Spinnerbait blade configurations

[Munkin]

Hoping to keep the threads alive about spinnerbaits as I love the tooic. Since we have already discussed color and blade size I would like to discuss configurations.  The most popular is a silver Colorado followed by a gold willow.  This is a catch all arrangement that works well overall in situations where a spinnerbait works. That being said in a pressured area fish have seen it enough that they can recognize the bait brand.  So what blade configurations does everyone like and under what conditions? 

 

Allen 

 

[Finessegenics]

I like two silver double willows in ANY conditions or time of year. I have experimented with gold as well. I haven’t  noticed a difference in my catch rates when it comes to blade color. I just seem to do way better on double willows. I do own spinnerbaits with other blade configurations, but all the new spinnerbaits I purchase are double willows. I’ve been converted. 

[islandbass]

I do not know why, but for me, the double willow seems to just catch more bass for me that the tandem willow and Colorado. 
 

I think that the double willow suits my normally moderate to moderately fast retrieve. This is my perception and best educated guess but I think the thinner profile of the double willow doesn’t create as much lift (more an issue in faster paced retrieves) at higher speeds and as a result, I believe my spinnerbait stays in the zone longer — whereas the tandem Colorado and willow probably generates more lift and that combined with how I might retrieve (speed wise) just might mean my bait is higher than I think it is and perhaps even lifted out of the zone. Just thoughts and trying to find a reason or explanation why the double willow combination might be more productive for me. I have on occasion when I get impatient (ie, running out of time) that my retrieve quickens such that my tandem actually busts through the surface.? Not good. 
 

Until I start making my own, pretty much the both configurations I mentioned above are what I use. Any conditions. I can’t wait to try French blades in some combination or solo.  Their widened just might force me to slow down too, lol. 

[Hammer 4]

Double Willow, both chrome, or 1 chrome and 1 gold. If I'm fishing heavy stained water, I'll go to 2 gold blades.

[Bluebasser86]

I like double gold or double copper but I fish a lot of stained water. I use a decent amount of painted blades also. 

[jimmyjoe]

   Usually, fishermen get the most fish off of whatever they throw the most.

   I have many different blade configurations. You'd be surprised how suddenly the s'bait that you threw on Tuesday fails on Wednesday, and the one on Wednesday that works is so very different.

This is especially true just before and after rains.

   That being said, a chrome single-Colorado thumper or chrome willow and gold Colorado catch the majority of my fish, whether spring, summer or fall.  

   As in most things, though, I continue to experiment.            jj

[Captain Phil]

The spinnerbait is one of the most versatile bass baits every developed.  Lure size, weight, wire diameter, wire shape, blade color, flash, blade shape, blade size, hardware, line diameter and reel speed all affect bass strikes.  This doesn't cover what happens on the fisherman's end. There is no perfect spinnerbait for all conditions.  I have seen days when you couldn't get a bite on a gold bait when they were tearing up white.   I have fished with anglers who modified their baits so slightly you wouldn't think it mattered, when it did.  Different parts of the country have diverse water color and bait fish.  Here in Florida, gold is the color of our native shiners. White is a shad.  Our bass food is big and so are our fish.  Over the years I have fished with practically every bass lure (except a Whopper Plopper).  More and more often I find myself fishing a spinnerbait.

 

I like tandem blades, Colorado in the front, willow in the rear.  Why?  I don't know, they just work for me.  Most likely because that's what I throw.   I often downsize my top blade and I seem to get more strikes.  I fish slower than most.  I fish closer than most.  I cast to the same target more than most.  If I only had one lure to fish with, it would be a spinnerbait.

[smalljaw67]

I use a few different configuration but there are two that I use more than any other. The main weapon is the double willow, most of the time both blades are nickel aka silver unless you use sterling silver plated blades. My second most used configuration is a tandem Indiana and Colorado. I like a larger Indiana on the swivel followed by a small Colorado on the clevis. 

[LrgmouthShad]

Well, I don’t throw willows unless I have to (grass). I like to retrieve my spinnerbaits at the speed that they are just barely working parallel to the bottom at whatever depth I’m fishing. When I’m using Colorado blades, this can mean I’m fishing pretty slow, especially with a trailer. My favorite configurations are double Indiana and single Colorado. I have noticed recently that a double Indiana makes an excellent mid-depth spinnerbait that will get bites even in bright sun with no wind. Just focusing on my two favorite configurations, when retrieving up in sight, I’ll throw either a single Colorado or double Indiana.depending on what the fish want. When fishing mid-depth, the double Indiana has been working really well for me. When working the bottom or when using the spinnerbait as a drop bait, it is single Colorado for me without a doubt. 

