A couple spinnerbait questions

[BoroBass]

Spinnerbaits are something I've had in my tackle box but never had the confidence to use. I want to start using them more and hopefully turn them into a bait I at least have a little confidence in.

Questions:

1. What kind of knot should I be using? Currently I use a Palomar knot since it's the only real knot I know how to tie. ;D

2. I just got some trailer hooks on my last trip to the tackle shop. I saw on tv where they were using them with nothing on them and I've also seen them with soft plastics on the trailer hook. Should I get a specific kind of plastic to do this or could I use something I already have (or cut up something I already have, use a piece of Senko that broke in half, etc)?

3. I've heard chartruese is the way to go with spinnerbaits, is that true?

I know there's a whole thing with the type of blades you should use but seeing as I don't have any to switch out with the ones that came on the ones I have, I'll save that until I get the basics down.

[Bass XL]

1) I use that knot.

2)Tell you the truth...I do not use a trailor hook..or even a trailor for that matter.

3)My favorite spinnerbait has 2 colorado blades (one small, one big...forgot the sizes) with a lot of chart. and white, and a few strands of yellow.

[wismallie]

1.I use a trilene knot

2.I never use a trailor or trailor hook

3.I don't think color is very important its a reaction strike with a spinnerbait.

[jdw174]

1.  I use a "Jimmy Houston Knot" which isn't much more than a double Trilene knot.  

2.  I NEVER tie on a spinnerbait without a trailer hook.  I've caught far too many fish on that trailer hook to ever go without it.  

3.  I wouldn't go to an all chartreuse SB unless the water was extremely stained/muddy.  My favorite colors are (in no particular order):  white, white/chartreuse, blue/white/chartreuse.  My favorite type would be a 1/2oz double willow leaf.

You should have confidence to throw one.  They're fish catching fools 8-)  Vary your retrieve until you see what they want.  I fish Kentucky and Barkley lakes and I doubt there's a bass that swims in either of those lakes that can't give you the name, size, and color combination of every spinnerbait made ;D  but they still blast them.

[Jig Man]

1.  Lots of knots work just fine.  I use the San Diego Jam because it is fast.

2.  I use trailer hooks if I miss a fish or two.  I seldom use trailers.

3.  There is not a thing wrong with chartreuse I like white, silver or salt and pepper better.  If I want to throw a wake I'll use a double Colorado blade setup.  If I just want flash I use a Colorado and willow combo.

Color is not that big of a deal.  Wind and cover are much more important than color.

[basser89]

1. The Palomar knot is the one I use, no complaints here!

2. As others have said, NEVER tie on a spinnerbait without a trailer hook! I only add a plastic trailer to my spinnerbaits in muddy water when I want to increase the size of the bait.

3. I choose the color of the bait according to the color of the water. In clear water, I want to use natural color baits. If dirty water or low light conditions, I opt for darker or bold colors. I usually choose the blades the same way (water clarity). Clear water, I'm usually throwing a double willowleaf or a willowleaf colorado combo. Dirty water, I'm throwing a single or double colorado bait or a double oklahoma blade bait.

[moby bass]

I actually tie a hangman's noose on my spinnerbaits.  The more the spinnerbait pulls, the tighter the knot gets.  I've never had one fail. I like a tight knot on a spinnerbait rather than a swivel because the line stays put in the bend. Swivels sometimes tend to slide down the wire and screw up your retrieve. I've caught lots of fish on spinners. I would say that's my go to confidence bait.

[rebelbasspro]

Palomar should be fine.

Color is absolutely critical.  Match the dominate forage in your lake.

Put the trailer hook on then slide your hook thru the hole in a piece of tubing.  Let the trailer swing freely.  It can be super aggravating (I dont use one) but I would not ever marginalize its importance.

[John J.]

1.) I use an improved clinch knot. It works best in my opinion.

2.) I sometimes use a trailer, I normally use either a small worm or a shad jerkbait.

3.) It depends on where you are fishing. If the lake or pond, etc. is really murky charteruse and white will be good. If it is clear then natural colors work well. My favorite color is BOOYAH© Counter Strike.

[Catt]

#1 Palomar Knot

#2 No trailer hook ever, single or double tail trailer

#3 White, chartreuse, or any combination of the two

[skillet]

 I like what Catt said and will add that you can fish them up and down in the whole water column, from top (retrieve fast enough to put a bulge in the surface of the water) to bottom (slow roll them just off the bottom). Great bait...

                                            As Ever,

                                             Skillet

BTW what you have read so far just barely scratches the surface on spinnerbaits. You could write a book on them (a number of folks have

[Tucson]

I've only been a bass guy for a couple of years but I've found spinnerbaits to be a great all-around lure.  Chartreuse and white with a colorado/willow leaf combination is my standard.  The willow leaf spins easier, retrieves a little faster and provides more flash.  The colorado puts out much more vibration so I usually use the willow/colorado combo during the day and a larger colorado at night.  Black seems to be a good color at night along with a black skirt.  

[The Next KVD]

1. Stick w/ the Palomar

2. I NEVER USE A trailer hook! I'll trim the skirt before I ever use a trailer. Seems that I gut hook the fish w/ a trailer and I have to go through a long difficult process to either get the hook out w/out hurting the fish or try to take the trailer off the main hook and leave it in the fish.

3. Color doesn't matter to me. I fish natural looking colors in clear water and brighter colors such as white, chart. in dark water. The best color combo ever is the chart/white skirts.  As for blades I usually stay w/ a colorado on the front and a willow on the back.