Blade quality

[Bdnoble84]

So i started making spinnerbaits last year and its surprising how fast component price adds up, particularly blades. I order through barlows and they have a bunch of different options. Ive only bought economy finish so far. Honestly, how much of a difference do say the hildebrants or even the premium quality make. Not in fisherman appeal but putting fish in the boat. I understand using ball bearing swivels and good sharp hooks im just not sure if the extra cost, which adds up fast, is really worth it on blades. 

[DitchPanda]

I've heard a lot about good blades particularly hildebrandts having the perfect cupping to make them more responsive and easier on the start up...although I feel that have as much or more to do with the swivel.

The biggest positive I see with premium blades is how they hold shine and resist tarnish and rust...meaning yeah they are spendy up front but you can use them for years and years over and over on bait after bait. So maybe a set of hildebrandts will set you back several bucks instead of cents but what if you can catch 500 bass on them?

[Bdnoble84]

That was the only plus i could really think of, ive bought cheap bladed spinnerbaits that rust/tarnish. If i was selling, i would probably want premium components to bring a premium price but just for myself, i really cant justify it. Im building a price list now to actually determine cost per bait w/ different components. If i finish it, ill share it. Should be interesting

[Munkin]

I hate brass or steel blades and will only use them if someone wants them.  Premium blades are worth it to me.  Gold and black nickel are the most expensive.  

 

Allen 

[Bdnoble84]

2 hours ago, Munkin said:

I hate brass or steel blades and will only use them if someone wants them.  Premium blades are worth it to me.  Gold and black nickel are the most expensive.  

 

Allen 

What makes them so superior?

[smalljaw67]

1 hour ago, Bdnoble84 said:

What makes them so superior?

 

Polished brass works fine but gold is different. Gold blades have a much brighter flash and it isn't even close. Gold also doesn't need much sun to create that flash which is why they seem to produce better on overcast days. Black nickel is one of my favorite blade finishes especially on smaller 1/4oz spinnerbaits I use in clear water. I make a bait that is a smoke and pearl combination with a single black nickel willow blade that is really good in clear water. Black nickel is different than black because it produces incredible flash but it is different than a nickel or even a sterling silver blade, more subtle which is why it works in clear water.

[Bdnoble84]

5 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

 

Polished brass works fine but gold is different. Gold blades have a much brighter flash and it isn't even close. Gold also doesn't need much sun to create that flash which is why they seem to produce better on overcast days. Black nickel is one of my favorite blade finishes especially on smaller 1/4oz spinnerbaits I use in clear water. I make a bait that is a smoke and pearl combination with a single black nickel willow blade that is really good in clear water. Black nickel is different than black because it produces incredible flash but it is different than a nickel or even a sterling silver blade, more subtle which is why it works in clear water.

Ok, that makes sense. Especially the part about gold blades on dark days. That makes all the sense in the world to me considering everone says gold blades dark days. So yeah that would make it worth it. 

[smalljaw67]

21 hours ago, Bdnoble84 said:

Ok, that makes sense. Especially the part about gold blades on dark days. That makes all the sense in the world to me considering everone says gold blades dark days. So yeah that would make it worth it. 

 

The best thing to do is to get a small pack of blades in the two sizes you need. Then make a few baits and compare them to see the difference. It doesn't always translate to catching more fish but at times it makes a difference. For me, I don't use real gold plated, or sterling silver plated blades but I do like polished brass and polished nickel. The polished brass blades don't have the same amount of flash that gold has but they still produce a lot more than ordinary brass blades. One last premium blade finish you might want to try is one I call the "equalizer". Copper plated blades will often catch fish right behind someone fishing a spinnerbait too, they aren't used a lot and they work really well.

[Deleted account]

Cheap blades catch fish as well if not better than "premium" blades.

[king fisher]

Brass and silver tarnish.  Gold and nickel don't.   Blades made of gold  will outlast several spinnerbaits.  Larger investment up front, but unless you loose them they will last longer than any component on a spinnerbait.  I have gold blades that I have replace over a dozen times on inline spinner bodies that have caught hundreds of fish over a period of 20 years and I'm sure   will outlast many more spinner frames in the future.

      If you don't mind taking the time to polish brass or silver blades, they will shine and catch fish as well as any.  Lots of different brands of polish on the market that work well.  Steel or brass blades work equally well for painted blades that are painted on both sides of the blade.  If you only want one side painted, than gold or nickel would be best.  If you loose spinnerbaits often, cheap blades are best, you will probably loose them before they tarnish.

