Spinnerbaits
or otherwise known as “blades” by professionals and amateurs around the bass fishing
world are known as one of the most versatile and
challenging lures to be on the market for the past
30 years. In today’s high priced and fancy market
of flashy lures that truly catch more the eye of the
angler than the eye of the bass, the spinnerbait has
maintained almost its original shape and design from
its inception. Changing its materials to withstand
the knock and bumps that the strongest fish and
strongest angler could ever give one of there baits,
the tackle companies have had to create materials that
could hold up to all the abuse that both fish and
anglers could ever put it through.
From the start, spinnerbaits were made of
stainless steel and had a "close-pin" type frame.
The wire was of one diameter with anywhere from one
to two blades of various shapes and sizes to create
different flashes and vibrations desired.
Manufacturers then started to try various other shapes
of wire and they created the “r-bend” which helps to balance the
bait better. The “r-bend” allows the bait to swim
more natural and balanced without turning over like out of
balanced baits do. After the “r-bend” was developed, companies
began experimenting with variations of smaller wire diameter that
allows the bait to vibrate on a greater level.
With thinner wire towards the end by the blades, the wire shaft
begins to vibrate making a squeaking noise that the fish can
hear and home in on. Some companies are currently experimenting
with spring wire. Spring wire is a wire variation between a stainless
wire and titanium. While the stainless wire will bend and have to be
retuned after each fish, the titanium wire, which is a little
thicker and has a sound of its own, snaps back and maintains its
original shape and does not break or bend after numerous fish.
The experimental spring wire has its own vibration and it has
some snap back capabilities along with better durability than
standard stainless wire.
New to the market last year were the titanium
wire spinnerbaits that were introduced by Terminator but are actually
manufactured by the Horizon Lure Company located in Douglas, AZ. The titanium
spinnerbait is a hit on the market due to its durability plus there is no need
to tune the bait after each fish. With the wire being a little thicker than
stainless wire, there is a little less vibration than you have with the
stainless wire.One of the problems
with these baits was that with titanium wire being virtually unbreakable,
initially there was no way to change the tandem blade on the arm. There was
essentially no way to open the loop on the end of the arm. This year Horizon
Lure Company is producing for Terminator a sleeve on the arm of the spinnerbait
that allows for the changing of the blade. This clip is very useful and will
allow for many combinations of baits to be designed by many different
fishermen.
Hawg Caller Baits, located in Union, South
Carolina, has been making spinnerbaits for a many years. Hawg Caller uses a
thin wire that allows for maximum vibration and a well-balanced bait. Like some
spinnerbait companies, Hawg Caller, in their building of baits, paints the neck
of the bait with an orangish red color, which represents wounded bait. Hawg
Caller also incorporates different blade combinations into their line of
product. They are one of a few companies that make a tandem bait with an
Indiana blade and a willow combination, instead of the Colorado and a willow
combination manufactured by most companies. The different combinations allows
for a different vibration which in return makes for a different look in the
water to the fish. Hawg Caller was the first company, to my knowledge, to
produce a spinnerbait that incorporates triple willow leaf blades. Now, there
are numerous other companies that have come out with a model this year with
three or four willow leaf blade combinations.
Let’s look at the many different blades types
that are available and what the differences are for each type. There are
Colorado blades, willow leaf blades, Indiana blades, and turtleback blades. The
Colorado blade is a blade that is meant to be used in dingy to dirty colored
water due to the fact that it gives off the most vibration of all the blades
currently on the market. The Colorado blade comes in sizes 00 to 7, 7 being the
biggest. Colorado blades are also available in numerous color variations. Next
is the Indiana blade which is between a willow leaf and a Colorado blade. The
Indiana blade gives off a little less vibration than the Colorado but it gives
off a little more flash than the Colorado blade. The Indiana blades also come
in sizes from 00 to 7 and they are also available in some colors. The willow
leaf is next. It is one of the more popular blades currently on the market
today and its shape resembles that of a baitfish. This blade gives off less
vibration than any other blade, but it gives off the most flash than all the
other blades. These blades are available in sizes from 3 to 7 and they are
available in more colors than any of the others. Last is the turtleback blade.
This blade appeared about two years ago and gives off a tremendous amount of
flash and vibration. This blade has the shape of a turtleback and with its
unique shape it has become popular with the fisherman. The turtleback blade is
available in sizes from 4 to 7 and only available in nickel and gold colors.
When fishing a spinnerbait, there are many
different ways to fish them. There is a method called “slow rolling.” This
method can be done with baits ranging from ¼-oz to 2-oz baits. The bait is
thrown out and allowed to sink, you would then turn the handle slow enough so
that the blades on the bait barely turn. This gives the bait the look of a
dying or wounded baitfish. Another method is when you throw out the bait and
you reel the lure very fast to were the lure is making a wake on the surface,
you can also allow the lure to blow out of the water occasionally making it
look like a baitfish is running away and leaping out of the water. This method
is called “burning” a spinnerbait.Another method is where you just reel at a
normal speed and pump the rod. This method makes the skirt pulsate and
allows the bait to come to life. While you are reeling if the lure gets hung up in
the grass, just twitch the rod tip pulling the lure free, just don’t pull to hard or the
lure will move too fast. When the lure is pulled free from the cover, you have the
opportunity to get a reaction strike from the fish. Spinnerbait trailers can be added for
extra action and a different look and also don’t forget about a trailer hook,
but realize that these additions can change the action of the bait ever so
subtle. Spinnerbaits can be fished on line from 10-lb to 25-lb depending on
the cover that you are fishing around. There are some braids on the market
that you
should also give a try. The braids are thinner in diameter and they provide
such sensitivity that you will be amazed at what you can feel. Fishing with
a braid, you will know when your blades quit turning either from a fish or
from
weeds stopping the rotation of the blades.
Spinnerbaits have quite a bit of potential for
many different situations and areas. There are many different sizes, shapes,
wire material, color and blade combinations to choose from. Don’t be afraid to
use one and don’t give up on them to early. You have to build as much
confidence as possible in the baits that you are using.This means that
you need to learn as much as possible about each of the baits you fish.
The more you learn about their function and variations available, the better
your confidence becomes. Your confidence will directly influence your
ability to catch fish.
All baits provided by:
Hawg Caller Spinnerbaits and Soft Plastics
P.O. Box 100
Union, SC 29379
1-800-842-0582
www.hawgcaller.com
Horizon Lure Company
4715 Eugene Avenue
Douglas, AZ 85607
1-800-818-3026
www.horizonlures.com
Brent Propst
Gambler Boat National Team Member
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