Most of the past threads focus on cold water blade bait fishing.That seems to be what most people use them for. What about the summer. I've done pretty well throwing them on windy warm days with a fast steady retrieve.  Sometimes they have outfished rattling baits fished this way. Has anyone else had success with blade baits in warm weather?

I always have a rod rigged with a blade bait. However, I've found that an on/off bottom jigging retrieve to be more effective (on smallmouth) year round. Also works on lake trout, rainbow trout, largemouths and even crappie.

 

In order to maximize your fishing time (and reduce cost), I find it best to replace the treble hooks with single hooks. Keeps snags to a minimum.

I love blade baits, but don't use them much, if at all, from May through August.  Part of the reason, of course, is that in my head, they are cold water lures.  But, there's other reasons: first, I tend to fish them on the bottom - and once grass, moss, weeds start growing, there aren't a lot of places to bounce them very cleanly; second, and maybe most importantly, is that blade baits are probably the most expensive lure I've ever used...the rate of lost lure to fish is astronomical in the woody waters I fish most often.  So, when other lures seem to make more sense for other reasons, like what the 'experts' say, well....the blade baits will probably stay in the box until the leaves start to turn.   @Crestliner2008's suggestion about single hooks might make them more tempting to use.

Not only do I replace the trebles with single hooks (VMC makes an outstanding one), but for the last two seasons, I have only had one hook on these baits. Here's a picture of the mod:

 

Well, I tried to attach a photo, but it says it can only be 1.46 mb! Tried to downsize the picture in PhotoShop, but it still won't take it. So....you'll just have to take my word for it.

@Crestliner2008 on the quabbin it's a must