Some more stuff on slow rolling SBs

[LrgmouthShad]

Hey ya'll,

 

I've been experimenting more with slow rolling spinnerbaits and learning more about how to effectively use this technique. Couple nights ago I was using a 3/4 oz spinner with a single colorado blade. Couldn't tell you the size of the blade but it is not terribly big. Maybe a 4.5-5. I have noticed that my sensitivity decreases to the point where i cant feel the blades turning on long casts until i get the sb closer to me. Once it is closer/shallower, I will feel the spinner. Just have a few questions that I unfortunately think may have complex answers because these are complex baits.

1. What can I do to increase sensitivity deep/far out but still maintain bottom contact?

2. Ive noticed a speed that lets the blade just barely turn when it is close and i can feel it. at that same speed deep, is the spinner still behaving the same (blade barely turning)?

3. Any other tips for slow rolling

 

Thanks!

[scaleface]

I run the line between my index finger and thumb . That increases feel  significantly . A lot of the old timers,  I mean veteran anglers do this . 

[LrgmouthShad]

10 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I run the line between my index finger and thumb . That increases feel  significantly . A lot of the old timers,  I mean veteran anglers do this . 

Thanks for the comment! I do the same. One of my main preferences for baitcasters over spinning actually.

 

Edit: Whoops read your post too quick, my apologies. While I do run the line over my index finger, I do not employ my thumb. I will try this next time im out.

Edited April 6, 2021 by LrgmouthShad
Correction

[GreenPig]

Braid

[Captain Phil]

Slow rolling is a very effective technique.  Most weekend anglers don't do it because they are in too much of a hurry.  Slow rolling keeps the bait in the strike zone longer.   It should be done as closer to cover as possible.  Strikes are not always obvious.  A bass can suck in a spinnerbait and spit it back out faster than you can react. Finding the right cadence is important.  I throw spinnerbaits with a 5/1 casting reel and 20 pound mono.  Anything faster tends to disrupt the bait tilting it on it's side or affecting it's running in some adverse way.   Experimenting with blade size can be beneficial.  I often downsize the top blade so the bait runs deeper.  This also makes the blades turn easier.  If you fish slow enough, you can actually fish a spinnerbait on the bottom.  Don't just throw and crank. Speed up and slow down.  Giving the bait a jerk once in a  while mimics deflection.  Hope that helps.

[Shimano_1]

If ur using mono I'd try fluoro. I know lots of guys on here disagree but I personally feel there's no comparison in what I can feel. Other than that maybe a little more sensitive rod? Slow rolling a spinnerbait is definitely effective my pb came doing this very thing a few years ago on a cold nasty day.

[LrgmouthShad]

Thanks for all your comments. My setup is 30lb braid to about a 6ft 12lb mono leader. My reel is a 5:4:1. I may try straight braid, but I am fishing in a lot of riprap so that may prove to be an issue. Also thanks for the tip on varying the retrieve Captain Phil. I have seen you post on slow rolling spinners before. Sometimes I think it's all I want to do. Know of someone secondhand in Virginia who trophy fished for bass and had more citations of 8+ lbers than anyone else at the time. Only bait he threw was a 1 oz single colorado.

[Glenn]

For slow rolling, I use straight fluorocarbon line (Seaguar InivizX), 15lb - no leader. 6'8" - 7'1" med/hvy rod, fast action tip.

 

Be sure to hold the rod tip near the water, and hold the rod to the side (almost 90 degrees) so you can feel that blade thumping.  That will make a huge difference in feel.

 

As mentioned, the bite can be subtle. So any change in thumping cadence, or changing from a "thump, thump, thump" to a "thud, thud, thud," could be a bite.

[LrgmouthShad]

4 minutes ago, Glenn said:

For slow rolling, I use straight fluorocarbon line (Seaguar InivizX), 15lb - no leader. 6'8" - 7'1" med/hvy rod, fast action tip.

 

Be sure to hold the rod tip near the water, and hold the rod to the side (almost 90 degrees) so you can feel that blade thumping.  That will make a huge difference in feel.

 

As mentioned, the bite can be subtle. So any change in thumping cadence, or changing from a "thump, thump, thump" to a "thud, thud, thud," could be a bite.

