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 Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits are often referred to as "the most versatile" lure because they can be fished in nearly any condition, year 'round. They can be fished in winter, summer, fall, spring, hot water, cold water, muddy water and even clear water; from just under the surface to as deep as you want to fish it. It also is the type of lure that can be fished in, over, through and around many forms of cover.
Spinnerbaits used to be called "safety-pin" lures, because their shape resembles that of an open safety pin. A lead head of varying weight is combined with a wire framework, sharp hook and one or more flashing spinner blades. A soft-rubber, plastic, silicone or "lumaflex" skirt is added to cover the hook. The spinnerbait has a smooth, flowing action that mimics a swimming baitfish. The blades vibrate and flash, attracting the attention of bass. You can use spinnerbaits in most bass-fishing situations, but they are especially suited to fishing shallow cover. The most popular sizes range between 1/4-ounce and 3/4-ounce.
Spinnerbait Designs
| Short-arm: |
The length of the top wire arm is shortened. Can be fished anywhere but is especially suitable to dropping or "helicoptering" off ledges. |
Long-arm: |
The length of the top wire arm is lengthened. Can be fished anywhere but is especially suitable to grass or brushy cover. |
Twinspins: |
Work best on the bottom or as a drop-bait.
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Techniques
Spinnerbaits work best as a "contact lure", one that is bumped against structure. They usually should be fished at a slow to medium retrieve. Use 14 pound test line or better on a baitcasting reel and medium action rod. A heavy, worm-type rod often causes you to overreact when a strike occurs pulling the lure from the mouth of the bass. After the lure enters the water, give it a little "pop" to get the blades moving. Always fish the spinnerbait near the surface (close enough so you can see it). If you have to catch fish with it out of site, there's a better bait to use (such as a worm). Note what you were doing when a bass hits - then try to duplicate it. A fast retrieve, in which the lure remains high and in sight in murky water, often produces well on feeding fish.
The best advice for fishing with spinnerbaits is to experiment with many different styles of retrieve. No single method works all of the time. On any given day, you should switch around with your retrieve until you find something that works. Stick with it until it ceases to work, and then go on to another method.
Experiment with these different retrieves:
Contact
Wake
Buzz
Helicopter
Slow-Roll
Blades
Not sure which blades to use? Use these guidelines:
| Single Blade: |
Single blade designs often produce better in deeper, clearer water, or when fish aren't actively feeding. In cold water, use blades that create the most water resistance because this allows a slower presentation. For low light conditions, and in heavily stained water, use single blades for more vibration. In real muddy water, use a 1/2 ounce bait with a big blade. |
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| Tandem Blade: |
Tandem blade spinnerbaits often work best in murky water or when fishing grass or thick cover. For more flash, use tandem blades (use two different colored blades). In visibility of 2 feet or more, use a 1/4 ounce bait with tandem willowleaf blades. |
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| Colorado: |
Use Colorado blades for bass in early prespawn, for pressured bass, and for sluggish bass in shallow water. They produce the most vibration making them ideal for fishing deep, in murky water, or at night. |
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| Indiana: |
Looking much like a pear, these blades fall between Colorado and willowleaf blades. This shape adds flash and decreases vibration. They can be fished faster than Colorado blades, making them better suited for active bass in stained to clear water. |
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| Willowleaf: |
For vegetation, willow blades are best. Their long, thin profile makes them snag-resistant and weed-resistant. They create a lot of flash, which imitates a baitfish. If everybody is using willowleaf blades, use a different blade to give the fish a different look. |
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| Blade Colors: |
Most fishermen begin with silver blades in clear water and gold or copper blades in murky water. Clear water and shallow fish may require a switch to white blades to reduce flash. Or try plastic blades with a hint of metal flake. Use colored blades for smallmouths, especially chartreuse or white - even in crystal clear water. |
You can use large blades with a small (1/4 ounce) bait and small blades with large (1/2 ounce or larger) baits. For example: In windy conditions when the forage is small baitfish, use a 1/2 ounce bait (to throw against the wind) with small blades (to match the forage). Use large blades on small baits to give it a slow fall.
The blades should run directly above the hook. If they're not, bend the wire until they do.
Tips
- Always cast underhand for the best presentation.
- Spinnerbaits should be among the first baits you use in the spring. They are especially well-suited to cold water. They also work well in warm, murky water.
- A little red somewhere on the spinnerbait usually is an asset.
- Spinnerbaits are excellent night-fishing lures. Use a contrasting dark-colored skirt at night such as black and purple, red and black, etc.
- For daytime fishing, light colors such as white and chartreuse often work best.
- Add a trailer of plastic or pork to a spinnerbait for more appeal, more buoyancy, and greater lift.
- Add a trailer hook to the spinnerbait's hook to catch short-striking fish.
- If the terrain will permit, reverse the trailer hook for an even better strike-catch ratio.
- Get spare spinnerbait skirts and blades and experiment with various colors, sizes and blade shapes without having to buy many different lures.
- Experiment with bright, gaudy colors. Sometimes bass will annihilate them.
- Whenever you detect a pause in the beat of a blade, set the hook.
- Don't scrimp on spinnerbaits. Buy the best you can. Quality spinnerbaits use ball bearing swivels and high quality hooks.
- Try casting onto the shore and gently pulling the lure into the water for a quieter presentation.
- When on the hunt for tackle do not forget your local bait shops. Often times they will stock items more suited for the surrounding waterways. Larger chain stores often have a selection that is not matched for local waters but for ease of restocking multiple stores. Tackle shop owners have a better working knowledge of the area and a desire to stock and sell items that work. They also help to ensure a strong fishing community by sponsoring/organizing tournaments and clubs. Another important point is that most chain stores do not offer live bait. If you go to Wal-Mart every time you need some tackle then the next time you head to your bait shop it may not be there. Do not underestimate how important your business is to these local shop owners. -- Arlen Ledbetter
- When fishing in a small river that is shallow, use a 1/4-ounce. white Rooster Tail near brush piles. Let the bait fall close to the rocks and retrieve slowly. This is a good hint for catching big smallmouth bass. -- Joshua
Advanced Spinnerbait Fishing
Spin City
Spin Meister
Good Vibrations
Bulldozin' Blades
Spinnerbait Basics
Spinnerbaits in Spring
Spinnerbaits! An Overview
Spinners - A bait for all seasons
Selecting The Proper Spinnerbait
Spinnerbaits! - A bait you should try
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