[Bdnoble84]

Ive been playing around alittle bit to compare bait cost using different blade combos. I pulled all the prices off barlows and the qty was generally the smallest available (highest cost). This is what I came up with.

[Captain Phil]

Any spinnerbait can catch a fish.  If you want to catch more fish, use premium components.  Hildebrandt blades are by far the best.  Use ball bearing swivels and thin wire.  You want your bait to flash at the slightest movement and put out the right vibrations. Slow down.  Stop whining and use a trailer hook.  I fished tournaments most of my life.  The cost of a spinnerbait never crossed my mind.  

[Munkin]

15 hours ago, Bdnoble84 said:

Ive been playing around alittle bit to compare bait cost using different blade combos. I pulled all the prices off barlows and the qty was generally the smallest available (highest cost). This is what I came up with.

 

 

Before you order anything check with me first. I have been buying stuff in bulk and can sell you some stuff at my cost which is definitely cheaper than Barlow's etc.

 

Allen

[BlakeMolone]

On 2/21/2021 at 3:04 AM, smalljaw67 said:

 

Polished brass works fine but gold is different. Gold blades have a much brighter flash and it isn't even close. Gold also doesn't need much sun to create that flash which is why they seem to produce better on overcast days. Black nickel is one of my favorite blade finishes especially on smaller 1/4oz spinnerbaits I use in clear water. I make a bait that is a smoke and pearl combination with a single black nickel willow blade that is really good in clear water. Black nickel is different than black because it produces incredible flash but it is different than a nickel or even a sterling silver blade, more subtle which is why it works in clear water.

Sounds like an awesome bait, Would love to see it if you have a picture.

[Columbia Craw]

If you fish a River system, the thicker high quality blades prove their worth.

[Bdnoble84]

15 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

If you fish a River system, the thicker high quality blades prove their worth.

Because they handle current better?

[Columbia Craw]

Yes.  In heavy flows, such as the Columbia, where water is still very clear, I’m bringing the bait back quickly with the current or more often, quartering the current. The thicker tandem willows rotate better than cheap thin gauge blades.  That’s my observation.

[smalljaw67]

13 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

Yes.  In heavy flows, such as the Columbia, where water is still very clear, I’m bringing the bait back quickly with the current or more often, quartering the current. The thicker tandem willows rotate better than cheap thin gauge blades.  That’s my observation.

 

Not all blades are thin because they are cheap. There are thin blades being made with brass with a shallow cup for slow rolling. The shallow cup spins at slower speeds and the thin blade produces less lift. If you need a thick gauge blade in order to spin better it is because the swivel is cheap, not always the blade.  There are 4 main spinner blade manufacturers and they are all quality, Worth, Lakeland, Hagen's, and Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt specializes in sterling silver and 24 carat gold plated blades that are highly polished and the most expensive blades but aren't thick gauge brass. Oddly some of the thickest blades are the cheapest as they are steel blades which are better for painting. They are thicker because they are lighter than brass which is why they are used for painting as well as the added weight doesn't hurt.  

[scaleface]

I had so many ideas , bought so many different blades ,  and most I dont even use , just a waste of money. Now I know what blades I like and I get my blades from two sources . Budget blades from places like Barlows and the blades off of worn out spinnerbaits . I'll purcase a Terminator or other quality spinnerbait   bait just to reuse the blades  . When I think the bait has had enough and wont last much longer I'll put the components on one of mine . When pouring your own , one doesnt have to fish a bait until the wire breaks , just switch the components to a new bait after about thirty fish .

[MIbassyaker]

On 2/26/2021 at 8:16 PM, BassWhole! said:

Cheap blades catch fish as well if not better than "premium" blades.

 

All right, I want to hear more about this. 

 

The absence of difference is something I understand.  But actual superiority of cheap blades over premium at catching fish is not.....come on, spill it.

[Deleted account]

33 minutes ago, MIbassyaker said:

 

All right, I want to hear more about this. 

 

The absence of difference is something I understand.  But actual superiority of cheap blades over premium at catching fish is not.....come on, spill it.

Cheaper blades are usually thinner, thinner blades will start up faster, and will not unbalance at speed as much. They also tarnish easier, not necessarily a bad thing. A lightly buffed out tarnished copper blade is money at times. Not right now though, I can't catch a cold with a SB right now, very unusual for here this time a year.