The short answer
The Mepps Aglia #1 is one of the two Aglia sizes Mepps recommends for rainbows, the Panther Martin Classic Regular size 4 (1/8 oz) is the maker’s own “do-everything weight for trout”, and the Worden’s Rooster Tail 1/16 oz is one of three weights a Yakima Bait writer says get “95% of use” in his vest.
Our verdict
Top Picks for Rainbow Trout Spinners
Mepps recommends a #1 or #2 Aglia for rainbow trout in its trout article. Every spinner below is a size its maker, or a writer on its site, ties to trout, and each link opens that exact size, colour and single lure.
For the rest of the setup, see our trout spinning rods and trout line guides, or the fishing gear section.
Spinner finder
Find a rainbow trout spinner for your water
Pick what you need it for and what you want to spend. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the eight spinners below, not a test result.
Price tiers: $ = entry level, $$ = higher priced, relative to the products in this guide.
Compare the picks
Compare the 8 Rainbow Trout Spinners
Each row is the single inline spinner the link opens, source first. None of the maker sources we read gives a running depth.
Mepps Aglia #1Size #1 AgliaStreams, riversListing: 1/8 ozListing: treble$3.49
Evidence: Mepps (maker's Tactics article) (a retailer), not independent
Mepps Aglia #2Size #2 AgliaLarger trout, riversNot on listingListing: treble$11.79
Evidence: Mepps (maker's Tactics article) (a retailer), not independent
Mepps Aglia #00Ultralight AgliaSmall streams, ultralightMaker: 1/18 ozListing: treble$4.59
Evidence: Mepps (maker's Tactics article) (a retailer), not independent
Panther Martin Classic 1/8 oz1/8 oz ClassicRivers, ponds, lakesListing: 1/8 ozListing: treble$5.89
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Panther Martin Barbless #2Barbless Single HookBarbless rules, streamsListing: 1/16 ozListing: barbless single$5.79
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Rooster Tail 1/16 ozHackle-Tail SpinnerRivers, streamsMaker: 1/16 ozMaker: #12 treble$7.99
Evidence: Bill Herzog on Yakima Bait's blog (a retailer), not independent
Joe's Short Striker #10Spinner-Fly ComboClear streams, wild troutNot publishedMaker: trailing treble$3.98
Evidence: Joe's Flies (maker's Short Striker #10 page) (a retailer), not independent
Mack's Promise Keeper 1/8 ozLong-Cast Lake SpinnerLakes, long castsMaker: 1/8 ozNot labelled$6.89
Evidence: John Kruse on Mack's Lure's blog (a retailer), not independent
How These Spinners Were Matched to Rainbow Trout
How this guide was built
built from maker pages and blogs, Amazon listings and owner reports; we have not tested these products ourselves.
What a pick had to meet
- A size its maker, or a writer on its site, names for trout.
- The link opens that exact size, colour and single lure, in stock at the time of writing.
- Blade and hook as the maker or listing gives them.
Sources and independence
Sources and independence
Every product source is the maker or a writer on its site, so none is an independent test; the independent review sites ranking for this keyword blocked our reader. Owner voices come from r/troutfishing threads on spinner brands and spinner size.
Detailed Reviews: 8 Spinners for Rainbow Trout
Mepps Aglia Plain Treble #1, Size #1 Aglia
Verdict
One of the two Aglia sizes Mepps recommends for rainbow trout.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Mepps (maker’s Tactics article): #00, #0 and #1 Aglias, trout size advice.
Mepps says “#00, #0 & #1 Mepps Aglias are perfect for small stream brook trout, rainbow trout or brown trout,” and its rainbow section recommends “a #I or #2 Aglia.” Its Aglia blade revolves “at about a 60° angle from the spinner body.” Sold by Al’s Sporting Goods at the time of writing.
Specs: Mepps Aglia Plain Treble, #1 (1/8 oz), Brook Trout finish (B1 BRK)
Pros
- Mepps’s own rainbow advice names the #1 Aglia
Cons
- Treble hook, so check local hook rules
- Weight: 1/8 oz (listing)
- Hook: treble (listing); size not published
- Price tier: $ (live price in the table above)
Mepps Aglia Plain Treble #2, Size #2 Aglia
Verdict
One size up, for the larger trout Mepps mentions.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Mepps (maker’s Tactics article): #2 and #3 Aglias for larger trout.
