The same international angler who recommended the Smith Niakis spinners to me also recommended the Smith AR-S spinners. The basic design is similar to the familiar Panther Martin, but the Smith AR-S SH model comes with a built-in swivel and a single hook. As he told me with the Niakis, "these Smith spinners are the real deal, fished them lots on mono, no line twist."
Smith makes several models of the AR-S spinner. The ones I carried on Finesse-Fishing.com are intended for fishing in Areas (private pay-to-fish lakes), and come with a single, barbless size 8 hook (with split ring attachment). The two gram size is perfect for spinning gear and is heavy enough to cast with BFS gear.
When using these spinners, be ready for an immediate strike. Smith writes that they are effective on the fall. A start-stop, darting retrieve is also possible with this spinner design.
The first time I tried them I was fishing a Tenryu Rayz Alter RZA612S-LT, which is also designed specifically for Areas. However, I was fishing in a wild trout stream. As it turns out, the Alter does very nicely fishing a small stream if you fish micro spoons or small spinners. The Smith AR-S was very effective, and it produced a many, many day.
If you like fishing spinners you will like the AR-S. For that matter, if you have avoided spinners because of what I had written for years about line twist, you might want to give these a try. They truly are the real deal.
I love these spinners. Almost enough to give up my micro spoons. Almost.
Smith AR-S spinners are made in Japan.
Shipping to US address - $5 via USPS Ground Advantage
Finesse-Fishing Home > Single Hook Lures > Smith AR-S Spinners
Header photo: Tenryu Rayz RZ4102B-UL, Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFSHG ('17)
The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.