Spinnerbait Tips

[helms83]

I have read all the articles on here, watched Bill Dance's show on the technique, and read other posts. But I cannot get a bite on this lure!

I have several colors, with the three different blades, different tandems, and different sizes. Sometimes I'll use a trailer, sometimes I take it off. I change the retrieve from slow, to moderate, to yo-yoing, etc. Any help?

[SoFlaBassAddict]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/spinnerbaits-bass-fishing.html

Watch and learn.  I'm not a big spinnerbait fan, but that video has some fantastic tips in it.

[bassin is addicting]

i used to be the same way.... couldn't catch anything on a spinnerbait... now it is my go to lure...always have one tied on.  i fish as a co-angler.  i find a spinnerbait is easy to fish in the back of the boat when my boater is fishing fast. (which seems like 90% of the time)  the last 4 tournaments i've done real well using a spinnerbait.  it is very versatile and doesn't get hung up hardly at all no matter what the cover is.  i like to flip it so it lands just on the bank and then twitch it so it flutters in the water..flashing the blades.  i 've got many hits like that up close to the bank...if not hit then...then just start reeling....steady

you can pitch to cover and reel through grass easily too.

i throw a smaller, 1/4 oz on spinning gear alot too.  i think the smaller profile helps sometimes  :-/  at least i think so... it's a confidence thing too.  white/chartruse and i've had luck with a green shad with some flash.  mainly double willow, but also use willow w/colorado.

just keep throwin one.  you'll eventually have luck

[Shane J]

Just keep getting it wet. You will definitely catch bass on a spinnerbait! When I go to a spinnerbait now, I only use white, or a Bluegill pattern, and always use a trailer. These days, I use a swim jig in place of it 90% of the time, but the good old spinnerbait will usually put 'em in the boat. My best luck has been while slow rolling it along outside weed lines.

[J. M. Richardson]

Try different retrieves as well. I find that a stop and go retrieve works well at times. the flutter/flash from the drop often invokes a strike.

[Jigfishn10]

Try different retrieves as well. I find that a stop and go retrieve works well at times. the flutter/flash from the drop often invokes a strike.

X2. The stop-n-go retrieve can be a quick stop then go or a few seconds before you start the retrieve back up. The longer the pause the more helicoptering you get. If you stop and the bait hits structure, even better.

Don't be afraid to go over tops, or even thru weeds. A single spin will go thru weeds better, IMO.

Burning in the dead of summer really helped me out this year. The stop-n-go wasn't working, slow rolling on the bottom wasn't working, so I down-sized my blade from a #4 to a #3 and burned it and would get 2 or 3 bass to hit in a row. Pure reflex.

You can also put on a grub trailer and jig it. The blade(s) really slow the R.O.F and can be very effective.

Hope this helps and good luck.

[soccplayer07]

For me it's all about CONTACT. If I'm not bumping it off something I'm not getting bit. I try to make as much contact as I can. I prefer to fish it when it's cloudy or windy. Good luck. Stick with it.

[Bankbeater]

I usually start to slow roll it as soon as it hits the water, or I let it sink to the bottom and then slow roll it.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

For me it's all about CONTACT. If I'm not bumping it off something I'm not getting bit. I try to make as much contact as I can. I prefer to fish it when it's cloudy or windy. Good luck. Stick with it.

This is it.....that's the best way to use a spinner bait IMO. I do not have one spinner bait that doesn't have a nick or ding in it from banging it off something.

[garry77]

As others have stated above, bang it into stuff,vary you retrieve.Also if you have nothing to bump into shake the rod tip every so often,this makes the blades flutter and the skirt flare.Also keep the rod pointed at the bait when fishing cover,it helps it come thru easier sometimes.

[Jigfishn10]

As others have stated above, bang it into stuff,vary you retrieve.Also if you have nothing to bump into shake the rod tip every so often,this makes the blades flutter and the skirt flare.Also keep the rod pointed at the bait when fishing cover,it helps it come thru easier sometimes.

The rod pointed at the bait is a great tip and the shaking technique is also, on point. I forgot about that one.

Nice post.

[Mottfia]

When learning to throw a spinnerbait, its all about timing and cover. You should only throw it on cloudy, windy, or early days. You should also only throw it around cover. Don't waste your time on nothing banks. Personally I'd suggest putting the trolling motor on med and fishing as much cover as you can in a day...if you are on the bank same concept. At some point you will catch a few. Its a numbers game simple as that.

Mottfia

ps- those are just sugggests for getting started to offer the best chance at catching a few fish on the blade, not an end all beat all rule.

[BASSclary]

Go on BassPro.com and click on the outdoor library at the top.

Click videos, then bass fishing, and there is a bunch on spinnerbaits including some with KVD and Rick Clunn.

[Glenn]

You should only throw it on cloudy, windy, or early days. You should also only throw it around cover. Don't waste your time on nothing banks.

I'm sorry, but I just have to disagree on that.  I've caught many a bass on no nothing banks, and even more on sunny days.  Case-in-point, I just took 5th at a tournament 2 weeks ago throwing spinnerbaits to no-nothing banks on bluebird days.

