Was thinking of switching out blades on some of my spinnerbaits from Willows to Indianas. How do you determine the best size/length of the Indiana replacement?

As an example, most of my baits (3/8-1/2 oz.) have size 4.5 Willows on the back, the actual length is 2 1/4 inches. I looked at Hildebrant Indianas and their 4.5 was close to a half inch shorter. Do you match the size or the length?

 

Thanks....Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Far from an expert but for me the blade type & size is determined by what I want or need the bait to do or 'be'. 

Each type, size & shape blade can have a different vibration, a different flash, and a different amount of 'lift'.

Even the material the blade is made of or if it's painted or not, will determine what you get, see & feel when you fish it. 

Knowing what each does, when paired with different size & weight spinnerbaits is sort of an 'art' and often comes by quite a bit of trial & error. 

For example - Willow blades usually offer the least lift but spin fast and easy.

Colorado blades offer more lift, more thump or vibration, but spin slower.

Indiana blades can be somewhere in between these two. 

Once one begins to manipulate blade size - bigger / smaller, can and usually does, change some of what's described above.  Going way too big on blades often results in a bait that doesn't run 'true' or straight.  

While drastically reducing blade size may offer very little in the way of vibration or flash - which depending on the situation could be a good or a bad thing. 

Here's some more info ~ 

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/selecting_spinnerbaits.html

A-Jay

A good rule to go by with switching blades is to go with the same size. 4.5 Willow=4.5 Indiana= 4.5 Colorado.  As you change blade style, you’ll notice they get shorter and wider as you go from willow to Colorado. By using a similar size, the bait can run true. Too much resistance and the bait will run on its side. 

Switching blades changes vibration, flash and retrieve speed.  

Size 5 or 6.

 

Allen 

3 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

A good rule to go by with switching blades is to go with the same size. 4.5 Willow=4.5 Indiana= 4.5 Colorado.  As you change blade style, you’ll notice they get shorter and wider as you go from willow to Colorado. By using a similar size, the bait can run true. Too much resistance and the bait will run on its side. 

Switching blades changes vibration, flash and retrieve speed.  

 

1 hour ago, Munkin said:

Size 5 or 6.

 

Allen 

So a size 4.5 Indiana (shorter, but wider) will run like a 4.5 Willow.

22 minutes ago, 5/0 said:

 

So a size 4.5 Indiana (shorter, but wider) will run like a 4.5 Willow.

I have not seen any 4.5 indiana blades.

 

Allen 

8 minutes ago, Munkin said:

I have not seen any 4.5 indiana blades.

 

Allen 

Barlows Tackle sells Hildebrandt blades in gold and nickle that come in 4.5 size

https://barlowstackle.com/spinner-blades-buzz-blades-and-others/indiana-tomahawk-kicker-and-chopper-blades/

13 minutes ago, MN Fisher said:

Barlows Tackle sells Hildebrandt blades in gold and nickle that come in 4.5 size

https://barlowstackle.com/spinner-blades-buzz-blades-and-others/indiana-tomahawk-kicker-and-chopper-blades/

TW too. Seeing these was why I posted my original question.

On 11/6/2019 at 7:56 PM, 5/0 said:

 

So a size 4.5 Indiana (shorter, but wider) will run like a 4.5 Willow.

It will balance the bait like the willow blade balances it, but it can be retrieved slower at the same depth with less flash. The idea behind switching blade styles is to alter the speed, vibration and flash.

love the Indiana blades, definitely worth the buy man!