I use a lot of blade baits in the fall and winter. Usually in a 1/2 oz. size and have used a few different brands. Does anybody have a preference as to  brand or method used to fish them? How about colors?

Right here ~ 

A-Jay

 

Been throwing them heavily for about 2 decades. Current favorite is the Damiki Vault, but they all work. Color choice is similar - they all work. Stick with good old silver and gold, or go fancy. Like all baits, retrieves vary based on activity level of the fish. 

 

   I use 6 "colors", or actually contrasts; dark, medium dark, medium, medium light, light and redhead. I hop them over mud or sand bars in the rivers, but retrieve them steady in lakes. My favorites are Johnson Thinfisher and these:  http://www.elkenlures.com/zonar.htm

 

jj

I don't have a preference for any one brand. In fact, mainly because I loose so many, I go with inexpensive, hand poured ones. 

In the fall and into early winter, I prefer a yo-yo style retrieve not unlike the stroking retrieve I use in the summer, but a slower lift that gets slower and shorter as the water gets colder.

Anyone ever use the Molix Trago Vibe and if so what is you opinion of them?

I seem to own mostly Cabela's Mean Eyes.  Low cost is important to me for a blade bait, as they seem to get hung up often, and I don't want to sweat losing one.  

 

Colors are black, chartreuse, white, or silver, depending on water clarity and sun.  I think my favorite way to fish them is to rip them off the bottom and let them fall on a semi-slack line.  Kind of a mix between a spoon and a lipless crankbait.  But there's hardly a wrong way to fish them.