True, windy and/or cloudy days are often good spinnerbait conditions, but I certainly wouldn't limit myself to those situations. And if the fish are feeding on bare banks, they'll try to rip the spinnerbait right out of your hands!

[aarogb]

IMO, windy days are best for spinnerbaits whether its cloudy or sunny.  I think the biggest reason you are not getting bit is because you are fishing in the wrong spot.  Try moving around often if you are not getting bit.

[Mottfia]

You should only throw it on cloudy, windy, or early days. You should also only throw it around cover. Don't waste your time on nothing banks.

I'm sorry, but I just have to disagree on that. I've caught many a bass on no nothing banks, and even more on sunny days. Case-in-point, I just took 5th at a tournament 2 weeks ago throwing spinnerbaits to no-nothing banks on bluebird days.

True, windy and/or cloudy days are often good spinnerbait conditions, but I certainly wouldn't limit myself to those situations. And if the fish are feeding on bare banks, they'll try to rip the spinnerbait right out of your hands!

I think you missed my point, Glenn. I suggested those times because they are the best times to fish the lure and if you are learning a lure you should target those best times to catch a few and build confidence in them. I had a feelin someone would call me on that so thats why I added the last line saying this was only for starters.

Mottfia

[Sam]

Spinnerbait suggestions:

1.  Always use a trailer hook.

2.  Add a white Zoom Split-Tail Trailer.

3.  If the bass follow your spinnerbait then your retrieve is either too slow or fast.

4.  In wind, add a clam type sinker to the hook to give the spinnerbait some additional weight or to make the lure go deeper.

5.  White is my favorite color.

6.  Purchase Kevin VanDam's Proven Spinnerbait Techniques DVD and watch it twenty-five times while making notes for future reference.

7.  Purchase Hank Parker's Ultimate Guide to Spinnerbaits DVD or video and watch it twenty-five times and take notes for future reference.

8.  Throw the spinnerbait IN THE GRASS; IN AND AROUND TREES AND BUSHES; PARALLEL TO THE SHORE; ANYWHERE YOU WANT.  Bounce it off cover.

9.  If they just it at it then go to a smaller size or change colors and retrieve speed. Chart/white is a good second color.

10.  At night or late evening considering using a darker color skirt.

11. Don't be afraid to change skirts. There are some interesting colors and color patterns out there you can try.

12. You can throw a spinnerbait on either a baitcaster or a spinning rod. I like the baitcaster as you have more rod power to set the hook - HARD OVER YOUR HEAD SO THAT YOU THROW YOURSELF OUT OF THE BOAT OR ON THE GROUND WHEN THEY HIT IT.

Don't get too deep into the blade sizes, colors and types. The ones that come with the spinnerbaits in their packages will work.

Learning how to use spinnerbaits is like going to Madison Square Garden: Practice-Practice-Practice.

Now go out with only spinnerbaits and catch some fish!!!        

[BrASSmonkey]

Spinnerbait suggestions:

1. Always use a trailer hook.

2. Add a white Zoom Split-Tail Trailer.

3. If the bass follow your spinnerbait then your retrieve is either too slow or fast.

4. In wind, add a clam type sinker to the hook to give the spinnerbait some additional weight or to make the lure go deeper.

5. White is my favorite color.

6. Purchase Kevin VanDam's Proven Spinnerbait Techniques DVD and watch it twenty-five times while making notes for future reference.

7. Purchase Hank Parker's Ultimate Guide to Spinnerbaits DVD or video and watch it twenty-five times and take notes for future reference.

8. Throw the spinnerbait IN THE GRASS; IN AND AROUND TREES AND BUSHES; PARALLEL TO THE SHORE; ANYWHERE YOU WANT. Bounce it off cover.

9. If they just it at it then go to a smaller size or change colors and retrieve speed. Chart/white is a good second color.

10. At night or late evening considering using a darker color skirt.

11. Don't be afraid to change skirts. There are some interesting colors and color patterns out there you can try.

12. You can throw a spinnerbait on either a baitcaster or a spinning rod. I like the baitcaster as you have more rod power to set the hook - HARD OVER YOUR HEAD SO THAT YOU THROW YOURSELF OUT OF THE BOAT OR ON THE GROUND WHEN THEY HIT IT.

Don't get too deep into the blade sizes, colors and types. The ones that come with the spinnerbaits in their packages will work.

Learning how to use spinnerbaits is like going to Madison Square Garden: Practice-Practice-Practice.

Now go out with only spinnerbaits and catch some fish!!! :)

Numbers 1, 2, 5 and 8 x2!  This past season, white has become my confidence colour.  I always add a trailer hook for short striking fish, and I always add a zoom split tail trailer for added action.  When fishing a spinnerbait, I tend to fish it around cover, and will vary my retrieve speed until I am ticking the tops of grass or cover.  I will fish the spinnerbait by retrieving it constantly until it makes contact with cover, and then pop it free (in the case of grass) and continue retrieving.  I have had many strikes just as the bait pops free of the grass.  Contact with structure changes the vibrations, changes the flash, and instigates reaction strikes.