How to Catch Bass with a Spinnerbait

How to Catch Bass with a Spinnerbait by Dan Thomas

The Spinnerbait can be one of the most versatile lures in a bass angler’s arsenal. It can be used successfully in most all situations the bass angler encounters. The spinnerbait can be effective in shallow water, and deep water, it can be fished in clear water, stained water, or muddy water.

The spinnerbait is a tool as is all fishing lures. It is important to use the right tool for the right job. The key to taking advantage of this lure’s versatility is to understand the different types of blades and blade configurations, and under what conditions they perform the best.

The willow leaf blade is long and narrow shaped much like the name suggest. The willow leaf blade creates a tremendous amount of flash with less vibration then some of the other types of blades. This style of blade works best in clear to slightly stained water and can draw fish from great distances. The willow leaf blade also works well when fished in or around vegetation. The slender design allows it to come through the vegetation without fouling the blade action.

The Colorado blade is more of a rounded blade and creates more vibration and less flash then the Willow Leaf blade. The Colorado blade is a good choice when the water is stained or muddy. The heavy vibration makes it easier for the bass to locate the lure when the water clarity is poor. The Colorado blade creates more lift and can be fished at a slower speed then the Willow Leaf blade.

A good compromise to the Colorado and the Willow Leaf blade is the Indiana blade. The Indiana blade is more elongated then the Colorado but has a wider profile then the willow leaf blade. The Indiana blade will create a little less flash but more vibration then the Willow leaf blade, and more flash and less vibration then the Colorado blade. The Indiana blade is best suited for slightly stained water or when you need to fish a little deeper at a faster speed then you can achieve with the Colorado blade.

The angler can vary the depth at which the bait runs by adding a second and sometimes a third blade to the bait. The additional blades will create more lift. You can also go to a heavier or lighter head weight, a larger or smaller blade size or vary the speed of retrieve to change the depth at which the bait is running.

The colors of blades and skirts can also be changed. A good rule of thumb is in clear water use more natural colors matching the color of the forage the bass feed on in that particular body of water. In murky water or in low light conditions stay with darker colors or fluorescent colors such as chartreuse and lime green.

The spinnerbait works best when bounced off cover. By bouncing, the bait off the cover and pausing the retrieve as it deflects it will sometimes trigger a reaction strike from the bass. In low light conditions such as heavy cloud cover, it is sometimes very productive to retrieve the lure just below the surface creating a wake on the surface.