Mepps adds that “larger trout may prefer a #2 or #3 Aglia.” Trade-off against pick 1: more lure for bigger fish. Sold by Tackle World, priced above the plain #0 and dressed #1 Aglia prices on Mepps’s own store, at the time of writing.
Specs: Mepps Aglia Plain Treble, #2, Silver/Red/White (B2 S/RW)
Pros
- Mepps names #2 for rainbows and larger trout
Cons
- Third-party seller priced above Mepps’s store Aglias at the time of writing
- Weight: not published on the listing
- Hook: treble (listing); size not published
- Price tier: $$ (live price in the table above)
Mepps Aglia Ultra Lite #00, Ultralight Aglia
Verdict
The 1/18 oz size Mepps calls “tiny”, first in its list of small-stream trout sizes.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Mepps (maker’s Tactics article): #00 Ultra Lite, #0 and #1 Aglias.
Mepps lists Aglias “from the tiny #00 1/18th oz. Ultra Lite Aglia to the hefty ½ oz. #5 Aglia.” Pair it with light line; our ultralight spinning reel guide covers the reel. Trade-off against pick 1: lighter for shallow water, less casting weight. Sold by Al’s Sporting Goods, limited stock, at the time of writing.
Specs: Mepps Aglia Ultra Lite, #00 (1/18 oz), Copper (B00 C)
Pros
- Mepps includes #00 among its small-stream trout sizes
Cons
- Little casting weight at 1/18 oz
- Weight: 1/18 oz (Mepps)
- Hook: treble (listing); size not published
- Price tier: $ (live price in the table above)
Panther Martin Classic Regular Size 4, 1/8 oz Classic
Anglers who want one 1/8 oz spinner for rivers, ponds and lakes.
$5.89 from AmazonAs of Nov 4, 09:37 UTCVerdict
Panther Martin’s listing calls 1/8 oz “a do-everything weight for trout, panfish and small bass in rivers, ponds and lakes.”
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/troutfishing thread on inline spinner brands: Panther Martin spinners, size not stated.
Panther Martin’s own listing describes a “concave/convex blade” that “rides directly on the shaft” and “continues to spin at slow retrieve speeds”, on a treble hook. On r/troutfishing, a poster fishing fast water wrote, “panther martins spin consistent, rooster tails don’t”; another has “never caught a single fish on them”. Neither names a size. Sold by Panther Martin at the time of writing.
Related guide: Best Trout Fishing Reels of 2026: Spinning and Fly Reels by Size
Specs: Panther Martin Classic Regular, size 4 (1/8 oz), Silver/White/Red (PMR_4_SWR)
Pros
- Shaft-riding blade the maker says spins at slow retrieves
Cons
- Maker listing and split owner posts only
- Weight: 1/8 oz (listing)
- Hook: treble (listing); size not published
- Price tier: $ (live price in the table above)
Panther Martin Barbless Single Hook Size 2, Barbless Single Hook
Verdict
The same blade design at 1/16 oz with one barbless hook.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Panther Martin’s own Amazon listing (sold by Panther Martin).
The listing promises “true barbless single hooks” that are “easier on the fish” and says the 1/16 oz “casts on ultralight gear and light line.” Rainbow trout lead its target species. Your water’s current rules decide what is legal. Trade-off against pick 4: half the weight, one point instead of a treble. Sold by Panther Martin, limited stock, at the time of writing.
Specs: Panther Martin Barbless Single Hook, size 2 (1/16 oz), Silver (PMRBL_2_S)
Pros
- Barbless single hook as sold, no hook swap needed
Cons
- Light for long casts
- Weight: 1/16 oz (listing)
- Hook: single, barbless (listing)
- Price tier: $ (live price in the table above)
Worden’s Rooster Tail 1/16 oz, Hackle-Tail Spinner
Verdict
One of three Rooster Tail weights Bill Herzog, on Yakima Bait’s blog, uses most for trout.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Bill Herzog on Yakima Bait’s blog: 1/16, 1/8 and 1/6 oz Rooster Tails.
Herzog writes: “The three sizes that get 95% of use in my vest are the 1/6th, 1/8th and 1/16th ounce models.” Herzog says “Ninety percent of the time think brass blade”; the listing does not name this colour’s blade. A poster on r/troutfishing wrote, “In my rooster tail days, the 1/16th oz on 4 pound test line was my favorite.” Sold by Reveal Outdoors, shipped by Amazon, at about twice Yakima Bait’s list price at the time of writing.
