Blade Baits

[BoatSquirrel]

The water temp here in Middle TN is around 45, give or take, and the blade bait bite is on.  Catching some decent size and numbers on Silver Buddys, Cabela’s Mean Eye, and Bass Pro’s Lazer Blades.  Like Zona taught me from Utube, hopping it slowly off the bottom through schools located on the sonar.  Anyone have an outright favorite brand or have any other tricks for me?  Thanks yall!

[Catt]

[A-Jay]

Yes ~ 

Additionally ~ for an equally KILLER and often times even better producer than a blade bait, I will fish a Lippless bait rattle bait like a blade bait;   Meaning in the same spots & with the same slow lift short hop / lift and drop right along the bottom.  Even pausing it to let it rest on the bottom.  Bass with often pick it up while it's lying dead still. 

The very best bait for me here is the Duo Realis G-Fix Vibration Tungsten Lipless Crankbait.  I use the 3/4 oz the most but the 1/2 oz has it's place as well. 

A-Jay

[Mr. Aquarium]

I like the silver buddy, I've been using the BPS blade, guys love it! other guys love the binksy. havent used it yet.  I have a few different blades baits, I dont stick to just one brand!

Also try letting it pause on bottom. They will often pick it right up. I've caught many fish that way. When you go to lift the bait you often set the hook. 

[Team9nine]

Damiki Vault

[Crestliner2008]

I use these regularly. Barlow's offers the blade bodies and I attach the hook (notice I didn't say hookS). Very cost effective. Here's what I'm fishing.

[Dorado]

1 hour ago, Crestliner2008 said:

I use these regularly. Barlow's offers the blade bodies and I attach the hook (notice I didn't say hookS). Very cost effective. Here's what I'm fishing.

Smart!

[The Bassman]

1 hour ago, Crestliner2008 said:

I use these regularly. Barlow's offers the blade bodies and I attach the hook (notice I didn't say hookS). Very cost effective. Here's what I'm fishing.

Two questions:  Any effect on lure action and any loss of  hooking efficiency? I love blade baits but hate untangling my lure every other cast. I use straight braid which is quite limp and creates the problem.

 

                      

[Will Wetline]

Credit goes to Crestliner 2008 for recommending a 1/0 Siwash during a general smallmouth b.s. session at my tackle room three years ago during the hard water season. I had been using the same "blank" - https://www.barlowstackle.com/Vibrating-Blade-Lure-P2631.aspx - and tried double hooks then a single treble in the rear. Two years ago I tried the 1/0 Siwash, a substantial hook, and that settles it for me . . . and the plump smallie in the pic below.

 

 

Bassman, I don't notice any difference in lure action with any of the hook setups I've used. I pull, not rip, the bait about 18" off the bottom, just enough so you can feel the vibe, then drop it and rest it for 1 - 2 seconds. The smallies almost always pick this bait up during the pause and when you start another pull you're setting the hook.

 

My preferred set up is a 6 1/2' medium casting rod and 10 lb. Silver Thread AN-40 copolymer. This gives me plenty of power for a battle with a big smallie and no line tangles.

[Crestliner2008]

1 hour ago, The Bassman said:

Two questions:  Any effect on lure action and any loss of  hooking efficiency? I love blade baits but hate untangling my lure every other cast. I use straight braid which is quite limp and creates the problem.

I've tested this design many, many times, over several seasons. I was loosing way too many blade baits per fish. So, I started off with spinnerbait trailer hooks (and Siwash) with one on each split ring. Still hung up a lot, but I still caught a lot of quality smallmouth bass and lake trout. Switched to the VMC Inline singles (pictured) and only use one, on the rear split ring (again, as pictured).

 

I have experienced little or no reduction in my hook-up ratios and I even brought up a 15 lb. laker from 60+ fow, landing him successfully (using this bait on 6# test Fireline, with fluoro leader). This won me a gold pin from our state's catch & release program. I have no idea how many smallies this bait has caught me. But it's a lot.

