I know they work well when there is chop on the water/windy day. But in what conditions would you say they're not as productive?

I havent had much luck fishing spinnerbaits right after a cold front.  High blue bird skies just don't work.  Also, I find it hard to catch fish on a spinnerbait when the water is calm during the midday.  Dawn to about 9 am is awesome time to wake a spinnerbait when the water is calm and same thing goes for later in the day usually 6pm to dusk is killer!

I can't think of one. They are so versatile I should really fish them more. I usually start off the morning with a crank or spinnerbait and go from there.

Can't think of any. Hmmmmm... I guess brilliant skies and flat calm...no, no, I take that back. Hmmmmm....lessee...mmmmm....Ya got me there!

Ah! Sharp temp drop in winter; when even remotely horizontal presentations fail. Gimme a bladebait. Probably could rig up a SB design that would work though.

I can't think of one. They are so versatile I should really fish them more. I usually start off the morning with a crank or spinnerbait and go from there.

I agree with this statement, but with one exception. Where I live the water gets hard in the winter, and when the water dips below 48 or 46 degrees, I will almost never have a spinnerbait tied on.

I do agree that there is no real definite time not to use them if the water is above 46. They are the most versatile bait in my opinion.

                                                     Ian

I can't think of one. They are so versatile I should really fish them more. I usually start off the morning with a crank or spinnerbait and go from there.

I agree with this statement, but with one exception. Where I live the water gets hard in the winter, and when the water dips below 48 or 46 degrees, I will almost never have a spinnerbait tied on.

I do agree that there is no real definite time not to use them if the water is above 46. They are the most versatile bait in my opinion.

                                                     Ian

Ian I think you are missing out. You should try slow rolling them deep or yo-yoing them during the shad die off after the winger thaw. I always had a pointer and big 3/4oz white spinnerbait tied on when I was fishing water temps in upper 30's and lower 40s. Give it a try.

When the deep water bite is on

When the water is clear and calm and the bass can get a good look at your lure I prefer to use other baits; however, the bass can always fool you. There are times when the spinnerbait is a logical choice to use and there are times when other baits would seem to be a better choice, but bass don't care about our rules of thumb. A spinnerbait can work at any time if your presentation fits the mood of the fish. Maybe the only time you can't use one is when the bass are buried in cover and won't leave that cover to chase a lure.

Anytime you make a cast and it bounces as it lands on ice.

Wayne P. and I were thinking the same thing.

When there is ice on the surface.  ;D

Lol, so the only situation would be clear water with calm conditions and a clear sunny sky? And even then, I'm still hearing it will work.  8-)

Wayne P. and I were thinking the same thing.

When there is ice on the surface. ;D

I agree too.  If the water is not solid then I'll try a spinnerbait.

I wouldn't throw a spinnerbait in open, very clear water on a windless, mostly cloudy (but not dark or pre-storm--then i'd throw a Colorado spinner) day.  In that situation (clear, open water, no wind, little sun), I'd be throwing a crankbait for the realism.  Also maybe if the fish were feeding right on a rocky bottom, it would be easier to get them with cranks than to try bottom-bouncing with a spinnerbait.  

On the other hand, if there were:

wind (especially with sun)

weeds

timber

a cold front (burning them for a reaction strike)

stained water

lilypads

etc....i'm throwing a spinnerbait at least some of the time.

Spinnerbaits vary alot so there is one for about every situation. But I can usually find a better option when fishing pressure is bad and I am fishing shallow. The spinnerbait bite is often one of the first to go when pressure is bad.

Water temps below 50. 50 seems to be my magic number for success. Any water warmer than that, I'll have one (or two) tied on!

i know this may sound odd but i do not have much luck on spinner baits. my dad as well.. i dont know why and it bothers me. i love the bait but i dunno, the fish can be picky i suppose.. i dont buy the cheapo spinners either. i use a trailor hook, sometimes i dont, sometimes i use a grub as a tail. notta.. very few and far between.. dont know where i am going wrong here

When the lake is frozen....

My wife says I can't do it at the dinner table any more. >

The best time to NOT throw a spinnerbait is when you are fishing.

The next best thing to NOT Throw would be a crankbait.

I never use them and I have 100's

bluebird skies no wind.

I don't do well on them in very clear, calm water when the bass are very pressured and lethargic. But I always carry spinnerbaits, because they work very well in lots of situations. Not many things work better for covering water, especially if it's a little off colored. And you can slow them down using a stop and go retrieve.