Some spinnerbait questions

[fin]

22 minutes ago, jimmyjoe said:

  As a spinnerbait gets heavier, the manufacturer puts on more resistive blades, either bigger or more highly cupped. So you can't really compare all things being equal, because they aren't. If you put on a bigger blade without changing anything else, you de-stabilize the spinnerbait. If you put on a smaller blade, you reduce the turbulence that makes the skirt pulsate. You can slow-roll a spinnerbait of any style and with any style blade that is made to be slow-rolled. Most (not all) use a single, relatively large blade, with Colorado and humongous willows being the most common where I live. And yes, they've been heavier examples. I've tried to modify existing spinnerbaits to do certain things that I wanted, but I've had limited .... very limited .... success.  jj

I like that answer because I feel like should know the answer to the question myself after fishing spinnerbaits so long. I've swapped out blades and experimented a lot, but I don't feel like I learned as much as I should have, because like you say, it's all relative.

[Jigfishn10]

39 minutes ago, fin said:

That's so crazy it just  works!

 

Fixed it for you

@fin, I made that about 4 years ago, it’s been retied a few times. I can flat out find fish with that contraption 

[Boomstick]

If I have to recommend one brand and model, it would be War Eagle's with a trokar hook in mouse and sexy shad colors. You can get them in 3/8oz, 1/2oz and with willow/colorado or dual willow blades. But overall, I'm less concerned with the brand of the spinnerbait and more concerned with the blades, colors and weight. If it holds up, I'll buy from that brand again, if not I will try someone else the next time I resupply. I haven't had too many issues with any one brand yet.

 

Here is what you need to know in a nutshell.

 

Weights

Generally, 3/8oz will catch the most fish. If you need more depth, are targeting larger fish or are fishing later in the year where you can fish faster, try a 1/2oz spinnerbait and if you're really targeting mondo bass, 3/4 and 1oz spinnerbaits can be quite effective. I normally keep a 3/8oz and 1/2oz version of each spinnerbait on hand.

 

There is also a use for smaller spinnerbaits as well. A few lakes around where I live have a healthy supply of chain pickerel, and on days I am having no luck with bass, I will throw a 1/4oz or 3/16oz spinnerbait and catch a chain pickerel every 5 minutes or less, they absolutely hammer those smaller spinnerbaits.

 

Dual Willow Blades

Dual willow blades put off the least vibration, but the most flash. Typically, they are the best for clear water when the sun is out, but they usually catch me the most fish in cloudy water as well.

 

Colors and sizes I normally keep with dual willow blades: White and white like colors, White/Chartreuse, Sexy shad.

 

Willow/Colorado blades

Essentially interchangeable with dual willow blade spinnerbaits, a small colorado blade will add a little vibration. I tend to do very good with this blade configuration fishing at dusk and dawn and in cloudier water.

 

I would use the same colors as dual willow bladed spinnerbaits.

 

Colorado Bladed spinnerbaits

There are a few blade configurations I am encompassing into this group, single Colorado bladed spinnerbaits, dual Colorado bladed spinnerbaits and spinnerbaits with a large Colorado and smaller Indiana blade. I fish these largely in two scenarios, cloudy water and cold water when the fish aren't chasing too quickly. They generally tend to catch fewer fish, but the fish you will catch quite often tend to be larger.

 

Colors I normally use for colorado bladed spinnerbaits: White for cold water, white/chartreuse for dirty water and black (or mostly black) for night time fishing.

[MIbassyaker]

26 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

@MIbassyaker and @A-Jay  do you catch primarily smallmouth on your green, brown, orange, etc spinnerbaits? 

Ajay probably does, but I catch about 70-80% largemouth. Most of my waters don't have shad; bass are eating bluegill, sunfish, and perch.

 

(Although it's not as though white spinnerbaits don't also work...they do. It's just that the logic of using white to mimic shad doesn't really apply here.)

