Super User A-Jay Posted October 2, 2015 Super User Posted October 2, 2015 As the waters cool off up here in the northern mid-west, one of my favorite techniques comes back into play - Blade Baits. The air & water might be cool or even down right cold - but the blade bite can be Smoking Hot ! Up until recently, my success with this technique was marginal at best. A few years ago I watched the attached video trying to gain some insite as to why I was not getting the results I expected. Mr Scott Dobson's approach to fishing these baits was a GAME CHANGER. The less is best deal Really worked for me - A fairly weed free clean bottom of sand or gravel really helps here. If you have the right conditions and haven't tried this yet, or have but would like to give it another shot, watch this clip. Reproduce this technique the best you can and have the net, scale & camera rolling. You'll be glad you did. A-Jay 12 Quote
Jtrout Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 I couldn't get the sound to play. Do u also recommend using blade baits from the bank or just from a boat? Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 2, 2015 Author Super User Posted October 2, 2015 Sound works fine for me ? I have not fished blade banks from the bank - but if the body of water you're fishing has a fairly weed free sand or gravel bottom my answer is Most definately YES. However if there is wood, brush or moderate to heavy weeds (don't think it matter what kinds - it's all bad for blade baits) or any type of cover (even man made) that snags up other sub-surface treble hook baits, then No. A-Jay Quote
tholmes Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 This is right in my wheelhouse! Thanks for posting this video! I've been making my own blade baits for years, and IMHO they're among the most versatile (and overlooked) baits. I couldn't get the sound to play. Do u also recommend using blade baits from the bank or just from a boat? I fish them from the bank a lot (exclusively these days) and A-Jay is right on the money. Stay away from brush and timber or you WILL hang 'em up. One thing I do on the baits that I make - I use an open-shank double hook with the points facing backwards. No split rings, I just clip the hook in the hole in the lure. This cuts down on the snags considerably. Tom 4 Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 29-6 bag of 5 smallies... Great video, thanks for posting. 1 Quote
ec1 Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 Was introduced this technique by a friend a couple of years ago. Love this bite! This is one of the few techniques that I try to avoid braid if fishing on casting gear because of the tip wrapping tendencies. Spinning on the other hand, not a problem! 1 Quote
Super User everythingthatswims Posted October 2, 2015 Super User Posted October 2, 2015 And if the bass aren't hungry you will catch something on a blade. Bluegill, perch, trout, walleye, catfish.......when it's cold enough to fish a blade I don't care what's biting 8 Quote
Jtrout Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 Ok thanks guys the lake I fish is basically all weedy at the bottom. What would u recommend for a weedy bottom instead of the blade baits? Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 2, 2015 Author Super User Posted October 2, 2015 Ok thanks guys the lake I fish is basically all weedy at the bottom. What would u recommend for a weedy bottom instead of the blade baits? A Jig. A-Jay 2 Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 great video A-Jay. I've always wanted to get into blade baits. I can tell you I would have been bummed they 'didn't work' when I retrieved them like a rattletrap. and even more frustrated when I stroked them like a football jig w/o success. I love jigs so now it should be an easy cross over. Looking forward to trying them. 1 Quote
Will Wetline Posted October 2, 2015 Posted October 2, 2015 I've watched that video several times and it taught me the basics. As A-Jay said, you don't want to overwork it. Matter of fact, you simply pull - not rip! - it off the bottom with just enough oomph to feel it vibrate. And the distance is 2' or less. Let it fall back and sit on the bottom for a couple of seconds. Repeat. On one of your lifts you may find a smallmouth attached. I've been fishing blades assembled from Barlow's components: http://www.barlowstackle.com/Vibrating-Blade-Lure-P2631.aspx tholmes posted a couple of years ago that he preferred the double hook arrangement which I thought was a great idea . . . but found that I'm still capable of hanging them. But hey, don't let that deter you. This is a bait you want to be showing to smallies in the cold water period. 4 Quote
Super User bowhunter63 Posted October 3, 2015 Super User Posted October 3, 2015 Thanks for posting Quote
bassguytom Posted October 3, 2015 Posted October 3, 2015 I love fishing blade baits. I have been using Binsky blades in gold and silver with great success for a couple of years. I picked up some Sexy Shad colored ones and am eager to give them a shot. And yes less is more. I always tell anyone that is new to this technique to just lift until you feel 2 or three flutters. This is an easy effective technique that can be used by any experience level of anger that will catch fish. If you haven't tried this yet give it a shot you won't regret it. Thanks for posting the video AJ. http://www.fishsenselures.com/fish_sense_lures_catalog.htm 2 Quote
