Just a trailer hook and skirts trimmed just so.  

Usually just a trailer hook, but there was one instance smallmouth fishing that I had to have a grub on the bait to get them to bite.

 

I was feeling it getting bumped, and the trailer hook still wasn't getting them except a few outside of the mouth. Started changing colors and more natural colors weren't getting hit at all, chartruese was getting some followers but no slaps, white same thing. So I went back to the white/clear back and was getting the same thing again, slapping at it and one hooked in the tail. Added a grub to give it some solidity, and they started inhaling it.

 

Seems like they could sense that there wasn't really anything there.

 

Any other time, color is all that made the difference for me. That one time though, they wouldn't eat it without something to give it a little more body.

I always use a trailer because it bulks up the size of the bait. I prefer a mister twister 4" split double tail grub. The grubs tail is precut into sections that look lifelike and alive when it swims. It's my favorite trailer besides a chunk. Plus the mister twister grub is very productive.

 

Don't forget the trailer hook and a shot of YUM Shad scent too.

 

I'm fishing from shore and find the trick is to take a smaller 1/8oz to 1/4oz spinnerbaits and put the larger skirt on it. On the 1/8oz. Spinnerbaits I trim the mister twister 4" split double tail grubs body to fit the hook on the smaller spinnerbaits.

I can probably count the number of fish I've caught on a spinner bait on one hand. Sadly.

 

But I'm working them in to my repertoire this year, and I caught my first bass on one in a looooong time just this past weekend. No trailer.

 

This is a helpful thread as I was pondering this very topic this week.

 

I can count the fish I´ve caught with a buzzbait  ( in 3 decades )  with a hand and still have a few fingers spare to continue counting but I´m stubborn ..... NOW IT´S PERSONAL !!!!

 

So, keep on trying my man.

I've tried many different trailers over the years but it never really seemed to make a difference. Everything from split tails to grubs, creatures to swimbaits.

 

Dave

I use a trailer hook only where there aren't many weeds or grass around.

Always. The bait feels naked without one. Mainly use a single tail grub with the tail pointed down. 

I can probably count the number of fish I've caught on a spinner bait on one hand. Sadly.

 

But I'm working them in to my repertoire this year, and I caught my first bass on one in a looooong time just this past weekend. No trailer.

 

This is a helpful thread as I was pondering this very topic this week.

Try using a Mann's classic 1/4oz gold Colorado w/ blue glimmer skirt with a mister twister 4" split double tail grub as a trailer with a trailer hook and a shot of YUM shad scent. For clear to slightly stained water. I use the same thing in a chartreuse setup with the MT chartreuse trailer in stained to muddy water.

The MT grub trailer has to be installed perfectly on the centerline of the spinnerbaits so it runs exactly vertical. Any spinnerbaits has to run flawless in the water.

Generally no trailer or trailer hook because the bodies of water I fish are weedy. When I fish more open water or early spring/late fall water. Then a Power Minnow laced on a trailer hook is a nice addition for me.

never had any luck with trailers

No trailer, or trailer hook for me.