Blade Baits & Cold Water

[papajoe222]

The ice is finally melting and even though I won't be able to fish for another couple of weeks, I'm reviewing some of my notes in anticipation of doing so. In water temps below 50 or so, blade baits seem to have produced better that lipless cranks, especially in clear water.  Have they gone the way of tube baits in that you don't hear much about them, but they're fish catchers? Did I just let a secret out of the bag?

[Crank Bait Nut]

Yep , Cats Out Of The Bag , LOL

 

I Don't Think Some People Realize How Active Bass Can Be In Cold Water , It's Not Like They Stop Eating.

 

Mike 

[RoLo]

From what I see, bladebaits and jigging spoons are still very popular in coldwater.

In water between 40 and 50 deg, the Silver Buddy and Hopkins Shorty are still going strong. 

 

Roger

[Crestliner2008]

I rarely fish anything else than blades from ice out through the spawn. Great cold water lures, shallow or deep. And they'll take some dandy lake trout as well. I also like bucktail jigs as well, but the blades are consistent producers. Year round too.

[Will Wetline]

I fish the same water as Crestliner2008 and, following his lead, throw blade baits into Quabbin's water when it's below the low 50ºs (along with bucktails).

 

I assemble my own from Barlow's Vibrating Blade Lure body.

 

http://www.barlowstackle.com/Vibrating-Blade-Lure-P2631.aspx

 

 

I'll be experimenting this year to see if I can figure a hook setup that will hang less frequently.

[Smokinal]

N N No...don't waste your time with a blade. No fish to be caught on those.

jk, I love a blade in cold water; very versatile. And I remove those split hooks, put on split rings and KVD Mustad Ultra Grip short shanks in a 4.

And to be honest, last summer I jacked the tick out of em on a blade in 70 degree water. It was the only bait they would hit.

[Crestliner2008]

 

 

Will Wetline said above: "I'll be experimenting this year to see if I can figure a hook setup that will hang less frequently."

 

 

I've already got a 1/2 dozen blades set up with single #1 Siwash salmon hooks. A new experiment! Only one on the back side, nothing on the front. Last season I had much better results with removing the front treble. Reduced my bottom hook-ups considerably, yet I lost no more fish as a result. So, I figured, why not go one step further and see what happens!

[UWBass]

Don't forget another classic cold water bait: the Rapala Jigging Rap preferably 7 and 9 sizes. They are lethal when the water is cold and smallies are still deep on the breaks.

[A-Jay]

With water temps in the 40's - If I'm not dragging a jerk bait around it's only because the bass are chewing up my blade baits.

 

A-Jay

[Bluebasser86]

I was thinking a different kind of blade bait, also very effective in cold water.