem - work, love, money, whatever - is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be. --John Gierach
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13949343
04/06/21 03:29 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 23,305
lconn4
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 23,305 |
Roys bait and tackle cleared a pile of those inlines out this year along with a lot of other good old obscure things. I grabbed 10 and am holding em tight...shhh they dont work on reds at all lol. I think we can let the cat out of the bag on reds. You just can't find these baits anymore. The few that do will probably not impact where we are fishing. I can remember when these were given to me. I was told to try them on reds like it was a state secret they were letting me in on. ![ole ole](/forums/images/graemlins/default/character0065.gif) ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-76913-91556-3f0facd5_2f5f_422f_84cf_1576a5789279_zpscd1a73bd1.jpg) I took this picture years ago... its all I needed to catch snook, reds, and tarpon. Had a few of each .. so simple back then.
Last edited by lconn4; 04/06/21 03:41 PM.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#13949423
04/06/21 04:17 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,212
reeltexan
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,212 |
I prefer the old, cheap Strike King spinnerbaits. Mostly single spin in 1/4 and 1/2 oz. I make my own skirts and sharpen the hooks.
I've used them for over 25 years with great success. The last I purchased was on Ebay for $1.99 each.
"..The pleasantist angling is to see the fish Cut with her golden oars the silver stream, And greedily devour the treacherous bait. Bill Shakespeare
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: lconn4]
#14709702
05/04/23 01:12 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2
Brian Ankrum
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2 |
I knew nothing about the company. ![cheers cheers](/forums/images/graemlins/default/cheers.gif) Only thing I knew was that Terminator made the best salt water inline spinner bait I've ever used for over 20 years. Just looked and can't find them but Bass Pro used to carry them at all their stores near the coast. ![[Linked Image]](https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/pics/userpics/2021/04/full-76913-91327-rptsi_05378gnew01.jpg) Best redfish bait I've ever thrown.. came in several different colors of bodies. I may know a guy who makes something really similar! Didn't realize terminator used to make something like this until I searched it. This one will be good for bass with a swimbait on the back as well! I wanted to build these as a weedless alternative to the spinnerbaits I make that have smashed the reds and have great durability. ![[Linked Image]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f0ed57_1f41ba0d7000406b9884551658198ee0~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_1075,h_801,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/f0ed57_1f41ba0d7000406b9884551658198ee0~mv2.jpg) ![[Linked Image]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f0ed57_b3fe76df186447a48810a8dd3704d3b9~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_925,h_801,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01/f0ed57_b3fe76df186447a48810a8dd3704d3b9~mv2.jpg)
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#14709823
05/04/23 04:51 AM
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,617
Lone_Wolf
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,617 |
I was freshening up my spinnerbaits this morning with a little Reel Magic and came across this one Jimmy Houston gave me about 20 years ago when I fished with him on Lake Texoma. He gave me the spinnerbait and a piece of bubblegum. I think the color was called bubblegum. Terminator was started by an Oklahoma dentist. They were one of the early sponsors of the TFF. Pretty cool origin story: https://www.oklahoman.com/article/2...lic%20fails%20to%20properly%20appreciate. Alan McGuckin was a good guy to work with! I've got a bubble gum one with a gold colorado blade just like that
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: Coolarrow]
#14709890
05/04/23 11:47 AM
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,488
TBassYates
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,488 |
Cool story. The old terminator titanium spinner baits were awesome. I still have a couple. I’ll fish them till the head breaks off the wire and I never had a wire break! They were fish catch baits! I bought a few of the newer stainless ones and they aren’t the same. The Titanium were expensive but worth every penny! You're exactly right, I still have one left of the old Titanium spinnerbaits and still use it here and there. The newer stainless ones are still pretty good but just not up to par with the Titanium ones. I had a conversation with Jimmy Houston and his wife at a boat and tackle show back in the day talking about the night fishing I used to do on Fork using Terminator spinnerbaits because I was almost going broke from having to replace torn up Hilldebrandt spinnerbaits that those angry bass would annihilate back then. I loved how the wire stayed in place and held up and all you had to worry about is a fish breaking the line and heading off with one.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: fivebites]
#14709894
05/04/23 11:50 AM
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,488
TBassYates
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,488 |
I still have about 25 or 30 of the original titanium Terminators. They were and ARE still awesome! You know you are going to have guys like me bug you about seeing what it would take for you to let go of some of those.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: Coolarrow]
#14710046
05/04/23 01:55 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,370
GeoFisher
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,370 |
Cool story. The old terminator titanium spinner baits were awesome. I still have a couple. I’ll fish them till the head breaks off the wire and I never had a wire break! They were fish catch baits! I bought a few of the newer stainless ones and they aren’t the same. The Titanium were expensive but worth every penny! +1 on this one. Loved the titanium wire spinnerbaits. You could literally tie the wire in a knot and it would still retain its shape. When they quit making them, I tried the stainless, but they were not the same. Had a stainless one cost me at a tourney on Livingston about 6 years ago when it broke on a 3-4 lb fish. The skirts were well made too. One of the first things I look for in a spinner bait is how the skirt "flares" or "pulses". I hate the ones that just lay there. The terminator skirts were rather rigid and stiff and had great a great natural action when they were in the water, especially on a stop and go retrieve. They were awesome baits and I would love to see the titanium wires come back!!