I like this. As much I don't like fluoro, haven't had a bad experience with seaguar. Abrazx could be the ticket for my particular situation with the riprap while still maintaining sensitivity. Thanks for your other tips as well. I'm cheap; sometime after this line has worn out i will spool on fluoro and give it another shot. 

[KP Duty]

Are you popping/stroking your bait right after it hits the water?  This gets your blades spinning even if you plan to let it sink a bit..  My first thought was maybe they weren't spinning until mid cast.

[Hammer 4]

12 hours ago, scaleface said:

I run the line between my index finger and thumb . That increases feel  significantly . A lot of the old timers,  I mean veteran anglers do this . 

I do the same thing, having contact with the line is key, I do that with all baits except top water.

[00bullitt]

If you are going to throw straight fluoro or straight braid, try the St. Croix Avid X in 7'4" Heavy.

The small eyes coupled of that rod REALLY help you feel a moving bait. I throw A-Rigs on one and can feel everything moving at 30'. Rods with the larger eyes, not so much. FYI.....braid to fluoro does not work so well on this rod.

 

Rod sensitivity makes a big difference.

[LrgmouthShad]

Thanks KP Duty, Hammer 4, and 00bullitt for the suggestions

[papajoe222]

On 4/6/2021 at 10:21 AM, LrgmouthShad said:

Hey ya'll,

 

 

1. What can I do to increase sensitivity deep/far out but still maintain bottom contact

Increase the angle of your rod to the water. Either up to 11:00, or down to 3:00

[Captain Phil]

On 4/6/2021 at 5:06 PM, LrgmouthShad said:

 Know of someone secondhand in Virginia who trophy fished for bass and had more citations of 8+ lbers than anyone else at the time. Only bait he threw was a 1 oz single colorado.

I can't speak for the rest of the country, but here in Florida a spinnerbait is a big fish bait. Gold is my preferred blade color.  Big bass in Florida prefer large native shiners.  They flash gold, so I assume that's why gold works so well here.  In the bedding season, bass will hit a spinnerbait out of aggression.  I've had some almost pull the rod out of my hand. You have to experiment to find what they want that day.

 

[Fishes in trees]

I get by with 17 or 20 lb mono.  If you can feel the bait when it is close to you, but somewhat lose feel when it is farther away from you, I think you just got to trust that the bait is doing what it is supposed to, just you can't feel it quite as well because of distance.   I'm not certain that feel makes a difference in this situation.

My notion is that if you are close to the bottom and reeling it pretty slow - then you're slo-rollin.    The way you tell if you're close to the bottom is if you pause on the retrieve and after a few seconds your line goes a little slack, then you're on the bottom.

 

Back in the day, Charlie Brewer used a term for retrieves called "polishing the rocks."  Slow rolling is polishing the rocks with a spinner bait - IMO.  As far as strike detection goes, I don't know what to tell you.  Me - I use a sensitive graphite rod that will throw the weight I want to throw and hope I feel the strikes.    I don't feel all of them, but I think this approach helps me feel most of them.   Not a fan of the graphite/glass or straight fiberglass rods - just a little too whippy for me.

I'm still looking for that "Excaliber" of spinner bait rods - a rod that will let me throw as far as I want, every time, without back lashes, a rod that will let me feel every strike ASAP and one that will never break.   There has to be one out there, I just haven't came across it yet - or maybe my wallet won't let me look in the right places, I don't know.

[E-rude dude]

All good advice here.

Only thing I can add is when long distance/deep SB or CB fishing, remember the bait is moving faster as it gets closer to you because the spool has more line on it. Try reeling slightly faster at first and slowing as it approaches you.

[LrgmouthShad]

3 minutes ago, E-rude dude said:

All good advice here.

Only thing I can add is when long distance/deep SB or CB fishing, remember the bait is moving faster as it gets closer to you because the spool has more line on it. Try reeling slightly faster at first and slowing as it approaches you.

Thanks for that tip

[Deleted account]

28 minutes ago, E-rude dude said:

All good advice here.

Only thing I can add is when long distance/deep SB or CB fishing, remember the bait is moving faster as it gets closer to you because the spool has more line on it. Try reeling slightly faster at first and slowinger as it approaches you.

FIFY. (sorry, I've been doing a lot of FOIA redacting at work...