Slow Rolling Lighter Weight Spinnerbaits ?

[ChrisD46]

Usually , when discussions are held regarding slow rolling spinner baits the spinnerbait weights begin at 1/2 oz. and more commonly 3/4th oz. and 1 oz. weights . This is due to the deeper depths that slow rolling spinnerbaits (i.e. Winter) are used  and the desire to keep these spinnerbaits running  close to the bottom . 

 

The above said - what if your max depths are say 10' and not the much deeper depths (20 ft. +)  these heavier spinnerbaits are typically used in for slow rolling ? ... *Do you still stay with a heavier spinnerbait (i.e. 1/2oz) in shallower water for slow rolling  or could you drop down to a 3/8th oz. spinnerbait for slow rolling if your water depth does not top exceed say 10 ft. ? I'm thinking the spinnerbait weight for slow rolling has more to do with water depth than the slow rolling technique itself (as long as can maintain near bottom retrieve depth important to slow rolling ... Your thoughts and experiences ?

[J Francho]

I go to bigger, tandem Colorado style blades.  

[Log Catcher]

Several years ago Stan Sloane made a short arm spinner bait with a single Colorado blade on it. I still have some in 3/8 ounce and have caught many fish slow rolling them. I move them just fast enough to feel the blade turning.

[river-rat]

I make a 7/16 oz. spinnerbait that I use with a single 4 1/2 Hildebrandt colorado blade that I feel comfortable slow rolling down to about 6-7 feet. I can fish it deeper but I'd rather go to a 1/2 oz. in the 8-10 foot range.

[GReb]

The blade creates lift and the head weight keeps it in the water. Mix and match to achieve your desired result. If you go down in weight you’ll need to use a smaller blade to stay deeper. If you want a big blade, switch to a heavier head to offset the additional lift created by the blade. 

[Jigfishn10]

1 hour ago, GReb said:

The blade creates lift and the head weight keeps it in the water. Mix and match to achieve your desired result. If you go down in weight you’ll need to use a smaller blade to stay deeper. If you want a big blade, switch to a heavier head to offset the additional lift created by the blade. 

PERFECT! 

If I had to add one other thing, the skirt and trailer (if using one) add lift as well.

[Catt]

The only time I slow roll a spinnerbait is during pre-spawn/spawn. Depths range from bank shallow out to 10-12' in brush or standing timber.

 

Stanley Wedge Plus Spinnerbait in 1/4, 3/8, or 1/2 oz.

 

Reel: Shimano Calcutta 50A 5.0:1

 

[ChrisD46]

Great comments !  **I should add what blade configuration do you like to slow roll with :

• Colorado (single or double)
• Willow (double)
• Combo (willow / Colorado
• Indiana (double)

[J Francho]

On 1/21/2021 at 1:48 PM, J Francho said:

I go to bigger, tandem Colorado style blades.  

The question was slow rolling in shallower water.  The larger tandem Colorado blades let you go slower in shallow water since there is more lift.  Hope that helps.  The main blade is like a soup spoon.  None of my spinnerbaits are under 1/2 oz.

[LrgmouthShad]

41 minutes ago, ChrisD46 said:

Great comments !  **I should add what blade configuration do you like to slow roll with :

• Colorado (single or double)
• Willow (double)
• Combo (willow / Colorado
• Indiana (double)

I like single colorado. Take a look at twin arm spinnerbaits too. I will be trying those next winter. 

[Hammer 4]

I've been using the slow roll spinnerbait technique for years fishing shallow ponds and lakes. I use double willow blades and 99.99% of the time it will be 1/2 oz. I do hav some 3/8 oz spinnerbaits, but seldom use them.

Also where I fish the willow blades seem to work the best. I would try different blades to see what works best for you. 

[Johnbt]

A 3/8-ounce single- or double-blade works for bottom crawling if you put a large enough trailer on it. Something like a 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-inch curly tail lunker grub.

 

I use 3/8-ounce spinnerbaits they're usually double willow. Most of our ponds and lakes have a lot of 8 to 12-foot heavily stained water.

[Boomstick]

If you're fishing in shallower water, a 3/8oz should generally be fine as long as the blades aren't too big. If you're using a larger blade, then 1/2 may work better.

 

[Johnbt]

The willow blades on my favorite 3/8 Booyah are fairly small, although I can't say what the size is off the top of my head. The hook is a 4/0. Okay, I measured one, the large blade measured 1 7/8" x 5/8". What's that, a size 4?

[Bankbeater]

This time of year I fish with a 1/8 oz spinnerbait in smaller lakes and ponds that are around 10 to 15 feet deep.  I let it sink all the way to the bottom then I start my retrieve.  I just speed up the retrieve until I feel resistance from the spinnerbait, and then slow it down a little.  I'm fishing with 6 lb mono on a ml/f rod.

[jimmyjoe]

   Take this for what it's worth:

 

   One of my friends likes spinnerbaits deep. While I use a slow roll, he uses a stop-drop-and-roll retrieve. In other words, he'll drop the spinnerbait for perhaps 10 seconds, then pop it up and continue a slow roll for 2-3 seconds, then drop it again.

   The thing is, he will not use normal size spinnerbaits for this. He uses anything from a Booyah Micro Pond Magic (1/8 head weight) to a Strike King Li'l Mr. Money (3/16 oz. head weight).

  He outfishes me in cold water. 

   Never underestimate the power of small lures to catch bass, especially in cold water. That definitely includes small spinnerbaits. The thing is, you have to recognize that different lures may take different retrieve techniques and speeds.

   Hope this was helpful.               jj

  

[KP Duty]

On 1/21/2021 at 11:08 AM, Log Catcher said:

Several years ago Stan Sloane made a short arm spinner bait wit a single Colorado blade on it. I still have some in 3/8 ounce and have caught many fish slow rolling them. I move them just fast enough to feel the blade turning.

Are you referring to the Aggravator?   Grest bait.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zorro_Baits_Short_Arm_Aggravator_Spinnerbait_/descpage-ZSAA.html

[papajoe222]

I use 3/8oz. Down to 10-12ft. Unlike most, l don’t use Colorado blades as their lift makes it difficult to keep the bait down. I prefer tandem willow or a tandem combo with the bigger blade a willow. 
If I want to use a Colorado blade, I’ll upsize to 1/2pz. 

[Log Catcher]

7 hours ago, KP Duty said:

Are you referring to the Aggravator?   Grest bait.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zorro_Baits_Short_Arm_Aggravator_Spinnerbait_/descpage-ZSAA.html

 

7 hours ago, KP Duty said:

Are you referring to the Aggravator?   Grest bait.

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Zorro_Baits_Short_Arm_Aggravator_Spinnerbait_/descpage-ZSAA.html

That is the one I am referring to. The one I had the most luck with has a silver Colorado blade and a skirt very similar to the spot remover color in War Eagles color line.

[ChrisD46]

Good comments - slow rolling a spinner bait can obviously entail using different blade styles (not just  Colorado blade) . I found a tandem Indiana blade spinnerbait (either 3/8th oz. or 1/2 oz.) in my tackle collection to try . I have asorted double willow leaf and tandem willow / Colorado spinnerbaits to try slow rolling with . 

[Catt]

Slow rolling a spinnerbait is more about the operator than the equipment.

 

Some anglers don't have the patience to properly slow roll a light spinnerbait so they upsize the weight to compensate.

 

It's quite common down here in our shallow water marshes to slow roll a 1/4 oz Beetle Spin.

 

Blade configuration has more to do with what the fish want than what I want to slow roll with.