Spinnerbaits for Smallies

[Fat Ika]

I have no experience with spinnerbaiting for smallies. I bought some MB SV-3s and some screamin eagles to venture into this next year. I have access to a deep glacial lake with primarily rock, gravel, sand, sparse grass. Perch, white bass, ciscos, shiners, minnows are primary forage. I understand this will be a time on the water deal to learn the ideal conditions to spinnerbait for smallies. Still looking to curve the learning. What conditions have you had the best experience with? And are there nuances that would not traditionally work for largies, but will work for smallies……. Like, can you through painted blades in gin clear water on a rock/sand flat with no wind? 

[A-Jay]

IME, throwing spinnerbaits for brown bass is all about Speed.

Here a little more info . . .

https://youtu.be/Z95g3H4qmp0?t=83

https://youtu.be/frJAlndpO7E

A-Jay

[Serpent Mound]

For lake smallmouth I really can't say. I agree with the above post that spinnerbait smallies is mostly about speed. I would target weedlines (if you have any) with them specifically. In the rivers I would certainly advocate for them, as it seems that those with the chartreuse blades seem to be especially effective. One thing to be aware of is that they are a big fish selector, they're a quality over quantity bait for sure. 

[Bird]

If I'm covering water looking for Smallmouth, a white spinnerbait has always been my 1st choice around here. 

Super flukes and Neds also do well. 

 

[cyclops2]

The most efficient spinner I have is a Mepps Minnow.  40 years later ?  I still have 2 left.  The get hit when my weighted Rapalas are a zero.

[OldManLure]

Spinnerbaits can be a killer for smallies.  I am a firm believer in speed, flash, and a trailer.  I have been unable to replicate the success I have had with silver blades when using painted blades.  I’m not sure why, but it doesn’t really matter.  I don’t believe I’m missing fish.  I should say that I fish rivers almost exclusively.  But on the few occasions I’ve fished lakes, the only thing I change is size of the willow leaf blades.  When I’m in water in which current isn’t exaggerating lift, I can  use larger blades for more flash.

I think you will find spinnerbaits to be effective and fun. Almost as mush fun as topwater and jerkbaits!

 

[cyclops2]

Totally agree that Silver is best. Gold is a distant next best.

[Columbia Craw]

Pre spawn killers.  Flats, shallower ledges and over emerging grass is good.  Stump beds are also very good.

 

A double willow in heavier weights really help you maintain the speed in your retrieve. I almost think of a spinnerbait as a jerk bait for how you address chop, clarity and how high in the water column.  Fast is always my starting point. I love translucent skirts for smallmouth.  Smallmouth really tear a spinnerbait up.  That’s a great problem to have.

[heavyduty]

I'm a river smallmouth fisherman. Gold blades are my #1, mainly willow with a #4 on the swivel, #3 on the clevis, lighter wire 028-032. If heavily stained to muddy, then I'll go colorado blades. White and chartreuse blades work great in this colored water as well. 

White, white/chartreuse, GP with purple, shad, and bluegill skirts are my top producers. Toledo gold gets a strong showing in the Spring. 

Seldom do I use a trailer or trailer hook. I find the river smallies usually crush a spinnerbait, not just nip at it. 

Seldom burn it, usually either a steady retrieve with a slight pause every couple cranks to let the skirt pulse out or slow rolling ticking the bottom.

If fishing the bank out to the boat, get the bait as close to the bank or on the bank to start the retrieve. If out in the river, learn to cast with as little splash down as possible. I'll start my retrieve much like a buzzbait, start cranking before it hits the water so it glides into the water, then let it sink if you are going to slow roll. 

Bites can occur in the first few cranks, after it bounces off something, or as the spinnerbait starts to climb in the water column near the end of the retrieve, so fish it all the way back.

Let it hit/bounce off of limbs, trunks, rocks, just like a crankbait.

I use screamin eagles, Snagler Tackle, Patterson Custom baits, Battle Baits, Limber Blade, and Stanley's Vibra Wedge

[OldManLure]

On the topic of spinnerbaits for smallies, has anyone used the Panther Martin Bearded Banshee?  I have been a fan of Panther Martin spinners since the 60s.  I was intrigued by the concave/convex blade, and was sold on it after seemingly catching something on almost every cast.  I can’t help believe that their spinnerbait would be a nice addition to my collection.  I might even overlook that several of their choices (at least those offered by TW) have painted blades.