tholmes Posted October 4, 2015 Posted October 4, 2015 I've watched that video several times and it taught me the basics. As A-Jay said, you don't want to overwork it. Matter of fact, you simply pull - not rip! - it off the bottom with just enough oomph to feel it vibrate. And the distance is 2' or less. Let it fall back and sit on the bottom for a couple of seconds. Repeat. On one of your lifts you may find a smallmouth attached. I've been fishing blades assembled from Barlow's components: http://www.barlowstackle.com/Vibrating-Blade-Lure-P2631.aspx tholmes posted a couple of years ago that he preferred the double hook arrangement which I thought was a great idea . . . but found that I'm still capable of hanging them. But hey, don't let that deter you. This is a bait you want to be showing to smallies in the cold water period. The double hook doesn't make them snag-proof, but it sure cuts down on the hang-ups, especially if you put the snap in the center hole. That make them run in more of a "nose-down" attitude which lets them flip over obstacles. Tom Quote
stk Posted October 4, 2015 Posted October 4, 2015 Thanks for posting this video AJay, I will give this technique/bait a try. Do you think that this technique would also apply to rattle traps? Quote
Will Wetline Posted October 5, 2015 Posted October 5, 2015 Thanks for posting this video AJay, I will give this technique/bait a try. Do you think that this technique would also apply to rattle traps? A 4.7 lb. smallie picked up the Strike King Silent Red Eye Shad retrieved the way I described in my post above before I had gotten any blade baits, so I'm confident they'll eat lipless cranks as well. You do want to consider the price difference between metal blades and a paint job on plastic, however. A few years back so many other smallie guys that fish the same water as I said "You've gotta try blades when the water's cold," I bought a 25 pack of bodies, VMC double hooks, 3-D eyes and #2 Duo-Lock snaps and started catching fish. Simple, inexpensive and productive (once you find a school of cold water smallmouth, of course). 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 5, 2015 Author Super User Posted October 5, 2015 Thanks for posting this video AJay, I will give this technique/bait a try. Do you think that this technique would also apply to rattle traps? YES ~ and I like the 6th Sense S n a t c h 70 X Lipless Crankbait for this. Note **** I do not work a blade bait like this. A-Jay Quote
Super User Darren. Posted October 5, 2015 Super User Posted October 5, 2015 Great video, A-Jay. Scahhht Dahhhbson. That's what I got out of the video. I JEST! I jest, my friend! 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted October 5, 2015 Author Super User Posted October 5, 2015 Great video, A-Jay. Scahhht Dahhhbson. That's what I got out of the video. I JEST! I jest, my friend! You've got it ~ Time to move north. A-Jay Quote
Super User Darren. Posted October 5, 2015 Super User Posted October 5, 2015 You've got it ~ Time to move north. A-Jay Hey, I already moved back south from the nasal sounds of Western NY. it is SODA, not PAHHHP. HAMburger, not HAaaamburg. Dang. I'm having a tough night. My Bills lose and I have to recall the atrocious accent I evaded! LOL... Quote
jbw252 Posted October 6, 2015 Posted October 6, 2015 Great video - thanks for posting this A-Jay. Quote
Mainebass1984 Posted October 6, 2015 Posted October 6, 2015 I love fishing blade baits from around Mid October to Ice up. The only blade bait I use is a silver buddy. It is an outstanding bait. I prefer to fish them around off shore structure that is mostly gravel and rock that is holding baitfish. Most of the time I am fishing it near schools of small young of the year smelt catching bug smallmouth and largemouth. This weekend might be the first time I will cast it this fall if the conditions are appropriate. 2 Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted October 7, 2015 Global Moderator Posted October 7, 2015 Don't know that I've ever caught a bass on a blade, lots on jigging spoons though. I'm kind of like the guy that tears them up on a T rigged worm but can't get a bite on a jig. Baits are so similar, but I just can't seem to get one of them to work. Glad I watched the video, sounds like I might be overworking the bait. Just bought a few Silver Buddy blades on clearance a couple months ago, hopefully I can catch some smallmouth on them in a month or so when the water gets cooler. 2 Quote
Craiger12 Posted October 8, 2015 Posted October 8, 2015 I love fishing blade baits from around Mid October to Ice up. The only blade bait I use is a silver buddy. It is an outstanding bait. I prefer to fish them around off shore structure that is mostly gravel and rock that is holding baitfish. Most of the time I am fishing it near schools of small young of the year smelt catching bug smallmouth and largemouth. This weekend might be the first time I will cast it this fall if the conditions are appropriate. Where can I purchase the Silver Buddy? Quote
Ginosocalbass Posted October 8, 2015 Posted October 8, 2015 We're can I pick up those double hooks ? I m inclined to switch the hooks out on my traps as well as my blade baits Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.