I'm fishing a smallish lake with the deepest depth of primarily 10-12 feet. What's the best blade configuration for slow-rolling a spinnerbait along the bottom, to still get some vibration without getting too much lift? Thanks for your help.

For me it was a 3/8 oz with double Indiana's ran about 8’ on a “normal” retrieve speed.

Tom 

The “lift” caused by the blades isn’t as much of a factor the heavier you go with the spinnerbait. I typically use 3/4oz in that depth range so I can use whichever blades I like and still be able to slow roll it along bottom. 

Stanley's Wedge Plus, 1/4-3/8 oz, & a slow gear ratio.

Ive been trying different brands/sizes of spinnerbaits recently and i just dont know what they are doing in the water, i cant feel them vibrate so i dont know what speed the blades are going or where it is in the water column. So i just dont fish them much, which is a bummer since so many people catch big ones on them.

But recently discovered that Strike King makes a night time one with a big colorado blade and this works for me, and works good. You can feel that blade turn every second you reel it in, im able to slow roll it right on the bottom and know exactly where its at and what its doing, and when it stops vibrating (stuck on grass) i just pop it up like a bladed jig and back to business.

Some basic rules of thumb (not absolutes) have always applied for slow rolling:

 

* single blades have less drag/lift than double blades

* smaller blades have less drag/lift than larger blades

* willow blades have less drag/lift than Indiana blades; Indiana blades have less drag/lift than Colorado blades

* heavier heads hold bottom better than lighter head weights

* thinner/smaller trailers, or even no trailer, have less drag/lift than larger bulkier trailers. The same thought applies to sp’bait skirts

* slower retrieve speeds or gear ratios are better/easier to slow roll with than faster reels.

 

Just about any spinnerbait combo can be slow rolled by simply adjusting the above mentioned variables, but historically, a heavier bait with a small Colorado lead blade and a willow leaf back blade has been the “standard” bait for overall slow rolling, especially in lakes with submerged vegetation, while a single Colorado style sp’bait has been the “standard” night bait slow rolled or lift/dropped.

25 minutes ago, Jar11591 said:

... I typically use 3/4oz in that depth range so I can use whichever blades I like and still be able to slow roll it along bottom. 

Thanks, that's helpful. I've been throwing a 3/4 oz, but I'm struggling to feel any blade movement when I reeling slow enough to keep it deep. Maybe I need to pay more attention. ?

20 minutes ago, MediumMouthBass said:

... recently discovered that Strike King makes a night time one with a big colorado blade and this works for me, and works good. This thing is the jackhammer of spinnerbaits, you can feel that blade turn every second you reel it in, im able to slow roll it right on the bottom and know exactly where its at and what its doing, and when it stops vibrating (stuck on grass) i just pop it up like a bladed jig and back to business.

Thanks, I appreciate it. My biggest complaint has been not able to feel the blade turning. I need to try one of these. ?

5 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

Some basic rules of thumb (not absolutes) have always applied for slow rolling...

Good stuff, just printed a copy. Thanks for posting.

In that case, take your current one and throw on a single colorado blade.  You should feel it thump until you get the feel of slow rolling.

There is very little water resistance to “spin” the rear blade on a good swivel. The water resistance comes from rotating the front blade on a clevis around the spinner bait wire.

Lift comes from blade shape and cup; willow low, Indiana medium and Colorado high.

3/4 oz in 8’ of water requires a faster retrieve speed with smaller size blades with low lift, slower speed with larger blades.

To “feel” blades give the rod a lift to speed up the speed blades to increase resistance. 

Bass react to whatever appeals to them,not necessarily your cadence.

Singe blade works best on the fall, tends to roll sideways on a retrieve.

Listen to Catt!

Tom

I concentrate more on heavier spinnerbaits when trying to fish deeper waters.  I typically choose the blade shape, size, color, and number based on the other conditions, like water clarity and how fast I'm trying to retrieve it. 

This time of year in that depth range, select a 1/2oz compact frame spinnerbait with a 3.5 colorado in front and 4.5 willow in the back. 

Do you guys throw the Spinnerbait this time of year even if there is minimal wind? Not sure if the wind stuff applies when slow rolling the bottom or not? 

@FishTax I’ll throw a spinnerbait any time of year, any time of day, dead

calm to white caps, sunny to pouring rain. Never a wrong time to throw one.

19 hours ago, PawleysDude said:

I'm fishing a smallish lake with the deepest depth of primarily 10-12 feet

 

Meaning the depth is less than 10-12', a 1/2-3/4 oz spinnerbait ain't required to maintain bottom contact.

 

SLOW down! 

 

I'm slow rolling with a 5.0:1 gear ratio reel

Keep your rod tip low, I'll go as far as dropping it below the surface.

Don't point the tip at the lure, keep it a few degrees off.

 

FYI: I prefer double willowleaf

2 minutes ago, Catt said:

SLOW down! 

 

I'm slow rolling with a 5.0:1 gear ratio reel

Keep your rod tip low, I'll go as far as dropping it below the surface.

Don't point the tip at the lure, keep it a few degrees off.

 

THIS ^^^^^

Thanks for all the helpful responses. Sounds like there are many “right” answers to my question. I think I just need to work at getting it right. I definitely need more practice time. ?