My river has been perpetually stained most of the summer. First from incessant blowouts now from the explosion of algae with record low levels and blazing heat.  
 

Yesterday I got tired of the 13-15” fish I was catching so I said may as well try something different. I had heard people having success with the Chatterbait so I figured with the clear sky and bright mid day sun the gold willows of my War Eagle finesse would shine and the thump and vibration would draw out some feeding fish.

 

Holy moly what a blast! Size didn’t improve much but instantly more enjoyable to catch fish on than the old paddle tail or Ned. Reminiscent of my experiences fishing northern waters for pike and muskie, seeing a smallmouth follow it in and hammer it at the boat was pretty exciting.  Something about the flash and vibration prompts a much more aggressive strike.  I even had the biggest channel I’ve ever caught follow it in, scared the crap out of me. It took forever even on my medium heavy mojo casting rod and I was losing daylight, but I didn’t want to let him have that magic lure.  Easily the most fun way to catch fish after topwater!

 

What are your go to brands, sizes, colors, tips and tactics? 

Spinnerbait smallies are epic. Been throwing them for smallmouth for years. 

I use them in lakes for smallmouth.  In swift moving rivers, no.  I tried once and I had trouble getting it work properly with the constant current.

Not in the river, but occasionally on the lake.  I just think other options

are better. Specifically, in lieu of spinnerbaits I prefer the Rage Menace

or Rage Swimmer.

Ask @A-Jay haha 

 

 

But yeah, Spinnerbaits for bronze bass are very effective. I typically slow roll them over deep rock piles, or up points and drop offs. 

12 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Spinnerbait smallies are epic. Been throwing them for smallmouth for years. 

What would you say the ideal size and blade type would be for a river? I was throwing that 5/16 finesse, can’t help but wonder if upsizing to a 1/2 oz with a ribbed paddle tail trailer wouldn’t incense strikes from bigger fish.

Go to on St Clair is a Nichols white spinnerbait, 1/2 oz, double willow blades.  White grub trailer.  Problem is…..it’ll catch every other fish in the lake as well.  ?

32 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Anyone here throw spinnerbaits for smallies?

 

Yes, but I usually prefer other things. 

Yeah. Only go to finesse if I have to.

I am newbie to smallmouth but smallmouth seem to likey flashy object sometimes although sometimes they don’t want said flashy object and prefer other things. Kinda reminds me of largemouth 

My favorite pre spawn lure.  Hope for chop on the surface and vary the speed from burn to slow roll. I run 1/2 and 3/4 double willow with various lighter translucent skirts.  

1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said:

What would you say the ideal size and blade type would be for a river? I was throwing that 5/16 finesse, can’t help but wonder if upsizing to a 1/2 oz with a ribbed paddle tail trailer wouldn’t incense strikes from bigger fish.

Yes. 
 

Seriously, it's really more about getting the running depth where they are. I only really throw white and chartreuse from 3/8 up to an ounce. Whatever blade/weight gets it in front of them is what to throw. 

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

Yes. 
 

Seriously, it's really more about getting the running depth where they are. I only really throw white and chartreuse from 3/8 up to an ounce. Whatever blade/weight gets it in front of them is what to throw. 

Yeah I was thinking about how high in the column I was even when slow rolling the 5/16. I’ll give the 1/2 oz a go tomorrow!

Yes in rivers . Even the Mississippi on rip rap .

5 hours ago, Columbia Craw said:

My favorite pre spawn lure.  Hope for chop on the surface and vary the speed from burn to slow roll. I run 1/2 and 3/4 double willow with various lighter translucent skirts.  

If I’m dealing with heavy algae stain I prob want a Colorado front willow back yeah?

All the time for riversmallies!  That's why I make my own spinnerbaits.  A hidden weight 1/2oz on a smaller frame so it doesn't roll in current. 

 

Allen 

Yup, a slightly downside tandem or double willow is one of the best baits I have found for smallies and everything else here on skiatook lake.

Definitely. Not the first bait I grab when fishing smallies, but the Megabass SV-3 in Ayu color is awesome. Fish just like that. No added trailer. 

 

20 hours ago, NorthernBasser said:

Definitely. Not the first bait I grab when fishing smallies, but the Megabass SV-3 in Ayu color is awesome. Fish just like that. No added trailer. 

 

I’m afraid to ask what that costs ?

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_SV-3_Double_Willow_Spinnerbaits/descpage-MBSV3.html

On 9/3/2022 at 12:10 PM, roadwarrior said:

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Megabass_SV-3_Double_Willow_Spinnerbaits/descpage-MBSV3.html

I had to ask @FishTank about this but apparently the wire on the end of this bait is welded shut, meaning you have an inability to change the front blade unless you snip the wire short, and it is short already. Certainly a great looking bait but why put yourself in handcuffs being unable to change something about such a customizable bait? 

I was on a pretty good spinner bite for large mouths and smallies this year on the Saginaw river system and other lakes.  Bite seemed to die early June.  I hoping it comes back.  I’ve got one Sv-3 the rest of mine are war eagles.  
 

the Colorado blade with rattles is throw on dark cloudy days.  The Indiana blade one on sunnier days.  
 

On clear lakes I’d throw the war eagle screaming eagles in natural colors 

Yes I throw them for smallies. Unfortunately the smallies have yet to notice

On 9/1/2022 at 4:14 PM, Ohioguy25 said:

What would you say the ideal size and blade type would be for a river? I was throwing that 5/16 finesse, can’t help but wonder if upsizing to a 1/2 oz with a ribbed paddle tail trailer wouldn’t incense strikes from bigger fish.

 

War Eagle Screaming Eagle is what you want. They are 1/2oz with a downsized frame and smaller blades. 

 

Allen

On 9/3/2022 at 3:28 PM, LrgmouthShad said:

I had to ask @FishTank about this but apparently the wire on the end of this bait is welded shut, meaning you have an inability to change the front blade unless you snip the wire short, and it is short already. Certainly a great looking bait but why put yourself in handcuffs being unable to change something about such a customizable bait? 

Who changes the from blade of a spinnerbait on the water? 

 

Allen