Everything on your bass boat is broken......You just don't know it yet.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: TBassYates]
#14710050
05/04/23 01:56 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,370
GeoFisher
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,370 |
I still have about 25 or 30 of the original titanium Terminators. They were and ARE still awesome! You know you are going to have guys like me bug you about seeing what it would take for you to let go of some of those. Jealous!! ![yes yes](/forums/images/graemlins/default/yes1.gif)
Everything on your bass boat is broken......You just don't know it yet.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#14710109
05/04/23 02:33 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 121,182
hopalong
Pescador Loco
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Pescador Loco
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 121,182 |
" Hop, set the hook"! hopalong 99,999 TexDawg 99,999 FJB! not my president by a long shot!
lake fork FISHERMANS COVE MARINA/reservations - 903 474 7479
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#14710153
05/04/23 02:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 737
cali kid
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 737 |
When they first came out they cost about $10 which was an insane price for a spinnerbait at the time. I bought one and took off for a weekend at Toledo Bend. They crushed that spinnerbait that weekend. I caught about 70 bass on it in 2 days, a 1/2 oz. chart/white with a large willow/small colorado. You could tell it was something different and attractive to the fish.
The next weekend at Sam Rayburn I was catching them again on it when a 5 pounder jumped and shook his head. The line went slack and the reason was the wire broke in the bend. Luckily I still had part of the wire tied on, I mailed it to Terminator and they sent me a replacement. Terminator was the only spinnerbait I threw for about 10 years or so after that.
Out in California they ate it up also, especially on the Delta. By then I had several colors and blade combinations. The Oklahoma blade became my favorite, my biggest bass on it was 12 lb 13 oz on a nasty, stormy day at San Pablo Dam letting it fall down the branches of a fairly deep lay down tree. I had fished that tree several times before on previous trips and had never caught a fish in it.
At Amistad I used to throw the 1 oz. size, I would let it fall to the bottom and rip it up in the grass. I caught a 10-2 there one day when it was about 30 degrees with a hellacious wind blowing.
I have at least 50 now, 30 or 40 are still in the pack. You can find them on Ebay and they are expensive. They are not as effective, at least for me, as they once were. Still a real good spinnerbait but man they were like magic that first 10 years or so.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#14710160
05/04/23 02:51 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 16,830
grout-scout
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 16,830 |
I was gonna say the same thing, they don’t seem to crush them like they used too.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#14710209
05/04/23 03:22 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 86,096
John175☮
MACHO MAN
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MACHO MAN
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 86,096 |
My go-to spinnerbait was always the 7/16 oz Skeet Reese Western Sizzlin
Joe Biden is a threat to our Constitutional Republic.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#14710867
05/05/23 01:31 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,982
ezbassin
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 16,982 |
I used to have a lot of Bull Dog spinner baits. Remember those. I think they started the round needle point in hooks when most hooks were flat sides going to a point. They had super sharp hooks on them for way back then, many years ago. The head design on them looked more like it was designed for a jig instead of a spinner bait.
I also still have some of the Triple Rattle back spinner baits that had the weird twisted up rear blade on it.
Last edited by ezbassin; 05/05/23 01:37 AM.
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: J.P. Greeson]
#14710932
05/05/23 02:21 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,104
reelswift
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,104 |
Team LVS34 Captain WNB
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Re: Terminator Spinnerbaits
[Re: ezbassin]
#14711341
05/05/23 02:20 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,589
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,589 |
I used to have a lot of Bull Dog spinner baits. Remember those. I think they started the round needle point in hooks when most hooks were flat sides going to a point. They had super sharp hooks on them for way back then, many years ago. The head design on them looked more like it was designed for a jig instead of a spinner bait.
I also still have some of the Triple Rattle back spinner baits that had the weird twisted up rear blade on it. Bull Dog made some great jigs too. They had the screw lock keeper on the hook. They were one of the first bait companies to use Gamkatsu hooks
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