|
|||||||||
Visit our Sponsor!
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Spinnerbaits - Fish Them Like a Jig for Fast Action |
|
By Sam Webb, UTAH FISHING General Manager
If you spend much time in your favorite sporting goods store or if you like to browse through the fishing catalogs I am sure that you have run across some funny looking contraptions that look like a cross between a spinner and a jig. Typically there is a safety pin-like wire that has a spinner blade attached to one end and a leadhead hook on the other. The leadhead hook usually has a built in skirt (a lot like the hula skirt girls over in Hawaii like to wear) that drapes over the hook. The skirts come in as many colors, styles and designs as there are spinnerbaits. All are made to flutter and wave as the bait is pulled through the water. The action of the skirt, along with the noise and action of the spinning blade attract the bass' attention. There are some variations to this general pattern that may or may not help you catch fish. Some spinnerbaits have two blades. Some have a round blade and a willow leaf blade, some have two willow blades, etc. Others have blades designed to "pulsate," "gurgle," "sputter," or "spit." One spinnerbait (the Tornador?) has a clapper that is attached under and just inside the blade. The clapper bumps against the blade as it spins producing a tapping noise that is supposed to attract bass. A modification of the spinnerbait that gives you more flexibility in designing the weight and look of the lure is called the Beetle Spin Tm (made by Bass Buster). The Beetle Spin Tm has the same safety pin-like wire with a spinner blade attached to the top that spinnerbaits do. However, the leadhead hook on the bottom is removable. This gives you the flexability of changing the weight of the leadhead (and consequently the depth the spinner will run) easily. The leadhead hook can be fitted with a skirt or the Beetle Tm that comes in the package. Or, you can get creative and slide on a single or doubletail grub, a plastic worm or other plastic creature. Sometimes a singletail grub is attached to the hook behind a skirt to really give the lure some action. The most simple way to fish a spinnerbait is to cast and retrieve the lure like you would a spinner. Work the spinnerbait just off structure or along the edge of a weed bed, drop-off or brush pile. Vary the speed of the retrieve and the weight of the leadhead to give the action and depth you think will attract the most bass. If the bass are really active that may be all you need to do. However, if the bass are not very aggressive you may have to change tactics. Many of the spinnerbaits can be made to run near or right at the surface, sometimes with the spinner blade actually cutting the surface much like a buzz bait. The sputtering, gurgling and splashing of the blade will excite bass that might not take the bait if it were fished deeper. To bring the blade to the surface, fish with a light lure (several brands are designed to be fished on the surface) and pull the bait rapidly through the water. An exciting and productive way to fish spinnerbaits is to work the lure much like you would a jig. Instead of letting it sink and then retrieving it conventionally through the water, let it tumble off of rocks and bounce off of structures. Let it drop and flutter along steeply inclined, rocky slopes, submerged cliffs, and along the edges of old creek channels. The spinnerbait can be fished as deep as 30 or 40 feet using this technique. Cast it out and then, instead of immediately beginning your retrieve, let it flutter down toward the bottom. As it falls the blades twirling action (much like a helicopter roter) will slow its decent and the blade will flash as it spins and wobbles. The sound of the blade moving through the water and the flash will mimic the sounds and flash of a baitfish or crayfish. No doubt about it, a dropping spinnerbait will attract some bass. The problem is that unless you have extra sensory perception, you may never know it. As the bait drops, the bass will simply inhale it. The bait will stop part way through its decent. The most you will ever feel is a slight tap. Usually you will become aware (and this is where the ESP comes in handy) of the fact that the lure is no longer dropping or that the line has moved in an unnatural way. If you are enjoying the sunset or if you are busy swatting mosquitoes you won't even know that there are any bass around, let alone that one had your lure in its mouth. Dropping spinnerbaits calls for concentration. You literally have to get a feel for how your bait should be acting. When it does something strange, set the hook! Some fishers develop the ability to 'sense' when a bass has inhaled their lure quite easily. Others seem to have a hard time figuring it out. Again, the key is concentration. A good light action rod with a fast tip will help you 'feel' when a bass has sucked your bait in. Make sure the rod has enough backbone to handle a big hog. The lighter your line, the easier it will be to 'feel' the bass. You will have to decide on the trade-off here. Too light of a line and you may lose that once in a summer bass. Too heavy of a line and you may never hook it at all. For most action try a small diameter, six pound test. If you are fishing in heavy weeds or in the branches of a fallen tree, eight pound test is probably your best bet. If you have never tried spinnerbaits before, it's time you did. You will find them to be a powerful new weapon in your bass arsenal. |
Home - Fishing - National Parks - ATV - Photography - Other Topics - Recreational Property
Place your ad here and reach the great outdoors! Site owned and operated by |