Specs: Worden’s Rooster Tail, 1/16 oz, Rainbow (RBOW)
Pros
- Hackle tail in a weight a Yakima Bait writer names for river trout
Cons
- Third-party seller at about twice list price at the time of writing
- Weight and length: 1/16 oz, 2 in with hook (Yakima Bait)
- Hook: #12 treble (Yakima Bait)
- Price tier: $$ (live price in the table above)
Joe’s Flies Short Striker #10, Spinner-Fly Combo
Verdict
A blade over a tied fly that Joe’s Flies calls “ideal for native brook trout, wild rainbows.”
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. Joe’s Flies (maker’s Short Striker #10 page): Short Striker Classic, size #10.
Joe’s says the #10 is “perfect for ultra‑light presentations in clear mountain streams,” with a “mirror‑polished Gold or Nickel blade” and a trailing treble. The linked pattern is the 215 Trout Special, gold per the title. The listing’s piece-count field says 10, but its unit count (1), pack count (1), title and price match Joe’s single lure. Sold by Joe’s Flies at the time of writing.
Specs: Joe’s Flies Short Striker, #10, Trout Special (215-10)
Pros
- Fly-and-blade lure the maker ties to wild rainbows
Cons
- No weight published, and the listing’s piece-count field (10) conflicts with its unit count (1)
- Weight: not published
- Hook: trailing treble (Joe’s Flies); size not published
- Price tier: $ (live price in the table above)
Mack’s Lure Promise Keeper 1/8 oz, Long-Cast Lake Spinner
Verdict
A weighted 1/8 oz spinner a Mack’s Lure writer uses for long casts to lake rainbows.
Evidence: Retailer review (sells it), not independent. John Kruse on Mack’s Lure’s blog: 1/8 oz Promise Keeper, colour not stated.
John Kruse, on Mack’s Lure’s blog, writes, “The 1/8-ounce spinner is shaped in a way that I can cast it much farther than any comparable spinner,” and names “chunky 14-inch Dry Falls Lake rainbow trout”. Mack’s calls it a “Wedding Ring and Smile Blade combo” and lists “1/8 oz. / 1.1 / #8” without labels. Trade-off against pick 4: same weight, built for distance in Kruse’s account. Sold by Hour Loop, shipped by Amazon, at about list price at the time of writing.
Specs: Mack’s Lure Promise Keeper, 1/8 oz, Pink (10200)
Pros
- Weighted spinner a Mack’s writer uses for long lake casts
Cons
- Distance claim comes from the maker’s own blog
- Weight: 1/8 oz (Mack’s Lure)
- Size line: “1/8 oz. / 1.1 / #8” (Mack’s Lure, not labelled)
- Price tier: $$ (live price in the table above)
Choosing a Spinner for Rainbow Trout
Rivers, lakes and spoons
In rivers, Mepps says to cast across; Herzog stands “directly across and slightly downriver”. In lakes, Kruse found many spinners too light for distance and turned to spoons, then the Promise Keeper. Spoons are a separate lure family (types of fishing lures); this guide covers spinners.
Blade colour and hooks
Herzog favours brass blades in clear water and silver in coloured or cold water; Mepps says to contrast with the bottom. For single-hook rules, see pick 5, or swap trebles for a siwash as Herzog does. Check your agency’s current regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rainbow Trout Spinners
Q. What size spinners are best for trout?
Mepps names #00 to #1 for small streams and #1 or #2 for rainbows; Panther Martin’s listing calls 1/8 oz an all-round trout weight.
Q. Are size 3 spinners too big for trout?
Not for big fish, per Mepps: “Larger trout may prefer a #2 or #3 Aglia.”
Q. Is a 1/4 spinner too big for trout?
A poster on r/troutfishing says 1/4 oz “will work on larger fish but you will weed out the smaller ones.”
Q. What is the best setup for rainbow trout?
Herzog uses a 7 ft 6 in light, fast rod for 4 to 8 lb line and a 1000 size reel. See our light spinning rod explainer.
The bottom line
Final Verdict
Start with the Mepps Aglia #1 (check price), the Mepps Aglia #2 (check price) for bigger fish or the Mepps Aglia Ultra Lite #00 (check price) for ultralight; then the Panther Martin Classic Regular size 4 (1/8 oz) (check price), the Panther Martin Barbless Single Hook size 2 (check price) for barbless water, the Worden’s Rooster Tail 1/16 oz (check price) for rivers, the Joe’s Flies Short Striker #10 (check price) for clear streams and the Mack’s Lure Promise Keeper 1/8 oz (check price) for lakes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