 

Edit: I should say, I like chartreuse on spinnerbaits a lot, just not always with white -- it's great with orange and/or green! War Eagle has a great "Chartreuse/Copper" pattern with copper blades.

[Sphynx]

1 hour ago, fin said:

I had a lot of luck using one of those $1 black spinnerbaits from Walmart, but I don’t use them anymore. One of the great things about spinnerbaits is you don’t have to spend a lot to catch a fish, but really it makes sense to spend more on spinnerbaits, because the odds of losing them are way less than just about anything else. I’ve lost quite a few over the years, but it’s almost always when I’m really pushing the limits, trying my luck.

 

I know chartreuse is big on this forum, but it's never been lucky for me. Never had much luck with jig colored skirts like @A-Jay posted either, but almost every other natural color has paid off. I'm getting into the custom skirts too.

 

That's so crazy it just might work!

 

I have a couple questions about spinnerbaits myself:

1. Why do some willows spin on a nice, tight axis while others spin on a wider axis?
2. All things being equal (same skirt, same blades, etc.) which can you roll slower while still keeping the blades spinning, a heavier or lighter spinnerbait?

That's the spirit, we'll figger these dad gum spinnerbaits out step by step!

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Tennessee Boy said:

@MIbassyaker and @A-Jay  do you catch primarily smallmouth on your green, brown, orange, etc spinnerbaits? 

 

Yes ~ 

And that's at least partially by design as I'm targeting brown bass a good majority of the time.

But I have to say that if I were to put a percentage on my spinnerbait color catch rate, it would be something close to  60% caught on Chartreuse & White and the rest caught on a combination of everything else. 

So I do fish the old standby quite a bit too.

Perhaps tomorrow, I'll post a pic of a few of my more productive non-chartreuse / white spinnerbaits - 

And although I've only been fishing them effectively for I guess 2 years, my vibrating jig color patterns are much closer to all jig color skirts - with only a very small percentage caught on white & anything.  

Guess that could be a whole new thread.

A-Jay

 

[heavyduty]

Here's a curve ball.....

[Munkin]

2 hours ago, Boomstick said:

If I have to recommend one brand and model, it would be War Eagle's with a trokar hook in mouse and sexy shad colors. You can get them in 3/8oz, 1/2oz and with willow/colorado or dual willow blades. But overall, I'm less concerned with the brand of the spinnerbait and more concerned with the blades, colors and weight. If it holds up, I'll buy from that brand again, if not I will try someone else the next time I resupply. I haven't had too many issues with any one brand yet.

 

Here is what you need to know in a nutshell.

 

Weights

Generally, 3/8oz will catch the most fish. If you need more depth, are targeting larger fish or are fishing later in the year where you can fish faster, try a 1/2oz spinnerbait and if you're really targeting mondo bass, 3/4 and 1oz spinnerbaits can be quite effective. I normally keep a 3/8oz and 1/2oz version of each spinnerbait on hand. And 3/4oz and 1oz can be very effective for targeting mondo bass.

 

There is also a use for smaller spinnerbaits as well. A few lakes around where I live have a healthy supply of chain pickerel, and on days I am having no luck with bass, I will throw a 1/4oz or 3/16oz spinnerbait and catch a chain pickerel every 5 minutes or less, they absolutely hammer those smaller spinnerbaits.

 

Dual Willow Blades

Dual willow blades put off the least vibration, but the most flash. Typically, they are the best for clear water when the sun is out, but they usually catch me the most fish in cloudy water as well.

 

Colors and sizes I normally keep with dual willow blades: White and white like colors, White/Chartreuse, Sexy shad.

 

Willow/Colorado blades

Essentially interchangeable with dual willow blade spinnerbaits, a small colorado blade will add a little vibration. I tend to do very good with this blade configuration fishing at dusk and dawn and in cloudier water.

 

I would use the same colors as dual willow bladed spinnerbaits.

