Spinnerbait Trailer Questions

[The Fisher]

I fish from the bank and I'm going to try spinnerbaits this year. Should I use a trailer like a grub on the spinnerbait? How effective are trailer hooks? Do I need them?

[CRANKENSTIEN]

I always use a trailer. Small grub swim bait etc. I rarely use a trailer hook but I know it is common for short strikes

[bigturtle]

I always use a trailer as well. I never use a trailer hook because I fish in and around cover, and i dont need an extra hook dangling off the bait.

[Heron]

I never use a trailer, never needed one.  Never needed a trailer hook either

[Mr_Frodo]

I feel a trailer hook is indispensable . you get so many short strikes with a spinner bait. if you don't use a trailer hook you're really missing out on some fish. You'll have fish take a swipe at your bait that you never knew were there without a trailer hook. Ask KVD, he never uses a spinner bait without a trailer hook.

As far as the trailer goes for a spinner bait I've been pondering that myself I use trailers all the time almost exclusively with jigs but I have never tried it with a spinner bait yet

[WIGuide]

I'll throw a trailer on a spinnerbait if I'm looking to bulk up my presentation. The trailers I'll throw on it are usually a grub, a split tail trailer, and sometimes a small swimbait. I'll put a trailer hook on any time I'm getting short strikes. 

[scaleface]

I never use trailers unless I remove the skirt .

[bass_masster]

ZOOM Flukes make great trailers:

 

[A-Jay]

My trailer & trailer hook use on a spinnerbait revolves around the speed at which I plan on fishing the bait.

 

When I'm burning the bait in fairly open water, trailer hook use is standard practice.  But a trailer usually slows down the bait so none is used. 

 

When I'm slow rolling the bait (especially at night) I use a trailer.  A swimbait, swim Senko, Small Fluke or even a Slug-go fits the bill.

 

I do not use a trailer hook with a trailer.

 

And don't forget the Megastrike . . .

 

A-Jay

[Mr_Frodo]

My trailer & trailer hook use on a spinnerbait revolves around the speed at which I plan on fishing the bait.

 

When I'm burning the bait in fairly open water, trailer hook use is standard practice.  But a trailer usually slows down the bait so none is used. 

 

When I'm slow rolling the bait (especially at night) I use a trailer.  A swimbait, swim Senko, Small Fluke or even a Slug-go fits the bill.

 

I do not use a trailer hook with a trailer.

 

And don't forget the Megastrike . . .

Yeah I was thinking about using the trailer now in spring since I Slowroll a lot. not too sure how trailer would work when it warms up and the fish are really chasing a faster lure

 

A-Jay

[Heron]

^{_{For adding bulk, I'll typically just add on a second skirt, or use a longer skirt.}}

[Brnnoser6983]

Yeah I was thinking about using the trailer now in spring since I Slowroll a lot. not too sure how trailer would work when it warms up and the fish are really chasing a faster lure

A-Jay

I use it year round not only to bulk up the presentation, but add some movement. When the tails of a bruiser evil twin start going my spinner has a big know presence.

As for trailer hook, I just got some this year after numerous short strikes last year. So I figure why not try it.

Thing is, fish what works for you, in your area. Your going to get about a 50/50 agreement on trailer hooks, and same with wether to use a trailer or not.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I'll throw a trailer on a spinnerbait if I'm looking to bulk up my presentation. The trailers I'll throw on it are usually a grub, a split tail trailer, and sometimes a small swimbait. I'll put a trailer hook on any time I'm getting short strikes. 

 

Pretty much sums it up here too. 

[junyer357]

I am getting to where i use a stinger hook more often than not. Too often i have had good fish with only the stinger hook in them.

I have a fishing buddy make my spinnerbaits for me since i prefer a lighter wire as well as can get the exact blade combos i want without a ton of searching. I have him leave a few strands of the skirt long to work as a trailer somewhat as well as they help hide a stinger hook.

[ib_of_the_damned]

I have never used a trailer on a spinnerbait. But I always have a trailer hook on them. Also I trim the outer layer of the skirt flush with the hook bend of the main hook and leave the inner strands long to hide the trailer hook. It also gives the spinnerbait more of a baitfish profile, and helps with the flair of the skirt.

[kickerfish1]

No trailer hook. Trailers are smaller, typically grubs or smaller paddle tail style.

[aeb603]

I fish from the bank and I'm going to try spinnerbaits this year. Should I use a trailer like a grub on the spinnerbait? How effective are trailer hooks? Do I need them?

trailer is a must, for me at least, when I'm fishing a spinner. I always see pros in tournaments throwing spinners without trailers so I never used to use them, but the first time I put a trailer on I hooked into a 4.1 lber first cast and haven't looked back since. Almost always use the zoom swimmin super fluke jr too.  The action of the paddle tail really entices the fish. trailer hooks can be very effective, but I've also had trouble getting them stuck when I throw at cover when I normally wouldn't get stuck without the trailer hook

[papajoe222]

About the only time I use any kind of trailer is in the spring, for a couple of reasons: it increases the overall size of the bait and I can fish it slower.  For some unknown reason, the bass around here prefer willow blades to Colorado and with a Kalin's Lunker Grub or 4in. swim bait I can slow one down and still keep it in the zone I want.  When using a trailer and when fishing brush are the only two times I don't attach a trailer hook.  There have only been a few times when the fish were inhaling a spinnerbait, that I actually removed it for fear of injuring their gills.

[MickD]

Whether you use a trailer or not depends on how big you want the spinnerbait to look.  At times fish don't want a "bigger" lure; at times they do.  If you decide the lure needs some more bulk, then put on a trailer.  I personally like 3-4 inch grubs.  Lots of action.  Very effective on pike, less so on bass.  Regarding stinger hooks, I don't use them unless I'm getting "thumps" but no fish.  I think when your offering is interesting but not quite right the fish will bump it with their heads or strike short.   I usually try a different color skirt or blades, but if this persists, I'll add a stinger hook.  

[Heron]

Honestly, if I want to use a skirted bait, that has a trailer, and puts out flash and vibration.....then I'll usually turn to a chatterbait.