Don’t let the “bait” game cause you to waste fishing time deciding what to use. Spinnerbaits are consistent “year-round” bass catchers. I never leave the dock without one tied on. Neither should you! This Lake Gaston largemouth was caught and released unharmed by Local Guide, Alan Paczkowski.





Awakening to the rain, wind, thunder and flashes of lighting left little doubt that today was not going to be a day to get out on the water and wet a line. So after catching up on a few e-mails I decided that today would be the perfect day to spend some time “re-organizing” my bait storage system, which had gotten a little messy after several weeks on the road. No matter how organized I try to keep my tackle this activity always brings me to the realization that I, like many other anglers, have fallen prey to the “just gotta have it” bait purchasing mindset. Don’t get me wrong; owning a variety of baits is not a bad thing. Moreover, since fishing is my profession, I tend to “justify” my bait acquisitions with little guilt. So what’s my point? My point is not so much “how many” baits you buy or own but rather which ONE you use! Not an easy decision especially when one considers the multitude of proven bass catching baits on the market today.My point is not so much “how many”baits you buy or own but rather which ONE you use! Not an easy decision especially when one considersthe multitude of proven bass catching baits on the market today. Without a doubt, deciding which bait to use can become nothing less than overwhelming. But what if your choices were limited to using just one type of bait? What if you were “required” to select one type bait and had to spend the remainder of your bass angling days fishing with it! What would it be?

Tough question and one that I often pose to clients and fellow tournament anglers. So what’s their answer? Most are quick to say they would select "soft plastics" or a jig-and-pig. Logical choices and certainly proven winners. Others, myself included, adamantly and without hesitation state that our "no brainer" selection would be a spinnerbait. Why? Simple. It is without question the most versatile bait on the market today.

Think about it, you can effectively present a spinnerbait under a myriad of conditions, in all types of cover or structure, and in every season. Whether it's summer, fall, winter, or spring. Whether the water is hot, cold, muddy or clear. Whether you are fishing deep or just below the surface. Whether you are working weeds, grass, brush, standing timber, stumps, rock piles, boat docks, rip-rap or any other particular type of cover or structure, a spinnerbait is tough to beat.

So, just what is it that makes a spinnerbait such a consistent bass catcher? For certain, it is not because a spinnerbait resembles any form of natural forage; because it doesn't. It does however represent a combination of elements that are attractive to bass. Without question spinnerbaits offer unlimited combinations of flash, vibration, color, and profiles. Additionally they are quiet, non-threatening baits, which act naturally. Properly match the above characteristics to the existing conditions and bass find them quite irresistible.

Don't get me wrong. I am not suggesting that spinnerbaits are the magic key to bass catching consistency. What I am saying is that no other single bait offers the versatility, flexibility, and capability to be properly presented under every imaginable fishing condition and scenario as does the spinnerbait.

Now that you know how I feel about spinnerbaits it only seems fair that I share some factors I consider when deciding which one to tie on. Space constraints limit today's discussion to a very few spinnerbait fundamentals. As with every aspect of successful bass angling, on-the-water experimentation under various conditions is the best way to fine-tune the BASICS of spinnerbait angling.

BLADE TYPES: Spinnerbait blades come in a variety of blade types; today we'll just discuss the most common. Generally speaking, I believe a Willow-leaf blade is the best all-around choice for fishing clear or slightly stained water. Why? Its shape provides sufficient flash and vibration without spooking the bass. Additionally it can be presented in much heavier cover and worked at faster speeds than the other two common types.

When fishing cold or muddy water I prefer a Colorado blade because it displaces a lot of water, gives off more vibration, and can be presented much slower than a Willow-leaf blade can. Remember that cold or muddy water conditions dictate a slower presentation and some "noise" so the bass can more easily locate and respond to your bait under conditions of reduced metabolism or visibility. Colorado blades fulfill both concerns.

Lastly there is the Indiana blade, which is tear shaped and a compromise between the Colorado and Willow-leaf. Indiana blades produce good vibration, a lot of flash and displace an ample quantity of water. They are my choice when fishing warm stained or warm muddy water when the bass are active.

