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 When
I saw my first spinnerbait, I found myself asking, "what
kind of fish would be stupid enough to strike at a lure
like this?" It did not take too long for me to find
out! The next day I caught a largemouth bass around 2
pounds and was hooked on the concept. Spinnerbaits come
in many forms. Single, double and triple bladed versions
are available with a multitude of replaceable skirt colors
to choose from. This lure can be adapted for used in shallow
and deep-water presentations by using lighter or heavier
bodies. I often add weight, either wrapping lead wire
around the lure or pinching large sinkers onto the wire
frame to make it sink faster in very deep water. Buzzbaits,
while looking completely different from it's cousin the
spinnerbait, also come with single double and triple rotating
propellers, again offering interchangeable skirts for
exciting top water action. I will deal with each lure
individually, to avoid confusion for the novice and talk
about the many ways these lures can be used. Even our
more experienced anglers may find something here that
will suit their favorite fishing hole the next time they
"wet a line".
SPINNERBAITS: Three important things I would like to let
our readers know is that it does not have to be a windy
day to throw a spinnerbait. I have used these lures with
great success on calm days. The only difference being
that I increase the retrieve rate so the fish do not get
a good look at the lure. Secondly, in weedy situations
do not use a trailer hook, as this will only cause the
lure to snag and you will spend more time cleaning weed
or debris off the lure than fishing. I will only use trailers
in open water situations. Finally, making sure all your
hooks are constantly being sharpened. I carry a small
file and stone for this specific purpose. You will thank
me for reminding you, I promise! Single bladed spinnerbaits
are often used in murky water conditions or for dusk and
nighttime fishing. Most often, the single blade is in
the "spoon like" Colorado style. This type of
blade gives a tremendous amount of vibration in the water.
As the bass have trouble seeing the lure due to water
clarity or lack of daylight, they strike at this vibration
and will track the spinnerbait with their lateral lines.
I like black skirts for this application so that when
the bass are almost on top of the lure, the color does
not stop them from attacking the bait. I have found that
light color skirts in dark water tend to reduce the "hook-up"
ratio. Double bladed baits are my go to bait in clear,
shallow conditions in the lakes around the island. Double
bladed lures vary in design. I have a lot of willow leaf
bladed combinations (these blades are shaped like a fish
without a tail). They are mounted onto the frame of the
lure with a smaller blade leading the lure and a larger
blade following. This presentation mimics a medium sized
fish trying to catch a small one! Bass love to sneak up
behind another fish in the act of hunting as in their
mind, they think the attacking fish is concentrating so
much on the chase, that it will not see or sense the bass
attacking from behind. I have found that during spring
and early summer, a small Colorado blade in front of the
willow leaf blade will give added vibration to the flash
of the willow leaf and get more attention. As the weather
continues to warm, the double willow leaf combination
emits a lot of flash from the sunlight and a curious bass
will attack these lures when fished at high speed in clear
water. If the water is stained or muddy a slower speed
should be used. Triple bladed spinnerbaits are just adding
more "fish like appeal" to the lure and as there
are a new selection coming to the market, it is something
the bass in your area have perhaps not see, so more hooks
ups are possible. Skirt color is a personal choice. I
prefer orange and gold for shallow and clear water presentations,
and all white or white and chartreuse for windy days and
deeper water situations. For all the combinations above,
when I am fishing a moving body of water, (and occasionally
in very deep lakes) I like to make long casts and allow
the bait to "helicopter" in a downward spiral,
allowing the flow of the river to gently push the bait
towards me on the retrieve. Often, as you connect with
the lure to begin the retrieval, the fish will strike
the lure, so make sure you keep good contact with your
lure at all times.
BUZZBAITS: These are probably the most unusual looking
of all the lures we cast for bass. I believe like many
others that these lures imitate a rat, mouse or a frog,
scurrying along the surface of the water. This is a big
bass bait! I have seen huge bass caught with this lure,
but the presentation is critical to your success. First,
you must "tune your buzzbait". This is accomplished
in several different ways. |
- tying your lure to your driver side wing mirror
on your truck or car and allowing the blades to rotate
as you drive. These high-speed action will (after
a few miles!) make the lure squeak, if it is raining,
so much the better! This squeak will enhance the attraction
of the lure and certainly increase your chances of
catching a bass.
- drilling small holes in the propeller blades will
increase the surface movement.
- bending the arm of the bait downward to place the
hook lower in the water. This will increase your hook
up ratio greatly.
- removing the rivet casing that holds the blades
in place so that they will turn erratically.
- bending the body so that the lure returns when retrieving
line in an arc rather that a straight line. I have
said before, that fish do not swim in straight lines
so why should your lures?
- add a trailer hook but turn the barb downwards!
It's sneaky, but it does increase the hook up percentages
in your favor! As the New Year approaches, watch for
a new spinnerbaits and buzzbaits on the market called
SNAP- SET. This is a new concept and it works! I have
field-tested this bait for the best part of a year
and catch fish time after time. The fish cannot shake
lose from the spinnerbait or buzzbait because of a
unique design where the hook separates from the lure
when the fish strikes! Make sure you pick up a few!
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Tight
Lines.
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