 

Further, if you take a close look, you will see that I also crimp down the barbs. This facilitates CPR with less jeopardy to the fish (or fisherman!). I no longer use treble hooks - period - on any artificial lure. In my opinion, trebles are just not needed. I have not experienced any lure action deviation that adversely affects my net results. Those inline singles are just the ticket for us CPR fishermen. Best invention to come down the pike in many moons - again, in my opinion!

 

 

[The Bassman]

1 minute ago, Crestliner2008 said:

I've tested this design many, many times, over several seasons. I was loosing way too many blade baits per fish. So, I started off with spinnerbait trailer hooks (and Siwash) with one on each split ring. Still hung up a lot, but I still caught a lot of quality smallmouth bass and lake trout. Switched to the VMC Inline singles (pictured) and only use one, on the rear split ring (again, as pictured).

 

I have experienced little or no reduction in my hook-up ratios and I even brought up a 15 lb. laker from 60+ fow, landing him successfully (using this bait on 6# test Fireline, with fluoro leader). This won me a gold pin from our state's catch & release program. I have no idea how many smallies this bait has caught me. But it's a lot.

 

Further, if you take a close look, you will see that I also crimp down the barbs. This facilitates CPR with less jeopardy to the fish (or fisherman!). I no longer use treble hooks - period - on any artificial lure. In my opinion, trebles are just not needed. I have not experienced any lure action deviation that adversely affects my net results. Those inline singles are just the ticket for us CPR fishermen. Best invention to come down the pike in many moons - again, in my opinion!

 

 

I had the same debate about hooks this past spring after gill hooking a couple of good bass. Ordered several packs of the Owner inlines and have gone back and forth on the matter with my other cranks. Thanks for your hands-on input.

[IgotWood]

On 12/16/2018 at 11:44 PM, A-Jay said:

Yes ~ 

Additionally ~ for an equally KILLER and often times even better producer than a blade bait, I will fish a Lippless bait rattle bait like a blade bait;   Meaning in the same spots & with the same slow lift short hop / lift and drop right along the bottom.  Even pausing it to let it rest on the bottom.  Bass with often pick it up while it's lying dead still. 

The very best bait for me here is the Duo Realis G-Fix Vibration Tungsten Lipless Crankbait.  I use the 3/4 oz the most but the 1/2 oz has it's place as well. 

A-Jay

A-Jay, what depths are you generally fishing? My lakes are shallow generally 4-10’, and I feel like 1/2 or bigger is just too heavy. I’ve been doing ok with 1/4-3/8oz lipless baits. I’ve tried a few 1/2oz baits but they seem to get buried in the grass a lot. However, I want the larger profile sometimes. What are your thoughts? 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, IgotWood said:

A-Jay, what depths are you generally fishing? My lakes are shallow generally 4-10’, and I feel like 1/2 or bigger is just too heavy. I’ve been doing ok with 1/4-3/8oz lipless baits. I’ve tried a few 1/2oz baits but they seem to get buried in the grass a lot. However, I want the larger profile sometimes. What are your thoughts? 

I'm fishing these baits in at least 15 feet all the way down to 40. 

Majority of the lakes I'm presenting blade baits in are deep, and super clear.

*** Big Factor **** I do not fish blade baits on weedy Bottoms  - EVER.

 This is a clean, sand, gravel or rock bottom presentation for me - and sand or pea gravel is The best.

The bait MUST be sitting on the bottom at some point.  The length of time it sits depends on the water temps & the bass.  IME presenting blade baits it in any weed, grass or wood scenario is an exercise in futility.

Besides there are other (more effectively fished)options for that -

Like hair . . . .

 

A-Jay

[IgotWood]

Makes sense! Thanks! Where do you get those jigs from? I’d like to tie some jigs up on those heads. 

[tander]

On 12/16/2018 at 10:08 PM, Catt said:

Wing Ding can catch them !!!!

