Spinnerbait Weight

[midnighthrasher]

The spinnerbaits i have used were always 3/8. Would going up to 1/2 give me any added advantages apart from casting distance???

[Skinnyh2ofishin]

I personally wouldn't buy a 1/2oz spinnerbait that's identical to one I already have that's 3/8oz. It's only 1/8oz heavier so the difference isn't much unless the manufacturer puts different sized blades on the 1/2oz, but then most guys change up the stock blades often anyway. If you have a 3/8oz bait that you like just add a little weight to the hook shank with either a hitchhiker-style weight or just wrap some solder around the hook until you get the added weight you want.  You can also change the blades to a smaller size to make a bait that runs faster or deeper, just as it would if you added weight.

I personally buy spinnerbaits in the colors I like in either 3/8 or 1/2oz depending on what the manufacturer offers, and then jump to 3/4oz and sometimes 1+oz for deepwater work.

[Catt]

1/2 oz 70% of the time, 3/8 oz 15% of the time, & 1/4 oz 15% of the time

1/2 oz spinner baits have larger blades which have more flash & vibration

I slow roll a spinner bait more than just reeling it under the surface and the added weight keeps the bait on the bottom easier.

[RoLo]

Spinnerbaits excel in water with poor underwater visibility, for instance in muddy water,

during windy days with surface refraction and in low light (dawn, dusk overcast)

The 3/8oz spinnerbait is by far the most popular weight among bass anglers.

However, moving up to 1/2oz or even 3/4oz offers three advantages.

Exactly as Catt mentions above, the heavier lure is easier to slow roll near the bottom.

Plus, a heavier spinnerbait can be fitted with much larger spinner blades without unbalancing the lure.

The additional vibration and flash from larger blades are both assets in water with poor visibility.

Roger

[Tin]

War Eagle's Screaming Eagle in 1/2oz still has a somewhat small profile so I love it. I can chunk it in the wind and burn it without rolling. Once in a while I will throw the McClelland finesse one.

[senile1]

I use 1/4, 3/8, and 3/4 oz weights.  My percentages would be 10 percent for 1/4, 45 percent for 3/8, and 45 percent for 3/4.  I do a lot of slow rolling with the 3/4 but I also do a lot of mid-depth and surface work with the 3/8. 

[Willzx225]

I throw a 1/2oz 90% of the time (I down size in the fall to 1/4oz or a similar profile bait). I fish a bunch of clear water lakes (Smith Mountain Lake 8-10' visability and Lake Norman - same visability) and I like the 1/2 oz because I can make long casts and speed the bait up to trigger strikes.

In my opinion, the advantages by going up to 1/2 oz would be that it will possibly appeal to larger fish, castability in windy conditions, and triggering ability

[Paul Roberts]

Depth and speed are the basic controls. Build your system around those two things first.

I'd start by looking at two things:

-What depths you tend to fish SBs in your waters

-Your current SB rig, what lure weights and lines are best for it.

I start with a "standard" frame (3/8, 1/2, or 3/4) and fine-tune depth and speed with blade style. Keep in mind that the heavier the head the more stability the bait will have. But, if you are primarily fishing in water 6feet or less then a 3/4 is too much frame, requiring heavier line and bigger blades for buoyancy fine if that's what you want. Might be just the ticket in some Mexican waters!

So...decide on standard frame weight by the predominant depths you fish and the SB rod you have. Here's a ballpark table to give you an idea of what I mean:

3/8 12lb 0-6ft

1/2 14lb 4-10ft

3/4 17lb 6-15ft

This is a rough ballpark table. If you have a rig perfectly suited for lighter baits you CAN certainly use a 1/2 or more to get bigger blades deeper, or to fish shallow but faster.

But, to get the most out of any given frame, adjust blade size and style to fine-tune depth and speed. (See the thread Spinnerbait Blades http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1264693067 ).

Depth and speed are the basic controls. Build your system around those two things first.

[fishfordollars]

3/8oz and 1/4oz. May early June

1/2 oz. 80% of the rest of the year unless I am slow rolling deep water. Then I will fish a 1/0oz with a smaller willow blade. The smaller blade does not have the lift that the larger blades do allowing me to keep the spinnerbait running deeper without having to slow the retrieve as much. 

[Fishes in trees]

For the most part. spinnerbait fishing is a cover the water deal, so for the most part I use heavier spinnerbaits to get more distance.  With some practice, the splashdown effect from 1/2 or 3/4 compared to 1/4 ounce baits is negligible.  If I feel I need the small profile, I'll go to a War Eagle  Screaming Eagle.  Other companies also make the smaller profile - heavier weight design.

[Willzx225]

Fishfordollars - edumacate me- why so small in May and June?  (Not that I am questioning what you are saying - I don't pass up a chance to pick the brain of a more experienced angler!)  I typically go bigger then when I am keying in on a shad spawn. 

[brushhoggin]

what is a company with some nice blades to replace stock ones when i pick up a new SB?

[Hammer 4]

Hotdang...I must be doin something right..as do about the same, except for the 1/4oz .

1/2 oz 70% of the time, 3/8 oz 15% of the time, & 1/4 oz 15% of the time

1/2 oz spinner baits have larger blades which have more flash & vibration

I slow roll a spinner bait more than just reeling it under the surface and the added weight keeps the bait on the bottom easier.

[Pez]

Spinnerbaits excel in water with poor underwater visibility, for instance in muddy water,

during windy days with surface refraction and in low light (dawn, dusk overcast)

The 3/8oz spinnerbait is by far the most popular weight among bass anglers.

However, moving up to 1/2oz or even 3/4oz offers three advantages.

Exactly as Catt mentions above, the heavier lure is easier to slow roll near the bottom.

Plus, a heavier spinnerbait can be fitted with much larger spinner blades without unbalancing the lure.

The additional vibration and flash from larger blades are both assets in water with poor visibility.

Roger

X2, it depends on the situation and your presentation technique.

[Blade-Runner]

War Eagle's Screaming Eagle in 1/2oz still has a somewhat small profile so I love it. I can chunk it in the wind and burn it without rolling. Once in a while I will throw the McClelland finesse one.

I second this emotion.

The only other blades I use are a lighter colorado for early pre-spawn and a Ledgebuster for post-spawn/summer. Screaming Eagle is the best spinnerbait ever made.

[fishfordollars]

Fishfordollars - edumacate me- why so small in May and June? (Not that I am questioning what you are saying - I don't pass up a chance to pick the brain of a more experienced angler!) I typically go bigger then when I am keying in on a shad spawn.

Well my thought that most of the young of the year are in the water and I feel that my catch rate goes up by downsizing to match the smaller bait that is out there. Does not seem to downsize my catch though as I catch many larger fish with these. I also downsize my buzzbait from 1/2 to 1/4 and 3/8oz. at this time of year. Just works for me.