SpinnerBaits ...How cold is to cold ?

[J.Vincent]

This year I’ve been catching numbers and larger than average Largemouth in 44 to 54 degree water on SpinnerBaits. Prior to this year, my rule of thumb was to throw SpinnerBaits in 55 degree water and warmer. I’m wondering how many other anglers throw a Spinnerbait in colder water , and what is generally the coldest water bass will consistently bite SpinnerBaits ?

[WRB]

I make a twin spin I use during the winter.

Tom

[Sam]

J, bass have to eat no matter what the water temperature, and you know they will not move far for a snack if the water is cold.

 

So down here in Virginia we still throw spinnerbaits when the water temperature is in the 50's and we fish the spinnerbait slow as possible, sometimes slow rolling it on the bottom.

 

We also like to throw our moving baits where the sun has warmed the water as that is where the bass will go to enjoy the sun and warmer water.

 

We also keep an open mind and change presentations and baits if the spinnerbait does not produce bites, going back to it during the day off and on.

[smalljaw67]

The spinnerbait is my favorite lure and I'll throw them for smallmouth when the water is above 45 degrees. For largemouth the water has to be over 50 but I only throw them in colder water when it is too dirty for a jerkbaits, for me that is less than 2' of visibility. 

[nascar2428]

Spinnerbaits are one of my confidence baits, having said that, I throw them all of the time. Starting just after ice out.

[Catt]

Cold water only means it takes the bass longer to digest it's food.

 

I'll throw a big Colorado single blade in the dead of winter slow rolling it on the bottom.

[FryDog62]

I was just out 2 days ago in 46 degree water for smallies.  Couldn’t get a sniff on the usual best early season lure - jerkbait.  Went to the big Colorado blade as Catt mentioned above and got two right away. 

[IgotWood]

3 hours ago, Sam said:

J, bass have to eat no matter what the water temperature, and you know they will not move far for a snack if the water is cold.

 

So down here in Virginia we still throw spinnerbaits when the water temperature is in the 50's and we fish the spinnerbait slow as possible, sometimes slow rolling it on the bottom.

 

We also like to throw our moving baits where the sun has warmed the water as that is where the bass will go to enjoy the sun and warmer water.

 

We also keep an open mind and change presentations and baits if the spinnerbait does not produce bites, going back to it during the day off and on.

^^This^^

 

The only time of year I actually use a spinnerbait is during the winter and early spring. As always, temperature is relative you every body of water. On my lake, if the water gets below 44, IT'S COLD! But I still throw the spinnerbait. In fact, it's one of the only cold water baits that produce for me. I use smaller profile spinnerbaits. The Evilution Vortext is my favorite. It's the perfect size, and has willow and Colorado blades. The colder it is, the slower my retrieve. I mainly stick with 1/4oz and 3/8oz.

 

Back in February, I found fish on a ledge. Couldn't buy a bite! Water temp was cold, in the mid 40's. I cast my spinnerbait and began my retrieve. I stopped for a moment to wipe my runny nose on my glove. As soon as I turned the handle again, I got bit. So I changed me retrieve. Let it settle on bottom, pause, make 4-5 turns of the handle, let it settle, pause, repeat. It turned out to be a fun day, and one of my better days of the season.

 

 

[Sam]

1 hour ago, IgotWood said:

^^This^^

 

The only time of year I actually use a spinnerbait is during the winter and early spring. As always, temperature is relative you every body of water. On my lake, if the water gets below 44, IT'S COLD! But I still throw the spinnerbait. In fact, it's one of the only cold water baits that produce for me. I use smaller profile spinnerbaits. The Evilution Vortext is my favorite. It's the perfect size, and has willow and Colorado blades. The colder it is, the slower my retrieve. I mainly stick with 1/4oz and 3/8oz.

 

Back in February, I found fish on a ledge. Couldn't buy a bite! Water temp was cold, in the mid 40's. I cast my spinnerbait and began my retrieve. I stopped for a moment to wipe my runny nose on my glove. As soon as I turned the handle again, I got bit. So I changed me retrieve. Let it settle on bottom, pause, make 4-5 turns of the handle, let it settle, pause, repeat. It turned out to be a fun day, and one of my better days of the season.

 

 

I, we throw them all year in all conditions.

 

Consider giving 'em a try!

[J.Vincent]

Thanks for all the input. Somehow between 1994 and 2018 I must have developed or acquired a preset notion about water temperatures and SpinnerBaits, based on misinformation.

[Bluebasser86]

Jason Christie almost won the Bassmasters Classic on Grand a few years ago with nothing but a spinnerbait and water temps in the low to mid 40s. His bite actually died when the water got warmer. 

[WRB]

Everyone must think the water temperatures are homogeneous or the same top to bottom, it rarely is in lakes. During the coldest winter periods the deeper water near the bottom is usually warmer then the upper layers near the surface and the reason bass are down near the bottom.

Being cold blooded animals the body temperature of the fish is the same as the water temps. Body temp regulates metabolism or the need to eat, colder less food, warmer more food. Bass are warm water fish verses trout that are cold water fish, different needs.

Spring water is always somewhere between 50-60 degrees year around and provides life saving warm water during winter for bass. The lake can be iced over but the spring water is still 50-60 degrees. My point is your surface reading temperature probe doesn't tell you what the water temps are at the depth the bass are located and that is important. What is more important is locating the bass then decide what to use to catch them. Just making the point don't assume the bass are in 40 degree water.

I use twin spin spinnerbaits that have 1 3/4" spreaders with size 2 Colorado blades and 3/4 oz football head jig with darker color skirts and trailers during the winter. Twin spins are a forgotten lure that fall vertically down through the water column similar to a single spin spinner bait except slower with more blade vibration. After hitting bottom a few lifts and falls before retreiving can trigger strikes but most are on the initial fall, very good deep water slow moving winter lure for big bass.

Tom

 

 

[813basstard]

1 hour ago, J.Vincent said:

Thanks for all the input. Somehow between 1994 and 2018 I must have developed or acquired a preset notion about water temperatures and SpinnerBaits, based on misinformation.

Hehe! 24 years of confusion. Title of my biography...

[J.Vincent]

I wouldn't call it confusion but that's pretty good : ) It's more of a miscalculation : )

[Munkin]

Quote

 

Once the water temp hits 45 degree's it is game on and I catch them on all hard baits.

 

Allen

 

 

[Boomstick]

You can catch them all year round on spinnerbaits once the ice melts. Granted, once the water gets into the 50s you're going to catch more fish, but try slow rolling a spinnerbait with a large colorado blade (or two if you prefer). I also really like the indiana blade in clearer water because it adds a lot of reflection.

 

I got my first bass of the year on a spinnerbait.

[river-rat]

I'll throw a spinnerbait regardless of water temperature.