Spinnerbait V. Chatterbaits And Building Confidence

[Ohio Dave]

Let me begin with a confession that must seem completely absurd to most bass veterans:   I have never caught a bass on a spinnerbait.  There I said it in public and well I still feel dumb for it, but at least its out there.   

 

I have bass fished for many years: mostly as a soft plastics guy. June and July I can hold my own against most anyone on the Ohio lakes I have haunted through the years.  But there are times when I know there are bass to be had but I just can not connect with what they want.  I need to expand what I fish and how. 

 

I have added jerk baits to my fall plans and done well with those.  I have bought into square bills for some structures but they just are not quite a go to sort of bait:   I know that is a product of confidence and I will need to force myself to use those baits.  (any commentary here is of course welcome) 

 

Spring time: I have watched the videos and read all most all of which is pointing toward spinnerbaits being the best choice.  To be honest, I am still not sure I have a real clue as to how to select the right version of a spinnerbait or how to fish that bait as spring goes on.  

 

Please help me get onto a color and brand along with how to know the size that I can just plain tie on and fish until I get how to use the bait basically figured out.  

[Ohio Dave]

I almost forgot to ask: is there a difference in when you would use the chatter versions of those spinnerbaits or is it more of a preference thing over a performance difference 

 

thanks guys for your time and knowledge

 

DB

[stkbassn]

I prefer War Eagle spinnerbaits, light wire and quality components. I have done very well with those. White with gold and silver blade, white and green, white, blue, and green are pretty much my go to colors anytime. 3/8-5/8 , double willow, colorado and willow combinations. They have the finesse version which I like and weighs 5/8 oz. Casts like a bullet but smaller profile. I think you could do well with these. Just get a couple and start casting. You'll learn how to work it and when and where to throw it to get best results. Good luck and have fun!! There are tons of articles, posts,  and videos on the subject here for reference.

 

Almost forgot, I don't know much about chatterbaits myself but I've tried them with much less success than spinnerbaits. I'm sure they have their place and know there are guys who love them and catch tons of fish on them.

[Fishes in trees]

Years ago, there was a learning curve for me concerning spinnerbaits.  I had to see other guys do well and out fish me several times before I ever started to figure them out.  Some things were holding me back.  First - proper gear - I was 95% spinning gear guy back then and on the few occasions that I did get bit on spinnerbaits, the gear I was using interfered with the hook set.  This got better once I got some early 80's medium of the line spinner bait gear, i.e. a 5'6" MH pistol grip Berkley Lightning rod and a Shimano Custom X 2000 bait caster.   That rig had enough tip to throw spinnerbaits accurately and enough spine in the lower 2/3rds of the rod to get a good hook set.   

 

It the time, I was very much focused on light baits, light action gear.   That isn't the best gear for spinnerbaits.  It is much easier to cast half once spinnerbaits than it is to cast quarter ounce ones and it took me a while to "get " that.

 

These days, my spinner bait gear is much different.  I use 6/8 to 7' MH rods now and Calcutta 200 TEGT reels.   I'm picky about spinner bait rods - many MH rods don't have enough tip to cast easily and get the distance/accuracy that I want.  Many M action rods are too "whippy for my tastes - so I've picked and chosen lots of different brands over the years.

 

Currently I have a couple of older All Star 6'8" Zell Rowland spinnerbait rods that I like.   I have a 7'Kistler rod labeled as a "small swim bait special" that I like.   I have a 6'9" Black Wild Carrot stick rod, which might be the very last one still in working condition - everyone I know who ever had a Black Wild Carrot Stick broke theirs within the first 6 months of ownership.  Mine is going on 3 years old now and I caught a 10 pound wiper on it last fall.

 

When I was fishing tournaments and stuff, years ago, I made a point of looking at what different guys used for spinner bait gear and I was struck by the variety of what worked for different guys.   I have one buddy who is way more into spinner baits than I am and he is happy with BPS cranking sticks.  I find those way too whippy.

 

As far as spinnerbaits versus chatter baits, I tend to use them interchangeably, I generally have one of each tied on and switch back and forth.   On any given day fish will demonstrate a preference for one over the other, but I can't really quantify why.   That's something you have to experiment on and figure out for yourself.  Hope this helps.

[Ohio Dave]

Great guys, thanks so much.  I have a 7' mh rod I was planning to use.  I debated heavily between floro and braid but don't want to start a fight about that LOL

 

If I am hearing you all right: I should get some white and green baits, maybe a couple of profiles, and just start pitching.

 

I sure can find worse ways to spend my time LOL 

[Senko lover]

3/8s oz, chartreuse/white. Double Willow blades. That'll help you gain confidence and you can go from there. Or, a small 1//8 oz. with a Colorado will crush them as well on lighter tackle.

[bass_masster]

I kill it with spinnerbaits, moreso in spring and fall than summer, but you can use them year round.

 

I like to put some movement in my spinners, stop/start reeling, jerk it like a jig to slow it and flare the skirt. Lot of the times I burn it reeeeeal slow, so it's just bumping off the bottom.

Also, running it through/bumping it off thick cover is great, it's a versatile bait you can fish different ways. Another is to burn it just below the surface and use the blades to make an almost wake-bait, and when you break the surface is sounds like bait fish being chased. 

 

My favorite are white or shad double silver willow blade Terminator spinners, and I top it off with a shad colored Zoom fluke as a trailer.

 

Took me a while to get confidence in spinnerbaits as well, but not they're an integral part of my arsenal, just have to stick with them.

 

Edit: lot of people use chatterbaits and spinnerbaits interchangeably, but I still prefer spinners, to me chatter baits are more of a jig-blend.