[Finessegenics]

It's one of, if not my favorite way to fish for smallies. I'll also add that speed is important, I'm a big proponent of burning a spinnerbait. I never caught much slow rolling or with a slow retrieve. My spinnerbait of choice is a Screamin Eagle Dbl Willow 3/4 oz. The heavier weight makes it easier to burn but not necessarily stay up at the surface, at least in shallower water. Only colors I throw are white/baitfish-y and chartreuse; or a combination of the two. I do have an assortment of gold and nickel framed screaming eagle. I tend to use the gold frame/gold blade on overcast days, as I was always told gold reflects light better when there is less sun. 

 

As to your question about painted blades, I don't think it matters all too much. Personally, I am not a  huge fan of painted blades as I believe the standard nickel/gold is so effective because it imitates a school of baitfish. If you've ever watched them swim by in clear water, you'll catch occasional flashes as they turn and light reflects off their scales. That's not to say the painted blades wouldn't work or that bass see those baitfish the same way as we do. 

[Reel]

For smallmouth, in gin clear water, after more than 30 years of using spinnerbaits, I now only use a 1/2 oz homemade chartreuse and white spinnerbait.  I use willows,  one chartreuse and one white.  Like most of the others I use speed as a trigger.  One thing that was not mentioned is that I use a matte silicone skirt. 

 

I fish the same waters as Finessegenic.

[Fat Ika]

15 hours ago, OldManLure said:

Spinnerbaits can be a killer for smallies.  I am a firm believer in speed, flash, and a trailer.  I have been unable to replicate the success I have had with silver blades when using painted blades.  I’m not sure why, but it doesn’t really matter.  I don’t believe I’m missing fish.  I should say that I fish rivers almost exclusively.  But on the few occasions I’ve fished lakes, the only thing I change is size of the willow leaf blades.  When I’m in water in which current isn’t exaggerating lift, I can  use larger blades for more flash.

I think you will find spinnerbaits to be effective and fun. Almost as mush fun as topwater and jerkbaits!

 

  @OldManLureThanks for advice and experience that is relative to my specific inquiry. Much appreciated. I’ll definitely keep in mind your experience with color and blade size based on the situation.

[Fat Ika]

12 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

It's one of, if not my favorite way to fish for smallies. I'll also add that speed is important, I'm a big proponent of burning a spinnerbait. I never caught much slow rolling or with a slow retrieve. My spinnerbait of choice is a Screamin Eagle Dbl Willow 3/4 oz. The heavier weight makes it easier to burn but not necessarily stay up at the surface, at least in shallower water. Only colors I throw are white/baitfish-y and chartreuse; or a combination of the two. I do have an assortment of gold and nickel framed screaming eagle. I tend to use the gold frame/gold blade on overcast days, as I was always told gold reflects light better when there is less sun. 

 

As to your question about painted blades, I don't think it matters all too much. Personally, I am not a  huge fan of painted blades as I believe the standard nickel/gold is so effective because it imitates a school of baitfish. If you've ever watched them swim by in clear water, you'll catch occasional flashes as they turn and light reflects off their scales. That's not to say the painted blades wouldn't work or that bass see those baitfish the same way as we do. 

@FinessegenicsThank you so much for all the info that relates specifically to my questions. From what it seems like, I’ll treat colors similar to largie spinnerbaiting, sunny double nickel or nickel & gold, certain levels of cloudy nickel/gold or gold/gold…….and maybe I’ll keep a painted blade setup on hand in all conditions just for curiosity and maybe committ to painted blades or gold in super dark gnarly overcast. 

1 hour ago, Reel said:

For smallmouth, in gin clear water, after more than 30 years of using spinnerbaits, I now only use a 1/2 oz homemade chartreuse and white spinnerbait.  I use willows,  one chartreuse and one white.  Like most of the others I use speed as a trigger.  One thing that was not mentioned is that I use a matte silicone skirt. 

 

I fish the same waters as Finessegenic.

@Reel Much appreciated! Gives me more confidence to experiment with painted blades in my clear waters. Thanks for the skirt experience as well!

