Spinnerbaits in Grass
by Jeff Bruhl

The original name of the spinnerbait was the jig spinner. A simple wire attached to a jig head on one end and a blade on the other caught fish like crazy. The new lure was bounced on the bottom, hopped around cover, or pulled in a straight retrieve. The spinnerbait has advanced since the first one hit the market. No matter how you fish it, it is nevertheless a great lure for finding and catching bass of all sizes.

Lures, lines, and rods may be in vogue one year and collect dust the next. However, anglers who find a lure that produces, often request special orders from the company. When the demand becomes too great, the product will hit the market again. One such lure returning to the market is Stanley's VibraShaft Spinnerbait (www.fishstanley.com/vibrashaft). The company has brought the long sought after bait back to the production line. Just like the original jig spinner of years ago, VibraShaft Spinnerbaits work with various techniques and situations.

A common saying in the bass fishing world is "Grass means bass!" One great system for bass feeding around grass is a spinnerbait. VibraShaft Spinnerbaits slide in and through grass with ease. The lure works great for ticking the top of a grass bed, fluttering the bait in the holidays, or slow rolling down a wall of grass. Lakes like Toledo Bend and Kentucky Lake are loaded with grass beds. A VibraShaft lure handles grass that is submerged, matted, or scattered.

Ken Chaumont of Stanley Lures took a few VibraShaft Spinnerbaits to a recent outing on Toledo Bend. Although the day was cold and bright, several nice fish were taken by the lure. A slow retrieve and ticking of the tops of the submerged grass beds was the ticket for catching fish with the tough conditions.

"Working deep grass with a spinnerbait is a great pattern." begins Ken. "I was casting into the edges of submerged grass and letting the bait fall just enough to feel the "tick" of the grass."

Grass beds are normally a jungle like place where bass hide and ambush passing bait. Beef up the line to a 17 - 20 pound test variety like Trilene Maxx. Long, medium heavy rods will aid the angler after a strike occurs. Pull the bass away from the cover quickly to alleviate the problem of fish burying in the grass.

The VibraShaft design makes it ideal for fishing grass, wood cover, or open water. Stanley Lures designed the bait with a Patented Tapered Shaft. The shaft is tapered towards the blade, which increases vibration and energy of the blades. Great head shape helps the bait drive through the grass cover. VibraShaft's skirt colors help match the water conditions in just about any body of water.

The numerous techniques of a jig spinner have not changed much since the beginning. Better wire, head shapes, and colors found on a VibraShaft only improve the foundation of an impressive bait. Grass and spinnerbaits go hand in hand when an angler is trying to locate fish. Stanley Lures has brought back a great spinnerbait with a proven track record for adding weight to the live well.

About the author: Jeff Bruhl is a member of the Louisiana Outdoors Writer Association, pro angler, and a pharmacist. His website, www.marshbass.com, covers freshwater fishing across Louisiana and the gulf coast. Each Saturday morning between 5-7 am CST, a bass fishing report can be heard on the Outdoors with Don Dubuc Radio Show (www.dontheoutdoorsguy.com) on 870 AM from the New Orleans station. Jeff has made numerous television and radio appearances on shows like Paradise Louisiana, The Big Fish, and ABC26.com. From tips on youtube.com to weekly reports on his website, his articles and reports provide tips and tactics for bass anglers in the sportsman paradise. Jeff’s sponsors include Abu Garcia, Xpoint hooks, Bud Light, Louisiana Fish Fry Products, Power Pole, Stanley Jigs and Spinnerbaits, Skeeter, Dockside Marine, Rat-L-Trap, and Berkley. For more information about fishing in Louisiana, drop Jeff an email at jeff@marshbass.com.