 

Colorado Bladed spinnerbaits

There are a few blade configurations I am encompassing into this group, single Colorado bladed spinnerbaits, dual Colorado bladed spinnerbaits and spinnerbaits with a large Colorado and smaller Indiana blade. I fish these largely in two scenarios, cloudy water and cold water when the fish aren't chasing too quickly. They generally tend to catch fewer fish, but the fish you will catch quite often tend to be larger.

 

Colors I normally use for colorado bladed spinnerbaits: White for cold water, white/chartreuse for dirty water and black (or mostly black) for night time fishing.

Very good advice here! I have been making my own spinnerbaits for years and could write at least 2 books about them. Chart./white with a Colorado and willow is the most popular spinnerbait sold period. With that being said which bait do you think the fish have seen? I like to change things up personally and have caught a lot of fish by thinking outside the box.

 

Allen

 

[Sluggo61]

Personally , cant find one off the shelf that I really like. So i made my own mold for a different head design (1/4 oz), incorporated 4 different shades of chartreuse ,  a size one trailer hook , "weathered" the blades for a more natural look, and use a cable to make it virtually impossible to get snagged. Gotta give a shout out to Bubba from rat trap bait co for the colors that nobody else carries. In NE Pennsylvania , I can take this anywhere and land better than average largemouth and smallmouth.

[MassYak85]

War Eagle, Nichols, and Stanley's have all been consistent and hold up well for me. War Eagle is probably may favorite though. 

[roadwarrior]

These articles will keep you busy:

 

https://www.bassresource.com/content/search?SearchText=spinnerbaits&BrowsePageLimit=30

 

 

 

[scaleface]

Spinnerbaits get hot and cold for  me and this last season they were "Hot". I had two Excalibur lures and wore one completely out , the wire broke ,  then started on the next one .The primary base  colors for the brown and green water I fish are whites , chartreuse  and combinations there of with other colors mixed in . Mostly I fish willow and also like the wide willows a lot . Colorado's are mostly employed   at night . I'm not brand loyal and use any of them as long as they have a ball bearing swivel .

[Jigfishn10]

On ‎3‎/‎23‎/‎2019 at 7:43 PM, fin said:

I have a couple questions about spinnerbaits myself:

1. Why do some willows spin on a nice, tight axis while others spin on a wider axis?
2. All things being equal (same skirt, same blades, etc.) which can you roll slower while still keeping the blades spinning, a heavier or lighter spinnerbait?

@jimmyjoe gave you some really good info. Just wanted to reinforce what he's already mentioned here:

 

1. Why do some willows spin on a nice, tight axis while others spin on a wider axis?

The following applies to all blades. The bigger the blade the more thump, lift and drag it has. The bigger blade is not only longer but wider. The wider blade will generally arc out wider. Willows will stay tighter followed by Indiana followed by Colorado. We'll just keep our discussion limited to those 3 for now. Because willows are narrower they tend to fish faster...less drag.

 

2. All things being equal (same skirt, same blades, etc.) which can you roll slower while still keeping the blades spinning, a heavier or lighter spinnerbait?

This is a matter of preference, but from what we know about blades above, I'd pick a single willow if I want to roll somewhat quickly. Indiana's followed by Colorado's will fish slower.

 

I hope this helps. It's only a small sample size of a lot of different factors that affect the way a spinnerbait swims. There are really no hard and fast rules, but a little information that can help you when determining your spinnerbait selection.

 

[Krux5506]

I've tried all sorts and keep coming back to the Strike King Banshees...For whatever reason they just consistently catch me fish. I've tried all sorts of other high end makes and models and I just always come back to those Banshees. They are by no means high quality but I'd say middle of the road. I've had the wire break right outta the head before after catching maybe 30 fish on the same one. I guess for me this would be my confidence spinnerbait. 

[JLBBass]

Titanium T1's or T2's. Own around 30 of them, and glad I do.