[scaleface]

When I started making my own I tried all these different blade configurations colors ... I didnt catch anymore fish . I caught less fish .Now  I almost always throw a gold willow with a chrome or copper Colorado . I have to use something and this combo produces well . The gold /copper combination came by accident as I ran out of chrome . I caught a lot of bass with it so continue to throw it . I use   slightly larger blades in the spring then step down a size afterwards

[Munkin]

So I throw 3 main configurations of blades; double willow, single Indiana, and Colorado over Indiana.  Most days in clear to stained water a double silver willows work best. Single Indiana I use for slow rolling in the spring.  Not sure how much of a difference is between a 5 Colorado and a 6 Indiana but it just works better for some reason? Third setup is one a buddy turned me onto.  Colorado over Indiana that I believe works because they never see it? I have followed boats down the bank throwing the typical chart/white baits and caught fish right behind them. If I can remember where I stashed my spinnerbaits during our home inspection I will take some pictures. 

 

Allen 

[Columbia Craw]

I’ll fish a spinnerbait in all levels off clarity.  Clear gets double willow silver/silver.  Lightly colored gets double willow silver/gold. Moderate stain gets Colorado/willow with silver/gold.  High stain gets Colorado/Indiana in silver/gold  and a heavy stain/low visibility get a red Colorado and gold Indiana. 

[Jason Penn]

i generally use dbl willows. i tend to like smaller blades, and smaller baits. i really like the 1/2oz hidden weight profile with a #4/#3.5.  i will use a gold blade on the shaft, but i always like a nickel/silver blade on the swivel.

 

i may buy a couple of the 1/2oz bassman compacts to see what i think about them.  i like the fact that it's not a hidden weight type, since i do like to kill an sb at times. for some reason i have a really hard time spending $13 on a spinnerbait!

[OldManLure]

On 10/25/2021 at 6:45 AM, Captain Phil said:

The spinnerbait is one of the most versatile bass baits every developed.  Lure size, weight, wire diameter, wire shape, blade color, flash, blade shape, blade size, hardware, line diameter and reel speed all affect bass strikes.  This doesn't cover what happens on the fisherman's end. There is no perfect spinnerbait for all conditions.  I have seen days when you couldn't get a bite on a gold bait when they were tearing up white.   I have fished with anglers who modified their baits so slightly you wouldn't think it mattered, when it did.  Different parts of the country have diverse water color and bait fish.  Here in Florida, gold is the color of our native shiners. White is a shad.  Our bass food is big and so are our fish.  Over the years I have fished with practically every bass lure (except a Whopper Plopper).  More and more often I find myself fishing a spinnerbait.

 

I like tandem blades, Colorado in the front, willow in the rear.  Why?  I don't know, they just work for me.  Most likely because that's what I throw.   I often downsize my top blade and I seem to get more strikes.  I fish slower than most.  I fish closer than most.  I cast to the same target more than most.  If I only had one lure to fish with, it would be a spinnerbait.

It seems to me that a Colorado in front of a willow, or any smaller profile blade, would affect the action of the rear blade.  Is there no affect, or is it so negligible that it doesn’t matter?  Is this why downsizing front blade may be more productive?  

[Log Catcher]

In another thread @papajoe222 talked about using a short arm spinnerbait with a single willow leaf blade. I thought about changing out the blades on one of mine to a willow leaf to try since I have only used them with a Colorado blade. Since this is a small profile bait I was planning to use a size 3 or 3.5 blade. Will these small blades work okay on a swivel or are they better suited for use on the clevis on a 2 bladed spinnerbait?

[Captain Phil]

13 hours ago, OldManLure said:

It seems to me that a Colorado in front of a willow, or any smaller profile blade, would affect the action of the rear blade.  Is there no affect, or is it so negligible that it doesn’t matter?  Is this why downsizing front blade may be more productive?  

 

In most spinnerbaits, the rear blade is easy to change.  The Hildebrand spinnerbaits I use have a quick change feature where all you must do is move a slide to change the blade. Changing the front blade is a major tear down.  With a tandem spinnerbait, I don't believe the front blade does much more than balance the lure.  I'm not a fish, so I can't verify my thoughts on this. 

 

Swapping out blades is tricky business.  It's easy to adversely affect the running of the lure.  If the wire gets bent out of shape, it can turn a great bait into a casting plug.  Pulling the lure too fast can also negatively affect these lures.  If you find the fish want a lure bulging near the top, I believe there are better choices than a spinnerbait.  So why does downsizing the rear blade work for me?  I don't know, but it does.  Perhaps my fish see so many Walmart spinnerbaits in a day that my bait looks different?   Perhaps I can pull my spinnerbaits slower or deeper?   Much experimentation is required to find what your fish want on any given day.   This is where having many years on the water has it's advantages. 

