Spinnerbait Selection, Weight

[5/0]

I have several of these baits in 3/8 and 1/2, but none in 3/4. In the past I rarely threw them, but would like to start doing so. I read an article that said you should keep a selection of either the 3/8 or 1/2, but never both, and a selection of 3/4 or 1 oz., but never both. So, until I can get some 3/4 or 1 oz. spinnerbaits can I add a trailer to a 3/8 to make it a 3/4? Say adding a Keitech Fat Impact to make it a 3/4 to fish deeper?

Any suggestions on  brands of 3/4 to 1 oz. SB would be appreciated. Most of my SB are Terminators or Strike King and the 3/4 to 1 oz. are not available in these brand.

 

Thanks....Joe

[OkobojiEagle]

If I understand your question correctly... adding a plastic trailer to a spinnerbait may help it cast farther, but would also give the bait more lift in the water, fishing shallower.  Slow down the retrieve speed or change blades to a smaller size to fish a spinnerbait deeper.

 

oe

[GReb]

https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/selecting_spinnerbaits.html

[WRB]

If the blades are the same type and size then heavier weight allow the spinnerbait run deeper, the primary function being depth control. 

Why are you thinking of heavier spinnerbaits? Cast further? Run deeper, use bigger blades? Use different types of blades?

Tom

[Catt]

52 minutes ago, 5/0 said:

I read an article that said you should keep a selection of either the 3/8 or 1/2, but never both, and a selection of 3/4 or 1 oz., but never both. 

 

What!

 

I throw 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, & 1 oz!

 

Google 3/4 oz spinnerbait & a whole list shows up.

25 minutes ago, WRB said:

Why are you thinking of heavier spinnerbaits? Cast further? Run deeper, use bigger blades? Use different types of blades?

Tom

 

Throwing big spinnerbaits on offshore structure is a staple down south.

[WRB]

The combinations of spinnerbaits is nearly endless, just trying to narrow it down for the OP.

Tom

 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, WRB said:

The combinations of spinnerbaits is nearly endless, just trying to narrow it down for the OP.

Tom

 

 

I understand that the combination of blades is nearly endless.

 

I think limiting yourself to only a 3/4 oz or 1 oz is a mistake in my opinion.

[Deleted account]

I don't own many 3/4 or 1 oz spinnerbaits. I usually wrap some solid solder around the hook shaft of a 1/2 oz to get it deeper when required. I haven't weighed them, but I'd guess they are a tad over 3/4. I also wrap smaller baits when I want a smaller profile and want to fish it deeper.

[king fisher]

I was fishing a 1/2 ounce spinner bait in a Mexican lake.  My guide said I needed to fish the bait deeper.  He slid a 3/8 ounce bullet sinker on the line in front of the spinner bait.  I asked if that works. He asked why not?  I couldn't think of a reason it wouldn't so I tried it. I was able to cast further, the bait got down deeper, and I started catching bass.  Sometimes a simple solution to a problem is best.  I don't think the Bait Monkey would like this guide. 

[JediAmoeba]

1 hour ago, king fisher said:

I was fishing a 1/2 ounce spinner bait in a Mexican lake.  My guide said I needed to fish the bait deeper.  He slid a 3/8 ounce bullet sinker on the line in front of the spinner bait.  I asked if that works. He asked why not?  I couldn't think of a reason it wouldn't so I tried it. I was able to cast further, the bait got down deeper, and I started catching bass.  Sometimes a simple solution to a problem is best.  I don't think the Bait Monkey would like this guide. 

That sounds like what I do when fishing for trout with inline spinners...throw on a bullet weight and a swivel then have a 3 foot fluoro trailer with the spinner attached.  Also allows me to use a baitcaster.  Lol. 

[tbone1993]

I used to have a pretty good mix until my box disappeared. Either stolen at the boat ramp aka left behind or fell off the boat and it sank like a stone. That being said I only use 3/4 & 1 oz when Im fishing a lake for small mouth. I had a few of the SK bottom bouncers but rarely ever threw those for largies. My bread and butter as a 1/2oz in shad, chart/shad, or bluegill. Threw those most of the time for LM. BUT the best spinnerbait ive ever used is a war eagle mike mclelland finesse spinnerbait in 3/8. Caught more fish on that and really shouldn't say that too loudly. All of my 3/4 1oz spinnerbaits were custom made for smallies either painted blade or all chart / mix of chart and white.  I think its foolish to say you shouldnt have a 3/8 if you have a half. Its more important to have different blade shapes.  Have some willow blades for burning, have some colorado blades for slow grinding, and have some indiana blades to switch it up.