SINGLE OR TANDEM: Single spinnerbaits (one blade) are the most common and versatile. They can be fished deep, shallow, and with a variety of retrieves (stop-and-go, straight, helicoptered, fluttered, Yo-Yo). Their clean design allows them to be fished in cover with minimum snags or hang-ups. They also produce more vibration than tandem blades (two blades). One drawback to single blades is their tendency to roll to the side when retrieved at a high speed. Not a desirable presentation!

Tandem spinnerbaits offer more flash and lift than do single spins. They are excellent choices when a lot of flash or more lift is desired. More importantly they can be worked at higher speeds through shallow cover when the bass are in an active mood and cruising. Tandems are the perfect choice for "buzzing" or "burning" your bait just under the surface to create a bulge or wake. When the bass are active and shallow, tandem blades are hard to beat. On the other hand, they are not a good choice for deep water, slow rolling, or vertical drop presentations.

BLADE SIZE: Blades are available in many different sizes. On most spinnerbaits you can switch blades to achieve different combinations of size, color, flash, vibration, and depth. A numbering system starting from #00 (smallest) to #8 (largest) is used. Blade sizes are arbitrary; that is, a #3 Colorado is not the same size as a #3 Willow-leaf. I prefer to start with smaller blades in the spring (#2 or #3) and move to larger blades as the season progresses. If the bass are feeding on shad I try to match my blade size to the size of their body. As with all baits, don't be afraid to experiment until the bass tell you what they want. Different conditions call for different sizes, colors, and presentations.

BLADE COLOR: Blade finishes can be painted, flat metallic, or hammered. Silver, gold, and copper are the most common colors. However, don't overlook the whole new family of painted blades, which have invaded the market. Water clarity and light conditions dictate my blade color choice. In clear water I prefer silver. On tandem spins I often use a silver/gold combination. Blades with the new metal flake finishes are also big favorites. Even though they don't emit the same amount of brilliance metallic blades do; they produce a lot of flash, which is broken up into numerous tiny flashes - just like a school of baitfish flitting through the water. Try them, they work!

SKIRT COLOR: For certain there are more colors available than you can imagine. As you may have guessed, water clarity, light conditions, and available forage dictate my choice. When the water is clear I prefer skirts in a clear silver flake, clear green, or clear pepper color. I also like to add a few strands of red, blue, or gold to the above. Solid white is also a good choice. In stained water chartreuse and white or chartreuse and blue are solid picks. Muddy water calls for pure chartreuse or a firetiger pattern. Of course, at night or on dark, heavily overcast days colors like black or purple work well.

TRAILERS: I believe in them and I use them. Why? They add color, wiggle and provide bulk. Under most conditions white or pearl-white is my first choice. Chartreuse adds often-needed visibility. A good rule of thumb for trailer colors is to complement your skirt color. Try to avoid dramatically contrasting skirt/trailer combinations.

TRAILER HOOKS: Why wouldn’t you use one? I cannot tell you how many bass would not have made their way into my boat were it not for a trailer hook. So, unless the cover is so thick that using a trailer hook absolutely prevents you from effectively presenting your bait, I strongly suggest using one.

Lastly, the most important of all spinnerbait characteristics and considerations, yet unfortunately the one many anglers pay the least attention to, is QUALITY! As with most things in life "you get what you pay for". When selecting a spinnerbait "bargains" should not be your driving consideration. I look for a spinnerbaits that use only the finest components. To do otherwise makes absolutely no sense. Getting a bass to strike requires using a bait that produces good flash and vibration. Once they strike, quality hooks and components are what put them in the boat. Whether you fish recreationally or compete in tournaments do yourself a favor and let quality not price determine
your spinnerbait choice. I guarantee the results will speak for themselves.

As always, if you have questions give me a call; I’ll try my best to answer them. Better yet, let’s get together and put the BASICS OF BASS KNOW HOW to the test out on beautiful Lake Gaston NC/VA. Just call me at (252) 537-9958 or you may e-mail me at: lakepacz@3rddoor.com to reserve your bass fishing date or to order a Gift Certificate for that special bass angler in your life.

Till next time, have fun fishing, be safe and courteous on the water, and please practice catch and release so we all can enjoy bass fishing for many years to come.