[LrgmouthShad]

1 hour ago, Captain Phil said:

The Hildebrand spinnerbaits I use have a quick change feature where all you must do is move a slide to change the blade.

Are those the Okeechobee specials? 

[Captain Phil]

40 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Are those the Okeechobee specials? 

 

Yes.   I am a big fan of Hildebrand spinnerbaits.  When you fish a lot of tournaments like I did, you learn what works.  Any spinnerbait will catch bass when the bite is on. When the bite slows, it's the small details that make a difference.   Hildebrand blade flash is far superior to other blades.  The gold body reflects the surroundings making the lure look more natural in the water.  These are not the cheapest lures and they are not the strongest.  When fun fishing, I don't care if the wire breaks.  In tournaments, I switch them out if the wire gets twisted.  War Eagle makes a similar bait.  I've had so much success with Hildebrand that I stay with what has worked in the past. 

[LrgmouthShad]

26 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

I am a big fan of Hildebrand spinnerbaits

Have you found applications for the tin roller? The okeechobee special is on my wishlist. I like the look of them quite a lot. That back blade is huge though.

[Captain Phil]

22 minutes ago, LrgmouthShad said:

Have you found applications for the tin roller? The okeechobee special is on my wishlist. I like the look of them quite a lot. That back blade is huge though.

 

I have fished the Tin Roller in the past.   I found it too heavy for Florida fishing.  Florida bass fishing is generally done in shallow water.  The water is also much darker than what you may find in the North.    I have better luck with lighter lures and slower retrieves.  The Okeechobee Special had a # 4 1/2 rear blade for years.  They work better for me with a #4 rear blade.   The have noticed the manufacturer has recently switched to the smaller blade as well. If I want to throw a big spinnerbait, I use "The Blade" by Hildebrand.  It's a big fish bait here in Florida.  Probably mimics a large golden shiner.   I don't know if it's made anymore.  Here is one from my old stash of baits.

 

 

[Catt]

Spinnerbait fishing is my first love

 

Spent many days walking the marshes, bayous, & swamps of southwest Louisiana with a H&H & later a Humdinger.

 

I made custom spinnerbaits for years, to me the "configuration" is the entire lure. The hook, the head, the wire, the clevises, the swivels, the beads/tube, the skirt & blades.

 

Like @Captain Phil mention certain "configurations" produce better in certain bodies of water.

 

Anywhere south of I10 ya better be throwing a Humdinger!

 

A little trick I use during pre-spawn is to cut down the plastic tube separating the blades, if it's beads I remove a couple. This allows the blades to hit together when paused & restarted or when helicoptered. I use this when targeting shoreline brush & wood.

[Captain Phil]

My friends and I have been experimenting with spinnerbaits for years. It's amazing how a little change can make a big difference.  The thickness of the wire affects the vibration of the lure more than many believe.  The way the wire is formed does as well.   One of my friends is a multi time Federation Champion.  He always adds some purple to his skirts.  Spinnerbaits are big fish baits.  They mimic the forage larger bass prefer.  If I want to catch a pile of 12" bass, I use a worm.  If I need larger fish, a spinnerbait is my choice.  

[Munkin]

On 11/7/2021 at 2:19 PM, Jason Penn said:

i generally use dbl willows. i tend to like smaller blades, and smaller baits. i really like the 1/2oz hidden weight profile with a #4/#3.5.  i will use a gold blade on the shaft, but i always like a nickel/silver blade on the swivel.

 

i may buy a couple of the 1/2oz bassman compacts to see what i think about them.  i like the fact that it's not a hidden weight type, since i do like to kill an sb at times. for some reason i have a really hard time spending $13 on a spinnerbait!

Just pour your own or get someone to make the heads for you.  I  won't say anything negative about another bait maker I just don't know how he came up with such a high price?

 

Allen 

[Jason Penn]

On 11/9/2021 at 6:41 PM, Munkin said:

Just pour your own or get someone to make the heads for you.  I  won't say anything negative about another bait maker I just don't know how he came up with such a high price?

 

Allen 

i'm not sure how most baits are priced where they are anymore. it seems like rods & reels have made lateral moves. the middle of the road stuff is as good as the high end stuff was 20-25 years ago, and still at basically the same price point.

 

allen u know anyone that would pour me up some 1/2oz heads with a compact frame?? ?

the bassman head looks very similar to a prespawn spinnerbait i have that i'm waiting to try in early march.

[CrashVector]