[Catt]

13 minutes ago, tander said:

Wing Ding can catch them !!!!

 

Wing Ding, Knockoff, Rinky Dink, or whatever y'all wanna call it is an excellent substitute for a blade bait.

 

To quote A-Jay: "in the same spots & with the same slow lift short hop / lift and drop right along the bottom.  Even pausing it to let it rest on the bottom.  Bass with often pick it up while it's lying dead still."

[B-Dozer]

On ‎12‎/‎16‎/‎2018 at 10:46 PM, BoatSquirrel said:

The water temp here in Middle TN is around 45, give or take, and the blade bait bite is on.  Catching some decent size and numbers on Silver Buddys, Cabela’s Mean Eye, and Bass Pro’s Lazer Blades.  Like Zona taught me from Utube, hopping it slowly off the bottom through schools located on the sonar.  Anyone have an outright favorite brand or have any other tricks for me?  Thanks yall!

Love blade baits! Small mouth, Trout, Walleye, etc., all love them....for awhile ?

You should try Binsky's. You can get them at tacklewarehouse, or directly from the manufacturer.

http://www.fishsenselures.com/

Different weights, colors, and each has 4 different attachment spots.

[A-Jay]

4 hours ago, IgotWood said:

Makes sense! Thanks! Where do you get those jigs from? I’d like to tie some jigs up on those heads. 

Here you go ~ 

 

https://punisherlures.com/collections/jig-heads/products/punisher-jig-head

 

A-Jay

 

 

 

[MickD]

I was just about to ask about using a single hook, and there it was. Thanks!  For those having trouble with tangling due to straight braid, why not add a couple feet of hard mono leader?  It helps.  My problems have been mostly snagging on the bottom, and I think the single hook will help that a lot.

 

Mason hard mono leader material from fly tying sellers.

[Mr. Aquarium]

17 hours ago, A-Jay said:

I'm fishing these baits in at least 15 feet all the way down to 40. 

Majority of the lakes I'm presenting blade baits in are deep, and super clear.

*** Big Factor **** I do not fish blade baits on weedy Bottoms  - EVER.

 This is a clean, sand, gravel or rock bottom presentation for me - and sand or pea gravel is The best.

The bait MUST be sitting on the bottom at some point.  The length of time it sits depends on the water temps & the bass.  IME presenting blade baits it in any weed, grass or wood scenario is an exercise in futility.

Besides there are other (more effectively fished)options for that -

Like hair . . . .

 

A-Jay

unfortunately the last few places i've fished were deep and weedy. Didn't get many fish. 

[A-Jay]

2 minutes ago, Mr. Aquarium said:

unfortunately the last few places i've fished were deep and weedy. Didn't get many fish. 

Deeps Good - near or on a drop off may be better.

 Blade Bait + Weedy =  Bad.

A-Jay

[Crestliner2008]

3 hours ago, MickD said:

I was just about to ask about using a single hook, and there it was. Thanks!  For those having trouble with tangling due to straight braid, why not add a couple feet of hard mono leader?  It helps.  My problems have been mostly snagging on the bottom, and I think the single hook will help that a lot.

 

Mason hard mono leader material from fly tying sellers.

I usually fish lighter braids - 6# & 8# - depending on whether I'm after smallies or lakers, as well as how deep I'm fishing. I always use a fluorocarbon leader (of matching pound-test). But not because it's visible or not (debatable), but rather for it's abrasion resistance. Working these baits on/off the bottom, you need that quality. It also helps preventing fraying from the fish teeth.

 

A-Jay made an excellent point that needs to be reemphasized. That is that blades are NOT a good option for any kind of weedy bottom. The blade and the hook(s) pick up too much garbage too quickly. We even have what I call "grass" down 60' or more. Fortunately it's not all over the place, so we can still get in some blade time without too much difficulty.

 

A better option in grass is definitely a jig. A weedless bucktail with trailer is hard to beat.

[5by3]

Vibe-e!