[Bluebasser86]

I have a lot of 3/8 and 1/2 but also make my own in 5/8, 3/4, and 1oz. A trailer will add weight, but it also adds bulk and lift, making it harder to get a bait to run deeper if that's the goal. 

[river-rat]

20 hours ago, Catt said:

 

What!

 

I throw 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 3/4, & 1 oz!

 

Google 3/4 oz spinnerbait & a whole list shows up.

 

Throwing big spinnerbaits on offshore structure is a staple down south.

 

x2

 

I carry the same weights. If you want a 3/4 oz. spinnerbait, get a 1/4 oz. rubber core sinker, remove the rubber core, and then pinch it on the shank of the hook of a 1/2 oz. spinnerbait. I've done this many times and it does work.

 

 

[5/0]

Thank you!

Another thought....can you switch out skirt colors irrespective of the head color? Say change a black and red skirt to white on a bait that has a black head.

Do bass hone in on the skirt only, or does the head factor in as well?

[GreenPig]

I fish 1/8 to 2 ounce spinnerbaits. Depends on the bait size and depth I'm fishing.

[Deleted account]

On 7/19/2019 at 4:52 PM, 5/0 said:

can you switch out skirt colors irrespective of the head color?

Only if you have the proper permits, and your HOA allows it.

[scaleface]

On 7/18/2019 at 9:13 PM, king fisher said:

I was fishing a 1/2 ounce spinner bait in a Mexican lake.  My guide said I needed to fish the bait deeper.  He slid a 3/8 ounce bullet sinker on the line in front of the spinner bait.  I asked if that works. He asked why not?  I couldn't think of a reason it wouldn't so I tried it. I was able to cast further, the bait got down deeper, and I started catching bass.  Sometimes a simple solution to a problem is best.  I don't think the Bait Monkey would like this guide. 

I have done this . Did you add a bobber stop?

 

 I have some DOA pinch on weights to add to the shank and 1/8 ounce rubber core sinkers that do the same thing . Theres always a way too add weight .

[Sam]

There is no such rule in spinnerbait fishing.

 

Anything goes.

 

I have all sizes.

I will admit that I am partial to both War Eagles and Hank Parker's line of spinnerbaits.

[papajoe222]

On 7/18/2019 at 3:02 PM, 5/0 said:

 I read an article that said you should keep a selection of either the 3/8 or 1/2, but never both.

 

 

 

I can't believe an article with such misleading information was even published.

If you want , you can stick to one weight, but by no means should you limit yourself to one or the other.  If you do, I'd suggest the 1/2oz. as it is easier to get one to ride high in the water column than it is to keep the lighter one down deep.

[Deleted account]

9 hours ago, papajoe222 said:

I can't believe an article with such misleading information was even published.

If you want , you can stick to one weight, but by no means should you limit yourself to one or the other.  If you do, I'd suggest the 1/2oz. as it is easier to get one to ride high in the water column than it is to keep the lighter one down deep.

I think what the author was trying to convey is that if you are going to have a limited number of sizes it shouldn't be 3/8 and 1/2, which is true, but points to the problem of trying to simplify matters. There are just so many nuances to fishing a spinnerbaits, that one can make it as complicated and detailed or as straight forward as one wishes. What doesn't change is that fact that a particular spinnerbait of any size or weight, in any blade combination (out of the package or modified) either does a good job at catching fish on a particular day, on a particular body of water, under particular conditions and cover, or it doesn't.

[5/0]

https://m.bassmaster.com/node/39512

 

Old article, but this is the one I was referencing.

[Deleted account]

2 hours ago, 5/0 said:

https://m.bassmaster.com/node/39512

 

Old article, but this is the one I was referencing.

Yeah, it's what I thought. He recommended 3/8 and 1/2 for shallow water, then said if you are going to fish 5' or less you don't need both. and my favorite part of the article, after saying you only need a few baits is;

 

"It makes no sense to spend your money on lures just because someone caught a bunch of bass on them in a legendary lake 1,000 miles from your home. "