What's the "proper" way to fish these. I know there's really no wrong way to fish as long as it catches fish and I'm NOT asking how to retrieve these lures.

 

What I'm asking is in regards to trailers and trailer hooks. Do you guys put just a trailer on them, just a trailer hook, both, neither? 

 

 

A-Jay

Thanks

I never, ever throw a buzzbait without a trailer hook. Sometimes I throw a spinnerbait plain, with a trailer, or with a trailer hook just depending on how the fish are biting...

4 hours ago, MDbassin said:

What's the "proper" way to fish these. I know there's really no wrong way to fish as long as it catches fish and I'm NOT asking how to retrieve these lures.

 

What I'm asking is in regards to trailers and trailer hooks. Do you guys put just a trailer on them, just a trailer hook, both, neither? 

 

 

In 35+ years I have never used a trailer hook in my spinnerbaits.

I may have used a soft plastic trailer in perhaps 10 ocassions in those 35+ years.

I never even heard of a trailer hook for these baits till a few years ago. I tried it for a few outings wasn't for me I'll never use them again that I can see.  Trailers I'm like Raul there too. I might have used a plastic trailer a handful of times over the years but never saw a reason to go back to it.   

 

As A-Jay shared this topic has been discussed numerous times and I am sure there are tons of opinions and info in some of those threads.

6 hours ago, MDbassin said:

Do you guys put just a trailer on them, just a trailer hook, both, neither? 

 

Yes, no, & maybe so to all 3 on spinnerbaits

 

No on buzzbaits

My hookup ratio is good without a trailer hook when using spinnerbaits/buzzbaits.

50 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Yes, no, & maybe so to all 3 on spinnerbaits

 

No on buzzbaits

I should have specified I for some reason thought the OPs question was concerning buzzbaits only.

I concur with Catt except no trailer hooks for me even on a spinnerbait period.  

Can't say that I have ever used a trailer hook on a Spinnerbait but I have experienced several short strikes while fishing a buzz bait 

Are you fishing tournaments? If so? I would add trailer hooks to both during a T. 

if not? no trailer hooks, unless I find they are striking it short.

As for trailers? always, either a manns split tail trailer, or a 3" or 4" grub

I usually fish a buzzbait just like it is out of the package and I don't fish a spinnerbait

I use trailer hooks on buzzbaits about 50 percent of the time . Rarely on spinnerbaits . I use soft plastic trailers only when I need to change the characteristics of the bait . Half a stick worm will add casting weight . 

i usually dont add trailers to spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. when i do its something small like the z-man split tail or a skinny swing impact after some mods with the scissors. its easier to keep the spinnerbait at certain depths without a trailer.

www.tacklewarehouse.com/Z_Man_Elaztech_Split_Tail_Trailerz_10pk/descpage-ZMANEST.html?from=BASRES

 

www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Swing_Impact/descpage-KSI.html?from=BASRES

 

chatterbaits almost always get a paddletail trailer.

www.tacklewarehouse.com/Keitech_Swing_Impact_FAT/descpage-KSIF.html

 

www.tacklewarehouse.com/Strike_King_KVD_Perfect_Plastic_Blade_Minnow/descpage-SKPBM.html?from=BASRES

I almost always use a trailer on a spinnerbait. I use one on a buzzbait maybe 50% of the time. 

 

I never use a trailer hook on a spinnerbait and next to never on a buzzbait (I will occasionally throw one on there if I'm getting short strikes, but that is rare and only then after I've tried everything else to remedy the problem - change colors, add plastic trailer, slow down, etc).

I will sometimes put a trailer on buzzbaits, if they want it retrieved slower or just want a different look.  When I do use them, I usually use some kind of toad, often a horny toad or Stanley ribbit frog.  I start a day without a trailer hook to minimize tangling and snagging, but if I get short strikes i'll throw one on.