[fin]

3 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

1. Why do some willows spin on a nice, tight axis while others spin on a wider axis?

The following applies to all blades. The bigger the blade the more thump, lift and drag it has. The bigger blade is not only longer but wider. The wider blade will generally arc out wider. Willows will stay tighter followed by Indiana followed by Colorado. We'll just keep our discussion limited to those 3 for now. Because willows are narrower they tend to fish faster...less drag.

 

I'm just asking about willows, specifically, and in the case I noticed this, I think the two spinnerbaits in question are very similar, if not identical. One spins on its axis, the other one spins in a big arc. I thought maybe it had to do with the type of swivel, or maybe the hole in the blade was not drilled perfectly on center, or the wire was bent, something like that.

[bird-dog]

Terminator T1, in “Blue Shad” ¼ to 3/8-oz, 2 willow or willow/Colorado blades in silver or silver and gold, and I do use a trailer hook. I use these about 90% of my spinnerbait fishing. They track excellent, hold up well, except the paint on the head, but that hasn’t stopped them from catching for me, they have quality components and for me they just flat out catches them. 

 

War Eagle, in “Gold shiner” ½-oz, gold double Colorado blades for winter fishing the pads and I do use a trailer hook Track excellent, hold up well and catches them in the salad in cold water.

 

Micro Pond Magic, in “Alpine White” 1/8-oz, silver Colorado blade and I do not use a trailer hook. I mainly use these for pond fishing or when the bass get finicky and use for finesse fishing. Track well but skirts have fallen apart quickly.  

 

Jay
 

[Munkin]

A lot of really good information in this thread about spinnerbaits and how the different blades work. Keep up the good work fellas!

 

Allen

[jtharris3]

8 hours ago, bird-dog said:

Terminator T1, in “Blue Shad” ¼ to 3/8-oz, 2 willow or willow/Colorado blades in silver or silver and gold, and I do use a trailer hook. I use these about 90% of my spinnerbait fishing. They track excellent, hold up well, except the paint on the head, but that hasn’t stopped them from catching for me, they have quality components and for me they just flat out catches them. 

 

War Eagle, in “Gold shiner” ½-oz, gold double Colorado blades for winter fishing the pads and I do use a trailer hook Track excellent, hold up well and catches them in the salad in cold water.

 

Micro Pond Magic, in “Alpine White” 1/8-oz, silver Colorado blade and I do not use a trailer hook. I mainly use these for pond fishing or when the bass get finicky and use for finesse fishing. Track well but skirts have fallen apart quickly.  

 

Jay
 

 

Not trying to derail this thread but, that’s a nice looking dog in your avatar. About the only thing that rivals bass fishing for me is upland bird hunting behind my setters! 

[Gundog]

If you fish in pike/pickerel infested water I would invest in some Terminator T-1 spinner baits. They don't bend out of shape or snap if you bend them too much. I usually fish 3/8 to 1/2 ounce with a willow leaf main blade and a Colorado small blade. As far as skirt color, on the lake I fish most white or silver always produces so those are the colors I use. 

[Boomstick]

15 minutes ago, Gundog said:

If you fish in pike/pickerel infested water I would invest in some Terminator T-1 spinner baits. They don't bend out of shape or snap if you bend them too much. I usually fish 3/8 to 1/2 ounce with a willow leaf main blade and a Colorado small blade. As far as skirt color, on the lake I fish most white or silver always produces so those are the colors I use. 

Are they still making them? It seemed that everyone selling them had them go out of stock and finally get removed from their website. I was able to buy some on very nice black friday prices from fishusa.com last year, but they are no longer listed on their website.

 

I haven't got to use one yet, but I've always heard they do last a bit longer, so I thought I'd give them a shot.

[Gundog]

1 minute ago, Boomstick said:

Are they still making them? It seemed that everyone selling them had them go out of stock and finally get removed from their website. I was able to buy some on very nice black friday prices from fishusa.com last year, but they are no longer listed on their website.

Well if they aren't selling them anymore I'm sitting on a goldmine. The bidding for a packaged, new Terminator T-1 spinnerbait starts at $50 do I hear $55, $55, do I have a bid at $55.