[Zach Nute]

I would use a 3/8oz Chatterbait over a spinnerbait any day of the week, no matter the conditions. On the chatterbait I love putting the 4" Reins Fat Rockvibe Shad as a trailer..! Hope this helps you!!

[Derekbass02]

:jaw-drop: I haven't really caught many bass on Spinnerbaits either but I have caught a few small fish.

[Matthew2000]

Great guys, thanks so much.  I have a 7' mh rod I was planning to use.  I debated heavily between floro and braid but don't want to start a fight about that LOL

 

If I am hearing you all right: I should get some white and green baits, maybe a couple of profiles, and just start pitching.

 

I sure can find worse ways to spend my time LOL

What lakes in Ohio do you fish ? Whenever I am in Ohio I religiously throw chartreuse and white or lime and white.

[Ohio Dave]

I roam around most of Northwest Ohio.  I plan to hit Erie for the first time bass fishing this year.  When I find the time that is:  

 

thanks to all for taking time to share your thoughts

[jhoffman]

You gotta be willing to wing them into stuff you might not get it back. Coming over a log and kill it, make it look like wounded bait.

Biggest difference for me in a chatterbait is the lack of lift. A spinnerbait blades create lift, chatterbaits not so much. A chatterbait is closer to a crankbait and a jig than a spinnerbait.

[curtis9]

I pretty much always have a spinner bait on. Either white or chartreuse. As has been mentored already don't be afraid to throw into cover. Try to vary your retrieve until you find what's working. I think my first few years fishing I didn't know you could catch fish on baits other than a chartreuse spinnerbait.

[bassr95]

I prefer War Eagle spinnerbaits, light wire and quality components. I have done very well with those. White with gold and silver blade, white and green, white, blue, and green are pretty much my go to colors anytime. 3/8-5/8 , double willow, colorado and willow combinations. They have the finesse version which I like and weighs 5/8 oz. Casts like a bullet but smaller profile. I think you could do well with these. Just get a couple and start casting. You'll learn how to work it and when and where to throw it to get best results. Good luck and have fun!! There are tons of articles, posts,  and videos on the subject here for reference.

 

Almost forgot, I don't know much about chatterbaits myself but I've tried them with much less success than spinnerbaits. I'm sure they have their place and know there are guys who love them and catch tons of fish on them.

Pretty much exactly what I was planning to reply. A 1/2 oz white and chartreuse War Eagle catches fish everywhere, from ponds to natural lakes and reservoirs. The only downside to these baits is that eventually the wire will break after it gets bent by dozens of bass. Not a big deal in my book.

[thomas15]

Dave, I've never caught a bass with a jig. Anyway, most of my bass experience has been small pond bank fishing in NJ and for me small willow blade like the mini stanley on dark colors always work there. Nothing though that worked in NJ works for me now in PA, larger clear water impoundments, fewer weeds and fishing from a boat. Having said that spinner baits are more of a reaction strike so just throw what you have.

[stkbassn]

Pretty much exactly what I was planning to reply. A 1/2 oz white and chartreuse War Eagle catches fish everywhere, from ponds to natural lakes and reservoirs. The only downside to these baits is that eventually the wire will break after it gets bent by dozens of bass. Not a big deal in my book.

Yes, I have had a few War Eagles eventually break from being repeatedly hit by bass but I believe it's that very same thin wire that makes that bait so special. I love this spinnerbait! It holds up for a good while but does have to be bent back into shape often. Worth the effort definitely worth the money.

[Bluebasser86]

I much prefer bladed jigs over spinnerbaits unless I'm in really clear water. Stained to dirty water and around vegetation is when bladed jigs really shine!

[Hurricane]

I love using the booyah pikee spinnerbait in sunfish color.. Caught a nice 4lb Largemouth and a 2 1/2 pounder last night.. Awesome spinnerbait. .

[Zach Dunham]

I fish them on very similar equipment. My general rule is: if there is a lot of grass or cover I throw a chatterbait. They come through the weeds amazingly. In more open areas I will throw a spinnerbait.

[Ohio Dave]

thank you guys, I appreciate you all taking time to help!   Bass Pro shop sent out a coupon for ten bucks off if you spend 30.  Sounds like I am buying some spinner baits and chatter baits 

[Bluebasser86]

thank you guys, I appreciate you all taking time to help!   Bass Pro shop sent out a coupon for ten bucks off if you spend 30.  Sounds like I am buying some spinner baits and chatter baits 

Try the new Project Z chatterbait, it's much better built than their previous models. 

[Ohio Dave]

I will look for those  thanks 

[redux]

War Eagle 3/8 in the Mouse color is a killer in my area.  I've never had an issue with the wire breaking, but the point of the head where the wire comes out always blows out so the head starts to wobble freely after a few dozen fish.  I'll fish it that way until I can't keep the bait running true.  It takes a while to get there so it's not a big issue.  After the bait isn't working I disassemble it and save the blades to use for underspins or to screw into worms.

 

I've used a few other brands, but the quality is always below WE.  Less fish, cheap split rings, broken wires.

 

I normally throw WEs on a 7' M Veritas with 15# Yo-Zuri.  I'll switch to a 6'6" M if I'm in a tight spot.  When I'm around heavy cover, lilly pads, grass, etc I prefer to switch to a 7' MH Veritas or 7'3" MH *** Black on 65# Sunline FX2.

 

I don't use trailers or trailer hooks with these baits.

[Ohio Dave]

thank you sir!

[Cgrinder]

I don't always throw a spinnerbait, but when I do, I prefer Siebert Compact spinnerbaits.