[GaryH]

Clear water lakes my choice has always been white or white/chartreuse. And as mentioned speed seems to trigger most of my bites. As for blades gold, silver, painted all seem to work at different times. Trailers I go with what bait fish are present.

Don’t forget inline spinners. Wordens rooster tail and old stand by Mr. Twister in black or purple has bailed me out many a times.

[Krux5506]

I caught a lot of smallies burning 1/2 oz white strike king banshee spinnerbaits. On Lake Ontario, they'll never hit them. Once they move from the lake into the bay, which is quite a short distance, they totally change their attitudes and absolutely crush spinnerbaits. It's a strange deal because it's such a short distance from the bay I fish to the big lake, yet polar opposite feeding habits. 

[Bluebasser86]

My 2 best smallmouth spinnerbaits are both War Eagles. First is a 1/2 white with dual gold willowleafs and a chartreuse split tail trailer. Second is a 1/2 oz white with dual copper willowleafs and a chartreuse split tail trailer. 

 

I've caught more smallmouth in my home state with those 2 spinnerbait than any other by a mile. 

[Finessegenics]

23 hours ago, Reel said:

For smallmouth, in gin clear water, after more than 30 years of using spinnerbaits, I now only use a 1/2 oz homemade chartreuse and white spinnerbait.  I use willows,  one chartreuse and one white.  Like most of the others I use speed as a trigger.  One thing that was not mentioned is that I use a matte silicone skirt. 

 

I fish the same waters as Finessegenic.

Cool! Are you in Canada or upstate NY? 

[TnRiver46]

I got a bunch of nice smallies burning a spinner bait the same day I saw half a dozen big foot riding a herd of unicorn 

 

been skunked ever since 

[cyclops2]

We fish the same places. ?

[Fat Ika]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I got a bunch of nice smallies burning a spinner bait the same day I saw half a dozen big foot riding a herd of unicorn 

 

been skunked ever since 

LMFAO. Sounds like my experience with attempting to damiki rig for suspended largies from a pontoon with an anchor and no electronics. 

 

12 hours ago, Bluebasser86 said:

My 2 best smallmouth spinnerbaits are both War Eagles. First is a 1/2 white with dual gold willowleafs and a chartreuse split tail trailer. Second is a 1/2 oz white with dual copper willowleafs and a chartreuse split tail trailer. 

 

I've caught more smallmouth in my home state with those 2 spinnerbait than any other by a mile. 

Nice. Thanks for the info @Bluebasser86 What kind of body of water, primary forage and conditions work for you with these baits?

19 hours ago, Krux5506 said:

I caught a lot of smallies burning 1/2 oz white strike king banshee spinnerbaits. On Lake Ontario, they'll never hit them. Once they move from the lake into the bay, which is quite a short distance, they totally change their attitudes and absolutely crush spinnerbaits. It's a strange deal because it's such a short distance from the bay I fish to the big lake, yet polar opposite feeding habits. 

@Krux5506 Thanks for your experience. Based on your experience and other similar experience, I'll wait until mid/late prespawn to attempt smallie spinnerbaiting and try to see how my waters fair with running shallow flats from late prespawn through the recovered post-spawn period.

[TnRiver46]

10 minutes ago, Fat Ika said:

LMFAO. Sounds like my experience with attempting to damiki rig for suspended largies from a pontoon with an anchor and no electronics. 

 

 

Dude! I just caught a spot on my lunch break from the bank with a damiki. And a herring 

 

[Columbia Craw]

6 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I got a bunch of nice smallies burning a spinner bait the same day I saw half a dozen big foot riding a herd of unicorn 

 

been skunked ever since 

So what did you think of Oregon?

[Fat Ika]

4 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

Dude! I just caught a spot on my lunch break from the bank with a damiki. And a herring 

 

Thanks for the live pic of the herring. I've fished Up North my whole life, so I had no idea. Do eastern europeans pickle those down there? Gramps in my profile pic loved those pickled herring! 

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Fat Ika said:

Thanks for the live pic of the herring. I've fished Up North my whole life, so I had no idea. Do eastern europeans pickle those down there? Gramps in my profile pic loved those pickled herring! 

Heck no, these are some nasty creatures. Skipjack herring, I’ve never heard of anyone attempting to eat one. But they are great bait. My wife caught a 36 striped bass with a dead one